'Played cards I've been dealt,' Raptors' Boucher reflects ahead of likely end of tenure

Article content

The longest-serving Raptor did not play in the team’s final home game of the season. That was no stunner, since Chris Boucher had not suited up for the 20 previous games either for reasons that have never fully been explained other than some of the time missed was for dental surgery, but most was for the team to get a look at its younger players.

Boucher, who has played all but one of his 407 career games as a Raptor and is the last link to the championship team, said he hadn’t thought that Wednesday might be his last time in front of Toronto fans.

“No, I haven’t been thinking that way,” Boucher told Postmedia in a 1-on-1 interview before the Raptors hosted the Charlotte Hornets.

He did, however, reflect on his time with the franchise, which plucked him from the Golden State Warriors organization, saw him win NBA G League MVP and defensive player of the year and then become one of the most iconic role players in franchise history. Boucher played 50 games this season, taking him to 406 with Toronto, 12th on the franchise list and ahead of players like Vince Carter, OG Anunoby, Antonio Davis, Doug Christie, Serge Ibaka and more.

Boucher bridged the gap between the Kawhi Leonard year, the last of Kyle Lowry’s time here, to the rise of Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and Anunoby, to the passing of the torch to Scottie Barnes.

“It went by fast. I think you realize the team that was there before and the team that’s hear now, the changes and all, I’ve been blessed to be able to be here and watch it all happen,” Boucher told Postmedia.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Play Video

“I think it’s a really good experience to be in that circle and to see how big the Raptors became.”

Boucher, 32, will become a free agent this summer and believes he’s shown he can help at team in a variety of ways

He just averaged 10 points a game, the second-most of his career, in only 17.6 minutes, and hit 36% of his three-point attempts.

“I think it was a great year. Definitely one of my best years, just in general, being a vet, kind of learning with the young guys trying to teach, being consistent, just carving a pretty good role,” he said.

“I think I was pretty much efficient and willing to bring wins and my all to the team. So we’re pretty happy about that. I think, I’ve adjusted to everything that was thrown at me and played the cards that I’ve been dealt. At this point now we’re just hoping for to be able to play more years and obviously I think the best thing I can do now is get better at the little things,” Boucher said.

Head coach Darko Rajakovic’s explanation for not giving Boucher one more chance to get in front of the home fans Wednesday was that it would put him in a “tough place” trying to play after missing so much time. He said the two had discussed the situation beforehand and throughout the year he has labelled Boucher, who often stepped in and had monster outings after rarely playing previously as the “ultimate professional.”