Loss of Bismack Biyombo hurts Raptors

We knew Biyombo couldn’t stay with the Toronto Raptors, but all the rationalization in the world won’t make the pain go away.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know by now that Bismack Biyombo has decided to become a member of the Orlando Magic. This is just like the first time your parents told you that Santa Claus wasn’t real. You couldn’t believe it, you felt played but then you realize it all makes sense now.

I don’t blame Bismack one bit for leaving the snow for the beautiful sun in Orlando. He now has an amazing opportunity that will only give him the chance to grow as a player. From growing up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo eating one meal a day to now in the penthouse, making a name for himself as a dominant rim protector that nobody wants to mess with.

One thing that won’t ever be forgotten is Bismack’s time with the Toronto Raptors. There isn’t another player the city has embraced in such a short amount of time as Biyombo. I don’t think even Amir Johnson was beloved this much in those 6 years he was with the Raptors as Bismack was in just a year with the team. Signs outside of Jurassic Park like “Straight out of Congo,” how about “Biyombo 4 Prime Minister” or one of the funnier ones “Bismack Is My Father” which actually had its own Snapchat filter. Not one Raptors fan can tell me they didn’t have Bismack Biyombo fever.

In all honesty, what wasn’t there to like about Bismack? He did the Usain Bolt pose, did the Dikembe Mutumbo finger wag (Which Mutumbo did not give him permission to use) and he did it anyways. Not only did he win over the city but he also won over his teammates. Raptors’ star DeMar DeRozan admitted to hating Bismack when he was on the Charlotte Hornets but when he signed with Toronto he became one of DeRozan’s favourite teammates

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJjqki56UOc

Bismack rubbed his positive spirit on every single player in that locker room. He left everything he had on the court, didn’t let anyone belittle him and his excitement was so contagious. From a fan perspective, I’m grateful I was just along for the ride.

Here’s one of Bismack’s greatest moments on the court:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-gVtlErMpY

Now it’s time to look at the bigger picture. Bismack meant a lot to this team, no one can ever take that away from him but was he really worth a four-year $72 million contract that the Magic will pay him? I know the salary cap went up but let’s pretend the Raptors could have afforded Bismack, which they couldn’t this off-season as they just had around $5 million to spend after DeRozan re-signed. Would you really have wanted him to come off the bench for the Raptors next season and be making more money than Jonas Valanciunas? I’m one of the first people to tell you how Bismack had me jumping in enthusiasm during the playoffs but I’m not willing to give him $17 million to just dunk the ball and protect the rim. Yes, I know he was our savior during the post-season but before all of that what was he doing that made him so valuable? I’m going to miss everything Bismack brought to the table, but I’d be lying to you if I didn’t say that I thought this was all for the better.

With Bismack off to Orlando, the Raptors are able to invest in newly drafted Jakob Poeltl from Utah. Jakob will be able to contribute right away and his ability to shoot the ball, alter shots and facilitate out of the post should have everyone excited to see what he can do in his rookie season. Casey expects him to be able to play some minutes at the four spot and who knows maybe him and Jonas could be effective alongside one another.

The Raptors look to begin a new chapter. So is Bismack, but he’s not forgetting what got him to this point.

Expect a loud standing ovation when Bismack returns to Toronto in an Orlando Magic uniform next season.