Raptors 905 win 2017 NBA D-League Finals: Hug your brothers

Raptors 905 beat Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Tuesday to even the best-of-three series, 1-1. So, the D-League Finals all came down to Thursday night at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, Canada.

Before the game I spoke to Jerry Stackhouse about the team’s unofficial slogan, “Hug Your Brothers.” Stackhouse has hashtagged it on Instagram. Members of the team have sweaters with it emblazoned across the front. Well, what exactly does it mean to them? Stackhouse explains.

"“We’ve had the support of each other all year long. It hasn’t all been great. There were times when probably they didn’t like me some days, some days I didn’t like them too much, know what I’m saying? But when we finish up, ‘hug your bothers’. It’s all about us getting better and accomplishing the ultimate goal, and that was to be here. That’s our theme, that’s who we are and were just looking for one big reason to hug our brothers after this game.”"

Which kind of hug was it going to be? A congratulatory squeeze or a comforting and consoling moment for the 905?

Tip-off was every so briefly delayed. The Vipers reserves were dancing, and it spilled out onto the floor. They party didn’t last long. The game script was pretty clear from the start.

The 905 jumped out to a 19-9 lead and watched Bruno Caboclo play like everyone in Toronto wishes he would on a more consistent basis. We were treated to more than a flash of what he’s capable of, it was one of the best, if not the best performances of his career.

He was decisive, diverse in his attack and showed some defense along the way, picking up Vipers guard, Darius Morris full court. Caboclo was hitting 3-pointers and pull-ups. He was aggressive, but also taking what the defense offered. Tonight, all of Bruno’s points felt relevant. There was nothing discrete about his performance. The organization and the fans needn’t worry about his clutch capabilities.

Caboclo had 14 points on 6-of-10 from the field, 2-of-4 3-pointers in the first quarter. Raptors were up 27-18 after one, Rio with just one assist.

The Next twelve minutes produced more of the same, but this time it was Toronto Raptors assignee, Fred VanVleet that came alive.

"Side Bar: We just say ‘Bruno’ here in Toronto, no last name. The “Brazilian Kevin Durant” (which was a curse of a comparison) reached celebrity status shortly after he touched down in the city. He’s a Messi. A Madonna. A NeNe?"

Back to VanVleet, attention must be paid to this young guard!

He can finish in a multitude of ways which gives a boost to his already nice passing capabilities. The defense collapsed on him often making the decision on which way to sling the rock a no-brainer. In the second quarter, VanVleet made 5-of-7 from the field, including 2-of-2 from beyond the arc. He also dished out 4 assists, able to get completely open looks for his guys in both transition and in the halfcourt. His stat line sat at 16-7-2 by half time.

VanVleet told me after the game that tonight his offense was more of a priority for him as opposed to his usual M.O. of facilitating. He said, “I try to play every game and just take what the defense gives me. Now, I did come out with a more concerted effort to score (tonight) to just try to be more assertive and aggressive.”

(Check the 27 second mark for a sub-6-foot alley-oop with VanVleet and 2015 NBADL Dunk Champion, John Jordan)

For their part Rio wasn’t terrible. They hit 44 percent of shots and 33 percent of their 3-pointers, but 10 turnovers, leading to 15 Raptors’ points, and only 7 assists didn’t help their cause. They did however keep pace with the 905, and cut what was once a 12-point lead to eight headed into the break, 57-49. That was as close as it would get.

On the other side of the half Raptors went on an 8-0 run. The Vipers called timeout. After the huddles, Bruno scored the next eight points for Raptors answering the meek push by Grande Valley. That was all 905 would need.

Caboclo finished with a career high 31 points on 13-of-19 shooting (5-of-7 on 3-pointers) and added 11 rebounds and 4 blocked shots. With a definitive 122-96 win, the Raptors 905 had taken the NBADL finals.

Coach Stackhouse claimed to have Oracle-instincts during his post-game podium, informing everyone that he knew Bruno would meet this moment head on.

