BONJOUR!

Very obscure one today, yesterday I was defending a Canadian Raptor's legend in a group chat and I proclaimed that I'd be writing something about him today. That legend is of course Chris Boucher, the team's longest serving player and only remaining member of the 2019 championship run. I understand some people not loving Chris' game, he's not the smartest of players out there, but in the time he's spent on the team I've grown to appreciate what Chris can bring, especially in some of these seasons where the wins aren't rolling in like we're used to. Chris simply put just gives a shit every single game. You could DNP Boucher for 10 straight games then call his number in the 11th and he'll give you everything he's got. Chris isn't going to carry you to multiple victories in a season like Shai and he isn't going to lock up your best player like Dillon Brooks, but he is going to hustle harder than anyone else on the court and there's something lovable about that. Today, for no reason other than my stupid group chat, we're going to go over my favorite Chris Boucher memories. 

When people think of Chris Boucher they don't think of a leader immediately. He's not the best player on his team and hasn't been close to it since he was in the g-league. He's been in and out of multiple coaches' dog houses, sent up and down and cast in roles that aren't necessarily the best for his strengths. What people don't see is the guidance Boucher provides to the guys on the fringes of the roster. Boucher's journey was an unorthodox one, he didn't start playing organized basketball until he was 19 years old. Boucher was literally discovered playing pickup basketball in Montreal, and referred to a program that tried to identify Montreal hoopers with unstable situations. He began to dominate in college and at age 21 in Oregon was looking like a lock for the draft, then he tore his ACL. Boucher had to scrape and claw to get a chance in the league, signing as an undrafted free agent with the Golden State Warriors before getting cut after playing only 1 game with the big club. The next season, 2018-2019 Boucher fought hard and earned the final roster spot on the Raptors. An already stacked front court featuring the MIP in Siakam, 2 great centers in Ibaka and Gasol and a bunch of other options like OG Anunoby and Kawhi Leonard, Boucher's path to playing time was not evident right away. The team sent him down to the G-League and this is where the magic happened. Boucher instead of sulking about the missed opportunities in his career, went out there and dominated taking home the G-League MVP and defensive player of the year. This is the attitude Chris brings today. He's given interviews where he says that any young guy looking to fight there way onto a roster needs this attitude. You could always sulk and think you deserve more, but unless you prove it nobody's going to give it to you. Boucher is a walking example that you can make it no matter the hurdles. 

Boucher spent his first 2 seasons on the Raptors at the end of the bench. In the year after the championship season, he would come in as an energy guy when the Raptors were lackadaisical or when one of their bigs got into foul trouble. Coming into the end of that season, the Raptors had a decision to make on their two centers Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka. Hoping to take a crack at signing superstar Giannis Antentokoumpo, Masai let them both walk leaving a gaping hole at center for the following season. Chris Boucher was about to get a chance to show what he could do. As most people remember, that season was a disaster, played in Tampa Bay due to COVID restrictions in Toronto and the Raptors didn't get into a rhythm all season long. Boucher started off that year terrible, he was making dumb decisions on the court, taking bad shots and overall helping his team lose more than win. It wasn't until about 10 games in when the Raptors lineup got ravaged by COVID forcing Boucher into the primary option role in an NBA game. Boucher said right after this game that he realized that's not who he is, a very important piece of self reflection. Incredibly, Chris actually took that to heart, started playing more within himself and doing what he did best, crashing the offensive glass and hustling his ass off on defense. Despite all the negatives of a season which featured Aaron Baynes and very few wins, Boucher was a positive averaging 14 points and 7 rebounds off the bench and finishing within the top 10 of 6 man of the year voting. 

Boucher has played within this role for himself every year since the Tampa season. I do joke that he still leads the team in nononoYES plays, but at times that's what the Raptors have needed off the bench. Under Nick Nurse, Boucher earned his minutes. Nick played a system where crashing the glass for offensive rebounds was essential, playing perfectly into Chris' strengths. Things changed under Darko. Under Rajakovic, bigs are expected to pass, cut, make smart plays in a more movement oriented offense. Chris despite being one of the best players off the bench, had a lot of trouble getting comfortable with this system. As a result, Chris found himself glued to the bench in favor of much less talented players like Jalen McDaniels. Despite this, Chris' attitude never changed. He had been through hardships before and knew the worst thing you can do is have a bad attitude about it. When Chris' number got called late in the season he played his absolute ass off doing what he did best, hustling. The last few seasons for the Raptors have been disappointing. Having a guy at the end of the bench who isn't getting down on himself or the team and playing hard despite the circumstances is essential in teaching a young team habits for future winning. 

This season Boucher has reinvented his game slightly. He is making smarter cuts, biting on fewer pump fakes and overall playing better within the flow of the offense. As a result, Darko is playing him more. Boucher has emerged as the Raptors best bench player so far this season, there have been multiple games where he's come in and hit timely 3s or made a few big hustle plays that kept the Raptors alive in some of these games. At 31 years old, Chris is still improving his game constantly, understanding that this is a league where you have to earn it. Boucher is a guy who just knows what it takes to make it in the NBA. I still believe that any team would be lucky to have his veteran presence. No matter what anyone says, I will always look forward to Jack Armstrong screaming BONJOUR whenever Boucher makes a big play, and I hope I can continue until he's out of the league.