Toronto Raptors Roundtable: Kawhi Leonard expectations, Nick Nurse impact, and more

With JV potentially coming off the bench, who would be your starting five?

Thomas Valentine:

Working from five backward, Ibaka will clearly be the starting center unless the world explodes and Greg Monroe decides to be an efficient NBA player.

That means I’d probably take the easy and most likely option: Lowry, Green, Leonard, OG and Ibaka. It’s a lineup that has great shooting, the ability to put the ball on the floor and move in transition and – most importantly, for me – switchability. We might see a positionless team at times, depending on the opponents. This starting five can defend across multiple positions and play an aggressive style of defense that could be one of the league’s best.

How the rebounding will be affected might be an issue though.

Brian Boake:

Let’s start with center.  Assuming the premise is correct, Serge Ibaka has to start.  I’d like to see OG Anunoby at power forward.  While he’s not as big as some of the monsters he’ll be guarding, he’s certainly capable of defending anyone.

He showed in his rookie year an ability to shoot corner three-balls.  If he can mix in an occasional post-up, his value will be even greater.  I like Pascal Siakam as the small forward, but that’s unlikely.  Kawhi Leonard is a lock.  Consequently, Danny Green wins the off-guard spot, though I’d still like to see Kawhi back there.  Kyle Lowry retains his job as the starting point man.

Go Paolo:

Lowry, Leonard, Green, Siakam, Ibaka.

I am torn between Anunoby and Siakam. While I feel Anunoby will fit into the “small ball” lineup better, I can’t shake off the feeling he will struggle and fall out of the rotation at some point in the season.

Anunoby is also best suited at SF, a position that will either go to Leonard or Green. While he has the body to play at PF, especially in today’s NBA, he could struggle to go against bigger 4s. That’s where Siakam comes in.

Siakam will be going into his third year, the time when players usually take off. And he’s shown flashes the first two years and he’s greenlit for this season. Pairing him with Ibaka gives the Raptors two quick and lengthy big men who can run, switch, or protect the rim.

All five starters can also hit the three-ball consistently and are decent defenders.

Green may be the weakest link here as multiple injuries and a limited offensive game could allow opponents to exploit him. If he struggles, Nurse can switch Anunoby in.