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Out of sheer necessity, maybe even desperation, the Raptors gave RJ Barrett the uncomfortable function of their de facto chief.
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In time, watching the 6-foot-6 ahead deal with the ball so usually ought to repay as soon as Scottie Barnes (ankle) and Immanuel Quickley (wrist) are totally wholesome. However with out the staff’s two finest gamers, Barrett instantly emerges because the go-to man.
This comes with added duties and a focus, however, to his credit score, he did not draw back from it.
In Thursday night time’s 114-110 loss to the Warmth in Miami, Barrett recorded his second profession triple-double. He was aggressive to the rim and rebounded properly, however he wanted to do extra, whether or not it was discovering his teammates or scoring.
After Toronto’s loss, which dropped the Raptors to 7-19, head coach Darko Rajakovic spoke in regards to the want for Barrett to push the boundaries additional.
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The Torontonian’s 13 factors had been his second lowest output of the season, with a 5-for-18 taking pictures report, however he recorded 10 assists, the fifth time he reached double figures within the flats.
He had 11 rebounds, the third time this season that he reached double the ten rebounds, on an evening the place solely Bam Adebayo (16) had extra.
There have been additionally a season-high three blocks — after beginning the night time with six this season — however he turned the ball over six instances, exactly half of Toronto’s 12 mixed turnovers.
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Rajakovic wasn’t going to level out the six turnovers as a result of that is not his model. The second-year boss understands the problem Barrett has been requested to tackle.
As with most losses this season, Toronto’s fourth straight defeat supplied some invaluable studying moments.
Chief amongst them concerned Barrett, who confirmed a variety of development amid dropping video games and gamers misplaced to harm. A uncommon technical foul towards Barrett solely highlighted the frustration.
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Ideally, much less is extra for Barrett, however these aren’t ideally suited instances with out Barnes and Quickley.
Barrett’s first profession triple-double got here on November 16 in Boston throughout an epic additional time loss to the Celtics, when he was at his finest.
In Miami on Thursday, he was removed from his finest, enjoying a team-high 34 minutes.
The Raptors might be at house for the subsequent three video games, beginning with a Monday night time date towards the Chicago Bulls. Barrett seemed extra comfy at house.
Nobody may have imagined Barrett being requested to tackle a lot accountability, however on the identical time, nobody thought Quickley and Barnes can be sidelined on the identical time for therefore lengthy.
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A shoulder harm suffered within the preseason opener stored Barrett out of the primary three video games of the common season.
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Upon his return, Quickley was injured following his heavy fall to the bottom throughout Toronto’s opening night time loss to the visiting Cavaliers.
When Quickley returned, he performed in two video games earlier than injuring his wrist.
At no level this season have Toronto’s Huge Three been on the court docket on the identical time. And there is not any indication the three might be on the sphere collectively anytime quickly.
Barrett, nevertheless, proved to be essentially the most sturdy. What the Raptors must do is present him with some assist, which is able to take some strain off his shoulders.
To lighten his load, it would serve the Raptors higher if somebody like Davion Mitchell received the beginning on Monday at the moment.
It may additionally serve Barrett higher if he had been thrown into the fireplace within the twin function of level guard and first scorer.
He is not able to be the go-to man, however each recreation and each time he is requested to hold such a burden will solely make him a greater all-around participant.
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The identical could possibly be stated about Gradey Dick and the way he has to search out the proper stability between taking good pictures slightly than forcing them.
A baseline three in the proper nook in Toronto’s loss to the host Miami Warmth highlighted Dick’s poor choice.
That very same night time, he had that up-and-down look simply contained in the foul line that discovered the web.
He scored 22 factors in Toronto’s four-point loss, however wanted 19 makes an attempt. He made 11 three-pointers, however solely drained three.
When it comes to effectivity, it wasn’t the best recreation for Dick, however he persistently moved away from the ball and performed with a degree of confidence that appeared unwavering.
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