Kawhi worry? Raptors unbeaten heading into litmus test vs. Timberwolves

See more Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Preferred Source

To suggest Kawhi Leonard would kick into his old self when he led the Raptors to their 2019 NBA championship would be the stuff of fantasy.

To suggest the current edition in his second run with the Raptors is looking a bit old wouldn’t be off base.

Two games into an 82-game season and the expected and predictable rust is hard to overlook.

In fairness, Leonard is in the process of ramping up, a byproduct of turning 35. But his minutes, in fairness, has increased from the opening-night’s total of 24 to Friday’s 28 when the Raptors began their mini two-game road trip with a win in Washington.

For now, no red flags are poised to be raised, not when the Raptors have started their season by winning two in a row, not when Scottie Barnes has stepped up to dominate on both ends of the floor.

The list of early season revelations applies to RJ Barrett, Collin Murray-Boyles and Ja’Kobe Walter, players who had their moments last season, especially in the opening round of the playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

When a player of Leonard’s stature is re-acquired, his arrival immediately evoking memories of the franchise’s title season. All eyes and the attention tilts to the former two-time NBA Finals MVP.

Greatness is on hold

As he reminded anyone willing to listen following the Raptors’ annihilation of an over-matched and under-whelming Chicago Bulls team: “You can’t rush greatness.”

He will always earn the benefit of the doubt given his pedigree, but by no means does it mean he is or will be exempt from criticism.

At 2-0 and heading into a very compelling Sunday night road tip against the 2-0 Minnesota Timberwolves, Leonard’s slow start, albeit the smallest of sample sizes, can’t be totally dismissed.

While Barnes has been the engine, Barrett has somehow gone overlooked after producing back-to-back 20-point games – perhaps unavoidable given the presence of Barnes and Leonard.

CMB has a combined plus-49 rating to begin the season, despite being limited to 18 minutes Friday night in Washington when he picked up five fouls.

Immanuel Quickley, who shot the ball well in Wednesday night’s curtain raiser against the visiting Bulls, went 5-for-15 from the field, including 0-for-6 from distance in Friday night’s 112-102 win over the Wizards.

Two games into a season and the Raptors have yet to trail in either tip.

Following their cakewalk win over an underwhelming Bulls team, the Raptors led by double figures heading into the second quarter against the Wizards, who came within a single point before the visitors took firm control in the fourth period.

Barnes scored a game-high 28 points against the Wizards, but he also took a game-high 26 shots.

Far too early to quibble

A total of 14 rebounds would be hauled down by Barnes, who also turned the ball over eight times.

The season is in its infancy, which is stating the obvious, and the Raptors’ defence, for the most part, has been on point.

Nothing should be gleaned from the season-opening win over a woeful Bulls team and at least the Wizards provide resistance in winning the second and third quarters.

Toronto’s defence stood out against a big Wizards team that, to be blunt, punched well below its weight.

Leonard recorded more rebounds (9) than makes from the field (7).

After getting to the line 11 times and converting on each attempt on opening night, Leonard did not make a single trip to the charity stripe in Washington.

In two games, he has produced a combined seven steals.

Granted, it’s way too early to pass any definitive judgment on Leonard, whose presence on the court is unmistakable.

Keep in mind he’s in the process of ramping up.

Through two games, he has shot a combined 12-for-36 from the field.

Woeful shooting in Wizards win

When a team is 2-0 through two games, any real or imagined deficiency is conveniently dismissed.

At the same time, it must be noted Leonard, Barnes, Barrett and Quickley went a combined 4-for-25 from beyond the three-point arc.

Toronto beat the Wizards in part because of its rebounding edge and ability to force turnovers.

Limiting big man Anthony Davis to nine points on 3-for-12 shooting tipped the scales with Barnes and CMB getting the majority of the possessions against the former first overall pick and NBA champion.

Another Anthony awaits Sunday night when the host T’Wolves, who have also started the season with a 2-0 record, provide the opposition.

Anthony Edwards is one of the most exciting players in the NBA.

The Ant Man missed 10 shots in succession Friday night in a road win over the Orlando Magic to finish with 15 points, one game after Edwards poured in 45 against the host Miami Heat.

On Sunday, the Raptors will also get their first look at LaMelo Ball following his off-season trade from Charlotte.

When a team begins a season unbeaten, and yes the sample size is as small as it gets, deficient areas can easily be dismissed.

It goes without saying there’s plenty of time for someone such as Leonard to find his footing, for the Raptors to refine their three-point shooting, among other areas.

It also goes without saying that Sunday’s tip at Target Center represents the Raptors’ biggest challenge.

And we’re not even referring to Rudy Gobert, the Stifle Tower who anchors a frontcourt featuring Jaden McDaniels and Jonathan Kuminga.

fzicarelli@postmedia.com

1. 

   Columnists
2. 

   Canada
3. 

   Columnists
4. 

   NBA
5. 

   Toronto Maple Leafs