That’s a wrap for January, a month that saw the Raptors go 7-9. The team went 4-3 in October, 7-7 in November and just 5-10 in December. It goes without saying that they were hoping for a much better record to start 2023. Now, I’m not amongst those that believe had they gone, say 9-7, or even 10-6, it would have drastically altered the front office’s plans of how to build the club for next season and beyond, but maybe it would have given them slight pause about dealing one of their starting guards at the Feb. 9 trade deadline.
Another down month should solidify the fact that change is needed. That this group isn’t going anywhere and that waiting until the summer wouldn’t be the ideal choice.
Don Brennan’s daily hit on the world of sports betting. Whether you’re new to sports gambling or an experienced wagerer, this newsletter offers trustworthy insights into the odds game. 19+. Please gamble responsibly.
Thanks for signing up!
A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.
The next issue of Closing Lines will soon be in your inbox.
To make matters worse, Pascal Siakam, who had been having one of the great seasons in Raptors history, seems to be wearing down from his NBA-leading workload. He ended up playing the most minutes in January of anyone and it was all for nothing in the end.
On a related note, it’s weird to this corner how many NBA pundits south of the border seem to be ignoring Siakam as an all-star candidate. He’s had an All-NBA level season. Even though the Raptors aren’t even a play-in team, not sure how you could leave Siakam off the all-star roster. If he’s been one of the 15 best players in the entire league, how is he not good enough to make the even bigger all-star roster? AP didn’t even mention him as a candidate in a recent piece on potential snubs. That’s wild.
Even a “slumping” Siakam still averaged 21.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists on 44% shooting over his last 10 games. Most players would take those numbers, it just doesn’t look great when you factor in how ridiculous Siakam was in the first 26 games of the season (26.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 48% shooting).
AROUND THE RIM
In January, Toronto’s opponents shot 37.4% on three-point attempts. Only San Antonio (40.3%) fared worse. The good news was only nine teams surrendered fewer free throw attempts than the Raptors and only Oklahoma City forced more turnovers.
The Raptors also boasted the league’s lowest turnover percentage in January and had the best assist-to-turnover ratio.
It shouldn’t be news that the Raptors are “taking calls” on players. Professional managers field calls on all their players all the time. You need to know the value of your players at all times. That doesn’t mean everyone is available. Information is precious.
To recap the month, Barnes led all in three star selections (not a surprise if you’ve been following here, he’s been great). Siakam was next, followed by a resurgent Fred VanVleet. Precious Achiuwa made a late charge and will surely be heard from in February. Anunoby only received one second star selection all month, but it speaks to the great season he’s had that he still trails only Siakam in the overall tally.
THREE STARS
1 Mikal Bridges
2 Fred VanVleet
3 Chris Paul
Honourable mention: Precious Achiuwa, DeAndre Ayton
THREE STAR POINTS FOR JANUARY:
Scottie Barnes 16 points
Pascal Siakam 15
Fred VanVleet 12
Precious Achiuwa 6
Gary Trent Jr. 4
O.G. Anunoby 2
THREE STAR POINTS FOR THE SEASON:
Pascal Siakam 60 points
O.G. Anunoby 33
Fred VanVleet 29
Scottie Barnes 28
Gary Trent Jr. 15
Precious Achiuwa 9
Chris Boucher 3
Dalano Banton 3
Thaddeus Young 1
Christian Koloko
