Mavs’ Doncic & Irving show off star power
The Toronto Raptors’ modest 3-game winning streak was halted by the Dallas Mavericks. In a match decided in Q3 (flashback to memories of the early, lean years at Skydome, in which our guys would often slip ahead after 24 minutes, then get crushed following intermission), the visiting Mavs won the quarter by 15, and the game by 11, 136-125. Dallas features two marvelous (I guess) guards, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. They combined for 59 points, and with unheralded P.J. Washington pouring in 23, the Raptors, once having fallen behind, could never catch up.
While I don’t like acknowledging star power, I’m not totally blind. The Raptors enjoy a modest collection of competent players, but there’s no one on the roster to compare with luminaries Doncic and Irving. The latter has been described as the best ballhandler ever born, and his magical hands were in evidence several times as he led the Mavericks offense. This was particularly true when Doncic was sitting for a large chunk of Q4, while Irving scored 7 of his 11 buckets. Kudos to Mavs coach Jason Kidd, who used Doncic and Irving wisely. Both played a hair under 36 minutes – perfect.
During the broadcast, Alvin Williams ventured the opinion that Doncic is the best passer he’s ever seen. Certainly Luka displayed court vision, quickness and accuracy, even from distance, worthy of The Joker, Nikola Jokic. I’m not prepared to go as far as Alvin, but Doncic’s banner is already hanging in the imaginary Passing Hall of Fame rafters with Jokic, ‘Magic’ Johnson, Steve Nash and Bob Cousy. Luka’s teammates must love playing with him.
By contrast
The Raptors won’t return to championship-contender status until at least one player on the roster becomes more than a injury-replacement inclusion to the All-Star Game (sorry, Scottie Barnes, but you really weren’t in Lost Wages on merit). Scottie is definitely the closest fellow we have. His triple-double against Indiana, his fourth this season, places him fifth in the 2023-24 rankings. Luka is third with 11. However, Scottie will need to improve his deep shooting, and cut down on his turnovers, if he wants to get elected to next year’s All-Star game.
Is RJ Barrett ever going to become a star? He doesn’t turn 24 years of age until June, and has been better as a Raptor than he was as a Knick. So there’s reason for optimism, but he’s not a star yet.
Our centers? Not a hope.
A dark-horse candidate is Gradey Dick. Four months ago, a lot of folks were writing his professional epitaph, but he’s emerged from his rookie funk and is making a serious contribution to team success. I’d like to see him score more 2-point baskets. He’s likely to be driven off the 3-point arc regularly now that his deep shot is dropping, and that’s fine, because it creates a 5-on-4 situation. Pass, drive, or make the pull-up J…don’t blow the opportunity. If Gradey grows into more than a 3-point specialist, which he’s shown signs of, his ceiling becomes quite high.
The Raptors won their only NBA championship after trading for Kawhi Leonard. Should the current group improve sufficiently to attract the interest of rivals, Masai Ujiri may elect to do the same sort of Big Move. That’s at least two years away.
- Tags: Masai Ujiri, Toronto Raptors
