Raptors rookie Collin Murray-Boyles impresses despite rust in debut

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Game 2 of the Las Vegas Summer League was all about Collin Murray-Boyle’s debut for the Toronto Raptors.

The ninth pick of last month’s NBA draft had been hobbled a bit by an injury since late in the pre-draft process (his first workout, a healthy one, thoroughly impressed the Raptors months ago), so was understandably a bit rusty in his first game action in ages Sunday.

There was an instant turnover on his first touch of the ball followed by an early air-balled three-pointer, another later, and some foul issues, but Murray-Boyles also quickly showed why he was so well-regarded as a defender.

ESPN had tabbed Murray-Boyles as the best off-ball defender in his draft class and Sunday’s game was filled with evidence that backed up the assertion.

Toronto again played an aggressive, nearly pressing brand of defence on the Orlando guards (the formula that had led to a humiliation of the Chicago Bulls in Toronto’s opener Friday). It felt like the Raptors were insulted when an opponent successfully got the ball over half court and other Raptors were there to swarm the opponent if they did beat the first defender. But the downside of an approach like that is if it doesn’t work, it can lead to a lot of open shots. That’s where Murray-Boyles, in particular, came in.

The South Carolina standout simply plays with defensive instincts the vast majority of rookies can’t match. He always seemed to be in the right place to help defensively Sunday and his quick and strong hands generated turnover after turnover. Plus there was an eye-opening sequence late in the third quarter when Murray-Boyles blocked a layup attempt and ended up throwing down a two-handed putback dunk at the other end.

“When people that know basketball watch me play, it’s the smaller things that stand out,” Murray-Boyles had said in the leadup to the draft. “I’m not one to get oohs and aahs, but know what it takes to win games and impact a team positively. I hang my hat on how hard I play and my unselfishness.”

Well, in this one he both did small things that stood out and generated oohs and aahs.

Toronto won 89-86 and Murray-Boyles had eight points, seven rebounds (five of them on the offensive glass) and three steals. He’ll need to work on the eight fouls and five turnovers, but this was an impressive debut.

ALSO OF NOTE:

Second-year forward Jonathan Mogbo had another solid game. Not as good as his dominant opener, but a bit of everything aside from any three-point attempts (again).

A.J. Lawson hit all five of his shots and attempted 13 free throws. Orlando had no answers for the Canadian who continues to look the part of a dangerous NBA bench scorer whether in Toronto or elsewhere.

Ja’Kobe Walter showed some nice flashes and was better than in Game 1, but there’s still more he can show if he gets any more games in Vegas this year.

Jamal Shead’s boxscore numbers didn’t look good, but he set the tone early defensively and is the leader of this summer group.

Toronto only attempted one fewer free throw than Orlando, but had a 43-20 free throw edge, a wild margin in a three-point game.

INGRAM SIGHTING

Earlier in Vegas, Brandon Ingram told reporters there he’s finally fully healed from his major ankle injury. He said it was a surprise even to him how long it took to recover. Ingram said previous ankle issues had only taken a few weeks to a month to get over but this one was different. He’s looking forward to playing full-contact basketball and working on his explosiveness.

Ingram also added quite the statement: “We’re making the playoffs for sure,” Ingram told reporters.

If Ingram can stay on the court and avoid the injury bug, not a sure bet over the course of his career, he answers a lot of questions about how the club will be able to score.

Currently they have plenty of quick, athletic, defensive difference-makers with major questions about their shot-making. They need Ingram (and theoretically Walter, Gradey Dick and/or Ochai Agbaji) to be consistent long-range threats to help open things up for the likes of Scottie Barnes, Murray-Boyles and Mogbo.