Dial 905: A Miserable Delaware Trip for the 905

Last weekend’s back-to-back series against the Delaware Blue Coats showed the Raptors 905 plenty of things that they don’t have: size, talent, and discipline. With Isaac Bonga sitting on the main club’s bench, the Raptors 905 definitely missed not just Bonga’s team-leading 22.8 points per game but perhaps their second-best rim protector.

With no high-level “go-to” player, the Raptors 905 had to score by committee, and that did not go well for the most part. David Johnson, Kevon Harrie, Reggie Perry, and Breein Tyree averaged at least four turnovers against the Blue Coats. Meanwhile, the Raptors 905’s bench got outscored 89-31 in two games.

The shorthanded Raptors 905 did not have the talent comparable to the Blue Coats, which boasted NBA players in Jaden Springer and Paul Reed (who was a beast, by the way). Then they have their two-way contract players Aaron Henry and Grant Riller coming off the bench. But even against the odds, the Raptors 905 had a chance to take a split in Delaware. They had a two-point lead midway through the fourth quarter yesterday, but they ran out of gas.

One name on the Raptors 905 roster that we should keep an eye on is Reggie Perry. He’s basically a power forward playing centre for the Raptors 905. Still, he’s been playing well enough to potentially get snapped by another team, as he’s putting up 17.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Perhaps a 10-day call-up in January, if he’s still available?

Raptors 905 Can’t Keep the Ball Safe

November 27, 2021, Blue Coats def Raptors 905 120-94

Starters

Raptors 905: Kevon Harris, Breein Tyree, Reggie Perry, Obadiah Noel, David Johnson (TW)

Blue Coats: Charlie Brown Jr, Braxton Key, Paul Reed (NBA), Jaden Springer (NBA), Shamorie Ponds

Assignees

Raptors 905: David Johnson (TW)

Blue Coats: Grant Riller (TW), Aaron Henry (TW), Jaden Springer (NBA), Paul Reed (NBA)

The Delaware Blue Coats rode a big second half to blow the Raptors 905 out of the water, to the tune of 120-94. The Raptors managed to keep up with the Blue Coats for the entire first half, but coach Patrick Mutombo and his team did not have that extra gear (or two!) to hang with the Blue Coats.

Reggie Perry kept the Raptors 905 toe-to-toe with the Blue Coats in the first quarter, pouring in 10 of his 20 points in the first quarter. Obadiah Noel, who made the Raptors 905 roster via team tryout, added 9 of his 19 points in the second quarter. However, they lacked the firepower, especially in the second half, as both Breein Tyree and David Johnson struggled to score. Johnson had eight points and six rebounds and was a non-factor for most of the game.

Kevon Harris had another strong game with a double-double (18 points and 10 rebounds) but had a team-high 8 turnovers. The Raptors 905 can and will struggle to score on a half-court set, but I’m pretty sure it’s unacceptable for the coaching staff to see the team turn the ball over 33 times. Philadelphia 76ers’ assignees Paul Reed (22 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks) and Jaden Springer (24 points, 7 rebounds, 5 steals) led the way for the Blue Coats. Former Raptors Two-Way Contract player Shamorie Ponds started for the Blue Coats, dished out 10 dimes and stole the ball four times.

The game was over when: One can argue that this game was over much earlier, but there was a sequence when Harris turned the ball over trying to get the ball to Romaro Gill. The Blue Coats attacked in transition, leading to a Springer three-pointer, pushing the lead to 23 points with seven-ish minutes left in the game.

Raptors 905’s Unsustainable Comeback Bid

November 28, 2021, Blue Coats def Raptors 905 114-106

Starters

Raptors 905: Kevon Harris, Breein Tyree, Reggie Perry, Obadiah Noel, David Johnson (TW)

Blue Coats: Charlie Brown Jr, Braxton Key, Paul Reed (NBA), Jaden Springer (NBA), Shamorie Ponds

Assignees

Raptors 905: David Johnson (TW)

Blue Coats: Grant Riller (TW), Aaron Henry (TW), Jaden Springer (NBA), Paul Reed (NBA)

The start of the game felt like quarter #5 from the previous game, as the Blue Coats raced to an early 17-3 lead, thanks to the Raptors 905’s five early turnovers. The lead would go up by as much as 20 points early in the second quarter, with the Blue Coats looking to make it an early wrap.

Reggie Perry came to the rescue for the Raptors 905 once again, pouring in 12 points during a 15-5 run to close out the half, bringing the Raptors 905 within single digits. Perry filled the stat sheet with 22 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks. The Raptors would have their best quarter of the back-to-back series in the third, outscoring (and shutting down) the Blue Coats 28-17 to get the lead at the end of the period. Unfortunately, the Raptors 905 ran out of gas in the fourth quarter, while the Blue Coats had enough to steal the game back.

David Johnson had a bounce-back game, putting up 21 points and 11 rebounds, but was inefficient and turned the ball over too many times (6 turnovers). Kevon Harris had another strong game, with a game-high 28 points and 7 rebounds. Blue Coats’ Paul Reed looked unstoppable once again, putting up 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks.

The game was over when: The Raptors 905 were up 95-93 midway through the fourth quarter, but the Blue Coats shifted gear and went on a 13-0 run and called game.