The 2021-22 season was like a sauna bath for Raptors forward Chris Boucher, and he was even close to leaving the NBA. But just before falling off the cliff, he suddenly received an instruction manual for surviving in the NBA and successfully found his career path.
Boucher's experience is like that of many NBA role players, even more tortuous. He dropped out of high school due to family difficulties and went to work as a dishwasher in a restaurant. Later, he got back on track because of basketball. However, because he was introduced to basketball late, he entered the NBA draft at the age of 24. Although he lost the draft, he still got a two-way contract with the Warriors due to his talent and outstanding figure, and was waived not long after playing. The Raptors gave Boucher a chance and put him in the Development League for training.
The Raptors' Development League team, the Raptors 905, is one of the league's most nurturing NBA teams. Boucher played 28 games throughout the 2018-19 season, averaging 27.2 points, 11.4 rebounds and an astonishing 4.1 blocks per game, becoming a member of the Development League. The first person to win the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards also received a formal contract from the Raptors.
In the 2020-21 season, Boucher broke out of his cocoon. While Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka continued to be injured, he played 60 games, averaging 13.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game, and had 38.31 TP3T three-pointers. Point shooting percentage (3.9 shots per game). However, Boucher's rough skills and monotonous offense in the playoffs made it almost impossible for him to play, which also gave the Raptors some doubts.
This doubt also extended to last season. Boucher's outside shooting was inaccurate, especially the departure of traditional point guard Lowry, which left Boucher at a loss and falling into a state of offensive disarray. "My opportunities and time gradually decreased, and then I even had no chance to play. No, I started to think about leaving the NBA." Boucher said in the off-season when reflecting on the first two months of last season.
Boucher decided to change his mentality. In the past, he had always imagined that he could one day become a superstar like Kevin Durant, but the harder he tried, the greater the backlash. So Boucher began to focus on doing simple little things on the court. During the transition between offense and defense, he sprinted with all his strength to see if he could detect some scoring opportunities; during the half-court offense, he concentrated on getting stuck in the paint, not for the sake of singles. , but to increase the chance of grabbing offensive rebounds.
The coaching staff also saw his changes and began to release more opportunities. In 42 games in 2022, Boucher's playing time increased to 23.9 minutes, with a 50.3% shooting percentage and a 31.5% three-point shooting percentage. With 10.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.0 blocks, the team averaged 4.1 points more than their opponents on the court.
In the playoffs, he averaged 11.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 40% three-point shooting percentage, which also caused a lot of trouble for Joel Embiid and James Harden.
He also had a performance of 25 points and 10 rebounds in a single game.
The Raptors gave Boucher a three-year, 35 million contract in the off-season, officially recognizing him as a member of the Raptors' future plans. In just a few months, he went from almost falling out of the rotation to becoming the most valuable role player. "I never thought at the time that I would receive an annual salary of tens of millions in a few months."
Admitting one's shortcomings is a sign of maturity, and this is Boucher's biggest change. In the past, he had delusions that he could become an unreachable superstar, which drove him to try to do some difficult actions on the court, such as three-pointers after losing balance. A shot, a dribble, a pull-up jump shot, or even a one-on-one shot against some big lock players. The defense will try to fly to block it. Sometimes it will indeed become a wonderful shot, but most of the time it is a disappointing and shaking head. .
"I thought it was easy, but it's extremely difficult to realize what you're capable of. My advice to young players is to adapt slowly. To be successful in the NBA, you don't necessarily have to be a superstar. There are many roles and ways. ." Boucher said.
Boucher turned his career around after he realized the trick. He played real defense, forced offensive fouls, reduced impulsive blocks, used positivity and rebounding advantages to create additional offensive opportunities, and most importantly, got rid of unrealistic and unreasonable shot selection.
In addition to Boucher's own thinking, Nick Nurse and his coaching staff also played an important role in this transformation. "They helped me collect videos and pointed out my strengths and what I can do." Boucher said, "They also collected videos with me. Similar cases, using other people to tell me how to improve the impact on the court."
Further reading:Nick Nurse, the master of hidden-mirror attack in Tyrannosaurus Rex Transformation
Boucher became a free agent in the off-season, but as a Canadian, he never considered leaving Toronto. "I have some plans in Canada and hope to be an inspiration to local children, and the team also recognizes me and is willing to continue with me." cooperate."
Boucher is one of the most outstanding examples of the Raptors' player development system. From discovery, training to deepening, the 29-year-old Boucher has become a competent and reliable role player with both offense and defense.
More importantly, his experience can be passed on to the team's young players. In the 2022-23 season, the Raptors will form a lined-up "sea of forwards" including Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Scottie Barnes, Precious Achiuwa, Chris Boucher, Thaddeus Young, Khem Birch and Otto Porter, which are fully mobile and versatile. As a forward player with advantages in face and wingspan, Boucher's defensive functionality will be more important. His experience can also remind young players not to go down the wrong path like himself. "Everyone has something to help the team, but it must be You have to realize it yourself. When the team wins, everyone wins."
