Which Raptor would survive a zombie apocalypse? Who has the most impressive autograph collection? Did Luis Scola get emotional at the end of Fast & Furious 7? (Hint: hell yes). Why is Terrence Ross singing Alice Cooper? Every day until the season starts, a new player steps in front of the lens and answers the tough questions so you can get to know your Toronto Raptors. Today, Terrence Ross wants him some Tim’s.
|Know Your Raptors: Jonas Valanciunas|Terrence Ross| DeMar DeRozan| Norm Powell| Patrick Patterson| Anthony Bennett|
There are two sides to the Terrence Ross story. To casual onlookers, his highlight-reel dunks, sweet stroke and 51-point games are enough to impress. But to others, those moments aren’t enough to overlook defensive lapses and a drop in nearly every statistical category from 2013-14 to 2014-15. Entering his fourth season, the Raptors exercised the team option on Ross’s rookie-scale contract, sure, but the marquee acquisition of DeMarre Carroll this summer doesn’t exactly speak volumes about the amount of faith they have in Ross.
So it’s a “show me” year for Ross, and he’ll have to do it coming off the bench.
|Know Your Raptors: Jonas Valanciunas|
There’s a lot to like about Ross and his potential to be used in different situations, not to mention his willingness to accept whatever job is asked of him speaks to his ability to grow and mature as a player. A reduced role could allow him to fine-tune elements of his game, particularly his defense and shooting consistency, that need improving.
It’s a contract year for Ross, though, and if we’ve learned anything from watching the Raptors (ie. Kyle Lowry’s breakout 2013-14 campaign) it’s that these seasons can bring out the best in a player. If that’s the case, Ross could end up giving Carroll a bigger fight for the starter’s job than most of us ever expected.
2014-15 stats: 82 games played (61 starts)/25.5 mpg/9.8 ppg/2.8 rpg/1.0 apg/0.6 spg/41% shooting (37% 3pt)
|Know Your Raptors: Jonas Valanciunas|Terrence Ross| DeMar DeRozan| Norm Powell| Patrick Patterson| Anthony Bennett|