His father had recently confided that he had found his son from his trade from Portland to Toronto. For good reason, Gary Trent Jr. has enough to have the banana. The first reason for his development lies in the game since he is running this season at nearly 35 minutes on average per game under the orders of Nick Nurse, his career record.
His new status as a “major” player also implies new responsibilities, all within a franchise that seems to be moving forward again. Nothing better to be happy!
As the Raptors kicked off a six-game-in-eight-day series tonight, Gary Trent Jr. continues to learn about the demands of serious playing time. With in particular the obligation to follow a strict program off the pitch.
“It’s the first time I’ve played 35-40 minutes a game, so I’m trying to get to know my body. When you have to rest, when you have to go shooting, when you have to take time for yourself. It’s just about finding the right balance.”, did he declare. “This is the first year I can honestly say it worked for me. I discovered what is best for my body. Diet, video shoot, sleep. I’m in this routine where I play for minutes and I keep learning about my body.
“It’s the first time in my career that I feel like I can have a footprint or a real impact on our qualification for the playoffs”
As the final sprint approaches, Gary Trent Jr. wants to be above all up to the challenge that presents itself for his Raptors. Currently seventh in the East, Nick Nurse’s men will have to hang on to catch up with the Top 6 and secure a place in the playoffs. Especially since the first recovery match in Charlotte clearly did not go as planned.
The ranking, however, does not seem to affect the determination of the back of Toronto who already sees the opportunity to play a major role in the post-season.
“It’s something I’ve been waiting for a while, to be in the playoffs,” he added, he who has only five playoff games to his credit, in 2020 with Portland. “It’s the first time in my career that I feel like I can have a real influence or impact on our qualification for the playoffs and have a role in the playoffs. Instead of supporting in costume or cheering on the guys from the sidelines, I’ll get meaningful minutes, that’s a great thing. I’m hungry and I’m ready for it”.
| Gary Trent, Jr. | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2018-19 | ORP | 15 | 7 | 32.0 | 23.8 | 42.9 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 2.7 |
| 2019-20 | ORP | 61 | 22 | 44.4 | 41.8 | 82.2 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 8.9 |
| 2020-21 * | All Teams | 58 | 31 | 40.8 | 38.5 | 78.3 | 0.5 | 2.2 | 2.6 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 15.3 |
| 2020-21 * | ORP | 41 | 31 | 41.4 | 39.7 | 77.3 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 15.0 |
| 2020-21 * | TOR | 17 | 32 | 39.5 | 35.5 | 80.6 | 0.4 | 3.2 | 3.6 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 16.2 |
| 2021-22 | TOR | 48 | 35 | 43.0 | 39.7 | 81.4 | 0.3 | 2.4 | 2.7 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 18.6 |
| Total | 182 | 27 | 42.2 | 39.4 | 79.3 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 13.0 | |
