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Toronto Raptors: Ranking Raptors players in 2018-19

By Jordan Fleguel

TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 30: Kyle Lowry #7 and Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors high five during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves January 30, 2018 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 30: Kyle Lowry #7 and Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors high five during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves January 30, 2018 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors – Serge Ibaka (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images) /

#3 Serge Ibaka

Serge Ibaka has recently received a great deal of hate by a large group of Raptors fans who think that Masai Ujiri is paying him more than he deserves.  This isn’t true.  Ibaka has been the third-best Raptors player since he joined the team, and he has been a big part of their recent success.

Ibaka’s numbers were better in Oklahoma City, specifically his defensive numbers, and his offensive production goes up and down – you’re never really sure what you’re going to get out of him on any given night.

Despite this, Ibaka is vital to the Raptors offense and defense, and something that simply can’t be said about many other Raptors players.

Ibaka’s ability to shoot from anywhere on the floor gives Raptors guards the room they need to make plays.  Ibaka’s athletic frame allows him to set good picks, and he knows how to dive to the rim and collect offensive rebounds.

On defense, he’s still a force.  He is the best rim protector the Raptors have, and it’s not even close.  He, unlike Valanciunas, can keep up with faster players when he’s switched on them and is an agile rebounder on the defensive end as well.

The role that Ibaka plays doesn’t necessarily produce great stats that fans can point to, but the truth is, the team would be lost without him.  A good indication of this is the fact that any time Ibaka has strong scoring nights, the Raptors are at their absolute best.

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