As embarrassing losses mount for Toronto Raptors, fans' apathy can be felt
No amount of free pizza slices will appease a fan base that is growing more apathetic with each pathetic outing
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The Raptors have arrived at a precarious stage in their stated rebuild season, where just about anything is possible going forward.
Just about the only known aspect to this grand experiment is that none of the anointed core pieces will be moved as the NBA’s Feb. 6 trade deadline looms.
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As embarrassing losses mount for Toronto Raptors, fans' apathy can be felt Back to video
If the NBA has taught anyone anything, it’s that any player can be had when the right package is being offered.
But by all accounts, the Raptors are loathe to part ways again with Jakob Poeltl, whom they used as trade bait six years ago when the big fish known as Kawhi Leonard became available.
Scottie Barnes isn’t going anywhere as his lucrative extension won’t kick in until next season. Immanuel Quickley will be sticking around after the franchise invested in the point guard this past off-season, and second-year player Gradey Dick isn’t going anywhere, either.
As for RJ Barrett, he isn’t poised to get moved, but he soon will be eligible for an extension.
The usual suspects in Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk and Chris Boucher will be prime trade candidates, but none will fetch the Raptors any tangible asset.
With the deadline for guaranteeing contracts for the balance of the season having arrived Tuesday, the silly trade season has officially tipped off.
Until now, the Brooklyn Nets have been the most active team by engineering two separate moves designed to provide as much salary flexibility as possible to a franchise that has taken many swings for the fences only to strike out.
The Raptors’ plight, in comparison, doesn’t seem so daunting. There are some troublesome signs nonetheless.
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The team’s recently completed three-game homestand began on New Year’s Day when the return of Quickley provided a short-term jolt as the Raptors ended an 11-game losing streak by beating the Nets.
That was followed by a loss to an undermanned Orlando Magic team when the Raptors seized up in the second half. At that point, fans at Scotiabank Arena had finally seen enough and began to make their way to the exits.
Then came the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday, coming off losses to the Nets and Portland. Toronto lost 128-104, a scoreline that did not reflect the Bucks’ superiority.
About the only consolation for fans in attendance was the free slice of pizza at stake once the Raptors were able to reach 100 points.
In the dark days of the franchise, free pizza slices came to represent the low point. When the on-court product is inferior, the entertainment value non-existent, fans pined for pizza. It was an embarrassment then and it was embarrassing Monday.
Equally embarrassing was Toronto’s effort level, which has come under question more often of late when no one had to wait until late in the contest for a game to be decided.
The predictable learning curve was on display as the Raptors finally had their projected starting five available for the first time this season. But what played out was inexcusable, the type of effort that cannot be tolerated and yet it wasn’t the first time when signs of capitulation were evident.
Toronto begins its latest road trip with a date in the Big Apple on Wednesday night.
In terms of NBA venues, New York’s Madison Garden is viewed as the mecca where opposing players always summon their best, knowing the stage does not get bigger in basketball. If the Raptors come up with another lacklustre outing against that bckdrop, then there’s something even worse at play that should raise the alarm bells.
No one is expecting a win, but the Raptors can at least put up a fight.
Against the Magic, the Raptors went backwards, a retreat that continued against Milwaukee amid discouraging signs that an end is in sight.
With the team’s starting five finally together, all it did was expose players’ defensive deficiencies.
Barnes can guard multiple positions when he’s so inclined, while Poeltl will protect the rim and control the boards. Put him on the perimeter, however, and he’ll get torched.
As for Quickley, Barrett and Dick, none of the three are known for their defence.
Quickley and Barrett return to New York, but it’s doubtful anyone associated with the Knicks, outside of personal relationships, has missed their on-court presence.
With OG Anunoby, the primary piece the Knicks acquired from Toronto in last year’s trade, the Knicks are a better team and far superior to the Raptors.
One might believe, albeit foolishly, that the Raptors can simply outscore their opponent by playing limited defence. The evidence, though, suggests otherwise.
In Boston, just prior to the homestand, the Celtics made 22 of 43 three-pointers in outscoring the visiting Raptors from beyond the arc by 36 points.
Against Orlando, the three-point inefficient Magic made 19 of its 44 heaves in scoring 27 more points than the Raptors.
The Bucks went 22-for-44 in outscoring the Raptors by 39 points in distance shooting.
Offensively challenged and defensively deficient, the Raptors have been brutal on both sides of the court.
No amount of free pizza slices will appease a fan base that is growing more apathetic with each pathetic outing.
If there’s one place no sporting franchise wants to reside it’s the level known as indifference.
Sadly, the Raptors are trending in that direction, which is why a competitive game in Gotham looms as a must.
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