Tag: Gradey Dick

Raptors’ Darko Rajakovic reveals offseason areas of focus for Gradey Dick

The 13th pick had an up and down season, but the team believes he finished off the year strongly.

Gradey Dick experienced the typical rookie ups and downs this season with the Toronto Raptors, but coach Darko Rajakovic believed the 13th pick finished the year strongly.

Dick spent much of the first half of the season with the Raptors 905 in the G League. The organization believed it was best that Dick saw consistent playing time with the 905 to get him up to speed to contribute nightly in the NBA.

He eventually joined the rotation on Jan. 20 and remained with Toronto for the duration of the season as the Raptors prioritized playing time for him. The results were mixed, but Rajakovic saw improvement from Dick as the season progressed.

The kid has an amazing mentality to bring it every day and every night. He is putting a lot of work in. He is very detail-oriented. He is always asking for more information on what he can do better and how he can execute better. I think that he improved quite a bit on the defensive end. My overall assessment of Grady is that he did an outstanding job in Year 1 and that he has a lot more work to do going into the future. He needs to work on his body, get stronger and gain more experience — all of that.

Dick finished the year averaging 8.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists on 36.5% shooting from 3-point range in 60 games. He made 17 starts and became the third teenager in franchise history to do so on Nov. 15 (19 years, 360 days).

He put up his best stretch to close the season, averaging 13.5 points and 2.7 rebounds over his last 15 games. He scored in double figures in seven straight games in that span, including a career-high 24 points and four rebounds on April 10.

Dick showed glimpses of the type of production he can provide nightly in the future. The organization has been impressed with his work ethic and ability on the court and will look to tap into his potential further next year and beyond.

Note: Sharif Phillips-Keaton of Nets Wire contributed to this story

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=1462]

Spurs’ Wembanyama, Hornets’ Miller named rookies of the month for third straight time

Victor Wembanyama and Brandon Miller for the third straight time have been named the Rookies of the Month for March.

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama and Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller were named the NBA Western and Eastern Conference rookies of the month, respectively, for the third straight time.

Wembanyama became the first Spurs rookie to win three months in a row since Tim Duncan after averaging 23.2 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.8 blocks and 1.2 steals in 12 games. He led all rookies in scoring, rebounding and blocks in March.

Miller averaged 18.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 14 games, becoming the fifth player in franchise history to win three times. He was second among rookies in scoring and led all first-year players in 3-pointers (42).

Wembanyama registered five 30-point games, the most by a rookie in a calendar month since LeBron James in December 2003. He produced a career-high 40 points and 20 rebounds on March 29, becoming the first rookie since Shaquille O’Neal in 1993 to reach that mark.

Miller was the third-fastest Hornets rookie to surpass 1,000 career points after reaching that mark on March 15 (60 games). He later registered his third 30-point game of the season after recording 31 points with a career-high seven 3s on March 27.

Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson II and Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson were also nominated for the award from the West. Toronto Raptors guard Gradey Dick, Miami Heat guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Hornets forward Vasilije Micić were also nominated in the East.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1366]

The Magic posted (and deleted) a suggestive Gradey Dick jersey swap post-game photo

The Orlando Magic social team, probably: “Now you see it. Now you don’t.”

Gradey Dick and Anthony Black drove social media into a frenzy after the pair came up with the idea to do a highly suggestive jersey swap on Sunday. Somehow, the Orlando Magic’s social media team got involved and was convinced to post a photo to X (formerly Twitter) capturing the moment. However, they quickly realized they had made a grave mistake and deleted the photo after fans figured out what was happening.

Jersey swaps are one of the coolest things sports have to offer. If a player respects another player, they may hit up another player for a little postgame jersey swap. (You know. Game recognizes game.) That’s what people thought was happening when they caught Toronto Raptors wing Gradey Dick and Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black swapping jerseys. However, something even more sinister was being cooked up.

Gradey and Anthony completely bulldozed the lines of what isn’t safe for work and got the Magic social team involved. The team tweeted and deleted a photo of the swap before realizing that things like this should not be on a professional team’s account.

(Warning: NSFW language.)

NBA Rookie of the Month: Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Miller win for February

Victor Wembanyama and Brandon Miller for the second straight time were named the NBA Western and Eastern Conference Rookies of the Month.

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama and Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller for the second straight time have been named the NBA Western and Eastern Conference rookies of the month for February, respectively.

Wembanyama became the first Spurs rookie to win in consecutive months since Tim Duncan in March and April 1998. Wembanyama averaged 21.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3.9 blocks and two steals in 12 games. He led all rookies in scoring, rebounding, blocks and steals in the month.

Miller averaged 20.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.8 steals in 13 games. He became the sixth player in franchise history to win the award multiple times, and he was the first rookie this season to have back-to-back 30-point games in the month.

Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George, Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren and Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson were also nominated for the award in the West. Toronto Raptors guard Gradey Dick, Miami Heat guard Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Detroit Pistons guard Ausar Thompson were nominated in the East.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1366]

Rookie Wire Power Rankings: Victor Wembanyama remains No. 1 post-All-Star break

Rookie Wire took a look at the top first-year players over the last two weeks of the 2023-24 season.

The NBA enters the last two months of the regular-season schedule with teams positioning themselves for the playoffs entering .

The rookie class continues to impress nightly with players contributing at a high level on playoff contenders and other teams in the hunt. The group has been one of the most memorable in recent memory, headlined by Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren.

[lawrence-related id=100272]

They have established themselves as the top rookies and are the front-runners for Rookie of the Year as a result. The two 7-footers have dazzled seemingly every time they step onto the court and have had some strong performances.

To make sense of it all, we looked at the best recent performances of these first-year players and ranked them in the Rookie Wire Power Rankings. The rankings are not for Rookie of the Year purposes but to illustrate the best players week to week.

Raptors’ Darko Rajakovic on Gradey Dick: ‘He is getting more comfortable’

Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic believes rookie Gradey Dick continues to show on-court improvement on both ends of the court this season.

Toronto Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic believes rookie Gradey Dick continues to show on-court improvement on both ends of the court this season.

Dick spent much of his time over the first half of the season with the Raptors 905 in the G League. The team felt it was best that Dick continued to see consistent playing time with the 905 in an effort to get him up to speed to contribute nightly in the NBA.

The 13th pick has remained with the Raptors over the past month, resulting in consistent rotation minutes. Rajakovic sees him adjusting to the competition well of late.

Overall, he is getting more comfortable playing NBA minutes, going against NBA personnel. He is finding his spots on the court where he can score. Obviously, when he is on the court together with Kelly (Olynyk) in the second unit, the ball just finds him, so he is able to do a good job offensively there.

Defensively, it’s still a work in progress. There are good moments, there is good stuff there, but there is also recognition of the personnel and who’s on the court and how he needs to guard those (players), and there is no other way to learn those things but to go through experience and to get to know.

Dick is averaging 8.5 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 43.5% shooting from 3-point range in 17 games since returning to the rotation on Jan. 12. He has scored in double figures six times in that span, including a career-high 22 points on Feb. 5.

The organization was encouraged by how Dick performed in the G League. The staff also worked extensively with him in the weight room and on his conditioning to further prepare him for the increased workload at the next level.

Dick had the opportunity to further learn the Raptors’ system and adjust to different looks on both ends of the court with the 905. They like how he has handled himself and believe he has a bright future.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=1462]

Raptors’ Darko Rajakovic reveals special workout plan for Gradey Dick

Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic revealed that Gradey Dick is in the midst of a workout plan designed to increase his on-court activity.

Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic revealed on Monday that rookie Gradey Dick is in the midst of a special workout plan designed to increase his on-court activity and get back in the rotation.

Dick has played 19 games with the Raptors this season, but he has been out of the rotation for more than a month. He made five appearances in December, totaling about 15 minutes, and spent part of the month in the G League with the Raptors 905.

The 13th pick was assigned to the 905 on Monday and is expected to play with them on their upcoming two-game road trip against the College Park Skyhawks on Thursday and Saturday.

Rajakovic believes the plan will be very healthy for Dick.

Gradey, in the last two weeks, is on a special program with his weights and conditioning on the basketball court. He has been doing a lot of work and spending a lot of time on the court. We decided that this is a good moment for him to really focus on his body. We made a really good plan for him when he goes on his next assignment with the 905, and there is going to be an opportunity for him, with everything he worked on in the last two weeks, to put in a game and play.

Dick is averaging 14.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists on 32% shooting from the field in seven games with the 905. He has registered three 20-point games, including a season-high 23 points and six rebounds in a loss to the Westchester Knicks on Dec. 6.

The organization wants to get Dick consistent playing time and into a good rhythm in the G League before inserting him into the rotation with the Raptors. They have been encouraged by how he is handling himself and believe he has a bright future.

“He is going to be back with us and is going to be in the rotation playing,” Rajakovic said. “He is the future of this organization, but he needs to check a couple of points before we really unleash him on the court.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=1462]

Raptors’ Darko Rajakovic explains the priority for Gradey Dick in G League

Gradey Dick is averaging 16.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and one steal in five games with the Raptors 905.

Given playing time is at a premium with the Toronto Raptors, rookie Gradey Dick has spent time in the G League to receive consistent playing time.

The assignments appear to be paying off.

Dick hasn’t played with the Raptors since logging nine minutes against Chicago on Nov. 24. He has since made five appearances with the 905, averaging 16.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and one steal on 30% shooting from 3-point range.

The opportunity to play heavy minutes will help Dick continue the transition from college to the NBA. The team hopes those minutes in the G League will help build his confidence on the court.

“My priority right now is for him finding that rhythm, playing heavy minutes, helping the team over there, getting a swag, getting confidence in playing,” Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said, via Aaron Rose of All Raptors. “That’s his absolute priority right now. Those minutes (have) a lot of value for him. He’s enjoying (being) over there, being with the team. So it’s great for him to be on assignment.”

