» Star Scottie Barnes plays after sitting out Raptors’ previous home tip

Article content

For 32nd time Sunday night, the Raptors went with a different starting lineup, the kind of lineup no one could have envisioned when this season tipped off when one considers centre Colin Castleton wasn’t even on the team and likely not even on the club’s radar.

Article content

Article content

Article content

The kid has started for the Raptors in recent week out of sheer necessity.

With Jakob Poeltl allowed to take a rest day against the visiting San Antonio Spurs, the already thin Raptors, who also gave Immanuel Quickley the night off as a Monday night date in Washington awaits, were rendered even more short-handed and decidedly less talented and the scored reflected that in 123-89 Spurs rout of the Raptors.

Not that it mattered much with the season reduced to its short strokes and with so much of the focus on where the Raptors end up in the NBA’s draft lottery.

At least RJ Barrett was in the starting group as was Scottie Barnes, who officially reached the 56-game mark.

The 65-game threshold that will trigger a supermax, allowing Barnes to collect an additional $45 million US over the course of a five-year deal that kicks in next season, remains a possibility, if the Raptors want to run their franchise player into the ground.

Article content

Remember, when the Raptors last played at home on March 12 against the Philadelphia 76ers, Barnes sat out.

Sunday marked the team’s first game back home following a 1-3 trip.

If any game epitomized this season’s mercurial ride it arrived shortly after 6 p.m. with the jump ball.

The Raptors looked like they were still on the road, playing with absolutely no energy and very little sense of professionalism in trailing 36-16 after the opening quarter, a 12-minute period that would see the home side turn the ball over 10 times, while making only six shots.

By halftime, the Raptors were trailing 62-40.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Play Video

It would only get worse until the game mercifully ended,

Fans booed the U.S. national anthem, but they should have reserved their frustration and dismay at the Raptors, who were surprisingly spared the fans’ wrath.

Article content

Article content

The venom for the Star Spangled Banner wasn’t as intense as it has been recently, but the booing was nonetheless audible.

The sight of empty seats was also visible.

Welcome to the stretch run of another wretched season.

Jamal Shead and Ocha

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Play Video

i Agbaji joined Castleton, Barnes and Barrett in the starting lineup.

Who stays, who starts and who comes off the bench next season is very much up in the air as yet another off-season of change will soon begin.

Even Barrett’s time will be questioned knowing Brandon Ingram will be healthy when a new season tips off.

For what it’s worth, head coach Darko Rajakovic provided an update on Ingram, if such a description even applies.

According to the affable Darko, Ingram has progressed with his running and lateral movement.

Article content

On the surface, it does seem encouraging until one realizes he has yet to be cleared for contact after Ingram suffered a high ankle sprain some three months ago when he was a member of the New Orleans Pelicans.

For what it’s worth, Rajakovic added an update will arrive in 10 days.

The chances of Ingram making his Raptors debut this season appear to be slim to none with no one expecting this talented wing to return this season.

All things considered, it makes no sense to have Ingram even attempt to play in any game this season.

After all, it’s all about next season.

Since this year’s all-star break, the Raptors have used 14 different starting lineups, including Sunday’s five versus the Spurs.

Overall, the 32 different starting alignments are the second-most in club history.

Article content

The Tampa tank during the COVID season featured 38 different starting groups.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Play Video

There are many reasons to explain Sunday’s desultory display, whether it involves the Raptors’ porous roster or even invoking the lame excuse associated with playing your first home game following a trip out West.

Since Gregg Popovich suffered his stroke in November, San Antonio has gone with Mitch Johnson as its acting head coach.

There was no Victor Wembanyama, basketball’s unicorn who was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right shoulder last month and shut down for the balance of the season.

There was no De’Aaron Fox, either, whom the Spurs acquired from the Sacramento Kings in a three-team blockbuster deal in early February.

There was fan favourite Bismack Biyombo, who received a warm reception during the pre-game introductions and future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul.

Article content

All that needs to be said is that Mary J. Blige, who performs Monday at Scotiabank Arena, was showered with the loudest and most appreciative reception.

The best Barnes on this night was San Antonio’s Harrison Barnes, at least in terms of plus/minus rating.

It wasn’t even close, but that’s to be expected when the game gets away from the home team so early and so decisively.

Seriously, at least Scottie Barnes was able to drain some three-point shots.

If he is to reside among the NBA’s top 15, a distinction that triggers the supermax, Barnes must refine his outside jumper.

What he can’t do is compromise his mid-range game because that’s the area where Barnes excels.

Ingram is known as a scorer who can create for himself or for his teammates.

Article content

The presence of a healthy Barnes, Ingram and Quickley does sound appealing.

Where that leaves Barrett is open for debate.

There was no debating Toronto’s performance Sunday.

With two minutes left in the third quarter, the Raptors found themselves in a well-deserved 30-point deficit.

Shockingly, so few decided to head to the exits.

Through three quarters, Barnes and Barrett accounted for 11 of Toronto’s 20 turnovers.

Barnes was subbed out with roughly seven minutes left in the fourth quarter.

On the night, he played 30 minutes, netting 22 points on 11 attempts, while recording seven rebounds and six assists.

Shead was aggressive on offence, but he missed far too many shots from distance.
He wasn’t alone.

fzicarelli@postmedia.com

Article content