Jamison Battle was not anticipated to contribute for the Toronto Raptors. The undrafted rookie wasn’t even purported to make the roster this season. If issues had gone as deliberate, the 23-year-old could be within the G League proper now, fine-tuning his sport with the Raptors 905 and ready for a break which may by no means come.
However the NBA not often adheres to the script.
Toronto’s preliminary plan for Battle was easy: stash him in an Exhibit 10 deal, retain his G League rights and maybe see if he might battle his manner again to relevance. pre-season modified the calculus. His knockdown shot caught the eye of the Raptors entrance workplace, and so they upgraded him to a two-way deal, slicing ties with Branden Carlson. Even then, the transfer felt extra like a long-term funding than an instantaneous funding. Two-way gamers do not sometimes carve out important roles for themselves, particularly not on a staff with many different younger gamers to observe.
However Battle did not get the memo.
The accidents opened the door and Battle sprinted by means of it. By means of the primary quarter of the season, he averaged 6.4 factors per sport whereas taking pictures 43.3% from deep on 60 makes an attempt. And on Wednesday evening in New Orleans, he delivered the type of efficiency that makes you marvel if Toronto has unearthed one other undrafted gem. With Gradey Dick sidelined, Battle erupted for twenty-four factors, draining 6 of 8 from past the arc and looking out each bit like a rotation-ready sniper.
“I actually like the hassle he places in day in and time out,” Raptors coach Darko Rajaković instructed reporters after the sport in New Orleans. “Each time I discuss to him, his eyes are broad open. He’s centered. He listens and he actually tries all the pieces we coach and educate to get on the market and make it occur. Is that this a defensive positioning? Is that this how we keep away from screens? Is that this boxing? Regardless, he focuses on progress and doing good work. So I feel we have now one thing actually particular with him.
For a staff that locations a lot emphasis on participant improvement, Battle’s emergence suits the Raptors’ modus operandi of discovering neglected expertise and serving to them succeed. This season has already seen notable progress from different gamers: Ochai Agbaji has taken steps ahead, RJ Barrett has proven improved play, and second-round picks Jamal Shead and Jonathan Mogbo have exceeded expectations. Battle now provides his title to that blend.
There’s nonetheless a ceiling to what Battle might turn into. He’s unlikely to turn into a main scorer or high defender. His offensive sport is restricted – 74% of his photographs this season have come and not using a single dribble – however his taking pictures has already confirmed to be a official NBA instrument. That is greater than most undrafted gamers can say, and it is greater than sufficient to carve out a task on a staff that values spacing.
Battle might by no means be a star, however he would not should be. He’s a dependable shooter and a tough employee, incomes his alternatives by means of effort and execution. Although it is nonetheless early, Battle makes the case that he can contribute at this stage – and it is already greater than anybody anticipated.
