Survival guide for a lost season
As a fan that jumped on the Raptors bandwagon during the championship run, any words of wisdom to get me through this disastrous season? Are we ever going to be a good team again, and is Darko Rajakovic the right coach? Can we get OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam back on the team, please?
Mary
Since 29 of 30 teams eventually end the season in some measure of disappointment. I suggest always watching games for three reasons. 1. In every basketball game you see, something will happen that makes you go “holy crap” because the athletes are so good, so look for that. 2. Watch to give yourself a break from the stresses of life. 3. Enjoy a game for the singularity of the competition rather than worrying about the big-picture standings. And, yes, Darko is fine. But no, the OG/ Siakam ships have sailed permanently.
Many years ago, I think in DeMar DeRozan’s last full year as a Raptor, I asked you in a mailbag question if DeMar was on a career trajectory to make the Hall of Fame. You replied with a oneword answer: “No.” I think now it is almost a certainty that he gets in, even without a championship. His overall scoring totals are just too impressive. Have you changed your mind?
Jim W.
I don’t know that it’s “almost a certainty” because there is some post-season success late in the career, but I am absolutely sure he’s now in the conversation. Things change as careers move on.
Big fan of the mailbag. Quick question for you: My son is starting to watch Raptors games with me and even he was embarrassed by the effort against the Pistons. Do the Raptors risk losing some of the young fans with the product this season/during a few rebuilding years?
Thomas O.
If it goes four years, who knows. It’s been about four weeks, so I’d sure hope not. Here’s a thing: If you and he were “embarrassed” about the Pistons game, sit down together later today and watch the Denver game from 48 hours earlier.
For the next three weeks, when you’re around NBA people, will the casual conversation be more about the NBA or the NCAA men’s/women’s tournaments?
Paul M.
I fear it will be the NCAA because it ends before the NBA playoffs are settled, and I say fear because I can’t take part in it. NCAA men’s basketball makes me want to carve the eyes out of my sockets. I will, though, pay much attention to the Canadians in the women’s tournament.
Doug, I can’t understand why the Raptors let Dalano Banton go and kept Malachi Flynn instead. David A.
The Raptors had extended a nonguaranteed contract offer to Banton last summer. He decided to leave. Flynn was drafted and signed to a four-year rookie scale contract two years before Banton was drafted. It was never one over the other; it was contractual timing. Neither will shift the hopes of any franchise in any tangible way.
Do you think that the Raptors will resign Gary Trent Jr.?
Phil
Trent’s a tough one, it really is. I go back and forth on it and I keep landing on financials — and primarily what’s out there for him — being the determining factor.