When it comes to the way public opinion shifts back and forth, I’d put this fan base up against all comers. And now that the Raptors have passed the postseason’s first test of adversity, I can only assume that faith has been restored.
Should it have wavered in the first place, though? Well, if you started screaming profanity at your television following Game 1, you’re not alone. If flashbacks of the previous two years raced through your mind, I’m right there with you. But if you got to the point where you asked yourself: Why do I invest so much time and effort in a franchise that continuously doesn’t return the favor when it matters most? That would have been the moment where our collective emotions parted ways.
If this series ultimately leaves us with yet another bitter taste, I’ll have no choice but to join the same complaint department and put this club on blast. But despite the frustration attached to Game 1, it did provide a positive reinforcement. One that set the tone for Game 2 and then proceeded to create a monster. If you’re late to the party, I’m referring to the contributions made by this squad’s supporting cast — we just had to look past the struggles of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry to appreciate it.
The fact that DeRozan has put up two no-shows in row, not to mention ending up watching this club redeem themselves from the bench, has to be a concern moving forward. And that’s not to give to Lowry a free pass, his failing to show up for work in the series opener hasn’t gone unnoticed. But unlike K-Low, even though he’s proven capable in the past, DeRozan usually isn’t willing to make a substantial impact in areas other than scoring — especially on defense, where his James Harden impressions tend to make a few cameo appearances more often than not:
DeRozan’s D against Ellis in transition. pic.twitter.com/y37U4GaFUG
— Raptors Republic (@raptorsrepublic) April 19, 2016
His contract situation has been a major talking point throughout the season, and now his recent red flags have furthered the discussion. Whether or not they’re hindering his chances of earning the “max” can’t exactly be established through two games, but if DeRozan’s subpar play continues, that very storyline has to the potential to fester and become an unwanted distraction either way — if it hasn’t already.
Call it what you want, but the BENCHING of DeRozan — which down the line could prove to be Casey’s most astute and ballsiest move of his Raptors’ tenure — can only be deemed as beneficial looking ahead. Though with DeMar forever at the forefront of the aforementioned shifts in public opinion, faith among the masses that DD will turn things around has to be shaky at best.
To the non-believers: Every game in this series has, and will be dictated differently. Even if the nuances are ever so subtle. There will be times, especially if this goes seven, when DeMar’s presence in crunch time will be paramount. But of course, when you fail to register a free-throw attempt for the fist time all season in Game 2 of the playoffs, channeling your inner Vince Carter (the later years) needs to stop.
One can only hope that he let the team’s ball movement without him on the court sink in. And if the wiggle room to operate in the paint is still minuscule, the same can be said about creating for others instead of looking for the call. Though with Indiana likely shifting a considerable amount of their focus towards Jonas Valanciunas, opportunity to maneuver might not be a problem. A late-game trio of Lowry, Joseph and DD should once again be back in the cards.
Besides, how could he not use his wake-up call as motivation? Which also make one think:
Where would the Raps be without the club’s supporting cast picking up the slack and rising to the occasion?
To be more specific:
- Where would the Raps be without JV being the most active and engaged he’s ever been? The man’s effort level is on a mission. If you’re of the argument that his level of production has stemmed from facing an inferior front line, last time I checked capitalizing on such a scenario still amounts to confidence. Just think of what that could mean down the road. A Valanciunas-Whiteside matchup just might be lingering in the background.
- With the Pacers focusing on bottling up Lowry’s and Derozan’s drives, where would the Raps be without Cory Joseph taking matters into his own hands? He may have had a few bumps in the road over the course of the year but it really is just an extension of the smarts he’s brought to the table all season.
- Even though Lowry’s standoff with Paul George made every highlight show (if that didn’t get your blood pumping, not much will), where would the Raps be without Powell’s relentless pursuit of checking George all over the court? A rookie with that level of commitment is beyond hard to find. This kid’s hand doesn’t shake.
- And rounding out the Fantastic Four: Whether it’s on put-backs, playing steady defense, spacing the floor, or crashing the boards, where would the Raps be without the versatility of Patrick Patterson? It didn’t show up on a consistent basis during the regular season but so far so good.
Honourable mention does have to go out to T-Ross, DeMarre and Bismack Biyombo:
- Ross has had a bit of a split personality, but has been clutch and under control for the most part.
- Carroll looks visibly passive but I’m sticking with the notion that he’ll eventually have a significant impact on this series. The days off might not stretch your entertainment dollar, but in DMC’s case, they could work wonders at a later date.
- Bismack has taken a backseat to JV in terms of the boxscore but BB’s intimidation factor has been present and accounted for. If only the Raps’ perimeter defense didn’t let the Pacers off the hook after the fact.
SO, WHERE WOULD THE RAPS BE? They’d be staring at a gaping 0-2 hole with this entire fan base (along with the rest of the basketball world) ripping them to pieces.
DeRozan needs to personally thank everyone for all of these contributions and for even giving him the chance at redemption. The momentum shift otherwise likely would have been too difficult to overcome. Instead, DeMar finds himself in a position to help lead the charge. Lowry led the duo’s comeback tour with a bang in Game 2, now DeRozan’s on deck.
The supporting cast has owned the floor and our trust. Will DeRozan at least end Thursday night with a .500 record?
