The Toronto Raptors' impressive nine-game winning streak, with just one loss in their last 14 outings, has been powered by star performances from Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes. However, the team's remarkable depth and versatility have been the true foundation of this success, with the point guard position emerging as an unexpected area of strength.
From Question Mark to Exclamation Point
Heading into the season, the point guard position was considered a potential weakness for the Raptors. Immanuel Quickley's 2024-25 campaign was marred by injuries, and while rookie Jamal Shead showed promise, he was still developing. The lack of a viable third option added to the concern. Those worries have been decisively put to rest.
Shead has blossomed into one of the league's top sophomores, playing a steady, impactful game. Quickley, after a slow start, has been on a tear over the last few weeks. In his last 10 games, he has averaged 17.2 points on 49.3% shooting, including 41.1% on a team-high 7.3 three-point attempts per game. He's also contributed 5.8 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and a remarkably low 1.4 turnovers.
A Potent Two-Point Guard Lineup
Head coach Darko Rajakovic has found significant success by deploying a strategy reminiscent of past Raptors coaches: playing two point guards together, particularly in crucial late-game moments. While not yet comparing them to the legendary duo of Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet, the combination of Quickley and Shead is proving highly effective.
In the 60 minutes they have shared the court this season, the Raptors are outscoring opponents by a staggering 18.6 points per 100 possessions. This net rating jumps to an even more impressive +15.7 in the 40 minutes they have played alongside Brandon Ingram. The duo's ability to hit outside shots, run the offence efficiently, rebound well for their position, and play tenacious defence has made them a nightmare matchup.
Teammates and Coach Praise the Partnership
With RJ Barrett sidelined, expect to see even more of the Quickley-Shead pairing. Coach Rajakovic praised their ability to push the pace in transition and get the team organized. Both are also lethal three-point shooters, which spreads the floor effectively.
Brandon Ingram highlighted how the pairing benefits Quickley, allowing him to revert to a more natural scoring role. "He's able to be his normal position, scoring the basketball, getting into the lane," Ingram said. "Still seeing passes, but he's able to be more of a scorer than a facilitator when Jamal is out there."
The guards themselves embrace the partnership. "I think instead of focusing on just being point guards, I think we just focus on being basketball players," Shead explained, emphasizing their shared unselfishness and focus on making the right play.
Defensively, they have been a force. Quickley lauded Shead's effort, calling him an "unbelievable defender." Veteran Garrett Temple was even more direct in his praise, stating, "Oh, he's just a dog. Point blank, he's a dog. He's a guy that you know if you're gonna score, you're gonna fight for every single thing you've got against him."
For years, point guard was a position of consistent strength for the Raptors. After the departures of Lowry and VanVleet, that changed. Now, with Immanuel Quickley and Jamal Shead leading the charge, stability and excellence have returned to the Raptors' backcourt, playing a pivotal role in the team's current surge.
