Walter held out of the game? Coach's decision? Will is having a nice game. Alijah had an abysmal game in the box score but ended up with +14 on 17 minutes played. I didn't watch intently so I am unsure if he affected the game without box score stats
I saw a story that Walter had a minor hamstring pull in the previous game. For this game, he was on the bench in city clothes. I was surprised the announcers didn't mention him being out given how well he's played and being fairly well known.
Will Richard had a good game last night against the Grizzlies in their 96-84 win. He scored 12 points on 5-of-8 FG, hitting 2-of-4 3-pointers with 2 Rebounds, 2 Steals and 1 Assist.
"Given he was the 39th pick, it’s somewhat of a surprise to see Martin signed to a two-way contract rather than a standard NBA deal. The Raptors gave standard contracts to second-round picks Jonathan Mogbo and Jamal Shead last year, but have opted for a more developmental approach with Martin. He becomes Toronto’s third two-way player, joining Ulrich Chomche and Chucky Hepburn, and takes the spot vacated by Jared Rhoden, who was waived earlier this offseason. The decision also leaves one open roster spot for training camp, with AJ Lawson, Collin Castleton, and potentially others in contention for a final spot. Martin will likely begin the season with Raptors 905, Toronto’s G League affiliate, but could be called up if he shows progress at the next level. The Raptors continue to prioritize two-way ability and defensive intensity in their developmental pipeline. Martin offers a proven track record, college experience, and scoring upside. Now he’ll have the opportunity to prove he belongs." Toronto Raptors Sign Alijah Martin to Two-Way Contract Ahead of Summer League Debut
Fun game last night between Golden State and Toronto with the Raptors winning 81-69 to keep their record perfect. Martin had 13 points in 21 minutes, hitting 4-of-10 FG, and 5-of-5 FT with 7 Rebounds, 2 Steals and 0 Turnovers. Richard had 7 points in 23 mintues, hitting 3-of-9 FG, only 1-of-6 3-pointers, 5 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 1 Steals and 3 Turnovers.
Since I am not a professional athlete, or never aspired to be one, I am merely using my observational skills from the Ivory Tower rather than from the battlefield. First of all, the money being made - and spent - in the NBA is damn ridiculous, meaning what gets spent versus what is received is WAY out of whack to other entertainment venues, sports especially. I won't say that the NHL isn't close behind or even slightly past it, it is just that the NBA has a huge following in China and has aspirations to develop talent in Eurasia. Hockey doesn't have that panache. As a result, there are a TON of men who want a piece of the action and so the talent pool is much more than the demand. And quite frankly, the number of NBA teams is too many. The product is too diluted and so you get to the upper-levels of skill but it takes some damn tough calculus to reach the top of the mountain. Curry's just don't grow on trees, as well as having Green's and Durant's to complete the team. OKC may have changed the game, but we shall see. Anyways, Martin is not a buzz player and so he is considered a dime a dozen. It does not mean he can't get into the league and stay there, just that being his size isn't a "guarantee" for success. And really, what is more important to most teams, IMO, is selling the sizzle and not the steak. At least during this part of the cycle. Gotta keep the hope...and the money...flowing. But to a more salient point, using Castleton as a good example, I believe the step up from major college to the NBA is WAY steeper than any other sport. I am not going to defend the O-a-D philosophy at all, but in the end there are a ton of players who were middling-ish in results at the major college level who are quite good NBA players, because their athletic abilities were WAY superior to their peers, even though their peers - via a more mature team - accomplished higher goals for their fans. It goes back to a point in that, if you can play to a high level in the game (Haslem is as good here as any), you plainly do NOT need to move on. It is up to the Castleton's to find the correct combination of skill/results and financial value to make the Haslem's go away. But also, if a Haslem has local sizzle and a Castleton does not, it is entirely plausible that the team goes with the devil it knows rather than the devil it does not. Again, gotta keep the money mining operation going. Until further notice, you can stay in the NBA if you can prove you are a "3 and D" piece. But is Martin a step above others who are already there? Not yet, but I am quite sure someone will give him a tryout in earnest, if not Toronto. Maybe even OKC, but they seem all filled up. It is what it is.
Just as an aside... Most of us went to college with at least an idea of a profession and career path afterwards. Many changed that path once they got there. Nothing wrong with that. I suspect most college athletes at the D1 level, at least in basketball, football, and baseball, and possibly track & field, see themselves as playing their chosen sport professionally someday. That doesn't turn out to be the case in most instances. The value of a college degree then came into play. So athletes with vision took advantage of it while still in school and got degrees. If a kid wants to always be involved in sports in some capacity, get that degree. In business, in communications, in sports management, in coaching, something. Most companies don't care if you ran a 4.4 40 but couldn't show enough determination to get your degree. ADs at schools will love that you once scored 17 points a game and grabbed 8 rebounds, but if you didn't get a degree, why should they hire you as an assistant coach? If you go pro early, great, but then figure out a way to get your degree after college. So many classes are online now, there's no excuse. Of course, times and attitudes are changing, and Gen Z doesn't put as much stock in a degree as previous gens did. That's okay. But EDUCATION has always been important, and you'd better be able to quantify and qualify it. P.S.: Don't listen to me. AI is rendering my Old School outlook more obsolete by the day.
I think Martin and Richard have both looked good. Martin could get a few more threes up if his teammates were as unselfish as he is. I didn't get a chance to see Clayton before they started holding him out. I don't think Castleton has looked good in his last couple of games. With the Lakers, he showed some pretty good passing skills and they ran some of their offense through him. Toronto isn't doing that in the games I saw, and Castleton wasn't contributing much in other ways. In his last game, the announcers were laughing at how quickly he was racking up fouls.
