RAPTORS REPORT CARD: Some of the highest marks of the year after win over Hawks

SO SAD:I might not return the heah coach of Toronto Raptors Darko Rajaković say to NFL due to his statue…

Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley (5) brings the ball down court during while being guarded by Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (5) the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, in Atlanta.

PHOTO BY JASON ALLEN /AP
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Who are these Raptors? This looks like a different group. They’re cohesive, dangerous offensively and more connected. In an exciting game that could have gone either way, Toronto made many big plays to seal the deal on Friday against the Atlanta Hawks. Here’s the report card:

It’s hard to say which Quickley game of this back-to-back was better. Either way, he was the top player in both games. Quickley set the tone early with 10 quick points, gradually started finding teammates too and generally was aggressive and efficient. He’s developing his chemistry with Scottie Barnes. Quickley’s ceiling is all-star, and he’s played like one this week.

SCOTTIE BARNES A
Barnes often looks like he’s on a different level athletically than anybody else. We saw it here in the past with Kawhi Leonard. This is just a massive human with incredible athleticism. When he wants to grab a rebound, block a shot, rise above anybody to take a shot, Barnes is going to do it. At times it was man against boys with the Hawks unable to compete with Barnes. This was also one of his best play-making games ever. Barnes had 10 assists and three were of the unreal variety.

GRADEY DICK A
One of the better games yet for Dick. He’s quietly averaging 10.7 points in 20.2 minutes over his last 10 games, shooting 45.2% from three and 43% over his last 15. Dick took 13 shots, he’s only attempted more once, and let it fly with confidence. He also looked good at one point bringing the ball up the floor and making nice find of Ochai Agbaji in the corner for a three-pointer. If Dick keeps this up he could make an all-rookie team, quite an unexpected development after his start to the year.

OCHAI AGBAJI A
Easily the best game yet for the young swingman picked up from Utah for one of the picks acquired in the Pascal Siakam trade. You saw the blueprint of what the Raptors hope Agbaji can become one day. Call it a poor man’s OG Anunoby if you’d like, or maybe something nicer like Anunoby lite, but Agbaji looked like a young Anunoby. He smothered the excellent Trae Young when asked to guard him and was cash money from the corners, hitting 4-of-5 three-pointers. Yes, he was pretty open for them, but Anunoby made a living as a great defender who hit above 40% from the corners. Agbaji shot over 40% from there while with Utah this season, but hadn’t hit one as a Raptor until these four.