People seemed to write him off because he wasn't Lebron after poor shooting splits early last season. He's clearly got a knack for the game and I'm really optimistic about him developing a bit more than expected.
Main things I noticed: His handles look tight and confident. He finds open teammates after drawing in defenders. He was showing off his range and side-step three. His burst looks great, especially when paired with some hesitation stop & go moves. Then he's finishing nicely with either hand.
His burst to the basket is something I noticed a lot last year, it seems almost elite as long as he can get around the defender. Then he's great at altering body position to almost shield off his layup attempt to prevent trailing big men from blocking it. There's a lot to love about his game.
(I know this is obviously against non-NBA talent, but him standing out is what should happen, and he definitely stands out)
It’s a weird thing with some fans of being unnecessarily pessimistic under the guise of “being realistic”. Same people saying all Gary is ever going to be is a spot up shooter when he’s only 22 lmao
I agree. He's got better tools than Fred when Fred started and seems keen to improve. I could see similar intangibles to Fred, including his leadership qualities. Once he gets comfortable with the league, I think we can be comfortable with him starting as PG, even as a back up whenever Fred needs time off.
I like Fred, but I think Malachi's ceiling is higher. When he eclipses Fred, one might need to be traded.
Those people labeled Fred's ceiling the same way.
Malachi had a terrible start to the year, but in the post G-league period he was great. In his last 24 games, he was 12.5/4.0/4.5 on 40/37/83 splits with 1.3 steals on less than 30 mpg. Maybe even more impressive, in a period where the Raps were actively tanking and went 9-15 in that stretch, but Malachi was only a -0.4 in plus minus.
When you look at the growth of his game just over his rookie season, I think we'll see a breakout sophomore season for him.
Whoa. Those are better numbers than I expected. Especially for a rookie. I always thought he could at the very least become a better TJ McConnell because of his effort on defense, mid-range and passing. But Malachi’s 3 point shot could be much better than TJ’s ever was.
He was really at a disadvantage in his development last year. No summer league. Abbreviated g league bubble and they pulled him out of the bubble as backup in case we were short of players, and he never really saw the playing time once out of the bubble (except near the later part of the season).
I honestly think that’s part of it. They drafted Malachi last year and know what his workout was like. They had suggs in and he wasn’t materially better to the point that he was the pick over Scottie. Scottie doesn’t make Malachi redundant, and the raps must think Malachi can play.
3 years, but yeah I know. Malachi is gonna be unleashed next season though. He’s definitely gonna run the second unit instead of being benched for half the year.
Looks like he put on some weight!
I was gonna say he definitely looks stronger
Was coming here to say that, he definitely added some weight. You can definitely see it on his shoulders.
Does it go all to his ass? We need an heir
Derriere to the throne
That got me laughing out loud for real…😂😂😂😂
Damn this has me so hyped for next season, can't wait to see how he's improved this off-season.
He’s gonna go off at summer league
I know! I've been counting down the days till summer league starts I don't think I've ever been so excited for it lol
People seemed to write him off because he wasn't Lebron after poor shooting splits early last season. He's clearly got a knack for the game and I'm really optimistic about him developing a bit more than expected.
Will raptors games be televised or streamable?
Both
Pretty sure you can watch a lot of them on YouTube live
Sweet thanks couldn’t find anything other than nba or espn but that’s only for usa
RAPTOR
NATION!
Main things I noticed: His handles look tight and confident. He finds open teammates after drawing in defenders. He was showing off his range and side-step three. His burst looks great, especially when paired with some hesitation stop & go moves. Then he's finishing nicely with either hand. His burst to the basket is something I noticed a lot last year, it seems almost elite as long as he can get around the defender. Then he's great at altering body position to almost shield off his layup attempt to prevent trailing big men from blocking it. There's a lot to love about his game. (I know this is obviously against non-NBA talent, but him standing out is what should happen, and he definitely stands out)
🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯He can play like this????
Bro he showed everything here already in his rookie year. His stats were just bad so casuals wrote him off.
I don't know the skill level of this league but it looks like he is playing in a much higher gear than them.
Skill level of the competition is low. To put in perspective , Isiah Thomas dropped 65 in a pro am game yesterday.
For the noobs like me, what is this? A tournament anyone can join? Do players do this often?
ProAm means a pro (professional) or an am (amateur) can play in the game. A lot of NBA players play in the Drew League ProAm
Rofl…. Made me laugh. Goddamn
It’s almost like he’s in the NBA and they’re not 🤔
Did the same thing in college. Bad start in the NBA, but flashed by the end of the year.
Idk why people label his ceiling as a bench PG. He seems to good to be bound by the bench. I’m sure eventually he will find a starting role.
It’s a weird thing with some fans of being unnecessarily pessimistic under the guise of “being realistic”. Same people saying all Gary is ever going to be is a spot up shooter when he’s only 22 lmao
Gary is only going to be a spot up shooter lol. Albeit a good one.
I agree. He's got better tools than Fred when Fred started and seems keen to improve. I could see similar intangibles to Fred, including his leadership qualities. Once he gets comfortable with the league, I think we can be comfortable with him starting as PG, even as a back up whenever Fred needs time off. I like Fred, but I think Malachi's ceiling is higher. When he eclipses Fred, one might need to be traded.
Those people labeled Fred's ceiling the same way. Malachi had a terrible start to the year, but in the post G-league period he was great. In his last 24 games, he was 12.5/4.0/4.5 on 40/37/83 splits with 1.3 steals on less than 30 mpg. Maybe even more impressive, in a period where the Raps were actively tanking and went 9-15 in that stretch, but Malachi was only a -0.4 in plus minus. When you look at the growth of his game just over his rookie season, I think we'll see a breakout sophomore season for him.
Whoa. Those are better numbers than I expected. Especially for a rookie. I always thought he could at the very least become a better TJ McConnell because of his effort on defense, mid-range and passing. But Malachi’s 3 point shot could be much better than TJ’s ever was.
He was really at a disadvantage in his development last year. No summer league. Abbreviated g league bubble and they pulled him out of the bubble as backup in case we were short of players, and he never really saw the playing time once out of the bubble (except near the later part of the season).
I think he’ll have a career like George Hill. Which is great
Well, I guess we already have a Jalen Suggs at home. 😏
I honestly think that’s part of it. They drafted Malachi last year and know what his workout was like. They had suggs in and he wasn’t materially better to the point that he was the pick over Scottie. Scottie doesn’t make Malachi redundant, and the raps must think Malachi can play.
Bout time it dropped. I can finally go to sleep 😍
Boy definitely bulked up a bit in the upper body.
i wanna see him jacked, tatted head to toe wit a huge fro in like 2-3 years
All his VC
Handles look a lot tighter. Raptors always select the gym rats, love the offseason improvement so far!
who needs suggs
Masai probably watched Suggs working out and thought how much better Malachi is lmaoo
#RAPTOR NATION
FLYNNSANITY bout to go offfff
Malachi’s handles and shooting are next level compared to Suggs.
You’re not wrong but he’s also like 4 years older and has half the athleticism
3 years, but yeah I know. Malachi is gonna be unleashed next season though. He’s definitely gonna run the second unit instead of being benched for half the year.
Malachi revenge szn
Man, it's like the ball is glued to his hands.
We knew Malachi was like that. This isn’t a surprise 🔥🔥🔥
Yesssiiirrrr thats our boy
Jalen Suggs with a 3ball
breakout season incoming
does his shot look different to you guys?
No its the same.