Bucks 100, Raptors 122 | Boxscore | Quick Reaction | Reaction Podcast
It’s amazing how many obstacles can surround a team that still has 70 percent of their regular season schedule ahead of them. Not to mention the fact that after last night the Raps continue to stand tall with a 17-7 record. But such is life in the NBA when despite that superior status you’re still attempting to climb the ladder against the best the league has to offer.
Which reminds me:
There seems to be a growing sentiment among fans (allow me to paraphrase) that “since the Raps’ destiny has them finishing no better than second-fiddle to the Cavs, this season (barring a blockbuster trade) is essentially already a bust.”
Well, I’m not about to dictate how anyone should go about their fandom experience — you can spend your entertainment dollar the way you see fit — but that doesn’t mean I can’t question it. Hear me out:
- Isn’t the journey half the fun? Better yet: Isn’t there more satisfaction in finding out whether a team can defy the odds as opposed to any short-term gratification? I mean, what’s happening on the court is actually mimicking us as a fan base. Our overwhelming urge to infiltrate an American landscape that has forever casted us as outsiders is essentially no different than the Raps’ mission to overcome their inadequacies when measured up against other members of the league’s elite.
Now, back to those aforementioned obstacles:
Most teams can identify with complications as a season progresses, but T.O. owns a particular set of circumstances that very few are currently facing.
To which am I referring to? I’m talking about the somewhat hidden “catch 22” scenarios. Or, if you prefer, the cluster you-know-what that revolves around this franchise. And being that there actually was a game played last night, I’ll keep this list relatively short. Well, we’ll see where it take us:
1. The concern over Lowry and DeRozan playing too many minutes:
This where optimism meets reality, as there’s plenty of validity to the notion that the Raps will indeed ultimately come up short if/when a rematch with Cleveland takes place in the postseason. BUT, there’s also a chance that home-court advantage could be the deciding factor that tips the scales in Toronto’s favor.
K-Low and DeMar have had the opportunity for periodic rest, but so far this team’s overall philosophy is squarely focused on trying to finish atop the East while maximizing the starting backcourt’s minutes to achieve it. I’d like to sit here and say I’m confident that the Raps can get over the Cleveland hump regardless of seeding, but their track record says otherwise. Casey’s hands are realistically tied.
2. Jonas “Matchup-Dependant” Valanciunas:
This one is an extension of the first dilemma. On one side, employing JV in matchups he’s currently unequipped to have a positive impact in leaves the door open for potential notches in the loss column. That’s bad for business considering the mission at hand. On the other side, forcing JV to play through his mismatches, even at the expense of the team losing some of its Eastern Conference footing, could very well be the best long-term solution.
There’s only one way for JV to face his athleticism demons head on while becoming this team’s missing third piece in the process. Some would argue that hope has already sailed, well, can this team get away with a JV-Bebe split the rest of the way? There’s also the risk of messing with JV’s confidence while diminishing his trade value at the same time, as after a while a player starts to believe he’s an underachiever after casted as one by the team that once believed he was a piece to build around.
3. The rise of T-Ross and the usage of Norman Powell:
Speaking of trade value, these two are smack dab in the middle of a hypothetical (yet potentially very real) conundrum. I’ve stated in the past that a breakout season from T-Ross could result in him becoming the perfect trade chip. However, he’s upped the ante to a level where even his biggest detractors would have to seriously consider what kind of hole his departure would leave on this squad.
Powell, a player who can surely soften the blow if Ross was actually dealt, comes with the same strings attached. Even his biggest proponents didn’t peg him to be this ready this soon. And the fact that he’s performed so well in limited minutes, and then makes good when he pro-rated his own performance over an extended opportunity (look no further than his 20-point, 5-steal, 3-threes explosion vs. Boston), means he’s ready for more consistent playing time.
On the flip side, Powell’s increased profile likely means he’s an automatic addition to any asking price from any opposing club. If the price is right, we would need to remove our collective infatuation from the equation. Problem is: He’s just getting started.
Now, if you stayed with me this far, let’s dive into Monday night. A matchup that had plenty of those big picture strings attached:
- Did the hope of Lowry and DeRozan becoming spectators by the time the 4th quarter rolled around come true? Well, at least 34 and 32 minutes respectively are below their season averages. But the fact that neither of them attempted a shot until just under 7 minutes left in the first quarter and the Raps were still ahead by five bodes well for their support system.
