"In the modern NBA it feels like young players are on an extremely accelerated timeline. Gone are the days where fans and NBA organization members patiently wait for a young lottery pick to develop and grow over the course of five years or so. If a player isn't established by their third season, it feels like they are behind schedule."
"Gradey Dick's first two seasons have been filled with flashes of what his value can be if things were to pan out, but they have also been filled with struggles and roadblocks as well. Dick is headed into his third season, and this season will be a huge one for him as Toronto is looking to break out of the rebuilding phase and return to the post-season."
"Dick's most glaring flaw on the court is his lack of ability on the defensive end. Dick's defense at times has caused head coach Darko Rajakovic to be forced to pull him early. The silver lining about his defense is that the struggles are not due to a lack of effort. When you watch Dick on defense, you see him actively sliding his feet, trying to beat opposing ball handlers to their spots, rotating early to try and offer extra protection at the rim."
Young NBA players now face accelerated development timelines, with many expected to be established by their third season. Gradey Dick showed flashes of value across his first two seasons but also encountered persistent struggles and roadblocks. Toronto's shift toward competing for the postseason reduces patience for prolonged on-court experimentation. Dick must find a clearer offensive role and make tangible defensive progress entering year three. Defensive issues stem less from effort and more from physical limitations: at 6'6" and 205 pounds his slight frame makes it difficult to stay with opposing wings and guards. Coaches have at times removed him early due to defensive lapses.
Read at Raptors Republic
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