Raptors are going to play smaller
Serge Ibaka started at power forward last season. So far this preseason he hasn’t played it once. Ibaka is playing full-time center now, as he, along with a few other Raptors, have apparently “shifted up” a position under new head coach Nick Nurse.
Ibaka is a center, C.J. Miles is a power forward, and although he has missed some time due to a family issue, OG Anunoby appears to be a power forward too.
Toronto has finally adapted to the modern NBA. Due to rule changes and a better understanding of the math of basketball, the league has evolved to a more perimeter oriented style. Nick Nurse seems to have embraced this style by shifting the Raptors to a more modern and appropriate role.
Like any coaching decision, this will have other ripple effects. If the team is going to start only one traditional big-man, either Jonas Valanciunas or Serge Ibaka needs to come off the bench. Early on, it appears that it will be JV.
It makes sense. Starting Ibaka allows the Raptors to put their best defensive front forward against opposing lineups. A lineup with Kawhi Leonard, OG Anunoby, and Serge Ibaka in the frontcourt will terrorize most teams.
If the Raptors do elect to start JV, it’s clear it won’t be alongside Ibaka. The Raptors have shrunk, and that’s a good thing.