Malachi Flynn Is Making Us Feel Better About the Raptors’ Future | Complex CA
Excluding one game against the New York Knicks where Kyle Lowry returned and took over primary ball handling duties, Flynn has averaged 15.7 points, 6.0 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.3 steals while shooting 45.2 percent from three-point range over seven April games. Over the course of the last back-to-back where he played nearly 70 minutes combined, he had a total of zero turnovers. He has had to wait for his opportunity, playing 350 minutes over the last 12 games after just 122 total minutes prior.
“It’s been a great opportunity for me to really play a lot of minutes, play through some mistakes, just continuing to learn the game at this level,” Flynn said. “It’s been a little bit of a learning process but just trying to get better every game and everybody else is just helping me along the way, so it’s been good.”
Flynn has made clear progress with his ability to get to the basket at the highest level, using feints and ball fakes to great effect while also understanding the importance of using changes in pace to deceive defenders with his movement. And then there’s the renewed confidence in his jumper. Prior to April, the 22-year-old had made just 7-of-40 three-point attempts and looked increasingly hesitant to shoot the ball. Now it looks like he’s got the ball on a string and the surprise is when he misses. Despite the losses for the team, Flynn has even emerged as a bit of a fourth quarter hero, making some big-time shots that have either kept the Raptors in games late or sparked notable rallies.
“I talk to him a lot, and I just think he’s understanding that the scoring will come,” Kyle Lowry said. “Before, I think, when he first started playing, he was like, ‘I gotta score, I gotta score.’ I think now he’s understanding that the scoring’s gonna come. But you’ve got to make the plays first. That’s where the maturation is coming in.”
Defensively, it’s easy to see how those moments Lowry and VanVleet spend mentoring their rookie guard reaps dividends. Flynn has learned to “block” shots the VanVleet way, swiping the ball away as opponents rise up to shoot, and constantly being a pest with his hands to poke the ball away if the opportunity presents itself. Like Lowry, he is understanding how to use his lower body to box out players he’s overmatched by physically, something Nurse made special mention of during a media session.
3. Chris Boucher, Toronto Raptors (previously ranked 1st)
Quick-hitter: Consistency matters in season awards, and showing how much you’ve improved also goes hand in hand with doing it consistently. Lately, we haven’t seen that consistency from Boucher. A strong finish to the season without these highs and lows in production could still present a big case for Boucher, even if he’s not close to the favorite. In fact, it wouldn’t shock me if he doesn’t finish close to the top three in the voting. His case is strong, but bigger names are getting more attention. Still, Boucher deserves heavy consideration.
Is it time for the Raptors to commit to the tank? – Sportsnet.ca
The Ringers’ Kevin O’Connor joins Sportsnet Central to discuss if the Raptors should consider tanking for the rest of the NBA season and shares his thoughts on the play-in tournament.
