Raptors big men get more responsibility with Nogueira out

Lucas (Bebe) Nogueira is injured, and likely won’t be back to the Raptors active roster for some time. What to do, if anything?

The Toronto Raptors have been most fortunate in being able to avoid major injuries over the past few seasons. Yes, Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan have missed significant time, but neither has ever suffered with a career-threatening hurt. Jonas Valanciunas badly strained his ankle in the playoffs two years ago, after which Bismack Biyombo stepped up.

But consider other NBA teams, whose seasons have been shipwrecked by the loss of key personnel. The Los Angeles Clippers were already underachieving, and now Blake Griffin is gone with a messed-up knee. The Memphis Grizzlies tossed their coach overboard this week, but how can you blame him for the loss of point guard Mike Conley? The Boston Celtics are deep enough to have absorbed the avert-your-eyes-kids injury to Gordon Hayward, but they are the exception.

Backup center Lucas Nogueira has been sidelined indefinitely with a torn calf muscle, a problem which may be chronic. He joins Delon Wright in street clothes for what may be months.

Does Masai need to make a move?

Jonas Valanciunas, though he would never admit it, must be breathing a sigh of relief. He’s going to have a chance, perhaps his final one, to solidify his role as the Raptors’ most essential big man. JV has been a contributor recently, hitting double figures in all three of the Raptors’ wins.

Jakob Poeltl is lurking. The second-year center has begun to justify his selection in the draft lottery with a series of impressive games. Against Indiana, he enjoyed more minutes (25+ to 21+) and points (18 to13) than JV. In his last four games, he’s hit 22 of his 26 field-goal attempts. The vast majority of Jakob’s shots are within three feet of the rim, as he scores mostly on duck-ins or putbacks. His free-throw shooting remains shaky, which leaves him with the unlikely combination of making 70.2% of his shots, and 43.3% of his FTs. Jakob is channeling the spirit of Wilt Chamberlain.

TORONTO, CANADA – DECEMBER 1: Serge Ibaka /

Ibaka looking better

Serge Ibaka has shown improved play of late. The Raptors need his unique combination of 3-point shooting, rebounding and shot-blocking. Our Euro-bigs don’t offer outside shooting; Jakob has never attempted a 3-ball.

Ibaka can certainly play center in small-ball lineups, but it’s not an option coach Casey has chosen to exercise very often. With Lucas out, I predict we’ll see it more often, particularly against speedy guard-oriented opponents. For example, watch for a Serge plus wingmen configuration against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night.

In the short- to medium-term, I doubt the Raptors make a move to acquire another frontcourt man. The team is winning, and while it’s vulnerable to another twisted ankle or some such, barring a major injury we can get by.

Besides, what’s to worry about? Bruno Caboclo enjoyed a 27-point outing, with 3 blocked shots and 6 rebounds, last Sunday…against the Grand Rapids Drive. Oh well. Don’t get hurt, anybody.

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