Arrive at Toronto in the summer of 2022 after winning the title with the Warriors, Otto Porter Jr. did not, however, wear the jersey much Raptors. Hampered all last season by a foot injury, the veteran winger has healed this season, but he still plays very little.
With only 10 small appearances this season, for less than 13 minutes per game, the former Wizards, Bulls and Warriors is in fact one of the forgotten ones in Darko Rajakovic's rotation until now. Even if the Serbian coach greatly appreciates the player's experience, as well as his “calm and reassuring presence”.
“ Yeah, that's kind of my job. » recognizes Otto Porter Jr. « Whether we lead or are led, I try to remain pragmatic, to ensure that the group remains calm and focused. Ensuring that we stay united, that we make the right choices. »
Darko Rajakovic has nothing to lose…
And it could well be that “OPJ” will be called upon to play this role more frequently from now on. At the end of another disappointing Raptors match on Wednesday evening, the Toronto coach assured that Otto Porter Jr, who finished the match with the best “plus/minus” of his team at +14 (no points scored but with 2 rebounds, an assist, an interception and a block in 14 minutes), would sign a more permanent return to the rotation.
“ He was in the rotation [mercredi soir]and it will remain there in the future “, says Darko Rajakovic. “ He is still finding his rhythm, his juice. But defensively, he is important for us. He has very good hands, he deflects a lot of balls. We are looking for the right role for him, on both sides of the pitch. »
A choice which will obviously not suddenly change the trajectory of the Raptors' season (9v and 12d), but the Canadian club has nothing to lose anyway, and everything to gain by attempting small adjustments.
In view of their current problems, namely a poor outside address (4th lowest success percentage), but also, and this is more surprising, difficulties in defense recently, the integration of Otto Porter Jr, who can making himself useful in these two areas (39.7% on three-pointers in his career), is in fact not illogical.
“ I try to emphasize this. To make it clear when it is urgent to make a defensive stop. And conversely, when is it urgent to go get a basket? », Adds the former Georgetowner, even if he also recognizes that he won't be able to pull too much on the rope either. “ I probably won't play back-to-backs, but I'm working hard to contribute as much as possible and help these guys on the field. »
| Otto Porter | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2013-14 | W.A.S. | 37 | 9 | 36.3 | 19.0 | 66.7 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 2.1 |
| 2014-15 | W.A.S. | 74 | 19 | 45.0 | 33.7 | 73.4 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 6.0 |
| 2015-16 | W.A.S. | 75 | 30 | 47.3 | 36.7 | 75.4 | 1.3 | 3.9 | 5.2 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 11.6 |
| 2016-17 | W.A.S. | 80 | 33 | 51.6 | 43.4 | 83.2 | 1.5 | 5.0 | 6.4 | 1.5 | 2.4 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 13.4 |
| 2017-18 | W.A.S. | 77 | 32 | 50.3 | 44.1 | 82.8 | 1.3 | 5.1 | 6.4 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 14.7 |
| 2018-19 * | All Teams | 56 | 30 | 46.5 | 40.6 | 81.3 | 1.0 | 4.6 | 5.6 | 2.1 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 13.9 |
| 2018-19 * | W.A.S. | 41 | 29 | 45.7 | 36.9 | 76.6 | 1.0 | 4.7 | 5.6 | 2.0 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 12.6 |
| 2018-19 * | CHI | 15 | 33 | 48.3 | 48.8 | 90.6 | 0.9 | 4.6 | 5.5 | 2.7 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 17.5 |
| 2019-20 | CHI | 14 | 24 | 44.3 | 38.7 | 70.4 | 0.9 | 2.5 | 3.4 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 11.9 |
| 2020-21 * | All Teams | 28 | 22 | 43.2 | 37.5 | 85.7 | 1.0 | 4.4 | 5.4 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 9.7 |
| 2020-21 * | CHI | 25 | 22 | 44.1 | 40.0 | 83.8 | 1.1 | 4.4 | 5.5 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 9.9 |
| 2020-21 * | ENT | 3 | 22 | 36.0 | 11.1 | 100.0 | 0.0 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 8.0 |
| 2021-22 | GOS | 63 | 22 | 46.4 | 37.0 | 80.3 | 1.4 | 4.4 | 5.8 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 8.2 |
| 2022-23 | TOR | 8 | 18 | 50.0 | 35.3 | 100.0 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 5.5 |
| 2023-24 | TOR | 10 | 13 | 40.0 | 38.9 | 100.0 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 2.4 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 2.8 |
| Total | 521 | 26 | 47.7 | 39.8 | 79.7 | 1.2 | 3.8 | 5.0 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 10.4 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
