Araujo a work in progress

Rafael Araujo was able to collect 40 tickets from his teammates for Tuesday's game in Salt Lake City.

Hopefully, the family and friends he found seats for in the Delta Center arrived early enough, because the show didn't last long.

"We did not play well tonight," Araujo said after Toronto was outscored 33-25 in the third quarter of a runaway Jazz victory.

That's how the year has gone for the second-year player out of BYU. Though a regular starter for the Raptors, his minutes—along with his production — have been limited. However, Araujo — and more importantly, his coach — are preaching patience at this point in his career.

Tuesday wasn't just another game for Araujo, who returned home to the state where he had a successful college career and had what he called "a good fan club" in the stands. But the time spent on the court was consistent for the 6-foot-11 center. Araujo made his 29th start on Tuesday, but he averages only 11.6 minutes, 2.2 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.

Against the Jazz, Araujo played 12 minutes and did not score. He collected three rebounds and added a steal. He missed both shot attempts, the first a 20-footer to open the game that came up short and the second a jump hook that Andrei Kirilenko swatted out of the air.

Araujo left the game with 3:43 left in the first quarter and did not return until there were 3.1 seconds left in the second quarter. He started the third quarter, but after a string of lapses by the Raptor defense led to three easy Jazz buckets, head coach Sam Mitchell subbed in Matt Bonner and Jalen Rose and moved Chris Bosh to center.

Araujo's night was finished.

But before the game, the Raptors coach said his second-year center is coming along.

"Like all big guys, it takes a long time for him to develop," Mitchell said. "We just want him to rebound, play defense and provide a physical presence. O I'm pleased with his progress."

Araujo was the No. 8 overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft, a position that puts weighty expectations on a player who averages just more than a basket a game. But Araujo's coach defended his progress and said anyone who has played in the NBA knows it takes time for big men to develop. It's a sentiment the center himself echoed.

"The (NBA) is a little different," Araujo said. "It takes time."

According to Mitchell, Toronto doesn't need points from Araujo, who is far from a fixture in the Raptors' offense. Despite starting most games, Araujo is ninth on the team in total field-goal attempts (91). It's a role the former Cougar is comfortable with.

"Just play defense, get the rebounds," he said. "They pay a lot of money for the big-time guys to score the points."

As for the limited minutes, Araujo said he's just happy to be on an NBA roster.

"It's the coach's decision," he said. "I'm just happy to be in the league. Whatever minutes I get, I just try to play good basketball."

---

E-mail: ashill@desnews.com