Sean Woodley here, the host of the daily Locked On Raptors podcast, with your daily Locked On Raptors newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Raptors and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
In defense of RJ Barrett letting it rip
Oct 28, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard RJ Barrett (9) goes up to make a basket as Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) and forward Peyton Watson (8) defend during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images|John E. Sokolowski/John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
It’s always the wrong decision if the last shot doesn’t go in. Or at least, that’s what the more reactionary corners of the internet will tell you any time a coach does or doesn’t take a timeout in a short-clock, game-on-the-line situation.
That’s the catch-22 Darko Rajakovic found himself staring down in the dwindling seconds of Monday’s OT thriller against a desperate Nuggets team.
“The decision there is on the coach,” said Rajakovic. “Do I call a timeout to try to get us organized or try to run in the flow?”
RJ Barrett, the man who launched the prospective game-winning pull-up triple after Rajakovic opted not to stop down made his agreement with the decision quite clear after the game.
“I don’t know what player would tell you that,” Barrett said when asked if he’d have preferred a timeout over a chance to end it within the flow, vociferous head-shaking providing emphasis.
“Everybody would rather have open court than playing 5-on-5 set defense.”
Darko Rajakovic: Player’s Coach.
No, Barrett’s pull-up over Christian Braun didn’t go down. But can you imagine what a genius everyone would have looked like if it had? Toronto goes home with an early signature win in one the most raucous home games its played in years, Barrett owns an all-time piece of Raptors regular season lore, and Darko scores a massive win for the “let the dudes play” school of late-game tactics, who will end up on the right side of history when all is said and done.
The frantic drama of that finishing flourish is exactly the kind of ending that game deserved. Any steps we can take toward eliminating the scourge of late-game stoppages — routinely the single-biggest complaint from any fringe or prospective hoops fan you talk to — is a step toward improving a product that most people seem to agree is in a bit of a waning state. Give super talented athletes agency to make decisions on the fly, unencumbered by timeout dependence and whiteboard sketches, and we’re all the benefactors.
Barrett’s evaluation of his near-heroics offer comfort to anyone who holds hope for this team producing more interruption-free crunch time dramatics.
“For me, I’m comfortable taking that shot, I’m happy with the shot I took... I’ll take the shot again. I dunno, that’s just who RJ Barrett is.”
Process over results has been a through line of Rajakovic’s public comments to start the year. Keep opting for the most noble of late-game processes, the results won’t just come — they’ll blow the damn roof off the gym.
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Today on the podcast, I dive deep into what went right, and wrong for the Raptors in their 127-125 OT loss to Denver, and dig into why that’s the type of loss you can live with all day. Enjoy the show!
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) shoots the ball while being defended by New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) and New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the second half at Madison Square Garden|Photo by John Jones-Imagn Images
Darius Garland in the Garden, it has a nice ring to it. Less than ringing though, the dominant sounds in the Cavs win last night against the Knicks were thuds, the deep resonance of bodies colliding in motion and feet, seconds before airborne, hitting the floor.
Garland welcomed contact all game but stepped it up in the fourth quarter, picking a Jalen Brunson dead set on steamrolling to the basket up at mid-court and forcing Brunson to slow through him. Garland stripped the ball by making Brunson absolutely stuck, deceleration via sucking all the momentum out of him. Garland used it at both ends, this method of forcing the tempo to control the game. Went downhill offensively, tip-toeing to the baseline for an off-balance layup or shouldering though defenders, drawing them close, just to snap the ball backward to Jarrett Allen now with a clean runway to the rim.
You’re likely familiar with Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the concept that to achieve self-actualization people must have their basic needs met first. Carl Rogers put a light spin on the theory, arguing instead that humans innately hold the tendency toward self-actualization, but that their environment dictates whether or not they’ll realize it. I’ll admit that my perspective of the Cavs has long been biased — I am embarrassingly fond of Jarrett Allen, and have been since he and Caris LeVert created identity out of nothing for the Nets — but what we’re seeing now through the first four games of this season, this fleet-footed dominance, this assurance through deep skill, was not gifted by gaining Donovan Mitchell, but has been here all along.
Without a doubt, Mitchell nudged something in Cleveland. Athletes with the star quality of Mitchell tend to move like self-contained environments (sometimes universes), and the people around necessarily adapt. This is where Rogers’ theory kicks in. What the Cavs had pre-Mitchell were the same hard-fought talents, perhaps a little more raw, less controlled, the same belief that they were good enough to not just be hanging around at the top by fluke but securing their spot up there. Mitchell brought with him from Utah an environment of self-actualization and it fit perfectly with what the Cavs already created: tight-knit trust in each other, quiet confidence, never the loudest or flashiest but emphatic in their actions.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Analysis The Raptors have nothing to hang their heads over after last night’s heartbreaking loss. Sports Illustrated experts say the team has a solid 2024 draft class and solid performers with Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett. (Toronto Raptors on SI)
Fantasy Basketball Impact Of Taylor Hendricks’ Injury
Utah Jazz forward Taylor Hendricks (0) is taken off the court after suffering a leg injury during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center.|Photo by Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
NBA Fantasy Insights: Injury Woes and Lineup Shifts
The NBA landscape is ever-changing, and today was no exception with 11 games on the slate. The most significant development was the devastating injury to Taylor Hendricks. The young Utah Jazz player suffered a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle, effectively ending his season. This injury is a massive blow, not just for Hendricks but for the Jazz, who will now need to adjust their lineup significantly. John Collins is expected to step up, likely taking on more minutes at the power forward position. Cody Williams might also see increased usage, although his impact remains to be seen.
Golden State Warriors’ Injury Concerns
The Golden State Warriors are facing their own set of challenges with Steph Curry and De’Anthony Melton sidelined for the next two games. Andrew Wiggins is also questionable with a back problem, which could further deplete their roster. This situation opens up opportunities for players like Jonathan Kuminga and Draymond Green to step up. The Warriors’ rotation is shrinking, and it’s crucial for fantasy managers to keep an eye on these developments. The absence of key players might also mean more playing time for lesser-known names like Lindy Waters and Reece Beekman, who could be worth a speculative add in deeper leagues.
Click the button below to find out about two Magic stars that you should snap up.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Raptors podcasts.
Monday — Recapping the Raptors’ encouraging weekend split vs. the Sixers and Wolves Sean is joined by Vivek Jacob (Raptors in 7, Sportsnet) to talk about the Raptors going 1-1 against the Sixers and Wolves, their takeaways on Toronto’s exciting rookie crop and Gradey Dick, and their Good, Bad & Hmmm from the pair of games.
Friday — The Debut of Toxic Positivity Friday with Esfandiar Baraheni Sean is joined by Es Baraheni of the Athletic NBA Daily to debut a new weekly feature of the show: Toxic Positivity Friday, where we put up the blinders to all the bad and talk only about the things in Toronto Raptors basketball that are making us feel good. Really excited for this one each week.
Thursday — Raptors get bludgeoned on opening night vs. Cavs; Scottie Barnes’ struggles, IQ’s injury & JAMAL SHEAD! Sean goes solo to chat about the Raptors’ ugly season opening loss, the injuries that left Toronto outgunned against the Cavs, Scottie Barnes’ rough night and guard play before wrapping with the The Good, The Bad & the Hmm from the 136-106 loss.