"“I told my wife today, when we was having lunch, I was like, Bruno’s going to have a good game today. I did. I know I might be Nostradamus or something, I’m just foreshadowing all this stuff, man. I just felt that he had a confidence from those last minutes last game. He just had a pep in his step in shoot around and I just seen, just a vibe whenI know he’s playing well, he’s comfortable and he’s happy. So proud of him.”"

Van Vleet had praise for Caboclo’s performance too. “That’s what people envisioned of him and I think performances like tonight are reasons why people are still high on him. He’s developing as a player, there’s been ups and downs in his career but I think you can get glimpses of what he can be.”

If VanVleet was the jab tonight, Bruno was the devastating right cross and together the one-two punch snuffed the serpents into submission.

A shoutout goes to E.J. Singler and Brady Heslip who get credit for being the leaders of this group. With call-ups and assignees causing the roster to rotate, sometimes daily, they were by and large looked to by the coaches for assistance and were sturdy and reliable in their roles.

Singler spoke about how Raptors were able to achieve so much in the franchise’s second season.

"“The coaching staff did a great job at the very beginning of instilling hard work and persistence each and every day in practice and it showed. We worked probably the hardest out of any D-League team each and every day and we got to the championship, and were holding the trophy because of it.”"

The 905 cap their record setting season in the best way possible, with a victory celebration in front of their home crowd.

Best League Record. Check. Coach of the Year. Yep. Eastern Conference Champions. You got it. NBA Development League Champions. Mission complete.

This season was a spectacle that even Don King would be proud of. The 905 boys won’t just be hugging each other tonight … the trophy better get some love too.

Other observations and things

– Pascal for MVP. Bruno was the star tonight but Pascal Siakam was awarded the Most Valuable Player award in the Finals, rightfully so — the Toronto Raptors assignee was dominant on both ends of the floor this series. He was briefly injured in Game 3 and had to be tended to by trainers but came right back out after a timeout. Siakam was starting for the Toronto Raptors earlier this season due to injuries. Prior to this year, he had never attended an NBA game before playing in one. His D-League numbers for 2016-17 postseason: 18 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2 steals and 1.4 blocks per game.

– What can we say when the best offense takes on the best defense and the result is a 122-96 win for the defensive squad?

– Down the stretch Troy Williams was unapologetically hogging the ball, trying to play hero ball. A frustrated assistant coach Cody Toppert screamed at Jarvis Threatt to go get the ball. He was trying to! There was no movement, no offensive execution. Stagnant.

– Chinaku Onuaku underhanded free throw sighting. Hey, what ever works kid. He obviously stays humble to be able to face the line and crowd with the granny shot. You think he’s hoping that he doesn’t get the call when there’s contact?

– Crowd favourite Yanick Moreira got the start and double-doubled with 10-11 in 27 minutes. He, as always, was the spark on the floor.

– The melee! It’s commonplace that when you’re up by a lot you run the clock at the end of the game. I could see chucking up a shot to avoid a shot clock violation, but you don’t hunt for a bucket.

That protocol wasn’t followed Thursday night. With 14 seconds remaining, Negus Webster-Chan attempted a 3-pointer, Chris Walker took exception to it and blocked it on it’s way down. He was charged with goaltending.

Some background, Webster-Chan, a Toronto native was playing in his first game in front of family and friends after missing several games with a concussion. He was trying to get on the board. Fine. We can understand the motivation behind it, even if we don’t like it.

However, after that the Vipers Darius Morris came back the other way and was blocked by Goodluck Okonoboh. John Jordan got the rebound and with under six seconds left drove for a lay-up. At the end of the game. While his team was up 25 points.

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Three players were ejected, including VanVleet, and the ref’s put 1.8 seconds back on the clock after the 905 had their shirts on, hats on, and were half way to celebrating.

Bad form on this one 905. Run out the clock next time.