TORONTO – Bruce Brown intercepted a move and streaked down the court docket, using previous some token defence from Atlanta Hawks ahead Jalen Johnson for a one-handed slam dunk.
Brown’s Toronto Raptors teammates go off the house workforce’s bench, cheering for the veteran ahead.
“It’s simply because they didn’t suppose I will bounce, as a result of I haven’t jumped actually, or they haven’t observed it, after which they didn’t see it the ultimate yr,” Brown stated, including he knew he would dunk once he crossed half-court.
“I instructed them I may do it and I used to be like, ‘if I am getting the danger to, I’mma dunk it.’”
It used to be Brown’s first dunk in 8 months as he scored 12 issues and had 3 rebounds off the bench in his season debut on Sunday as Toronto misplaced to Atlanta 136-107. He’d overlooked the primary 31 video games of the Raptors season as he recovered from arthroscopic knee surgical procedure on Sept. 20, a procedure that took longer than he anticipated.
“I believed I used to be gonna be out like six to 8 weeks however some issues didn’t move my means,” stated Brown. “There used to be a large number of swelling in there for some time.
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“Issues came about, after which I used to be intended to return again, like, 3, 4 weeks in the past, however there used to be nonetheless swelling there, so that they instructed me to take my time.”
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Brown averaged 9.6 issues, 3.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.7 steals and zero.3 blocks over 34 video games with the Raptors ultimate season. He used to be traded from the Indiana Pacers to Toronto on Jan. 18 as a part of a package deal for all-star ahead Pascal Siakam.
He’s averaged 8.9 issues, 4.2 rebounds and a pair of.5 assists over his profession in 416 video games with the Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets, Denver Nuggets, Indiana and Toronto.
Brown’s go back doesn’t simply upload intensity to the Raptors’ lineup, however brings some much-needed power to a suffering workforce that has misplaced 10 in a row.
“You notice him get available in the market and put his frame at the line after being out for goodbye,” stated Scottie Barnes, who led Toronto with 19 issues, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists however 8 turnovers within the loss. “He’s making himself so drained available in the market simply guarding, pushing himself. That’s what the workforce wishes.
“We’ve all were given to check that power each and every unmarried evening. That’s the hassle we’re going to want to be able to win video games.”
Head trainer Darko Rajakovic stated that fatigue is a significant component within the NBA’s longest lively shedding skid. He stated {that a} loss of focal point performed a task in Toronto’s season-high 31 turnovers on Sunday.
“We hit a wall. We glance drained. We glance tired,” stated Rajakovic. “Guys don’t seem to be in a rhythm. That’s the truth that we’re in at this time. We’ve were given to give you the chance to get out of it.”
It used to be the 3rd consecutive recreation the place the Raptors had given up over 130 issues, and 2nd 29-point blowout in a row.
“Getting beat by means of 30, guy, at house — that’s unacceptable,” stated Barnes. “We will’t be doing that. We were given to head available in the market and play more difficult, be smarter.
“We had a large number of turnovers lately. We will’t permit this to occur.”
Brown used to be extra constructive.
“We simply want some leisure, and we’ll push thru it,” he stated, noting {that a} abdomen flu had unfold thru Toronto’s locker room. “I imply, all groups have this one day, even championship groups, so we’ll push thru it. We’ll be wonderful.”
This record by means of The Canadian Press used to be first revealed Dec. 29, 2024.
&reproduction 2024 The Canadian Press
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