TORONTO — Let’s consider that Scottie Barnes is still finding his rhythm after returning from a 10-day absence due to a sprained ankle. It’s understandable that his performance might not reflect his usual high standards just yet.

In fact, his recent game against Fred VanVleet and the visiting Houston Rockets was arguably one of the most challenging matches in Barnes’s tenure with the Toronto Raptors. Scoring only six points on a disappointing 2-of-15 shooting performance not only affected his individual statistics but also contributed significantly to the Raptors’ ongoing struggle, marking their seventh consecutive loss with a final score of 114-110 against a surging Rockets team.

What stood out was the absence of the athletic drive and emotional intensity that define Barnes’s gameplay when he’s at his peak. As a player expected to perform at an all-star level and beginning a lucrative five-year, $225 million contract next season, this was a concerning sight. His initial seven attempts were all three-pointers, none of which were high-quality shots, and with a shooting percentage of only 28.6 percent from beyond the arc, it raises questions about the quality of shots he can take in such a situation.

Barnes struggled defensively as well, allowing the less agile Rockets center, Alperen Sengun, to bypass him easily. On his end, Barnes found it difficult to shake Sengun off the dribble. It wasn’t until the third quarter that he attempted his first two-pointer, an awkward spinning fadeaway that didn’t find the mark. His first successful basket came only a minute later with a post-up move, highlighting a lack of early offensive engagement.

“As you can see, he’s not being himself,” explained Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic. “He’s dealing with multiple injuries, including a hip issue from the last game and his ankle. He’s still not back to his best form, but I believe he will improve.”

In a surprising turn, the Raptors remained competitive throughout the game, even managing to stay close to the final buzzer. Despite missing key players like leading scorer RJ Barrett due to illness, leading rebounder Jakob Poeltl with a groin injury, and experienced point guards Immanuel Quickley and Davion Mitchell due to injuries, the Raptors trailed only 84-83 at the start of the fourth quarter.

The Raptors had a strong start, leading by as much as 16 points early in the game, thanks in part to a career-high 27 points from rookie Ja’Kobe Walter, who ignited the scoring with the team’s first 14 points. Other notable contributions came from Chris Boucher with 15 points, Jamal Shead who notched 11 points and 10 assists, Kelly Olynyk with eight points, nine rebounds, and four assists, and Jamison Battle who added another 11 points.

However, with their regular starters sidelined, the Raptors were in desperate need of a standout performance from Barnes, which unfortunately did not materialize.

The Rockets themselves were not at their peak either. This game marked VanVleet’s first return to Toronto after spending seven seasons with the Raptors before moving to the Rockets in the summer of 2023. He had missed the previous matchup due to injury.

Interestingly, during a video tribute celebrating VanVleet’s franchise record of 54 points from the 2020-21 season, he struggled to find his rhythm, contributing just two points on 1-of-10 shooting. Nevertheless, he appreciated the warm reception from the crowd, especially after being unable to play during the last Rockets visit to Toronto.

“It felt great to be on the court, even though I didn’t perform well,” said VanVleet. “This place holds a special significance for me, and I often reflect on its importance to myself and my family. I don’t often consider my impact on others until I return here. The support from the crowd, considering the challenges this season has posed, is something I truly cherish.”

Despite the high hopes, it was not a memorable night for the Raptors, who fell to a disappointing 7-22 record for the season, while the unexpected success of the Rockets brought their record to 19-9.

However, the Rockets and VanVleet’s journey provide a glimmer of hope for the Raptors.

After three challenging seasons prior to VanVleet’s arrival, where the Rockets managed only 17, 20, and 22 victories respectively, they managed to achieve a .500 record last season. This year, they’ve exceeded expectations, showcasing the impact of VanVleet and fellow Canadian Dillon Brooks‘s leadership as they work to elevate the team’s performance.

“You can have dreams, but the reality is always different. Last year was a rollercoaster, but we built a solid foundation,” VanVleet noted. “Upon arriving in Houston, I noticed how eager and receptive the players were to improve. That hunger to succeed was evident, and it has been rewarding to see that effort translate into success this season.”

This should inspire the Raptors, demonstrating that a turnaround can happen swiftly. However, the question remains regarding who will step up as the on-court leader. While the Raptors have some seasoned players, only Poeltl is currently in the starting lineup. This underscores the importance of Barnes not only developing his skills on the court but also growing into a cultural leader for the team. It’s a significant responsibility, and it’s still uncertain if he is ready to embrace it.

