Ja’Kobe Walter and Collin Murray-Boiles, Toronto’s big surprises

A surprise team from the East Coast with a belle 5th placeThe Raptors rely on two All-Stars (Brandon Ingram and Scotty Barnes), two quality former Knicks (RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley), but also two young players: I’m Kobe Walter etc Colin Murray-Boyles.

The first is a sophomore, and in order to make more room for him, the Raptors transferred Ochaj Agbadji. His “two-way player” qualities fit the Raptors’ basketball and he became the team’s 8th man.

“Defensively, he’s aggressive … and makes sure guys don’t want to dribble”, he loves Brandon Ingram. “We even warmed up in practice the other day, he was really on my side, defending in an ultra-aggressive way. I think he has that mentality every time he steps on the floor.”

Like many players of this profile, there are many incomprehensible things in his performances, and the person in question thinks of only one thing: to give his best. “I set high standards for myself”assures Walter. “When I watch video, I never examine other people’s mistakes, only my own. I’m always looking for what I can improve to help the game, to help us win. I like to take the pressure and I think responsibility is part of that. Admit it when you make a mistake so that your teammates will listen to you and understand that you’re trying to win, not just play.”

A 9th draft pick who wants responsibilities

For his part, Murray-Boyles is a rookie, and was one of the more unknown elements of the Top 10 in the last draft. He is a small interior, very strong, used as a defensive anchor in the racket, but also as a baseline finisher.

On Thursday night, he brought victory to the Raptors with “I-1” with 35 seconds left. “Three minutes left and he missed a layup,” Ingram remembers. “I told him at that point in the game he had to make sure he made those baskets, because we needed them. In the end, I trusted him. He had a smaller defender on him, took the ball, finished around the rim and made the free throw. There’s movement in these guys.”

For Murray-Boyles, there is nothing extraordinary behind this basket and his success. When you’re the 9th pick in the Draft, there are expectations of this type. “That’s why I was called, to have an impact”the former South Carolina player believes. “I don’t take this lightly. I try to help the team win as much as possible, whether I play a lot or not, whether I bring energy or make my teammates better.”