An NBA team’s only real ability is to make good shots, and good shots only. If the guys don’t make it, move on to the next group. You accept the loss and return home if they don’t make them.
The fact that they are deep rotation players being asked to step into roles they aren’t used to or prepared for is a harsh reality for the Raptors right now, and grist for the player personnel mill when the off-season arrives.
However, it is disheartening at the moment, and it is causing a short-handed team to plummet through the Eastern Conference standings.
“It’s a little frustrating tonight, I think,” coach Nick Nurse said after Sunday’s 118-95 road loss to the Chicago Bulls.“You’re giving a lot of guys shots and they miss a few, and you try somebody else and they get the same looks and they don’t do any better.“So, it was a tough night for us on that front, and it’s too bad. It’s not like we were down there pulling teeth trying to get shots. I think we missed a bunch of layups in the first half, and then I just thought we missed way too many open shots throughout the game just to stay in it.” With a group of backups unable to hold their own or produce above-average performances that would allow a decimated roster to steal a game here and there, Toronto has lost five of its last eight games, falling to 11th in the Eastern Conference with a 17-22 record.
With the likely return of at least some of the five key players who have been out since before the all-star break due to COVID-19-related health and safety protocols, help may be on the way.
News and picture source : Toronto Star
