Raptors takeaways: Wins will not be plentiful but, however at the very least that is now a enjoyable younger group

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The Raptors sit at 1-3 and possibly received’t win rather more than 30% of the time this season, however there are hints of what nonetheless could also be to return. In time.

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RJ Barrett’s return Monday gave the offence a substantial increase, even when there’s nonetheless a lot to work on within the wake of the 127-125 time beyond regulation loss towards the Denver Nuggets.

SOME TAKEAWAYS:

Head coach Darko Rajakovic had talked earlier than the sport about how turnovers have been sinking his membership (they got here in averaging an NBA-worst 22 a sport).

“A few of these have been unforced. The ball hits you within the leg and bounces off the ground. There have been seven conditions that we have been attempting to make outlet cross and defence was staying there to intercept that cross,” Rajakovic had stated. “Consciousness in these conditions (is essential) … Whenever you play with quite a lot of tempo, it comes with a sure value. However I’ll let you know what, it’s not 22 turnovers once more that we have been striving for. It positively must be a a lot decrease quantity,” Rakakovic stated. “We talked about it and gamers are conscious that we must be higher at that. So for those who can put it down at 12, 13, 14 a sport, that’s going to save lots of us quite a lot of possessions. We’re enjoying so arduous on the defensive finish simply to permit an offence to get on the some foolish errors and be dropping these possessions.”

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Not having start line guard Immanuel Quickley for a lot of the 12 months up to now has exacerbated the problem. A minimum of on Monday they acquired the turnovers down to fifteen, together with none in time beyond regulation.

However requested by Postmedia if he was happier with the turnovers, Rajakovic replied: “Happier. Joyful not.”

And fill-in starter Davion Mitchell lamented his 4 turnovers, saying they price his group good possibilities. Plus Scottie Barnes, about pretty much as good as Nikola Jokic, the very best participant on the planet, on this evening till leaving after taking an elbow to the attention, can solely be faulted for the 4 turnovers of his personal, particularly the three that got here within the game-changing fourth quarter.

Quickley’s return ought to assist rather a lot.

FOND MEMORIES

Denver head coach Michael Malone smiled when a pre-game query requested him to mirror on the thirtieth anniversary of the Raptors.

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“(His father Brendan Malone) lived in a lodge the entire 12 months and he bribed them to present him DirecTV so he may watch all of the video games within the NBA. However I simply bear in mind opening evening. Our entire household was right here — my three sisters, two brothers, my mom. They beat the New Jersey Nets and I simply bear in mind watching that. And I used to be an assistant coach in faculty at the moment and I used to be begging him to rent me — let me carry your luggage, let me do one thing, let me be part of this journey with you — and it simply wasn’t the appropriate time,” Malone stated.

The coach additionally recalled Toronto’s historic win over the Chicago Bulls (one among solely 10 losses that 12 months for Michael Jordan’s dynastic squad) “after they have been nonetheless within the SkyDome … That’s after they had a curtain within the outfield and there have been like 36,000 individuals right here, and so they beat the Bulls and [I remember] how excited (Brendan Malone) was.

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“Nice reminiscence. After which sadly, clearly, he acquired fired and that was the impolite awakening of teaching within the NBA. I do know for him he would’ve liked to have an opportunity to proceed constructing this. However, as if usually the case on this loopy enterprise, which is why he instructed me not turn out to be a coach, that’s the way it occurred.”

The funniest story might need been Malone describing how his father would typically instruct some media members in these early days of the intricacies of the game. Many had by no means coated basketball earlier than. “There isn’t any blue line out right here; this isn’t a hockey sport, that is basketball … So, there have been some rising pains all throughout the group. I can’t imagine it’s 30 years. However, yeah, nice recollections and simply very happy with the truth that my father was the primary head coach in Raptors historical past.”

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CLUTCH GENE

Jamal Murray has had a troublesome begin to the 12 months and shot 6-for-20 within the sport, however he made them after they counted. That’s the kind of participant he’s (plus he had seven assists and nil turnovers).

Rajakovic had warned pre-game He’s Jamal Murray and I’ll deal with him as Jamal Murray. He is among the finest gamers on this league, he’s a confirmed winner with Denver and I hope he finds his rhythm — however not tonight.”

Murray underplayed his game-tying lay-up, however admitted it coming with so many family and friends within the constructing was cool. “It’s simply good to have that second and be capable of look again on it,” Murray stated.

And as for the Nuggets: “Simply tried to claw our manner again. We simply caught with one another. Wasn’t fairly however speaks to the fellows and the championship pedigree. That we’ve acquired right here,” Murray stated.

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“We by no means fear. We’ve solely performed two basketball video games and we’ve acquired 100 extra. No panic right here. We could be a lot higher. We’re nowhere close to our potential.”

NO REGRETS

Barrett was happy to make his season debut and wasn’t certain if he had compelled something by launching a three-pointer late in time beyond regulation with a little bit of time left.

“I don’t know. I gotta watch it. I don’t know if someone was working proper behind me. I don’t, I didn’t know who it was. I assumed I felt someone working proper behind me on my proper a bit of bit. So I didn’t know if it was one among their gamers, if I went to the rim, might need acquired shot blocked or no matter,” Barrett stated.

“However for me, I’m snug taking that shot. I’m proud of the shot I took. That’s simply who I’m. It’s who I’ve all the time been. I’ll take the shot once more. That’s simply, I don’t know. That’s simply who RJ Barrett is.”

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