Four standout performers from the Raptors’ 120-122 loss to the Knicks - Raptors Republic

If there’s anything to take away from a preseason loss, it’s that the Toronto Raptors are ready to play real basketball. Against a New York Knicks squad that was humiliated by these same Raptors only a few nights earlier, Toronto outperformed the defending champions for much of the evening. Though neither team treated it as seriously as a regular season game, this was about as close as it gets for the preseason. Both squads had starters reach the 30-minute threshold, and both teams had moments of brilliance — and real effort — from their stars. But there were four Raptors who rose head and shoulders above the rest.1. RJ BarrettI called Barrett the team’s running back in the Quick Reaction, and that covers his role. He moves the chains in a variety of ways. He’s physical, likely the most physical player on the offensive end. He drives, finishes, draws free throws, cuts, hits the offensive glass, even hits triples. He finished with 21 points on 12 shots, and he will hit that level of efficiency on many nights this year. Few teams have horses in the wing-defence stables to guard Kawhi Leonard and Scottie Barnes and still have a stopper left over for Barrett.