- DeMar was his usual efficient self going 7 for 11 from field and a perfect 15 for 15 from the line. But perhaps the most impressive part of his 30-point performance was when the game got sloppy to start the 3rd quarter he knew exactly when to use the refs to his advantage. Asetically pleasing? Not exactly. Intelligent awareness? Indeed.
- The beauty of K-Low is that he’s so versatile. And he’s come full circle in terms of initially taking what the game flow dictates and then turning it on its head and becoming the dictator — all the while contributing in areas the team needs most at any given time. His stat line of 18 points, 7 assists, 3 boards and 4 threes covers the versatile part, but letting the hot hand do their thing (better yet: making sure the hot hand stayed hot despite the Bucks eventually attempting to suffocate the Raptors’ ball handlers) was a joy to watch. Did i mention he was a +29?
- There’s a fine line between height and size and the Bucks’ frontcourt lacked the latter. Not only did Valanciunas throw his weight around, especially on the boards (13), but we may very well have seen the least awkward pump fake of Jonas’ career!
- Did JV get his chance to prove he’s worthy of staying in the game even though the matchup screams otherwise? Well, in the moments he found himself matched up with Jabari Parker (on both ends), his flaws rose to the surface. Still, you can chalk up another split (23-20) in minutes with Bebe. Considering the Bucks were held in check almost the entire way, a proper takeaway can wait for another day. Though, considering Bebe once again showed off his underrated passing skills (highlighted by some slick mid-air touch to send the ball cross court after Lowry tried to feed him on the block), both big man should be celebrated on this night. One also had to come away a bit in awe of Bebe’s reach, where he made up for being out of rebounding position and was still able to grab a board over the back of an opponent without getting called for it.
- Early dominance (the raps led by 20 at the half) did come with its usual downside. The Raps aren’t yet at the point where their switch can stay on for a full 48 minutes. They still need a bit of adversity to present itself for their intensity level to kick back into high gear, and that’s exactly what happened when Giannis Antetokounmpo (did I spell it right?) took the 3rd quarter by storm. After being stifled from getting into the paint in the 1st half, Giannis started doing what he’s least known for: knocking down jumpers. Normally the Raps would let him become a shooter all night long, but he was becoming such a problem, he managed to open up the interior and start attacking from both fronts — all the way to a 15-pont outburst which helped cut the Raps’ lead to just 10 points entering the 4th.
- Never fear the deer, however. Well, at least when DeMar gets into closer mode, or when Lowry and the bench unit are currently thriving, or last but not least: when T-Ross is in the midst of his 6-man of the year award campaign. You can add another impactful performance to Terry’s resume with 25 points, 5 boards, 2 steals, a +17 rating and 0 turnovers in just 21 minutes of action. Even after clanking his wide open windmill dunk, the Raps still ended up with an extra 4th quarter possession which resulted in a Lowry three. Sure, that was lucky, but as long as Ross continues to dip into everything his skill set has to offer (it’s been a long time coming especially in terms of driving to the rim), we’ll surely live with the momentary blunder.
- One would have thought that Powell would get more run in a game with such disparity. Even more so when Giannis went on his mini-run. But in just 8 minutes, Powell passed yet another eye test of just how smoothed-out his rough edges (namely his jumper and ball-handling) have become.
Honourable mention:
- Pascal Siakam: His statline didn’t amount to much but his willingness to mix it up inside was once again on display. And that was cemented by his highlight-reel rejection of Antetokounmpo’s early drive to the rim. With the Bucks ranking 2nd in overall points in the paint, Siakam helped set a physical tone off the hop.
- DeMarre Carroll: He may not play in back-to-backs (yet), but Carroll is still a silent assassin. Even his timely transition and halfcourt catch-and-shoot threes (3 more last night put him over 40 percent over his last 10 games) make little noise whenever the big picture is analyzed. Hell, I’m just as guilty by putting him in the honourable mention section. But his help on the glass (particularly on the offensive end) and rendering Giannis ineffective for at least 2 quarters (that’s an applause-worthy achievement in its own right) must not go unnoticed.
One down, and four more to go in the .500 record or less club part of the schedule. To the overly pessimistic: the mission is working despite the perceived setbacks. I suggest we stay open to what this squad can become moving forward, as potential might just catch up to reality…eventually.
I’ll just leave this here:
The Raptors are now tied with the Warriors for the best net rating in the NBA, when adjusted for schedule.
— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) December 13, 2016
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