VANCOUVER – When training camp began earlier this week, the theme and tone around the Toronto Raptors seemed to be centered on chemistry and familiarity. As Dwane Casey and company get set for Sunday’s pre-season game against the Sacramento Kings – with the initial stage of camp now behind them – the same message and vibe around the remains.
“I think (chemistry) is the big part,” DeMar DeRozan said. “All the guys that were here last year understand what it (takes) to get to where we were last year. We have to take that next step as well if we want to be a great team.”
DeRozan hasn’t really had this feeling before. Sure, he’s had friends on the team in the past and it has been years since he felt uncomfortable or unsure coming into camp. But so many returning teammates and coaches have never surrounded him; a crew that’s hungry to avenge last season’s Game 7 loss to the Brooklyn Nets and achieve even more.
“We have to hold ourselves accountable each and every day,” Patrick Patterson said. “Whether it’s practice, off the court, an off-day or even on a game day, we have to hold ourselves accountable and we have to hold our own brother accountable.”
Interestingly, that brotherhood doesn’t seem to have one true leader. Unlike many other teams in professional sports, the Raptors don’t appear to have one player that rallies the troops or keeps the locker room in-check. They rule by committee, with each man knowing his job and role.
“We all have voices on our team,” Kyle Lowry said. “There’s no dominant guy. That’s why, I think, our team is so together. Everyone is on the same page and everyone respects what everyone has to say.”
From the outside, many believe Lowry is indeed the de facto leader in Toronto. But he prefers to lead by example and hard work, and he hopes his teammates do the same.
“I’m not really a vocal guy – screaming and yelling,” he said. “I’m more of a ‘go hard every single day and follow my lead’ (kind of guy). I don’t focus in on ‘I’m the leader, I’m the leader.’ I focus in on being me, playing hard, and doing whatever it takes to win games.”
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HOW’S THE ROOK?
DeRozan was once that kid – shy, quiet and trying to figure out where he fit in the man’s world of the NBA. Thus, when the all star and gold medalist was asked for his assessment of rookie Bruno Caboclo’s first week, DeRozan smiled and offered some reassuring words to the youngster.
“He’s been great (but) he’s still young,” DeRozan said. “He’s got a lot to learn – not just with basketball too; get comfortable, speak English (and) learning everybody on the team. Everybody has that little feel when you first come into the league of being shy. He’s going to be a heck of a talent.”
As for DeRozan’s impressions of Caboclo on the floor, he said he’s really impressed with the Brazilian’s defence and offered up this quick ‘scouting report’:
• Plays the passing lanes well
• Changes shots at the rim
• He’s long, good rebounder
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DAILY DOSE OF VANCOUVER
“We are Canada’s team and that’s how we look at it. We go out there and we know that we’re not just playing for Toronto, we’re playing for the country of Canada.”
That’s how Lowry summed up his feelings for Vancouver and the time the Raptors have spent on the west coast. He and the entire team have truly adopted the ‘We The North’ mantra, embracing the opportunity to play for the lone team outside the United States.
When DeRozan was informed that Sunday’s exhibition game against Sacramento (7 p.m. ET) was sold out, his eyes bugged.
“I can’t wait to get out there. I’m probably going to be on a minutes restriction but hearing that makes me wish I could play a regular game.”
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COACH-SPEAK
What will Casey be looking for when Toronto tips it off against the Kings?
Here are four key points the coach was willing to shed some light on:
• Seeing what the new guys (do) and how they fit in
• Lou Williams and James Johnson in our defensive schemes
• Match the physicality and rebounding of the Kings
• Interior play – both offensively and defensively
“I don’t expect our offence to be crisp,” he said. “But I do expect hard play and our defensive focus to be there.”