Raptors trade places with G League squad

New Orleans Pelicans embarrass Toronto at home

After sprinting out to a 19-14 lead over the New Orleans Pelicans, the Toronto Raptors collapsed, losing the rest of the game by 46 points. The final score was 139-98, one of the worst plasterings Toronto has ever absorbed. Unlike the Raptors victory on Sunday, in which both teams were bad (and Charlotte ended up worse), in this game the Pelicans were beastly. Led by Trey Murphy’s 10 3-balls, the Pelicans went 24 of 49 from deep. On this night, they would have defeated the Showtime Lakers. With the Raptors short-handed (both Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl are out with finger injuries…get it? short-handed?…no, I won’t give up my day job), and being crushed, Coach Darko Rajakovic ran up the white flag.

Photo of Chris Boucher — **Chris Boucher – remember him?**

The fourth quarter featured(?) a collection of talent(??) so poor, I thought we were in Mississauga. Scotiabank Arena fans would have been justified in asking for a refund. At several moments, everyone on the floor wearing a Raptors uniform had been in the G League this season, or was on a 10-day contract. The only Raptors who didn’t receive playing time were the veterans: Chris Boucher, Garrett Temple, and Jalen McDaniels. Instead, Toronto fans got up close and personal with Jahmi’us Ramsay, Mouhamadou Gueye, D.J. Carton, Jontay Porter, and Javon Freeman-Liberty. The latter played with poise while chipping in 13 points.

They keep dropping

Ochai Agbaji, who is supposed to be receiving an extended audition, had to leave the game with a sore left knee. Bruce Brown missed another game with a similar complaint. The Raptors knee-d (sorry, I can’t help myself) both these swingmen to have any chance. Sadly, no help was forthcoming from Gradey Dick, who suffered his first bad game in a month. None of his five attempts from deep went splash, and he ended up a spectacularly bad -35. Contrast that to the aforementioned Murphy, who was +44, a number I don’t recall ever seeing before.

Sometimes I hate being right. As you know, I predicted a cattle-call remainder of season. Fine, but not like this. Years ago, Bill James went on record as demanding a Sports Fans’ Bill of Rights. Given the threadbare state of the roster, such a thing seem apropos now for Toronto Raptors faithful. Half-price tickets, anyone?

With Barnes and Poeltl both gone for the foreseeable future, and Brown and Agbaji suffering knee problems (which are typically chronic), what remains of the roster will be under severe pressure. More injuries are certainly possible as a consequence. The rest of the season could be truly nightmarish.