The Raptors beat the Pelicans 119 to 106 last night. It was a game that happened in March, which is usually when the weather in Toronto decides to be three different seasons in one hour.
Scottie Barnes had 23 points and 12 assists, operating as a point guard because he is very tall and can see over the people trying to stop him. He spent the postgame interview giving props to Ja’Kobe Walter, which is nice.
It is good to see young people getting along. When I was younger, I remember getting a Jason Kapono jersey because I thought shooting threes was the only thing that mattered. Now I just hope the subway isn't delayed.
The Ghost of Players Past
People are talking about reacquiring DeMar DeRozan again. Someone on the internet mentioned their teacher announced the original DeMar trade over the school PA system back in 2018.
That feels like a very dramatic thing for an educator to do, but school is a strange place. DeMar represents a specific kind of feeling, like a comfortable sweater that you eventually outgrew but still keep in the back of the closet.
I am not sure if bringing him back solves anything, but nostalgia is a powerful drug. It is like finding an old 2020 Hall of Fame basketball in your garage and wondering what it is worth (probably thirty dollars and a sense of longing).
Logistics and Small Jerseys
A person is looking for a Raptors jersey for a baby or a toddler. This is a bold choice, mostly because babies do not understand the pick and roll or why we keep playing zone defense.
They will also grow out of the jersey in four months, much like how the roster seems to change every time I turn around. If you find one, make sure it is soft. Life is hard enough without a scratchy jersey.
Looking Ahead
We play the Magic next. They are a team from Florida, where it is warm and the birds are probably louder.
Toronto is currently 41 and 32, which is a respectable record that suggests we are good but perhaps not "interrupt a classroom" good. We will keep watching because it is what we do. We watch the game, we eat some chips, and we wait for the next spin move. That is the cycle.