The Toronto Raptors wrapped up their second day of Training Camp in Québec City on Wednesday. Here are the three things you need to know about.
1. The Raptors know they need to improve their 3-point shooting
Last season, the Toronto Raptors ranked 25th in three point frequency and 18th in three point efficiency (according to Cleaning the Glass). Head coach Darko Rajaković told the media on Wednesday that the team has “a plan in place” to get both of those numbers up.
With the departures of Sandro Mamukelashvili and Brandon Ingram, two of the team’s most efficient three point shooters last season, the Raptors are going to have to look to others to step up. When asked who would be expected to fill in, Rajaković said “Kawhi, [Immanuel] Quickley, RJ [Barrett], Jamison Battle, Ja’Kobe Walter, Jamal Shead, everybody except Yak.”
In the playoffs, Scottie Barnes shot 38.1% on his three point attempts, and made it clear that improving his shot was a focus throughout the offseason.
“I think I find people wide open, but I got to make some shots myself too. Willing to take them, and I got to make them as well, I think that helps out big time… Be confident.” Barnes told the media.
2. Scottie Barnes is ready to take a leap
Last season, Barnes was an All-Star, finished fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting, and made All-Defense second team (ask him how he feels about that). This season, there’s an expectation within the organization that he’s ready to take another step towards being one of the league’s best.
“I don’t expect him to be as good as last year, I expect him to be better. I know how much he put the work in this summer.” Rajaković said.
“I know how he looks in our workouts, in our practices. He’s ready for the next jump for him and he’s going to carry our team with him.”
Barnes specified exactly how he needed to build off his incredible playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers in an interview with TSN’s Josh Lewenberg. “I think I played good, I think I could have definitely took it to another level.”
“Being able to be really good in the iso’s, and being able to make shots from three, fourth quarter scoring is pretty important too for me. Being able to stay locked in in those moments and be aggressive, I think it helps our team out in the long run.”
What drives Barnes?
“I think Scottie wants to be the best. He wants to be the best in the league.” Rajaković said.
3. Kawhi Leonard really is a fun guy
It seems that lately there’s been a drastic shift in Leonard’s public persona. Once known as a stoic, serious, quiet ‘robot’, Leonard has opened up a lot over the past year. He’s begun documenting more of his life beyond basketball, and that’s no coincidence.
“With me probably four or five years from walking away, just want to show people who I really am… You get so many narratives out there and people don’t know me, but I’m just having fun with it.” Leonard said.
It’s a stark difference from the last time Leonard was a Raptor in 2019, though he insists it’s not new, just new to us.
“I’m just showing myself in a sense, if you’re not getting those behind-the-scene video recordings, you’re not going to see me doing too much of that, I learned to come to work and just lock in and focus so that’s all I try to do when you see me on the basketball court.”
“You’re just starting to see it now, it’s not like I’m changing or doing anything different, I’m being myself.”