The Raptors assigned Dick to the 905 after an inconsistent start to the season. He had appeared in 15 of Toronto’s first 16 games but was averaging just 3.9 points, 1.5 rebounds and one assist on 27% shooting from the field. He has scored in double figures twice.

Dick scored two points in his debut with the 905 on Nov. 25. He bounced back and scored at least 20 points in each of his next three games. He produced 14 points, five assists and three rebounds in his last outing on Thursday.

The organization has been encouraged, though, by how Dick is handling himself on and off the court as a first-year player. They believe Dick will eventually be able to contribute once the game slows for him.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=1462]

Gradey Dick put up first 20-point game in G League: ‘He did a great job of bouncing back’

After an uneven debut in the G League, Raptors rookie Gradey Dick responded with a productive second game with the 905 on Monday.

After an uneven G League debut, Toronto Raptors rookie Gradey Dick responded with a productive second game in the Raptors 905’s loss to the Capital City Go-Go on Monday.

Dick produced 22 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals and one blocked shot in the 123-113 loss. He once again struggled to shoot, finishing 5-of-21 from the field in 38 minutes, including 3-of-12 from 3-point range.

The 13th pick looked more comfortable on the court, resulting in some shots made from beyond the arc and in the paint. He also had defensive stands on the other end.

“He did a great job of bouncing back,” 905 coach Eric Khoury said. “He can shoot it even better than he did, both 3s and 2s. He is such a heck of a player, but (his) fight was the best part: Grabbing some pretty tough rebounds at times, getting in the mix like being more aggressive with his shot selection and creation. I thought it was great.”

Dick debuted with the 905 in a loss to the Go-Go on Sunday. He started and finished with two points, two rebounds and one assist in 33 minutes. He made one of his 12 shot attempts from the field and missed all six of his 3-point tries.

He has struggled to shoot in his two games and will likely need a game or two to adjust to playing in the G League. He looked to handle it better on Monday.

“The first time you get assigned for the G League, guys sometimes think it’s just going to be a walk in the park,” Khoury said. “They don’t realize how intense (it is). These are professionals fighting for their careers, so they’ll try to take what you have and play super aggressive. I think it took him a little while to adjust to the speed of that, and then he caught on.”

The Raptors assigned Dick to the 905 after an inconsistent start to the season. He had appeared in 15 of their 16 games but is averaging just 3.9 points, 1.5 rebounds and one assist on 27% shooting from the field. He has scored in double figures just twice.

They have been encouraged, though, by how Dick is handling himself on and off the court as a first-year player. The organization believes Dick will eventually be able to contribute nightly once the game slows for him.

He is trying to work and improve in the meantime.

“It has been a whirlwind,” Dick said. “There is a lot going on but at the same time, I go back to the advice from my family and the people in my corner of just keeping my head down and not letting the busyness get to me. At the end of the day, it is just basketball.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=1462]

Gradey Dick reacts to G League debut: ‘I couldn’t throw anything in the ocean’

Gradey Dick was sent to the G League and the Raptors rookie struggled mightily in his debut on Saturday.

Gradey Dick was sent to the G League over the weekend, and the Toronto Raptors rookie struggled mightily in his debut with the Raptors 905 on Saturday.

Dick started the game and finished with two points, two rebounds and one assist in 33 minutes of work in a 115-101 loss to the Capital City Go-Go. He made just one of his 12 shot attempts from the field and missed all six of his 3-point tries.

He believes his shots will begin to fall.

“The minutes felt great,” Dick said. “I couldn’t throw anything in the ocean, but I think that’s going to come with it. It is the first game getting back to just solid ‘up and down the court’ (work). It felt good, the cardio and everything like that.”

The Raptors assigned Dick to the 905 after an inconsistent start to the season. He has appeared in 15 of their 16 games but is averaging just 3.9 points, 1.5 rebounds and one assist on 27% shooting from the field. He has scored in double figures just twice.

The team has been encouraged, though, by how Dick is handling himself on and off the court as a first-year player. Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic believes Dick will contribute once the game begins to slow for him.

He is learning every single day. He is doing a good job on the court. In video sessions, he is always asking questions. He is very proactive. For a young player at 19 years old to get on the court and play in the NBA, every game and every minute is a win for him. It is an opportunity to learn and get better.

He has great support from his teammates, so he is really in a good situation here. I believe that with each game, he is going to continue to develop and improve. Once the game slows down a little bit for him, I think he is going to be able to really help us.

Dick is the latest first-round pick to play in the G League this year, joining the likes of Taylor Hendricks, Jett Howard, Brandin Podziemski, Cam Whitmore, Noah Clowney and Dariq Whitehead. He will likely remain with the team to play consistent minutes.

The 13th pick averaged 7.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, one assist and one steal on 46.7% shooting from 3-point range in four games during the preseason. He scored in double figures once, recording 12 points with four 3-pointers on Oct. 20.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=1462]