Is it just me, or is the ground still shaking from Bautista’s bat flip!
Well, when this piece goes live, we’ll be a mere 10 hours and 30 minutes away from the start of another potential earthquake.
Combine the #BigBlueMachine with the positives brought forth by the Raptors’ preseason, and you get a sports scene that Torontonians (or should I say all of Canada) can currently feast on.
Even the Leafs are at least passing the “quality effort” eye test. Which is more than I can say for the candidates of the upcoming Federal Election. Is Justin just not ready?
OK, moving on.
It’s easy for a storyline to get lost in the shuffle with so much action front and center. Take Wednesday night’s tilt with the Timberwolves for example, it never stood a chance to garner much attention. We lucked out, though, or as Zarar put it in his Quick React, Casey decided to treat the game like an open practice.
But with the season almost here, and housekeeping out of the way, let’s shine the spotlight on an under the radar subject matter.
The debate started on draft day, with the Raps’ brass passing on the Power Forward services of Bobby Portis in favour of locking down the club’s probable Point Guard of the future, Delon Wright. It’s just one of many conversations worthy of “Undercard” status, but it’s quickly transforming into much more than a casual concern.
I’ve seen the discussion heat up in the comment section, rage on Twitter, and even overheard while eavesdropping on a random conversation at one of T.O.’s fine dive bar establishments. The latter turned ugly, Rob Babcock references and all.
Before we get into it, the moment calls for Michael Buffer to start the proceedings:
Introducing first, fighting out of Chicago, the former Razorback and SEC Player of the year, weighing in at 246 pounds while standing 6’11” tall, the 20-year-old with a 7’2″ wingspan, hailing from Little Rock, Arkansas:
The Case for Bobby “You Should’ve Picked Me” Portis
One look down the Bulls’ frontcourt depth chart and it doesn’t take long to realize that Portis landed in a prime spot, and the reason Chicago snatched him up at 22nd overall. Whether it be Pau Gasol’s wear and tear at age 35, Joakim Noah’s declining production (career lows in Points, FG%, FT%, Blocks, and Boards last season), the concern over Taj Gibson’s offseason ankle surgery, or the fact that fast-rising Nikola Mirotic is looking to set up shop at the Three spot.
A scenario that somewhat mirrors Toronto’s situation. The reflection being the mutual need for help in the post.
Enter the outcry from a good portion of this city’s supporters. A collective that’s gaining members with each passing highlight of Portis in the preseason. A commotion that stems from the Raps seemingly drafting in an area that didn’t exactly require a future piece in relation to the present. While failing to boost a position much more in need as a result.
Picking and choosing which parts of Preseason we can hold as concrete has forever been a crapshoot, but that’s not to say one can’t take a player’s performance as a sign of things to come. Patterson’s shaky and timid beginning hasn’t done him any favours, and it’s only strengthening the Portis side of the fight.
Even with the loss of Amir Johnson, and no acquisitions on a higher level than Scola or Bismack Biyombo to speak of, I still stand by my thoughts that the frontcourt will end up being an effective unit. The Power Forward position in particular. Where addition by subtraction can amount to success if a rotation is used properly. Though I must admit, the noise of what Portis could currently be providing is becoming tougher to ignore.
Especially when he owns an early resume of a 20-point in 30-minute night (66.7% from the field), two double-doubles, rebounding efforts that have hit the 14 and 16 mark (both including 7 of the offensive variety), a three-block performance, a total of four treys in nine attempts, and a stellar 13 free-throws made in 15 tries. Versatility on full display.
It’s conceivable that the decision to take Wright could become a full blown moment of regret. However, that move, along with Delon himself, offer plenty of weight to help install faith that Wright was the correct choice. Besides, we’re far from making any kind of hindsight judgements.
AND IN THIS CORNER, fighting out of The 6ix, the former floor general of the Utah Utes and winner of the Bob Cousy Award, weighing in at 190 pounds while standing 6’5″ tall, the 24-year-old with a tenacious defensive mindset that helps mask his jump shot, hailing from Los Angeles, California:
The Confirmation of Delon “Worthy” Wright
This side of the fence won’t be reinforced by stats, as Wright hasn’t had the same opportunity to showcase his own versatility so far. But let’s let his top 10 status in Pac-12 scoring, assists, and steals speak on its behalf. Though PP’s hesitation to assert himself has had a trickle down effect.
To validate this pick, a few factors have to be taken into consideration, as the Raps lived in a different world four months ago.
Kyle Lowry’s transformation had yet to become a trending topic, who at the time was slowly developing into a depreciating asset. Free Agency hadn’t begun, so the signing of Cory Joseph existed as just a possibility. Even more so with LaMarcus Aldridge yet to find a new home, which ultimately made acquiring Cojo a reality.
In addition, the imminent contract situation concerning DeMar DeRozan started to become the elephant in the room, and for as much as Casey’s decision-making skills get (at times) highly criticized, one can connect the likelihood that Wright was a requested Coach’s pick.
And it’s easy to see why. Wright helps solidify the switch in defensive philosophy, and all indications suggest a fundamentally sound prospect on both ends. With a pick-and-roll pedigree to boot. A tested four years at Utah can also translate into Wright contributing sooner than people think.
Though that now becomes the question. With formidable pieces gathered and factoring in after the fact, will Wright still receive the minutes we once thought he would when drafted? Well, just like at the Four spot, we’ll get to see if Casey can handle and establish the options at his disposal.
Round 1 Scorecard
Patience should be preached, as Portis has gained a leg up out of the gate in terms of opportunity. But I’ll end off with my attempt at reading between the lines. I believe Masai’s master plan is still in effect, and that Wright is a big part of this team’s future. The backcourt may seem overcrowded at the moment, but with the amount of avenues Ujiri can take, don’t be surprised if a chance opens up in short order.
Who’s to say that Norman Powell would even be suiting up for this squad if the higher-ups weren’t mandating a new defensive identity. One could argue that if Portis got drafted, Powell doesn’t become a Raptor by sheer difference of direction. And does anyone want to even entertain that thought at this point?
To change a culture, you must first fix its foundation, and Delon Wright only assists the cause. But with Portis’s play setting the bar high, future rounds will be needed for a definitive outcome to take place.
To be continued…
I’ll see y’all at 7:30.
