Some of the Toronto Raptors' veterans - particularly leading scorers Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet - were deeply frustrated with the younger players on the roster during the 2022-23 season, sources told Sportsnet's Michael Grange.VanVleet let the younger players on the roster know about the veterans' frustration, which was not received well, Grange adds.The Raptors finished the season 41-41, ninth in the Eastern Conference, and were eliminated by the Chicago Bulls at home in a play-in game. They fired head coach Nick Nurse following the season and replaced him with former Memphis Grizzlies assistant Darko Rajakovic.Raptors president Masai Ujiri personally addressed the team, and specifically second-year forward Scottie Barnes, after multiple blowout losses early in the season, according to Grange. Ujiri did so again before the trade deadline in February, pointing to players' selfish play and poor body language.Barnes, 21, struggled at times during his second NBA campaign. He maintained his scoring average from his rookie year but declined in efficiency.VanVleet signed a three-year, $130-million deal with the Houston Rockets shortly after free agency opened. The 29-year-old guard spent the first seven seasons of his career in Toronto after signing with the Raptors as an undrafted free agent in 2016.He earned an All-Star appearance in 2022 but struggled with efficiency last season, shooting 34.2% from beyond the arc - the worst mark of his career.The Raptors signed Dennis Schroder to replace VanVleet in the backcourt and drafted Kansas freshman Gradey Dick with the No. 13 pick.Siakam, an All-Star in two of the last four seasons, is eligible for an extension entering the final year of his contract.

Thoughts?

  • StillPaisleyCat@startrek.website
    2·
    1 year ago

    Not surprising.

    Selfishness was not just a younger player problem.

    The incentives were rewarding iso play and punishing those who didn’t shine in their limited minutes - whatever anyone said.

    What would any leader (coach or senior player) expect the young ones would do when their minutes were unquestionably determined by their individual points and performance not their contribution to the team.

    Venting at younger players trying to demonstrate they deserve minutes is hardly a solution.

    Siakam got more minutes, more indulgence of rough patches and more opportunities to develop through a long period of very selfish attitudes and play than most could ever expect. I can’t expect that his expressions of frustration won’t over with anything less than toxicity.

    Fred has more credibility as a team focused leader, but he’s also been taking care of his own role.