Dalano Banton is something of a piece of basketball clay to be moulded, turned into something special from something very raw and the Raptors believe their organization has all the skills and personnel to do that.
The 21-year-old from Rexdale, a second-round draft pick last summer taken primarily for his long-term potential, is being force-fed a course in NBA play from a wiser, older, experienced assistant coach who knows a thing or two about surviving and thriving in the game.
Earl Watson, who spent 13 years in the NBA as a six-foot-one point guard who got by on guile and smarts and tenacity, has been working diligently with Banton since the summer and the fruits of that work are blossoming now.