Dalano Banton Discussion / Appreciation

[OakleyDokely]

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[LiSTWithLani]

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Can always count on you to educate me! Thanks for this!

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[Dalek]

Once Banton settled in he dominated this game, especially the third quarter stretch where he went back and forth with Joe.

I think he just has to realize that his game is simple. He can get to the rim whenever he wants and no one is going to block his shot. He just needs to read the defense better when he is gets into the paint if he plans any kick-outs, but he is otherwise looking poised to takeover next year.

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[Raps in 4]

Once Banton settled in he dominated this game, especially the third quarter stretch where he went back and forth with Joe.

I think he just has to realize that his game is simple. He can get to the rim whenever he wants and no one is going to block his shot. He just needs to read the defense better when he is gets into the paint if he plans any kick-outs, but he is otherwise looking poised to takeover next year.

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Fred going to BKN in the KD trade.

[ATLTimekeeper]

Usually in SL teams will make their best prospect the lead ballhandler, whether that's in their game or not. Yesterday I watched Primo and Kuminga just haplessly drive to nowhere and have zero clue where their teammates are. Banton already has that skillset, but it seems like he loses track of the defense and will throw the ball away instead of take a tough shot.

[Hero_Panda]

Based on the highlights alone, I like that Banton is trying to finish at the rim through contact more deliberately and using different variations of speed to keep his defender off balance.

I'm still skeptical about his shot though. I'll have to see some form of consistency during the season to dispell my skepticism but until he becomes a reliable threat from the outside, he'll always be a bench guard.

[OakleyDokely]

Dalano shot over 60% at the rim last year so getting a jump shot to keep the defense honest will open up even more space for him to drive. He doesn't need to be Klay, just needs some kind of pullup that he can use when teams clog the lane.

[HiJiNX]

Kid has a lot of potential. Just needs to tighten the handle and get used to NBA length to avoid the passing turnovers.

[canz55]

He has the natural ability to attack from the point and draw defenders. Small guards struggle with his physicality.

If he can stay aggressive, I can see him leading the bench for the majority of the regular season.

If he can develop a respectable jump shot, then Fred is getting replaced. It's just a matter of time.

[Ell Curry]

Didn't realize his A/TO was 3.5 to 1 after the break. Only like 10 games worth of bench time, but good sign.

[pilkoids]

Watched a few of the highlights and it looks like he's not almost palming the ball anymore. I remember he even got called for it a few times last year.

[DreamTeam09]

Based on the highlights alone, I like that Banton is trying to finish at the rim through contact more deliberately and using different variations of speed to keep his defender off balance.

I'm still skeptical about his shot though. I'll have to see some form of consistency during the season to dispell my skepticism but until he becomes a reliable threat from the outside, he'll always be a bench guard.

He went 7/9 from the line - much improved from last year

[ratul]

This kid is the one I want to succeed the most.

[StopitLeo]

It's a bit ironic given how fast Dalano is but It seems like he is still adjusting to the speed of the game. He has a nice feel for the game and he continues to impress me with his vision. It is nice to see his shot has been cleaned up. He steps into those 3s with confidence.

I think Banton could be a fine backup if he's out there against opposing bench units with someone else who can handle the ball like Scottie or Pascal. I'd certainly prefer to see him over anyone else as a potential backup PG.

[OakleyDokely]

It was a cool moment bridging generations of Canadian basketball.

The Raptors had finished their final practice in Victoria and Dalano Banton, the basketball pride of Rexdale, was standing on the court listening intently and getting advice, instruction and a ton of encouragement from Canadian coaching icon Ken Shields.

Shields, who got to know Raptors coach Nick Nurse when both worked with the British women’s and men’s teams at the 2012 London Olympics, was a constant presence at Toronto practices at the University of Victoria. He’d developed an affinity for the 22-year-old Banton and took one last opportunity to impart some of his considerable knowledge to the intriguing six-foot-nine youngster.

Be active, defend with aggression, play with pace, stay true to your skills and not try to do too much, the words poured out. Be long and wide in a defensive stance and, always, keep up a work ethic that shows respect for your team and the game.

