Coming into their game against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Toronto Raptors employed three rookies in the top 11 for rookie per-game scoring this season. None of whom are the team’s highly prized lottery selection Ja'Kobe Walter. He has been missing with an A/C joint sprain in his right shoulder, only recently healed. Entering the fray against LeBron James and the Lakers? A dream. Welcome to the party, pal.
His first minutes are defined by activity, bordering on hyperactivity. Eating more than he can chew, too much, too fast. Get busy. Do something. He sets an on-ball screen for the point guard, ghosts it into a flare screen, eventually catches the ball and drives, Nash's the drive to the other side of the rim, passes to Jonathan Mogbo on the wing, who misses the shot on his drive. Go. More. Faster.
Walter gets a switch on the other end, guarding LeBron James. Who hits a 3-pointer over top of him. Okay. A rapid start. Energy. Running. The process is good. The cuts are good. The results are bad. He stays in to start the second quarter.
He stands in the corner to start the quarter. But even there he's not still. He paces, his knees bent, jittering a foot up, a foot back. He can't stay still. Go go go.
Collection
[
|
...
]