Random Thoughts on Sports Last Night

First of all, I am sorry I missed a post yesterday. I have been battling a cold and just wasn't feeling it. I am making it up today though by talking about some stuff I noticed in games that I watched last night! Kind of a jumble post today but hey, why not. 

Raptors Fall to Heat
Oh boy does the viewership ever fall off when Scottie Barnes is out of the lineup for the Raptors, and probably rightfully so. The Raptors lost to the heat last night 114-104 in a game where the Heat didn't really have to break a sweat. Despite the loss and some lackluster performances from the Raptors top guys, there were some bright spots from the young players that should be highlighted. Afterall, what else do we have in a development season?

I can't say enough good things about Jamison Battle. For those who saw my last post, Jamison Battle is the best rookie shooter in the league and it isn't particularly close. In a draft that featured 4 year college shooter Daulton Knecht, Battle has outshot him for the entire season. It was no different yesterday where Battle came off the bench and hit a couple of 3s to keep the Raptors somewhat in the game. Battle also had a nice play where he got into the paint for a score. It has been such a long time since the Raptors have had a great shooter off the bench and an equally long time since they've had a big undrafted win. Battle's skillset would fit on any team in the league, but it is especially crucial on a Raptors team with limited spacing. I was joking yesterday that if the Nuggets had signed Battle instead of the Raptors, they'd be the 1 seed. I was only partially kidding. 

Jamal Shead is quietly starting to shoot the ball a lot better. Coming out of the draft nobody questioned Shead's heart and hustle. He had a knack for getting into the paint and making plays as well as finishing with a nifty floater. The big knock on him was that he is 6'0 on a good day and a poor jump shooter. Yesterday I saw Jamal Shead hit a tough step back 3 that looked smooth and natural. It wasn't just yesterday too, Shead has slowly improved his 3 point shooting as the season has gone on, in his last 10 games Shead is shooting 43% from deep. Just a hot streak or a sign that he's turning the corner? Time will tell, but for now I appreciate that the shots are falling. Shead still does have some stuff to clean up with his decision making and pass accuracy, but as a rookie playing one of the hardest positions in sports, you have to love the in season improvements.   

Mogbo is starting to look like a defensive menace. With Scottie out, Darko has turned to Mogbo to fill that point forward role and he's done a pretty good job. Always hustling, Mogbo has the speed and length to guard 1-5 in the NBA with relative ease. He started the game on Jimmy Butler last night and did a great job holding him in check. The issue with Mogbo is he is straight up a bad finisher, from anywhere on the court. I feel like Mogbo is the guy people said Scottie Barnes would be coming out of the draft, good at everything except scoring. Mogbo will smoke layups, pass up open 3s and doesn't have any in between game to be noted. That being said, he still has been impactful in every game he's played hustling for rebounds and being one of the Raptors best defenders. If Mogbo ever gets 1 or 2 scoring moves in his bag, the league may be in trouble. 

No love for the older guys yesterday. RJ had a triple double but if you watched the game it wasn't a great one from RJ. Gradey put up a bunch of shots which we need him to but struggled at times missing some wide open 3s. Jak was as solid as ever but if I've learned anything over the last couple years it's that the people don't care that much about Jak hype. All and all, I am just happy the rookies look awesome. 

49ers Season is Over

I tuned into this game right as the Raps game ended to watch the 49ers lose yet another divisional matchup, this one all but sealing the deal on their season from hell.  Early in this game Deebo Samuel dropped what was destined to be a sure touchdown, massive in a 6 point loss. He was no better as the game went on, with CMC and Aiyuk both likely out for the sesaon, you'd expect guys like Deebo to step up like he's done his entire career. Deebo finished this one with just 19 yards from scrimmage, an unheard of performance just a year ago. Purdy with a chance to give the 49ers the lead or tie with a field goal late in the 4th quarter got the 49ers into the redzone before throwing up a terrible decision into double coverage for a pick in the end zone. You have to feel for Purdy, a solid QB who was surrounded by some of the best weapons in football has now seen 2 of them miss most of the season and another one show up completely washed. Every week my preseason Superbowl prediction of 49ers vs Texans is looking more and more unlikely and as of now, it looks like the 49ers are going to be missing the playoffs all together. 

Ok that's it, kinda a lazy one today I acknowledge that but we'll be back cooking with a fun Steelers reaction on Monday after they take on the Eagles! Go Steelers!