Toronto Raptors: Emergence of Serge Ibaka key to Raptors’ success
Systemic Flexibility
If one thing is clear it is that Marc Gasol is a center. Luckily for the Raptors, they have two solid options to play at the power forward position.
Playing Ibaka at Power Forward gives Gasol the opportunity to play most of his minutes at Centre. In addition, it also allows Gasol to matchup with Embiid on the defensive end. The Gasol-Embiid matchup is the most crucial to the series.
The two also complement one another’s offensive game nicely. Gasol is the superior passer so while he and Ibaka play together he is around the arc or in the high post. In this scenario, you can see Ibaka making Joel Embiid pay:
CHEF'S HUNGRY pic.twitter.com/D61H8LyKc4
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) May 8, 2019
The Ibaka-Siakam tandem is also extremely reliable. Siakam is one of the most efficient corner three-point shooters in the NBA. He also benefits from playing around the arc and attacking the rim.
In this situation, Serge Ibaka gets to play down low, he doesn’t have a refined post game, but he does have a sneaky hook shot. Ibaka also guards the bigger guys while Siakam handles the more athletic forwards. However, due to Siakam’s injury, Ibaka has guarded Jimmy Butler more frequently.
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Having a player like Ibaka on the roster is extremely helpful. It does wonders for Toronto’s depth. In addition, it allows both Gasol and Siakam to play consistent minutes at their strongest positions.
Thursday’s game in Philadelphia cannot come fast enough. After a statement victory in Game 5, the Toronto Raptors are rolling. Just one more victory could send the Raptors through to the Eastern Conference Final.