Boston's Avery Bradley battles for the ball with Toronto's Kyle Lowry (right) and DeMar DeRozan during last night's game at the Air Canada Centre. (REUTERS)
Boston might have Toronto’s number lately, but head coach Doc Rivers still has considerable respect for certain Raptors.
Rivers has praised DeMar DeRozan more than any other opposing coach over the years, and he’s also impressed with Terrence Ross and Rudy Gay.
“I really like him, he’s rare, the fact that he can really shoot the ball, but he’s athletic,” Rivers said of Ross.
“Because he can shoot the ball, people sleep on his athleticism.”
Rivers believes the trade for Gay will make the Raptors a more dangerous squad because he is an elite scorer.
“Rudy’s going to be Rudy, he’s not going to change at all, he’s still going to be a great scorer, but what he’s going to make is DeRozan a better scorer and everyone else a better scorer ’cause you have to guard Rudy,” Rivers said.
“The spacing on the floor changes dramatically with him on the floor. It also gives them a bonafide go-to guy, a consistent go-to-guy, it makes them better immedi