Banton listened without saying a word, nodding when Shields demonstrated the kind of defensive stance he should employ, smiling a bit when Shields heaped praise on him.

It’s got to be special to be a young Canadian and second-year NBAer knowing that there are fans and coaches nationwide who want nothing but the best for the humble, friendly young man.

“They just continue to push me in the right direction so it’s pretty easy for me to trust, easy to build when I see results happening,” Banton said Sunday, reflecting on the chat before the Raptors opened their pre-season by routing the Utah Jazz in Edmonton.

“They’re going to keep continuing to push me … it’s going to be good.”

It’s hard to find anyone cheering against Banton because he’s a good kid with a good story and a solid, if still raw, professional game.

He flies around the court with abandon, 100 kilometres an hour, always pushing a frenetic pace. It’s fun to watch and his teammates and coaches think that once he grasps the nuances of the NBA game, when to slow down a bit, when to go full tilt, he might be something to behold.

“There’s a progression to the game slowing down for guys as they gain experience and you can see that with him,” Fred VanVleet said after Banton had nine points, three rebounds, three assists and a couple of steals against the Jazz.

“Picking his spots, knowing where to attack, getting stronger and being able to finish at the rim.

“Last year he came in with amazing pace and that height at 6-9 but for him to really read the floor and know the system and kind of run the team a bit, I think that’s where he’s probably grown most and will continue to grow.”

The Raptors are still trying to figure out what exactly they have in the 2021 second-round draft pick. Banton’s got a truly unique skill set that still needs plenty of polishing and that’s what this pre-season will be used to determine.

They’ll move him off the ball every now and then, try to maximize his disruptive abilities and defence to see what they’ve got.

With some backcourt roles still unclear and a desire to limit VanVleet’s minutes, there is a chance to Banton, as there is for Malachi Flynn, to run the team a bit.

But if Banton’s on the court with, say, Scottie Barnes, they could let Barnes be the de facto point guard and give Banton room to expand his game.

It’s something to look for as Toronto rolls on an exhibition road trip to Boston and Houston this week.

“There are so many interesting things that he does on both sides of the ball, the key is for us to figure out how to best use him,” Nurse said.

“Just being able to make him more of a complete offensive player than just a primarily handler initiating the offence. That’s my goal. He does do some great things with the ball. He does create some offence, etc.

“I think he’s got some other skills we need to take advantage of. Just kind of expanding that role a little bit and I think it will help him.”

Banton’s easygoing in that regard, which is part of what makes him such a favourite. He’ll listen, learn, do his best.

“Just kind of continue to do what’s asked of me, whatever’s needed,” he said. “Play as hard as I can, run my lanes, play to our pillars on defence, just kind of be where I can and continue to do what I do.”

https://www.thestar.com/sports/raptors/2022/10/03/dalano-banton-has-many-supporters-across-canada-the-raptors-hope-to-maximize-his-on-court-potential.html

[Dennis 37]

This guy thinks he's better than Ben Simmons.

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[will]

This guy thinks he's better than Ben Simmons.

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I wanted to laugh....however there are a couple valid points.

Either way, I still laughed

[Montrosslegend]

Another gem found by Ujiri in the late 2nd round. It’s almost as if the Raptors don’t need first rounders anymore. From the first minutes he played last year he seems to always make the right play and always plays hard. He is a starting calibre player right now imo but this year I see him being strong contributor off the bench. He’s only going to get better with Raps player development. 29 other teams would love to have him and there’s a few teams he could easily start on. Just so happy the Raptors have him, he’s got Ben Simmons like vision but isn’t going to cry when things don’t go his way and has a way better jumper at this point in time.

[wow09]

Still cant believe I was reading multiple posts on here about how he might be on the roster bubble

[no dice]

I like Banton a lot! He is one of those unique guys who stands out with a one of a kind game. He is very raw yet disruptive. You don't often predict what he does next so in a way it is a double edged sword at the moment. One he learns how to read and control the temple he is gonna be very scary. Not perfect but scary.