LAS VEGAS—It wasn’t a steady dose of shooting practice and defensive drills that consumed the off-season of Raptors forward Jamison Battle.
His was a summer of more subtle work, equally important but aside from on-court drills.
It was a reconstructed diet (more proteins, tracking the balance of carbohydrates to fats) and a steady course of Pilates classes almost every other day.
He saw it as just as important as the minutia of basketball skills development, and he knew it was the best way to give himself a chance to become an even bigger contributor in ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½.
“That was the biggest thing for me — worrying about my body, changing my diet, focusing on what I put in my body,†Battle said here Thursday as the Raptors practised ahead of Friday’s Summer League debut against the Chicago Bulls.
“I’m going to put in … the work on the court, in the weight room, so it’s about doing the little things outside of basketball.â€
The early returns are that the 24-year-old Minnesotan has benefited from the off-court work. He’s a bit stronger, a bit quicker and certainly hasn’t lost his shooting skills, according to members of the coaching staff. He just seems better all around.
“He added a little bit of muscle and more force. He’s very forceful with everything he does: the way he cuts, the way he guards defensively, the way he’s going for offensive or defensive rebounds,†head coach Darko Rajakovic said. “There’s just much more force to it, so that’s helped his overall performance.â€
Battle was one of the more pleasant surprises last season for the Raptors, making the team off an unguaranteed training camp contract and shooting about 41 per cent from three-point range while averaging almost five three-point attempts in 59 games.
It was impressive enough that the team has fully guaranteed his contract, worth just under $2 million (U.S.) — a decision reached at Thursday’s deadline. It was an easy move for the Raptors, who need as much shooting as they can get. But until it was done, Battle’s career with ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ was in question.
“It’s in the back of your mind, but that’s something I don’t focus on,†he said.
Battle’s shooting is sure to give him a leg up in any competition for minutes in the approaching season. And that good rookie season proved he belonged, adding to his confidence. The changes he undertook over the summer should only add to it.
“I compare (last season) to my freshman year at college — that feeling-out process, realizing here’s what I need to do, here’s what I do well, where I fit,†he said.
“It’s finding those ways that I can contribute, and then the realization that you belong here. I’m going to work my ass off in the off-season, and leave no doubts in my mind that there’s a reason I’m here.â€
The veteran Raptors are due to begin a weekend mini-camp here on Friday, but Brandon Ingram beat the crowd by a couple of days.
And according to Rajakovic it’s full speed ahead for the veteran, who was picked up in a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans in February and left to rehab an ankle injury the rest of the season.
“He’s pain-free,†Rajakovic said. “He’s moving well, he got stronger. He’s in a really, really great spot. As of today, he’s clear to play full contact and to be part of any runs and one-on-one, three-on-three, five-on-five situations.â€
Martin and Roddy
The Raptors signed second-round draft pick Alijah Martin to a two-way deal on Thursday. After guaranteeing Battle’s contract, the roster is just about filled to the brim.
Martin joins Chucky Hepburn and Ulrich Chomche on the three available two-way deals, and Battle gives them 14 guaranteed contracts. They have one position open on the main NBA roster, but could leave it unfilled until the start of the season.
They did, however, add David Roddy — a six-foot-five forward who split last season with Atlanta, Philadelphia and Houston — on a non-guaranteed training camp contract on Thursday.
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