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Toronto Raptors: Nick Nurse’s best changes

By Brian Boake

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 15: Head coach Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors listens to assistant coach Nick Nurse against the Charlotte Hornets during NBA game action at Air Canada Centre on February 15, 2017 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 - FEBRUARY 15: Head coach Dwane Casey of the Toronto Raptors listens to assistant coach Nick Nurse against the Charlotte Hornets during NBA game action at Air Canada Centre on February 15, 2017 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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TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 30: Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jeff Teague (0) looks to dish off after finding a wall of Raptors with Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka (9), Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) and Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) close by. Toronto Raptors vs Minnesota Timberwolves in 2nd half action of NBA regular season play at Air Canada Centre. Raptors win 109-104. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 30: Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jeff Teague (0) looks to dish off after finding a wall of Raptors with Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka (9), Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) and Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) close by. Toronto Raptors vs Minnesota Timberwolves in 2nd half action of NBA regular season play at Air Canada Centre. Raptors win 109-104. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

Serge Ibaka & Jonas Valanciunas – better apart

I’ve chosen to start this analysis by calling out the biggest switch from the Dwane Casey era. Since Serge Ibaka arrived in Toronto, he and Jonas Valanciunas were all but automatic starters at the power forward and center positions, respectively.

For example, in 2017-18, they were on the floor together for 1, 476 minutes in 72 games. That’s an average of 20.5 minutes. Having a pair of big men in the front court has been the model in the NBA since approximately forever.

Using the same search criteria, I couldn’t find a single instance of Serge and JV playing together this season.

Clearly they and the team aren’t suffering from the separation. JV is playing 19.0 minutes while averaging 13.4 points per game [PG]. That’s one odd juxtaposition of stats; JV’s fewest minutes, his highest scoring.

Serge, meanwhile, has gone into full-blown beast mode. He’s also playing fewer minutes, but it isn’t hurting his production. His 17.7 points PG is a career high.

Meanwhile, the Raptors after 12 games last season posted a 8-4 mark. This year: 11-1, the NBA’s last single-loss team.

One wonders whether Nick tried the “one big & four smalls” notion out with his boss, only to be turned down. Be that as it may, he’s in charge now, and has implemented the concept to smashing success so far.

Nick Nurse has dropped the idea of a fixed starting five. Serge has tipped off seven games, and JV five. Nick is happy to give JV the start when the opposing center is a more traditional slow-footed banger, and Serge gets the job if the center is smaller and perimeter-oriented. For example, the Boston Celtics start Al Horford, who’s comfortable inside and out. Serge took him on, while JV got to battle with the hefty Aron Baynes. The next game saw JV face Washington’s Ian Mahinmi, while Serge came off the bench to deal with alleged stretch-5 Jason Smith.

Everyone seems happy with the results of the change. Serge looks like a new man, while JV is feasting on second-rate defenders.

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