Amid all the losses, it’s easy to forget that moment in time when many wondered whether Gradey Dick’s tired were prematurely being pumped or perhaps the more prudent exercise of pumping the brakes was required.
As with anything, the middle ground was the logical option to pursue.
Dick, after all, is only in his second season.
All the kid has known at the NBA level is lost games, games lost on one or two possessions, and games when the Raptors were thoroughly embarrassed or simply outclassed.
He has also witnessed all the lost man games the club has experienced because of injury.
Dick isn’t going anywhere and despite his small body of work consisting of 89 games, his shooting, playmaking and fearlessness when attacking the rim make him an ideal asset moving forward, regardless of what moves await.
Unofficially, the NBA’s trade season tipped off on Dec. 15 when the majority of free agents signed in the previous off-season became eligible to be moved.
On Sunday, the NBA window for teams to sign players to 10-day contracts opened.
This coming Friday, NBA contracts become guaranteed for the balance of the season.
Then comes the actual NBA trade deadline on Feb. 6, which doesn’t seem that far away from arriving.
Several players on Toronto’s roster will be bandied about as the club’s rebuild continues.
For Dick, who missed the New Year’s Eve massacre in Boston because of a hamstring issue, he needs to return to that reckless abandon he showed when he was allowed to play with freedom at a time in his evolution when the only concern was his shot selection.
Some strides on defence have been made, but Dick’s presence with the Raptors will be felt on offence.
With the Milwaukee Bucks coming to town for a Monday night date before Toronto heads out on the road for three games knowing only one road win has been recorded this season, Dick’s performance against the Bucks stands out as his career highlight.
It was back on Nov. 12 when the Raptors ventured into the Fiserv Forum to play the host Bucks.
Toronto started Jakob Poeltl, RJ Barrett, Ochai Agbaji, Davion Mitchell and Dick.
Toronto lost the game 99-85.
Dick scored 32 points, while the rest of the starters combined for 29.
His first-half performance was one of the finest stretches recorded by a Raptor this season, a 24-minute window into the potential Dick could unleash when he’s in rhythm.
There was even a moment where Dick took a charge on Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, who drove the lane with a full head of steam.
Toughness and defensive positioning, both elements of Dick’s game were on display in that one moment.
Offensively, his 32 points in 38 minutes were a career high.
When he was draining shots from beyond the three-point line, Dick used his dribble as the Bucks tried to run him off the line.
When he attacked the basket, Dick would routinely be fouled.
In total, 16 trips to the charity stripe would be made, and 14 free throws converted.
The Raptors managed to score 43 points by halftime.
Dick accounted for 22.
With Scottie Barnes back, with Immanuel back and about to play in his third game since his elbow setback, it was inevitable Dick would get fewer touches.
The fact remains Dick has not posted a 30-point game since that loss in Milwaukee and nor has he attempted double-digit free throws in any game since the Bucks defeat.
In Toronto’s discouraging home loss to Orlando, Dick went 2-for-11 from the field, both of his makes from beyond the three-point line.
In two of his past three games, Dick has gone a combined 5-for-23, including 2-for-10 from distance.
His movement off the ball is quite good and even when the ball is in his hands Dick’s decision-making has shown signs of growth.
At the same time, it does beg the question whether the Raptors should be integrating Dick more into the offence.
Managing minutes and distributing shots can always be a problem on a team with Barnes, who is the Raptors’ best player and the one, perhaps the only player who will attract a double team.
But as that night in Milwaukee showed, Dick can force a defence to play closer attention when he’s able to go off.
With Quickley back, the Raptors can play fast and smart, at least for that one magical night on New Year’s Day when he recorded 13 assists and turned the ball over only one time against the Brooklyn Nets.
Two days later, the Raptors were an entirely different team that lacked no physical edge playing a completely undermanned Magic side that humiliated the home side.
This season was viewed from a development lens when losses would be tolerated provided the Raptors were competitive and were able to show signs of improvement.
When Dick was rolling, judging him properly was foolish.
Now that Dick has hit a bump in the road, making any conclusions would also be foolish.
Among all the team’s young players, Dick provides the biggest upside, which is not to lose sight of rookie Ja’Kobe Walter.
In an era of NBA basketball dominated by three-point shooting, Dick needs more touches and needs to be placed in positions where his skills can be unlocked.
Perhaps Monday’s visit by the Bucks will provide Dick with some pleasant memories of the first time he faced Milwaukee.
Whether Toronto’s projected starting unit finally gets to be on the floor for the first time this season beginning Monday (Barrett is listed as questionable because of flu) or during the coming road trip, the team can’t forget about Dick.
The Bucks, meanwhile, are facing their own issues.
The team has lost four of its past five games, including two losses to the lowly Nets and a loss to a rebuilding Portland team.
The Blazers had lost 10 of 13 games before knocking off the Bucks on their home court, 105-102, Saturday.
Against his former team, Damian Lillard had 16 points on 5-of-15 shooting, while Khris Middleton scored two points in 26 minutes.