Raptors Talk About Gradey Dick’s Growth and the Rookie Shooter’s Future Path
When it comes to Gradey Dick, the Toronto Raptors are attempting to lower expectations. When a rookie enters the fray, it’s always exciting, especially if they were selected in the lottery and appear to be ready for the NBA. The Kansas product, even at 19, is not some undeveloped, malleable asset with boom-or-bust potential. Instead, the Raptors will be depending on him to supply some much-needed three-point shooting.
But even as he gets ready for his NBA debut on Wednesday night, he and Toronto are aware that the road ahead will not be without its challenges. Raptors coach Darko Rajaković stated of Dick and his situation, “It’s going to take a lot of patience and time.”
That may come across as harsh criticism, but the 6-foot-6, 205-pound shooter isn’t getting much love from the Raptors. Regarding Dick, the team’s message has essentially been the same: Reduce your speed. “During the matches, he moves far too quickly,” stated Dennis Schröder, an 11-year NBA veteran. However, I mean, I was only one speed too when I arrived here at the age of 18 or 19. So, you know, that’s how it works.
As he gets closer to NBA game tempo, Dick has been open to such criticism. He claimed that managing the increased space on the NBA court had been the largest adjustment. Except for the longer three-point line, the actual floor is about the same for a college game; nevertheless, the NBA regulations produce more
Making the correct choices and knowing when to drive, when to let it fly, and when to make the next pass are important to him. When the defenders closing out are the biggest, fastest, and strongest anyplace in the globe, those decisions just happen much more quickly.
But Dick said he’s most proud of his ability to absorb that advise and get better, regardless of how many minutes he plays, shots he makes, or mistakes he makes in the future. Regarding the No. 13 choice, that is the Raptors’ main focus for this season. The important thing is not how he appears now or tomorrow, but rather how much he develops over time.
Making those choices spontaneously can take some time. Only making 49 appearances in his rookie season, Schröder claimed he didn’t notice a slowdown in the game until his second NBA season. He claimed to have devoted a great deal of time to studying other talents in his position, like as Tony Parker, Kemba Walker, and Mike Conley, as well as watching game footage. “You do realize that the game doesn’t suddenly slow down at one point? It’s higher
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