Quickley, Dick impressing while Barnes is on a different level
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Who are these Raptors? This looks like a different group. They’re cohesive, dangerous offensively and more connected. In an exciting game that could have gone either way, Toronto made many big plays to seal the deal on Friday against the Atlanta Hawks. Here’s the report card:
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IMMANUEL QUICKLEY A+
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It’s hard to say which Quickley game of this back-to-back was better. Either way, he was the top player in both games. Quickley set the tone early with 10 quick points, gradually started finding teammates too and generally was aggressive and efficient. He’s developing his chemistry with Scottie Barnes. Quickley’s ceiling is all-star, and he’s played like one this week.
SCOTTIE BARNES A
Barnes often looks like he’s on a different level athletically than anybody else. We saw it here in the past with Kawhi Leonard. This is just a massive human with incredible athleticism. When he wants to grab a rebound, block a shot, rise above anybody to take a shot, Barnes is going to do it. At times it was man against boys with the Hawks unable to compete with Barnes. This was also one of his best play-making games ever. Barnes had 10 assists and three were of the unreal variety.
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GRADEY DICK A
One of the better games yet for Dick. He’s quietly averaging 10.7 points in 20.2 minutes over his last 10 games, shooting 45.2% from three and 43% over his last 15. Dick took 13 shots, he’s only attempted more once, and let it fly with confidence. He also looked good at one point bringing the ball up the floor and making nice find of Ochai Agbaji in the corner for a three-pointer. If Dick keeps this up he could make an all-rookie team, quite an unexpected development after his start to the year.
OCHAI AGBAJI A
Easily the best game yet for the young swingman picked up from Utah for one of the picks acquired in the Pascal Siakam trade. You saw the blueprint of what the Raptors hope Agbaji can become one day. Call it a poor man’s OG Anunoby if you’d like, or maybe something nicer like Anunoby lite, but Agbaji looked like a young Anunoby. He smothered the excellent Trae Young when asked to guard him and was cash money from the corners, hitting 4-of-5 three-pointers. Yes, he was pretty open for them, but Anunoby made a living as a great defender who hit above 40% from the corners. Agbaji shot over 40% from there while with Utah this season, but hadn’t hit one as a Raptor until these four.
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KELLY OLYNYK A
Good against the Nets, Olynyk was even better a night earlier. Not bad, considering his age. The Canadian big man was a huge part of the close of the game. He hit an incredible ode to Dirk Nowitzki late, plus another shot and was a big help to his younger teammates. The explosive Hawks are tough to slow down and Olynyk picked up five fouls trying to do it, but it wasn’t because he was doing anything wrong.
BRUCE BROWN B+
Slowly but surely Brown appears to be settling in. He, Olynyk, Agbaji, Dick and either Barnes or Quickley have high basketball IQ and seem to work well together. They can all move off the ball, pass and anticipate. Brown did a bit of everything, looking the part of the prototypical glue guy. We also appreciate his post-whistle celebrations, like wagging a finger like Dikembe Mutombo when a buzzer-beating three was ruled to be released too late.
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JAKOB POELTL B+
Vastly outplayed Clint Capela and other than having trouble finishing shots against the giant, Poeltl had a nice game. He was everywhere on the glass, hauling in one offensive board after another, while also finishing plays with defensive rebounds. Plus he had five screen assists leading to 14 points, and six traditional assists. What a luxury it is for Rajakovic to now have the Poeltl/Olynyk combo at centre. Olynyk can finish games because he can make shots and free throws, but Poeltl can help get you there.
GARY TRENT JR. C
Trent couldn’t follow up his excellent game against Brooklyn with another. This time he was off with his shooting (2-for-9), but a bit more engaged defensively. He also did hit his only make of the second half at an extremely timely part of the game (up two with 1:17 remaining). Trent missed some open looks, but nailed the one he had to. It will be interesting to see whether Dick takes his starting spot this season, or if Rajakovic prefers keeping his strong bench group together.
JORDAN NWORA D+
The one Raptor who didn’t get in on the offensive fun, Nwora struggled, missing all five of his shot attempts. He got the fill-in start with RJ Barrett out, but couldn’t take advantage, even against an opponent he has traditionally excelled against. Nwora’s defence has been keeping him from a rotation spot, but in this one it was his offence that wasn’t on point. To be fair to Nwora, all but one of his attempts were pretty tightly contested.
INC: NONE
THREE STARS
1 Immanuel Quickley
2 Scottie Barnes
3 Gradey Dick
HM: Dejuante Murray, Ochai Agbaji, Kelly Olynyk, DeAndre Hunter
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