Pascal & OG shake up Raptors starting five – in my mind, anyway

The Raptors were exposed in the NBA playoffs. The current group of starters couldn’t get it done. Let’s implement some changes to our frontcourt.

Whenever I have a bad experience in life, I ask myself “Did I learn anything?” Sometimes a lesson is the only worthwhile thing you can take away from a disappointment. There’s not much competition for the biggest disappointment of this post-season for Toronto Raptors fans. The ignominious ejection in four games by the Cleveland Cavaliers was a shock unlike anything we’ve had to go through ever; worse even than that four-game nightmare against the Washington Wizards in 2014-15.

The playoff disaster provided unarguable evidence that the 59-win season was a snare and a deception. The Raptors weren’t good enough, and changing the coach is only the first step towards remaking this group into a legitimate contender. We have to work with those we’ve already got; unless Masai Ujiri can work a miracle, our team is sitting out the June draft.

Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan both had a miserable time in the second round. That said, I’d argue the biggest flop was Serge Ibaka. In my self-appointed task as new Raptors coach, I’m placing him on the bench. Counting on Serge to have a better season in 2018-19 is like arguing FAX machines are due for a comeback.

Instead let’s concentrate on pushing players who are likely bets to improve into more prominent roles. OG Anunoby was a huge and pleasant surprise as a rookie. Assuming he’s fully healthy, he needs more floor time.

Here we go – change is good

I’ve pushed the notion of Pascal Siakam as the starting small forward almost from the first time I saw him in pre-season two years ago. His desperately poor shooting from deep during much of the season curbed my enthusiasm. However, he seemed to get out of that funk late and in the playoffs.

If Pascal reaches at least league average next year, he’s my 3-man. Pascal can run all day, meaning he can mess up defenses trying to scramble back after a missed shot. He’s in behind them like he’s shot from a cannon, and can finish while being fouled. He can create his own shot, and has developed an interesting array of mid-range attempts, including turnarounds and runners.

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Siakam has hardly scratched the surface of what he’s capable of. In this era of pace and space, our team needs speed and a non-stop motor at his new position, and he’s got both. What he doesn’t have is the build or mindset of a power forward – and that’s fine with me.

OG could be a frightening physical specimen in about two years, and many trips to the weight room. Regular readers know I don’t like barrel-chested bodies. I think it slows a player down, and can create knee and ankle problems. OG can be so much more than a latter-day Reggie Evans, so the weight work needs to be reps-based rather than lots of heavy iron.

OG won’t be an easy guy to back down into the paint.  He’s capable of defending taller players, or heavily muscled ones. With the Raptors motion offense, he’ll get lots of shots both inside and out.

There you are. Siakam moves from backup PF to starting 3-man, and Anunoby learns how to play the 4. We’ll consider the ripple effects of these changes soon.