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CHARLOTTE — It was a rarity for Raptors head coach Jay Triano — a full complement of players to utilize at a practice.
Missing just forwards Reggie Evans (personal) and Linas Kleiza (out for season), the Raptors were able to play 5-on-5 and go through their offensive sets for what must have felt like the first time in ages.
Refreshed from the all-star break, the team had what Triano termed “a really good practice.”
A rash of injuries and a tough schedule prevented Toronto from getting in more than a handful of full-squad practices over the past couple of months.
“It was kind of nice, we got a lot done,” said the coach.
“We looked at some of our stuff offensively and we haven’t had an opportunity to do that (lately) and it might be one of the only times we can have a good practice since (the grind) is starting back up after this week.”
Triano said Evans is with his family after the birth of his son but is expected to be back with the team for Wednesday’s home game against Chicago. Without a full practice with the team under his belt since his foot injury though, don’t expect to see Evans in the lineup for that game.
But it is clear a return is not that far off.
Asked a couple of hours before the Carmelo Anthony to New York rumours finally became an expected reality, Triano would only say: “I don’t get excited until something happens. It’s another good player in the Eastern Conference, if it happens (but) anytime there’s a trade there are short-term and long-term benefits and it takes a while before we know who wins.”
Triano also weighed in on DeMar DeRozan getting jobbed at the slam dunk competition in Los Angeles.
“DeMar’s dunks were real good, (but) it looks like it’s more of a show,” Triano said, echoing the belief of many that pure dunking has become secondary to showmanship at the event.
Aside from DeRozan, Triano was particularly impressed by the dunks of big man JaVale McGee, particularly when he dunked multiple balls at the same time.
