RAPTORS REPORT CARD: Quickley’s performance something to build on

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Considering the Raptors’ poor performance in recent games and the fact that star forward Scottie Barnes and others were out, it was a surprise to see the team give a strong Phoenix Suns club a lot of trouble on Thursday evening.

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Although the Suns ultimately won the game at home, the Raptors fought well, despite the absence of Barnes, Jakob Poeltl and Bruce Brown.

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The player most likely to be a big part of the future – Immanuel Quickley – showed why with an incredible performance that had to make even the most resigned Raptors fans smile.

Here is the bulletin:

IMMANUEL QUICKLEY: A+

The franchise has now been around for nearly three decades, but you can count on one hand how many point guards have had a better game for the club. Not only did Quickley dish out 18 assists, which only four Raptors have beaten, but Quickley also got into the paint whenever he wanted, scored 21 points, pulled down nine rebounds and played terrific defense against Grayson Allen and other Suns. Quickley could have lost points for a poor defensive start (even though many of his teammates were much worse), or for 2-of-7 three-point work, but that’s a bit of nitpicking. He was great.

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GARY TRENT JR. : A

What brings out the best in the Suns in Trent? He constantly lights them up and did it again with 30 points. Trent didn’t just attack, he also fought hard on defense and really made the Suns work to score, especially in the second half. The Raptors need more efforts like this from Trent with some key players out, perhaps for the rest of the season.

CHRIS BOUCHER: ONE

Tell me again that Boucher can’t help this team. That was never true, but the powers that be decided he didn’t fit the system, so Boucher basically sat out. But it must be recognized that he shook off all the rust and had a huge impact on this match. Boucher helped turn things around and was extremely effective. Toronto doesn’t want to win games at this point and playing Boucher helps them be competitive so he probably won’t be around much, but he has shown his value. Hopefully he gets dealt to a team aiming for the playoffs in the off-season.

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RJ BARRETT: B

Toronto is asking a lot of Barrett. He needs to pace the team by scoring most nights and play huge minutes. The 23-year-old answered the bell in Phoenix, scoring 23 goals in 37 minutes. Barrett not only had to take and make a lot of shots, but he was also tasked at times with slowing down Kevin Durant and well, good luck with that. Barrett did his best. Durant is just on another planet as a player. Barrett continues to make three-pointers at a breathtaking rate (3-for-4 on the night) and even made 2-of-3 free throws after another tough game from the line against New Orleans.

GRADEY’S DICK: C+

Dick’s hot shooting streak ended in the final game, but he bounced back with four three-pointers in 10 attempts. Dick has proven to be elite in the corners, but still hasn’t found the three-point shot elsewhere on the court. This will have to change. He can also become even stronger. We like the way he moves with the ball though. He works well with Quickley as both are good at getting open.

KELLY OLYNYK: C-

A tough night at the office for Olynyk both statistically and in general. The massive Jusuf Nurkic pummeled him, even catching Olynyk with an elbow to the head at one point. It can’t be fun trying to guard the giant. Olynyk just wasn’t having it. He couldn’t make shots and the fouls were piling up. This stretch will be a test for the veteran who is the only real option at center at this point for the team.

INC.: Ochai Agbaji, Jordan Nwora, Javon Freeman-Liberty

THREE STARS

1 Emmanuel Quickley

2Kévin Durant

3Grayson Allen

H.M.: Gary Trent Jr., RJ Barrett

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