As embarrassing losses mount for Toronto Raptors, fans’ apathy can be felt

No amount of free pizza slices will appease a fan base that is growing more apathetic with each pathetic outing

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Published Jan 07, 2025  •  4 minute read

Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes moves the ball up court against Orlando Magic guard Cory Joseph. The Canadian Press

The Raptors have arrived at this precarious stage in their stated rebuild season, an inflection point where just about anything is possible going forward.

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Just about the lone known aspect to this grand experiment is that none of the anointed core pieces will be moved as the NBA’s Feb. 6 trade deadline looms.

By all accounts, the Raptors are loathe in parting ways with Jakob Poeltl, whom the franchise used as trade bait when the big fish known as Kawhi Leonard became available.

If the NBA has taught anyone anything, it’s that any player can be had when the right package is being offered.

Scottie Barnes isn’t going anywhere as his lucrative extension won’t kick in until next season. Immanuel Quickley isn’t going anywhere after the franchise invested in the point guard this past off-season and second-year player Gradey Dick isn’t going anywhere, either.

As for RJ Barrett, he isn’t poised to get moved, but he soon will be eligible for an extension.

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The usual suspects in Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk and Chris Boucher will be prime candidates, but none will fetch the Raptors any tangible asset.

With the expiration of guaranteeing contracts for the balance of the season having arrived Tuesday, the silly trade season has officially tipped off.

Until now, the Brooklyn Nets have been the most active team by engineering two separate moves designed to provide as much salary flexibility as possible to a franchise that has taken many swings for the fences only to strike out.

The Raptors’ plight, in comparison, doesn’t seem so daunting. There are some troublesome signs nonetheless.

During the team’s recently completed three-game home stand, which began on New Year’s Day when the return of Quickley provided that much-needed jolt as the Raptors ended their 11-game losing streak to the Nets, one day after the host Boston Celtics handed Toronto its most lopsided defeat in club history.

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Following the Brooklyn win, an undermanned Orlando Magic team came to town. The opening half hadn’t been played when Jalen Suggs was forced to leave the game on a wheelchair, rendering the Magic even thinner.

When a game should have been seized, the Raptors seized up. Fans at Scotiabank Arena had finally seen enough and began to make their way to the exits.

Then came the Milwaukee Bucks, who entered Monday’s game having lost twice to the Nets and Portland.

About the only consolation for fans in attendance was the free slice of pizza at stake if the Raptors were able to reach 100 points.

Toronto would lose 128-104, a scoreline that did not reflect the Bucks’ superiority.

In the dark days of the franchise, free pizza slices came to represent the low point. When the on-court product is inferior, the entertainment value non-existent, fans pined for pizza. It was an embarrassment then and it was embarrassing Monday.

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Equally embarrassing was Toronto’s effort level, which has come under question more often of late when no one had to wait until late in the contest for a game to be decided.

The predictable learning curve was on display as the Raptors finally had their projected starting five available for the first time this season.

What played out was inexcusable, the type of effort that cannot be tolerated and yet it wasn’t the first time when signs of capitulation were evident.

Toronto begins its latest trip with a date in the Big Apple on Wednesday night.

In terms of NBA venues, New York’s Madison Garden is viewed as the mecca where opposing players always summon their best, knowing the stage does not get bigger in basketball.

If another lacklustre outing is somehow able to be produced, then there’s something even worse at play that should raise the alarm bells.

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No one is expecting a win, but the Raptors can at least save face by putting up a fight, which is the minimum goal any team with any level of professionalism will put forward.

Against the Magic, the Raptors went backwards. Against the Bucks, that retreat continued amid discouraging signs this trend will not be discontinued.

With the team’s starting five finally together, all it did was expose players’ defensive deficiencies.

Barnes can guard multiple positions when he’s so inclined, while Poeltl will protect the rim and control the boards. Put him on the perimeter and he’ll get torched.

As for Quickley, Barrett and Dick, none of the three are known for their defence.

Quickley and Barrett return to New York, but it’s doubtful anyone associated with the Knicks, outside of personal relationships, will miss their on-court presence.

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With OG Anunoby, the primary piece the Knicks acquired from Toronto in last year’s trade, the Knicks are a better team and are a far superior team than the Raptors.

One might believe, albeit foolishly, that the Raptors can simply outscore their opponent by playing limited defence. The evidence, though, suggests otherwise.

In Boston, the three-point-centric Celtics made 22-of-43 shots in scoring 36 more points than the visitors from beyond the three-point arc.

Against Orlando, the three-point inefficient Magic made 19 of its 44 heaves in scoring 27 more points than the Raptors.

The Bucks went 22-for-44 in outscoring the Raptors by 39 points in distance shooting.

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Offensively challenged and defensively deficient — on both sides of the court the Raptors have been brutal.

No amount of free pizza slices will appease a fan base that is growing more apathetic with each pathetic outing.

If there’s one place no sporting franchise wants to reside it’s the level known as indifference.

Sadly, the Raptors are trending in that direction, which is why a competitive game in Gotham looms as a must.

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