Toronto Raptors Offseason Player Evaluations: Quincy Acy

2012-13 Key Statistics:

29 games played, 11.1 minutes, 4.0 points, 56% from the floor, 50% from three-point range, 2.7 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.4 steals, and 0.6 turnovers.

Comparison: Thomas the Tank Engine

Disclaimer: Okay, he isn’t necessarily blue (da-ba-dee-da-ba-die).

The Reggie Evans comparisons have fermented into overkill so we’ll try and avoid that when talking about the engine that drives the former Baylor Bear.

It might be fruitful to focus on comparing Acy to a player with similar skills as opposed to a similar face and beard combination. That player is Dejuan Blair.

The same Dejuan Blair who didn’t see the court in the NBA Finals, you say? Precisely

This season, however, is an anomaly in a career that has already exceeded expectations.

He might have been overshadowed by Tiago Splitter and Kawhi Leonard this year but Blair had a very productive first three seasons in the league. He played around 20 minutes a game and scored about 8 points while grabbing 6 or so rebounds. He shot above 50% from the field and Greg Popovich rarely ran plays for him.

Blair’s lack of anterior cruciate ligaments in his knees really hurt his draft stock. He was considered an undersized risk and the majority of general managers didn’t want the headache. Many teams passed on him but the Spurs always do their homework and they were thrilled to pick him. There were similar doubts about Acy’s size and skillset coming into the league.

He racked up the Air Miles this year as the team moved him from the D-League to the first team on numerous occassions. While in Toronto he exhibited a high-energy game that endeared himself to the Air Canada Centre faithful.

There’s a good chance that he could bounce between the D-League and pro's next season. That being said, he has a great chance to nail down a spot on the first team roster if he can add a few tweaks to his game.

A somewhat consistent mid-range jumpshot would be first on the list.

A potential Andrea Bargnani trade creates space for another big man at the bottom of the rotation. The 22-year-old known for his work ethic will undoubtedly be honing his craft this offseason and will look to have a strong preseason and training camp to force his way into Dwane Casey’s plans.

There is always room at the end of the rotation for high-energy players who leave it all on the floor and Acy could be the first second-round draft pick in years to actually stick around with the team for a few years.

Fans can’t wait to see what the player who reminds them of a blue engine brings to the table next season.

Let’s just hope that sophomore syndrome doesn’t render him green.

Now that would be a shame.