Toronto Raptors: Bench Struggles Still Remain an Issue

The Toronto Raptors have ongoing problems with their bench, even with the additions of Jeremy Lin and Marc Gasol, the Raptors bench still can’t find its grove. How will Nick Nurse resolve this issue?

The Toronto Raptors need to fix their bench unit before the playoffs. Their bench has been inconsistent this season after being one of the best in the league last season. Injuries have played a part, but there are some underlying issues that Nick Nurse needs to figure out to get the best out of this unit.

Shooting Woes

The Toronto Raptors have had problems shooting three-pointers all season. If this team can consistently shoot the three well, they will be a serious problem for any team in the playoffs.

The Raptors collectively have not shot the ball well for the majority of the season. In February the team shot nearly 38-percent on threes, showing the potential this team has when it’s firing away from deep efficiently.

In the Raptors 49 wins they have shot 37-percent from three; in the 20 losses, they have shot 30-percent from three.  The Raptors bench has primarily been a non-factor in most games because there is no elite marksman to space the floor.

With Jeremy Lin and Marc Gasol, the Raptors still haven’t addressed the issue. Lin on the season is averaging 30-percent from three and Gasol just hasn’t been attempting many threes in general. If Gasol and Serge Ibaka are swapped from the bench to the starting unit it doesn’t help the bench space the floor. Ibaka’s three-point shot has abandoned him this season.

Norman Powell and OG Anunoby are shooting roughly league average at 35-percent and Patrick McCaw is close to a non-threat from the perimeter. They have to rely on their defense to get deflections, steals, and rebounds to get out in transition for easy baskets. Perhaps Malcolm Miller can get some run to see how effective they could in that bench unit.

Jeremy Lin’s Struggles

Adding Jeremy Lin was thought to be the perfect addition. Lin would provide additional playmaking and with Fred VanVleet’s injury, it would provide Lin the opportunity to get acclimated and assert himself in the lineup. So far the results have been troubling.

Lin is having a hard time buying a bucket, shooting 36-percent from the floor and 14-percent from three. He also looks to be forcing the issue too much when he’s the lead guard on the floor. This could be due to him still learning the offense or adjusting to his new teammates.

Advanced stats may seem overblown and misrepresent a player’s impact on the floor but Lin’s per 100 possession stats are below what’s required for a title contending team. His offensive rating sits at 89 and he has a defensive rating of 110 as a Raptor. That is not good and the eye test can back those numbers. He doesn’t look comfortable yet but there could be ways to fix this.

Playing him with either Kyle Lowry or Kawhi Leonard could help by playing him more off the ball. Playing Lin more with Kyle and Kawhi should speed up his transition to get acclimated with the team and the style of play.

Fred VanVleet’s Return

The return of Fred VanVleet should give the Raptors second unit some backup. His shooting and steadiness are sorely missed with the second unit. The bench needs more shooting and Lin needs another playmaker out there with him.

Fred’s poise and composure should help steady the second unit and provide them with another floor general. His return would probably mean that either McCaw or Norm will see fewer minutes. A lineup featuring  Fred, Lin, Norm, OG, Gasol/Ibaka would have ample spacing with passable defense.

Obviously, this lineup would be small but come time for the playoffs, either Pascal Siakam or Kawhi will take away Norm’s minutes. It still might take some time for the bench unit to gel but at least with Fred’s return, it should help stabilize the Raptors second unit.

The Toronto Raptors and Nick Nurse have a lot to figure out with the bench before the playoffs. Hopefully, with some time, minor changes to the rotation, and Fred’s return should help. The Raptors will have a hard time sustaining leads in the playoffs if their bench performs abysmally.