Kyle Anderson Shares First Impressions of His New Raptors Team

The Toronto Raptors wanted a steady voice to help their young players this summer, so they signed forward Kyle Anderson, who is now getting ready for his 13th NBA season.

Anderson said this week that the group reminds him of his old Grizzlies teams, where the players were close off the court.

Anderson spoke after practice on Wednesday, and he already has ties to this group.

He played four seasons in San Antonio with forward Kawhi Leonard at the start of his career, and he got to know head coach Darko Rajakovic when Rajakovic was an assistant in Memphis.

Asked what he thinks of the Raptors so far, Anderson went right to how much the young guys like each other.

"They all click. They like each other off the court, in the weight room. We're joking around. We're talking to each other. We spent a lot of the summer together. So you know that just always leads to wins, good chemistry on the court, being able to handle success, being able to handle losses, so I see a few similarities with that," Anderson said in his talk with reporters after practice.

He also said guard Jamal Shead was one of his favorite players to watch last season because Shead could change a game without scoring, which is a big part of how Anderson plays too.

He has enjoyed getting to know guard Ja'Kobe Walter and forward Collin Murray-Boyles, who he sees as part of a new generation of players.

Anderson has never been a big scorer, and last season he averaged 6.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 43 games split between Utah, Memphis and Minnesota.

His value has always come from smart passing and knowing where to be, and Sportsnet noted that he has played on a playoff team in each of the past six seasons.

I think a track record like that is what a young group needs.

Rajakovic praised Anderson to Sportsnet as a coachable player whose voice is already being heard, and Anderson said the coach wants him to use his experience and be there for the young players.

Toronto had plenty to fix after a rough preseason opener in Quebec City, where the Miami Heat won 129-105, and a smart passer should help steady the second unit.

Anderson dealt with a knee bruise through the first week or so of camp, but he has been a full go since the team came back from Quebec City and should be available when Toronto plays the Los Angeles Clippers in Vancouver on Saturday.

That game is a good chance for him to show how he fits, especially with so many players fighting for a spot on this roster.

Health is the other story to watch, as forward Scottie Barnes got back on the practice floor after a knee scare in the opener.

The Raptors open the regular season at home against the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 21.

Anderson will not be the star in Toronto, but I would not be surprised if he ends up as one of the most useful pieces the team added this summer.