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Jamal Shead · It could be reasoned that inspiration was everywhere Jamal Shead looked, as he watched his fellow first-year teammate score the Toronto Raptors’ first 14 points, followed by a video tribute for the franchise’s former, similarly-pesky floor general. Promptly using December 22, 2024’s stage to create memories of his own, Shead gets to work, mirroring Reed Sheppard’s movements step-for-step in a battle of 2024 NBA Draft classmates. Transforming into a human pogo stick after forcing the Houston Rockets’ guard to concede in picking up his dribble, Shead parlays the opportunity into a steal and a breakaway layup in quick succession. The play allowed the noticeably-urgent Raptors to open up a 13-point advantage, momentum they used to give the Western Conference’s at-the-time second-best team a run for their money. A standout even in the loss, the No. 45 pick stuffed the box scores for 11 points (on five-of-seven shooting), six rebounds, 10 assists, two steals, one block, and one 3-point make. · State of Mint