It’s important to note that judging Barnes based on a subpar performance against one of the NBA’s toughest defenses when he is not fully healthy is quite unreasonable.

In a season focused on rebuilding, a single disappointing performance should not be viewed as a disaster. However, as VanVleet and the Rockets have demonstrated, competitive success can emerge sooner than expected. The Raptors are certainly hoping for a similar outcome, ideally with some luck in the lottery.

In this context, games like the one Barnes experienced on Sunday must be exceptions rather than the norm.

1. Dillon Brooks honed his skills at Findlay Prep, a prestigious high school program in Henderson, Nevada, before making a name for himself at Oregon and eventually reaching the NBA. However, he proudly considers Father Henry Carr in Rexdale as his true home high school.

Under the mentorship of head coach Paul Melnick during his 9th and 10th grades, Brooks developed into a promising prospect. He cherishes his roots, and even though the basketball program sidelined due to COVID, Brooks took the initiative this year to revitalize it, offering Toronto-area youth a chance to flourish in a top-tier basketball environment without leaving home. He financed the effort and secured a Nike sponsorship.

“His support has been monumental,” stated Melnick, a long-standing figure in the Toronto high school basketball scene. “I’ve coached countless talented players, but Dillon stands out as one of the finest individuals I’ve encountered.”

In recognition of Brooks’ immense contributions, the school held the inaugural Dillon Brooks Cup on Friday and honored him with a banner in their gym, designating the day as “Dillon Brooks Day.”

The event attracted a large crowd of students, alumni, parents, and local basketball enthusiasts, and Brooks, who invited over 50 friends, family members, and students to the game on Sunday night, was deeply moved by the turnout.

“I grew up in that program,” Brooks reflected. “Everyone there played a pivotal role in my journey as a basketball player. Coach Melnick sacrificed so much for the program, and I wanted to give back and help it thrive again. The kids there share the same dreams I had growing up in that program, and I wanted to ensure they have the same opportunities that I did.”

Brooks certainly delivered for his old friends in the audience, leading the Rockets with 27 points on an impressive 6-of-12 shooting and drawing 14 free-throw attempts, successfully converting 13.

2. Jamal Shead and Fred VanVleet have contrasting playing styles, yet comparisons are inevitable. Both players were four-year college stars and pivotal leaders at their respective programs that boasted significant win records, but their success did not translate to the NBA draft. VanVleet, as most Raptors fans are aware, went undrafted from Wichita State, while the Raptors selected Shead with the 45^th pick from Houston.

The two players formed a bond during VanVleet’s inaugural season with the Rockets. When Shead was drafted by the Raptors, VanVleet reached out to congratulate him and offered his assistance as Shead adjusted to a new country and city. As it turns out, Shead has adapted remarkably well.

The rookie guard’s defensive prowess kept VanVleet on his toes, presenting a formidable challenge. Shead has recently been gaining momentum after a brief stint out of the rotation, earning praise from VanVleet, who recognizes the traits of an effective but undersized floor leader when he sees one.

“I really admire him,” VanVleet remarked. “It was tough playing against him tonight, but I genuinely like him. I admired him during college, and we were able to cultivate a relationship last year in Houston. I’m thrilled for him, and I see limitless potential in him. He’s the kind of player you can’t help but root for.”

3. The unpredictability of Chris Boucher‘s performances adds an exciting element to each game. He embodies the role of an off-the-bench sparkplug for the Raptors, and he showcased his versatility in the first half against the Rockets.

While passing has not been Boucher’s strong suit, he has gradually integrated some of those skills into his game over the past few years, although opportunities to demonstrate this have been limited. The Raptors were already leading by seven when Boucher entered the game midway through the first quarter. He quickly impacted the game by hitting a three-pointer on his very first touch, which is a typical play for him. However, he surprised everyone by showcasing his playmaking abilities.

Boucher drove hard along the baseline and delivered a quick pass to Ochai Agbaji, who scored effortlessly. He then pushed the pace in transition, finding Agbaji again for an easy layup, increasing the Raptors’ lead to 14. Early in the second quarter, Boucher facilitated a quick ball movement to set up Battle for a three-pointer, achieving his third assist in just over seven minutes. Remarkably, Boucher’s career-high for assists in seven seasons had been only four.

His passing flair came to an abrupt halt later in the second quarter when he misfired a pass directly to the referee on the left sideline, contributing to one of his four turnovers. Nonetheless, Boucher successfully tied his career-high for assists and added 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting in his 19 minutes of play, marking a solid overall performance.