Raptors takeaways: Behold, Jonathan Mogbo, who can do a lot of things

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A lot of odd things happened in Toronto’s 115-107 victory over Philadelphia on Friday night. Like a record number of free throw attempts for a Raptors game, or Jakob Poeltl having his second-best game at the line ever, but maybe it won’t be so odd to see Toronto’s rookies turning in good outings as this season goes on. Time will tell on that one, but at least for one night, a lot earlier than expected, Jonathan Mogbo looked outstanding, Jamal Shead impressed and Jamison Battle did too. Once Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett and the rest are back the youngsters won’t get as much run — unless they play like this that is.

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Mogbo was everywhere all at once, doing a bit of everything in showcasing why the Raptors were intrigued enough to select him to lead off the second round of the NBA draft this June. He’s known as an excellent rebounder (Mogbo averaged 10.1 his last year of college) and battered a small Sixers team missing Joel Embiid. Mogbo had five offensive rebounds and four defensive, added three blocks and a pair of steals, plus got to the free throw line seven times, making six of those shots. He also had two big dunks and rimmed out one that would have brought down the house. Mogbo still needs to develop as a shooter, but he brings a lot of different elements to the table.

“He’s just playing with force,” said Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic. “When he’s playing with a lot of motor he really helps the team. He was doing a good job being disruptive and his length is bothering whoever he is guarding. He was really good rebounding the ball he’s a player that’s also able to push it in transition, so there’s a lot of things that he did tonight.”

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The Raptors want to push the pace and an easy way to do that is to have a player who can haul in a rebound and get out and run himself. They have that in Scottie Barnes and now in Mogbo as well.

Rajakovic is excited to find out what else he can do. “In college, he played a completely different role. He was a five man, rolling, playing in pocket pass, being a lob threat, and some of those tools we still need to use, but now he’s doing more of pushing the ball and spacing the floor,” Rajakovic said. “He’s still learning when to cut, when to hold it, when to shoot the ball, like we really need to explore his defensive ability and what he’s able to do there.”

Battle can really shoot and said he is starting to feel like he belongs in the NBA. Shead is lightning quick (the Sixers couldn’t stay in front of him) and sticks to players on the other end. His seven turnovers need to come down, but for the 45th pick, he’s looking like a nice find.

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TO THE MAXEY

Sixers star guard Tyrese Maxey had averaged 22.9 points per game in 11 career appearances against Toronto. Only 15 players have averaged more, which gives you some idea of how deadly the speedy former Kentucky player (and backcourt mate there of Immanuel Quickley) has been against Toronto.

Maxey had 11 points in the opening quarter alone on Friday, to lead all scorers, and added three assists.

Theoretically Toronto was in a lot better shape to guard Maxey compared to recent years. With Davion Mitchell and Jamal Shead both playing and with reputations as defence-first stoppers with dogged mentalities, it was clear Maxey would have to work hard for his points. He went just 6-for-23 and while he attempted 12 free throws, that was the way the foul-plagued game went, with three Raptors fouling out for the first time since 2014. They haven’t had answers for Maxey in years. This was a refreshing change.

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LET THEM PLAY

It’s pretty refreshing to hear Rajakovic be open and honest about what the franchise is trying to do. We know where they stand. This is a rebuild, it will take time. Like tipping for good service, wins are always appreciated, but this season is about the journey, ie. developing players. Rajakovic reminded us of that when asked by Postmedia pre-game if there is a “silver lining” to having so many players injured. The thinking was the absences of so many key Raptors provides opportunities for young players, who usually would be buried on the bench, to get some valuable experience.

Rajakovic hinted that those players will get time this season regardless of who else is available.

“I think it’s important for me as a coach, it’s important for us as an organization at the start of our rebuild that we can to take a look different guys,” Rajakovic said.” “Even when we are going to complete healthy, I’m going to be searching for opportunities to look at different lineups, different guys. We got to find out what we have and develop what we have.”

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RETURN OF THE KING

Kyle Lowry was in town and got the expected loud ovation from the Scotiabank Arena crowd when announced as a starter. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse had joked before the game that Lowry had been “a little moody” lately, but added it was nothing he hadn’t seen before. Earlier in the day Lowry had told reporters that it would mean “everything” if he got his jersey retired by the Raptors one day and also said Vince Carter was deserving of the honour. Even at age 38 and in his 19th season, Lowry remains effective. Nobody thinks the game better than him and he’s still usually always in the right place on the floor. He hasn’t post his competitive edge either, as the referees found out throughout the game.

Lowry also reminded the Raptors that he can antagonize with the best of them when he goaded Barnes into a technical foul (with Rajakovic picking one up as well for arguing it).

Lowry had 14 points, two assists and three steals in the game.

THE LAST WORD:

Rajakovic on the referees: “We can’t control the whistle. And you know, when I talk about the referees it’s not good for anybody.” (Rajakovic was referencing his famous rant from last season when the Los Angeles Lakers had a wild free throw advantage over Toronto).

@WolstatSun

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