I was looking at a photo of someone's Raptors card collection earlier today. It had all the current guys, neatly sleeved and organized. It made me think about how we try to put people in boxes, or in this case, plastic top loaders.
The team is in a strange place right now, like when you go to the grocery store for one specific thing but end up wandering the seasonal aisle for twenty minutes. You forget why you are there, but you are suddenly very interested in discounted patio furniture.
The New Orleans Connection
There is a lot of talk about what it would take to get Trey Murphy III and Yves Missi from the Pelicans. People say we have a good trade relationship with New Orleans. I suppose that is true (we do seem to exchange players with them the way my neighbors exchange Tupperware they never intend to return).
Murphy and Missi would fill holes, certainly. But every time we fill a hole, another one seems to appear, like a very tall, athletic game of Whac-A-Mole. It is a nice thought, though, imagining a roster that makes sense on paper.
Rotations and Resignation
Ja'Kobe Walter was playing well recently, both on the defensive end and the offensive end. Then he sat down. I do not always understand why people sit down when things are going well.
My uncle once stopped a very successful lawn mowing business because he decided he wanted to learn the flute. He was not good at the flute. Sometimes I think coaching rotations are a bit like that flute.
The Jamal Shead Dilemma
Then there is Jamal Shead. People are saying he is not ready to be a starter, especially after a game that felt like a playoff atmosphere. He has some things to work on, like scoring and making choices in the final minutes that do not make everyone hold their breath.
It is a long road for a young guard. It reminds me of watching Jamario Moon try to navigate the perimeter back in the day. You want it to work because the effort is there, but sometimes the ball just does not go into the hoop, and the hoop is the entire point of the exercise.
Closing Thoughts
We are looking for answers in a season that feels like a long, polite conversation with a stranger at a bus stop. You are both going somewhere, but you are not sure if it is the same place, and the bus is ten minutes late.
Maybe we trade for some Pelicans. Maybe Ja'Kobe plays more. Maybe we all just keep spinning, much like the players on those little cardboard cards in that fan's collection. Or maybe we just wait for the next game and see which version of the team shows up.