Allen Graves has had a bit of a rough outing in the Raptors’ preseason games, but his coach sees things as going all according to plan.
In two games played, the forward has averaged just over 19 minutes of playing time, posting numbers of seven points, five and a half rebounds, and an assist and a steal a-piece per game. Less than stellar from a first round pick, especially considering that the scoring is being done at a clip of 25% accuracy, while shooting just over nine percent from three.
Offensively,
Graves has struggled, especially in his last game, where he was four for thirteen, and missed all five shots from three. However, the rookie can’t be faulted for what he’s doing: after all, he’s just following his coach’s directions.
On the 14th of October, Darko Rajaković was asked about Allen Graves’ feel for the game despite his inaccuracy (the night before, the forward had shot 16% from three). The coach’s response?
“I don’t care if the shot is gonna fall or not.”
“He’s a great shooter,” Rajaković continued, intently. “I promise him this morning, the first time when I see him, that he does not take open shot when I see him, I’m going to sit him on the bench. It’s going to be simple as that.”
It’s this type of confidence and championing of his players that has characterized Rajaković‘s tenure as the Raptors’ head coach. This type of leadership and standing by players who are down can be instrumental in keeping a locker room united, but at the same time, the coach is not simply making a leap of blind faith.
“He’s a great shooter,” repeated Rajaković, as if drilling a lesson into schoolchildren who were liable to forget if not reminded. “He has a great feel for the game and yesterday was a typical rookie game playing for the first time in front of home crowd. That was such a typical game, I was so happy for him to get in a foul trouble, to miss shots, and I think that was awesome.”
It is this clear willingness to let a player develop that is a big part of what sets the Raptors apart as an organization. A few rough preseason games aren’t something to be ashamed of, in the mind of Darko Rajaković. They’re a learning experience, and more than that, a milestone for a young player. Showing flashes of greatness on the court are not being prioritized over working on oneself — yet.
It seems for now, Allen Graves will be given the room to make mistakes, to brick jumpshots, and take all the missteps that one might take in an NBA game, in the service of maturing into a well-rounded player. It would be nice if everyone was afforded the luxury of time and external validation that seems to be happening here. But, even if that can’t be the case, it’s good to know that some NBA coaches have real heart.
It seems that Rajaković was channelling his inner Dion Waiters when he spoke to the media last week.
Maybe Waiters, and Rajaković, are both right. Let’s make sure that Graves doesn’t lose confidence.
