Raptors Summer League takeaways: The kids are all right

Article content

It’s possible the “Toronto Raptors” just played the best game a Raptors team will turn in all season.

Yes, it came at Las Vegas Summer League Friday night and, sure, only two locks to be in head coach Darko Rajakovic’s rotation (Jamal Shead and Ja’Kobe Walter) suited up and it needs to be noted that opponent Chicago was nowhere close to a real NBA outfit, but that 116-72 beatdown was one heck of a start.

Even the news just prior to tip-off that prized rookie Collin Murray-Boyles would be held out due to a left adductor strain couldn’t spoil the day for the summer Raptors.

The group looked hungry, aggressive but still measured enough to keep the fouling under control and simply overwhelmed the hapless Bulls, who turned the ball over 33 times.

Here are some takeaways:

• Maybe hold off on assuming Jonathan Mogbo’s minutes will be replaced by Murray-Boyles and others. The 31st pick a year ago was arguably the best player on the court. Not only did he hit all but one of his eight shot attempts (though none were of the three-point variety, something Mogbo needs to change), but he also was as good as anyone defensively. When Chicago’s most talented player, Matas Buzelis, tried to make things happen, Mogbo was there to say absolutely not repeatedly. It was impressive stuff.

The real Raptors are stacked with long, big men who do many things well, with shooting being the exception. Mogbo is one of them, but if he keeps playing like this, Rajakovic might have to find a spot for him.

Keep in mind that Mogbo flashed his potential late in the season with one triple-double in April, another game where he was a point shy of a triple double, another where he had eight points, rebounds and assists and one where he was three assists short. Meaningless games or not, it isn’t easy to consistently fill the boxscore like that and offence isn’t even what will get Mogbo on an NBA court.

• Despite only being around for 31 years, the Raptors arguably boast the most impressive history of elite slam dunkers in league history. Vince Carter is widely regarded as the best dunker of all-time, Tracy McGrady, Terrence Ross and DeMar DeRozan were also nearly as good as it gets and Norman Powell and Kawhi Leonard had some historic jams too with the team in the playoffs. Hardcore Raptors fans remember the likes of Keon Clark, Sonny Weems, Fred Jones and Jamario Moon as well. We feel confident adding Alijah Martin to the list after one appearance. This year’s 39th pick threw down an absolutely silly one-handed cradle jam in the second quarter that probably will be the best dunk of Summer League this year. Taking only two power dribbles after crossing half-court, the former NCAA champion with Florida gathered and rose for a tomahawk.

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

Martin later tried even to one-up himself though he couldn’t complete that dunk attempt.

• It cannot be fun for opposing guards to have to go up against both Martin and Shead, a pair of take-no-prisoners defenders who live to take their targets off their game.

• Canadian A.J. Lawson can get buckets. He had some huge games for the Raptors down the stretch and led the team Friday with 22, hitting 4-of-8 three-point attempts. On a team lacking shooters and scorers will there be a role for Lawson? His contract isn’t guaranteed but surely an NBA team could use him.

• Ulrich Chomche is still raw, but his first game in five months showcased that he’s taken some steps forward, despite the knee injury he suffered with Raptors 905. He’s a defensive menace near the rim with ridiculous length and a quick second jump and things seemed to have slowed down at least a little bit for him on offence, but he’s much better at making the right reads defensively than offensively at this point. We’ll be tracking him closely the rest of the Vegas slate.

• Walter is being asked to do a bit more offensively in Vegas. Handle the ball, try to create for himself and others, things that should benefit him as his career progresses. It wasn’t the best night for him, aside from a few interesting flashes, but right now it’s all about more in-game repetitions for the promising Baylor product.

• Toronto returns to the court Sunday against Orlando.