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Raptors bench mob takes major hit with Poeltl gone – let’s rebuild it

By Brian Boake

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 14: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Washington Wizards tries to control the ball as he goes to the basket past Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors in the first quarter during Game One of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on April 14, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 14: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Washington Wizards tries to control the ball as he goes to the basket past Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors in the first quarter during Game One of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on April 14, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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The Raptors need to create a second unit as strong as last year’s was. With Poeltl gone, that won’t be easy. Here’s a rough draft.

An important element of last season’s 59-win squad was the remarkable performance of the Raptors’ second unit. One of the biggest contributors (and not just in height) was center Jakob Poeltl, who’s gone to San Antonio as part of the price for extracting Kawhi Leonard. Now the Raptors must rebuild their second string and hope it can be as much of a game-changer as last year’s version so frequently was.

You will recall that I declared my starting five as:

  1. PG – Kyle Lowry
  2. SG – Kawhi Leonard
  3. SF  – OG Anunoby
  4. PF  – Pascal Siakam
  5. C     – Jonas Valanciunas

That leaves us with eight players currently under contract to move around the chessboard. I thought I’d be mentioning Rawle Elkins, who did some positive things at Summer League. Sadly for our team, he’s signed a two-way deal with the Chicago Bulls. It’s the right decision for him. He gets guaranteed money, a G League roster spot, and a chance to spend as much as 45 days with the rebuilding Bulls. The Raptors offered him merely a camp invitation, and he’d have little hope of cracking the rotation.

OK, upfront we’ve got Serge Ibaka and…not much. Masai is going to have to find somebody as big-man insurance.

The plethora of swingmen and guards is where matters get interesting. First we have to say to Malachi Richardson and Lorenzo Brown: thanks for showing up, but you aren’t part of my scheme. There aren’t enough minutes.

Time to get serious

We’re looking at Fred VanVleet and Delon Wright at the point guard position. Fred just got his money, but I don’t think we should ignore Delon. He’s long for a PG, defends well, and his deep shooting has shown definite signs of improvement. I like to see him attack the basket; he has a variety of ways to finish.

Both Danny Green and C.J. Miles offer veteran smarts and leadership, and are capable of hurting opponents from beyond the arc. Green is a better defender, while Miles is capable of creating and making his own shot if a defender challenges him. This battle will be worth watching.

Finally, we come upon the biggest wild card in the group, Norman Powell. No player tumbled further last season, or needs a strong training camp, more than he. Coach Nick Nurse has witnessed the “good” Norman, the strong on-the-ball defender who’s capable of scoring inside and out. He’s also seen the out-of-control version, the Norman who misses bunny layups and turns over the ball at an unacceptable rate.

Here’s my second five, written with a pencil equipped with a giant eraser:

  1. PG – Fred VanVleet
  2. SG  – Danny Green (by a hair over C.J.)
  3. SF  – Norman Powell (welcome to Last Chance Saloon)
  4. PF  – Serge Ibaka
  5. C     – vacant

Next: Can Raptors keep Kawhi in Toronto?

How about VanVleet as the off-guard with Delon at the point? There are lots of ways to paper over the lack of size. The best would be to acquire another big man who can play. [20-second timeout: I’m aware Chris Boucher has been invited to camp. Until I see him in the pre-season, I’m not pencilling him in.]

Nick Nurse hasn’t made his mind up about anything. The upcoming season’s training camp was destined to be uninteresting until The Trade. Now, Nick’s first pre-season as the head man will be challenging in the extreme.

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