NBA All-Star Weekend is finally here, and the Toronto Raptors are plentiful throughout the different events. Friday was the Rising Stars Games, which included Alijah Martin and Collin Murray-Boyles going head-to-head. Murray-Boyles’ team was in the Finals for the event, but he unfortunately sat out the final game because of the left thumb contusion he has been dealing with for months that was reaggravated. 

This event has begun to stand out over the others over the weekend due to the intensity that the young players bring year in and year out. The standout rookie first-round pick is typically no exception; his energy is exemplified on the defensive end for the Raptors, fueling highlight plays and fast-break opportunities. 

Toronto Raptors forward/center Collin Murray-Boyles (12) |© John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

As a rookie in the league that contains the highest level of basketball in the world, everyone has at least one moment early on that makes them realize just how different the players are compared to everywhere else. Known as the “welcome to the league” moments, it typically involves a particular play or even a full game where the rookie is purely outmatched. 

The former South Carolina Gamecock is no exception to the expected skill gap, and he named the challenge that immediately gave him trouble when they matched up. 

“Guarding Giannis [Antetokounmpo],” said Murray-Boyles. I don’t think there’s one person that comes to the NBA and guards Giannis and be like, ‘That wasn’t that bad.’ Nah, that was insane.”

The 10-time All-Star in Antetokounmpo has served as a reminder that there are levels to this game for hundreds of players over the last decade. His ability to use his strength and speed to overpower and overwhelm anybody, not just young players, is something that has rarely been seen in NBA history. He and the NBA’s All-Time Leading Scorer, LeBron James, are highly regarded as two of the best (and scariest) players in the history of the game when running downhill towards the hoop. 

While Murray-Boyles is done for All-Star Weekend, Sunday’s All-Star Games include Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, and head coach Darko Rajakovic. All three will be representing different teams in the final event of the weekend, so one member of the Raptors organization will have bragging rights as the winner over the other two. 

Once the All-Star break has concluded, the Raptors will have their work cut out to try to obtain home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Their first two games come against the 11th and 12th seeds in the Eastern Conference, but their next four-game stretch will be a true test. Three of those four games come against the league’s best, including the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and Minnesota Timberwolves. 

Toronto’s record against teams with a .600 or better win percentage (outside of the Cleveland Cavaliers) is 1-13. The only win came against the reigning champions in Oklahoma City, however all three of these teams fit under this category. It doesn’t help the Raptors' case that 10 of the 13 losses came at home in Scotiabank Arena, where all three of these games will be played.