I’ve written about this before, but there is nothing more interesting than human potential. A species that has redefined itself over thousands of years, and transcended things that many thought were it’s natural endpoint. So naturally, players like Chris Boucher and Terence Davis II will continue to transcend our expectations. And in doing so, might allow the Raptors to do the same.
Fred VanVleet and Norman Powell played wonderfully consistent basketball throughout the Raptors win over the Magic. VanVleet had several Lowry-esque responses to the Magic, as he stepped to the rim for contested layups and knocked down triples over guards who went under screens. Powell was mindful of the help-side defense, and decisive when shooting the gaps that were afforded to him. They both did a great job of putting the pressure on the Magic defense. But, in my head, this game has a story. And that story is: Davis II opens and Boucher closes.
Not only did Davis II continue his hot stretch from downtown (14-26 over his last 6 games), he’s also made incredible strides in his overall floor game. So convincingly, that he’s starting to make a case for a spot in the Raptors top-8. Creeping into a position where he might be the first sub once Lowry and Ibaka are back. Offering a helping hand to one of Lowry or VanVleet while the other sits, whether it’s as a creator, or a release valve.
He did just that in the game vs. the Magic. Tallying 19 points, 8 boards, and 5 assists. These are huge numbers for an un-drafted rookie. He managed to do a large part of his scoring while the Raptors were down in this game. Punching in 8 of his 19 in the first quarter of action, helping the Raptors sustain some hot-shooting from the Magic – and overzealous doubling of Nikola Vucevic – before the bench’s dominant stretch in the second quarter.
In that second quarter the Raptors locked down the Magic offense and started to make forays into the paint. With Vucevic injured (and out for the rest of the game) the Raptors identified Mo Bamba and Khem Birch’s help-side defense as less than helpful, attacking repeatedly and with success. The trio of Al-Farouq Aminu, DJ Augustin, and Terrence Ross couldn’t create anything against the Raptors stalwart bench unit, and the Raptors build on their lead before half-time.
The game devolved into Siakam vs. Isaac for a stretch in the third quarter, and if you’re a fan of defense, that would have been fun for you. However, if you like to see shot-making, the dry run of offense would’ve made you avert your eyes. The Raptors unlocked the Siakam-Isaac matchup in their previous game, but chose to use Siakam sparingly as a screener, and more so as an isolation creator above the break. Without any motion off-ball to offset Isaac’s stellar defense, Siakam went scoreless despite playing most of the frame and putting up shots.
The Raptors offense mimicked that stagnation, and on the other end of the floor the Magic struggled to create anything outside of Markelle Fultz’ shifty pick n’ roll actions. It looked as though the Raptors and Magic were going to limp offensively to the end of the game, as a 10-point Raptors lead felt like 20 the way the Magic were operating on that end.
In the fourth quarter the Raptors turned it around in a big way. The Magic were feeling the toll of missing Aaron Gordon and Vucevic, and the Raptors relentless rim-runs were starting to work with increasing regularity. Siakam hit shots on the short-roll, flashing some synergy with Davis II. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson snuck into the dunker spot (tell me if you’ve heard this one before) for quality looks around the rim. And Boucher grabbed a mammoth 5 offensive rebounds in the frame (9 overall) as he pressed the Magic defense until their eventual collapse.
And that’s the story of this game. Davis II showcased a floor game and shooting ability that we were told he didn’t have. Boucher (despite his weight) outlasted bulkier big men around the rim, which he isn’t supposed to be doing. I’m sure someone can calculate Boucher’s torque (T = rF sin 0) and make sense of why his never-ending arms carry with them the strength of the Hulk when he’s meeting opponents at the rim, or finishing over top of them. This transcendence of their perceived potential is what intrigues me about this game. Davis II and Boucher haven’t come into the NBA to build on what they were already good at, they’ve also come to expand exponentially.
For those of you that saw *this* coming from Boucher and Davis II this early… well done. Nick Nurse, the Raptors, and the world are starting to see it, too. And it’s the very thing they rode to victory tonight. Recalibrated potential.
Have a blessed day.
