At the start of the year, it seemed like the Toronto Raptors had discovered a true gem in former Houston player Jamal Shead, a player who embodied the hustle and infectious energy that is essential to a team’s success.

He was integrated into the lineup with promising signs of success and proved to be a defensive-minded guard who exhibited a “big dog” mentality that belied his 6-foot-10 frame – similar to Jose Alvarado or, one might say say, the Raptors’ public enemy Patrick Beverley.

But the seemingly rocket-fueled path Shead took soon faltered as his role became less important. The Raptors increasingly relied on Davion Mitchell, an older guard of similar stature whose elite defense made him an important rotation player.

Considering the Raptors’ most recent matchup against the Chicago Bulls on December 16, Jamal Shead’s explosive performance in the fourth quarter is a testament to his ability to excel when given a fair opportunity to showcase his skills in a high-stakes situation pressure to prove.

Shead did not take the field for Toronto until he came on as a late substitute in the final moments of the game. The game seemed to be going in the Bulls’ favor when the Raptors, out of nowhere, staged a remarkable fourth-quarter comeback, driven largely by Jamal Shead.

Jamal Shead was Toronto’s saving grace against the Chicago Bulls

Shead played a total of 12 minutes in the fourth quarter, scored 10 points, four rebounds and six assists and had an impressive 4-for-4 shooting performance from the field, capped by a thrilling three-point buzzer at the end of the game.

While Toronto narrowly lost to Chicago, Shead’s unexpected rise from the depths of adversity marked a brief period in which he emerged as the team’s most influential player. Jamal Shead recorded a plus/minus of +10 on the advanced stat sheet and an astounding 31.7 in the box plus/minus.

Jamal Shead scored or assisted on 25 of the Raptors’ 37 points in Game 4 tonight.

He didn’t come into the game until the start of the 4th.

— Keerthika Uthayakumar (@keerthikau) December 17, 2024

Then turn your attention to Davion Mitchell and the narrative changes completely. Mitchell played just over 16 minutes, scoring three points and providing four assists, but also recorded three turnovers and finished the game with a plus/minus of -6 for the Toronto Raptors.

Even though he pulled off a remarkable hustle block against Ayo Dosunmu, it’s becoming increasingly frustrating to see Toronto rely solely on their defense while the rest of their game leaves a lot to be desired.

What’s special about Davion Mitchell: His defensive abilities are undeniable. Defense is synonymous with Davion Mitchell; they go hand in hand. While the claim that he is “the best defender in the league” is certainly controversial, it is undeniable that he deserves his playing time based on those skills alone.

Mitchell averages nearly 27 minutes per night, largely due to the defensive spark he brings to the Toronto Raptors. Still, there’s no denying that he has issues with offensive efficiency: he’s averaging less than 40% on field goal shooting and just 29.3% from three-point range.

How long can the Raptors last in this Davion Mitchell experiment?

Questions also remain about Mitchell’s long-term fit with Toronto and whether he will sign an extension to return next season. While he is undoubtedly an outstanding defender, it might make more sense to focus instead on developing rookies like Jamal Shead, potentially marking another notable internal development story for the Raptors.

While one can appreciate the Raptors’ commitment to maximizing Mitchell’s play, it’s worth remembering the situation with Dennis Schroder last year. He played a crucial role in the Raptors’ early season, but was eventually traded away as the team shifted into gear. It might be in Toronto’s best interest to put Mitchell in a winning situation while still utilizing Jamal Shead.

While Shead may not be an exact replica of Mitchell, he delivers a remarkably similar performance. Examples like Shead’s breakout game against Chicago strengthen the argument for giving him more playing time than Davion Mitchell. The decision now rests with the Raptors staff whether to implement this critical change or continue with the current approach.