Raptors takeaways: Behold, Jonathan Mogbo, who can do quite a lot of issues

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Plenty of odd issues occurred in Toronto’s 115-107 victory over Philadelphia on Friday night time. Like a file variety of free throw makes an attempt for a Raptors sport, or Jakob Poeltl having his second-best sport on the line ever, however possibly it gained’t be so odd to see Toronto’s rookies delivering good outings as this season goes on. Time will inform on that one, however not less than for one night time, quite a bit sooner than anticipated, Jonathan Mogbo appeared excellent, Jamal Shead impressed and Jamison Battle did too. As soon as Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett and the remainder are again the children gained’t get as a lot run — except they play like this that’s.

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Mogbo was all over the place suddenly, doing a little bit of all the things in showcasing why the Raptors had been intrigued sufficient to pick him to steer off the second spherical of the NBA draft this June. He’s often called a wonderful rebounder (Mogbo averaged 10.1 his final yr of faculty) and battered a small Sixers group lacking Joel Embiid. Mogbo had 5 offensive rebounds and 4 defensive, added three blocks and a pair of steals, plus obtained to the free throw line seven occasions, making six of these pictures. He additionally had two large dunks and rimmed out one that will have introduced down the home. Mogbo nonetheless must develop as a shooter, however he brings quite a lot of completely different parts to the desk.

“He’s simply enjoying with pressure,” mentioned Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic. “When he’s enjoying with quite a lot of motor he actually helps the group. He was doing an excellent job being disruptive and his size is bothering whoever he’s guarding. He was actually good rebounding the ball he’s a participant that’s additionally capable of push it in transition, so there’s quite a lot of issues that he did tonight.”

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The Raptors wish to push the tempo and a straightforward approach to try this is to have a participant who can haul in a rebound and get out and run himself. They’ve that in Scottie Barnes and now in Mogbo as effectively.

Rajakovic is worked up to seek out out what else he can do. “In school, he performed a totally completely different position. He was a 5 man, rolling, enjoying in pocket go, being a lob menace, and a few of these instruments we nonetheless want to make use of, however now he’s doing extra of pushing the ball and spacing the ground,” Rajakovic mentioned. “He’s nonetheless studying when to chop, when to carry it, when to shoot the ball, like we actually must discover his defensive skill and what he’s capable of do there.”

Battle can actually shoot and mentioned he’s beginning to really feel like he belongs within the NBA. Shead is lightning fast (the Sixers couldn’t keep in entrance of him) and sticks to gamers on the opposite finish. His seven turnovers want to come back down, however for the forty fifth choose, he’s wanting like a pleasant discover.

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TO THE MAXEY

Sixers star guard Tyrese Maxey had averaged 22.9 factors per sport in 11 profession appearances towards Toronto. Solely 15 gamers have averaged extra, which provides you some concept of how lethal the speedy former Kentucky participant (and backcourt mate there of Immanuel Quickley) has been towards Toronto.

Maxey had 11 factors within the opening quarter alone on Friday, to steer all scorers, and added three assists.

Theoretically Toronto was in quite a bit higher form to protect Maxey in comparison with current years. With Davion Mitchell and Jamal Shead each enjoying and with reputations as defence-first stoppers with dogged mentalities, it was clear Maxey must work exhausting for his factors. He went simply 6-for-23 and whereas he tried 12 free throws, that was the best way the foul-plagued sport went, with three Raptors fouling out for the primary time since 2014. They haven’t had solutions for Maxey in years. This was a refreshing change.

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LET THEM PLAY

It’s fairly refreshing to listen to Rajakovic be open and sincere about what the franchise is attempting to do. We all know the place they stand. It is a rebuild, it would take time. Like tipping for good service, wins are all the time appreciated, however this season is concerning the journey, ie. growing gamers. Rajakovic reminded us of that when requested by Postmedia pre-game if there’s a “silver lining” to having so many gamers injured. The considering was the absences of so many key Raptors offers alternatives for younger gamers, who often could be buried on the bench, to get some beneficial expertise.

Rajakovic hinted that these gamers will get time this season no matter who else is out there.

“I feel it’s vital for me as a coach, it’s vital for us as a company initially of our rebuild that we are able to to have a look completely different guys,” Rajakovic mentioned.” “Even when we’re going to full wholesome, I’m going to be looking for alternatives to take a look at completely different lineups, completely different guys. We obtained to seek out out what we now have and develop what we now have.”

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RETURN OF THE KING

Kyle Lowry was on the town and obtained the anticipated loud ovation from the Scotiabank Area crowd when introduced as a starter. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse had joked earlier than the sport that Lowry had been “slightly moody” recently, however added it was nothing he hadn’t seen earlier than. Earlier within the day Lowry had advised reporters that it could imply “all the things” if he obtained his jersey retired by the Raptors someday and in addition mentioned Vince Carter was deserving of the honour. Even at age 38 and in his nineteenth season, Lowry stays efficient. No person thinks the sport higher than him and he’s nonetheless often all the time in the correct place on the ground. He hasn’t submit his aggressive edge both, because the referees discovered all through the sport.

Lowry additionally reminded the Raptors that he can antagonize with the very best of them when he goaded Barnes right into a technical foul (with Rajakovic selecting one up as effectively for arguing it).

Lowry had 14 factors, two assists and three steals within the sport.

THE LAST WORD:

Rajakovic on the referees: “We will’t management the whistle. And you understand, after I speak concerning the referees it’s not good for anyone.” (Rajakovic was referencing his well-known rant from final season when the Los Angeles Lakers had a wild free throw benefit over Toronto).

@WolstatSun

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