"When the Raptors were on their big run in the earlier portion of the season, they seemed capable of scoring fast, scoring slow, and scoring from many different places. A very strong mix of initiation, and seemingly, enough of it up and down the roster to allow the bench players to maintain bit roles (that they could succeed in). Things were humming, and in a way that they hadn't in a very long time."
"The strongest link is pointing to RJ Barrett's injury upsetting the fragile balance of things, but if you have other ideas, God speed. Regardless, they've become far worse as a driving team, far worse at drawing free throws, and far worse at offense in general. They've looked sparingly to their depth players to take on the role of initiating plays, and it's easy to see why - there's been very little, if any, success to reinforce those decisions."
"So, every game has been an exhibit, mostly, of the Raptors forwards trying to power them through to a victory, with maybe one or two role players managing to hit shots alongside them. It's usually a player elevated into the starting lineup. If Sandro Mamukelashvili starts? Open looks, and points. Ja'Kobe Walter? Usually the same. If Agbaji starts? Just the looks, maybe."
Early in the season the Raptors scored quickly and slowly from many different places, powered by initiation spread across the roster that allowed bench players to maintain meaningful roles. Since then, performance has deteriorated, with RJ Barrett's injury cited as a key destabilizer. The team has regressed as a driving unit, in drawing free throws, and in overall offensive effectiveness. Depth players have been seldom trusted or successful as initiators. Lineup changes often yield scoring from elevated starters, while forwards shoulder much of the offensive burden. Wins have accumulated but often without convincing, consistent team-wide execution.
Read at Raptors Republic
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