Raptors forward Chris Boucher discusses not playing in the home opener and what he likes about Gradey Dick.

Video Transcript

- How have your last couple of games been? Been fun to get out there and mix it up and do your stuff?

CHRIS BOUCHER: It's been fun. I mean, obviously we would have wished to win. But it's been fun. Obviously, second game back, I think it's all about getting the rhythm and finding ways to be impactful for the game, and also being on the floor with the team and just trying to see what they need.

- Has it been hard for you going from not being in the rotation to playing a little bit in Chicago and then a lot the other night again? Walk us through that process in your mind.

CHRIS BOUCHER: I mean, it's not-- you know, it's a long season. So it's not hard as like, OK, I don't think I'll ever play again. But it's kind of hard as like you feel like you can't help the team. But like I said, it's a business. I kind of understand that.

I've been here for a long time. I've had to prove myself. And, you know, those kind of things make me want to play harder and do the right thing. So, you know, I take it as a way to help me get my game better.

- OK, you showed no-- your emotions were the same, you're excited when you're out there playing. How hard is it to stay up, though, like to be able to--

CHRIS BOUCHER: I just try to stay myself.

- Yeah.

CHRIS BOUCHER: Just try to stay myself. You know, I've been the same for a long time. And if I let those little things affect me, you know, I won't be able to play basketball like I like. And I won't be able to be the person that I want to be every day. So the best way is to just be yourself and know that if you're not playing to something, there's something you got to do better, and try to figure out what it is and move on from it.

- How do you feel about Gradey's entrance today.

CHRIS BOUCHER: Gradey's my guy, man. He's like I said, it makes me think about a little bit of me like when I first came in the game, where I just wanted to look for a shot, and I knew that I could make it and all. You know, Gradey got a lot of confidence and he's learning the game just like a sponge. He wants to learn and you can see that he loves the game. And he's a really, really, really good teammate. So it's really fun to have somebody and see him progress and get better every day.

- Oh, how--

- Thank you.

CHRIS BOUCHER: Huh?

- What kind of energy is he bringing?

CHRIS BOUCHER: I don't know. I think sometimes funny, sometimes it's just about how he's working well, sometimes teaching lesson. I mean, you know, he's a young guy in the league and he's trying to do his best. And you can see the progress that he's making every day.

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- Parfait. Merci.

CHRIS BOUCHER: All right.

- First one and two. Sorry, it's going to come up Portland. I know it's very early, but how do you feel you guys' chances of getting a sweep?

CHRIS BOUCHER: Young team, I think we match up with them. They like to run. We like to run too. Also they have kind of like big guys, Robert Williams, Ayton, Walker. But I still feel like we got the same kind of guys and stuff. So the match-up should be a good one. I think if we focus in on the right thing defensively and playing together and taking the open shots, we should be good.

- It's nice.

CHRIS BOUCHER: Yeah. OK.