Something every Toronto Raptors player can work on this offseason
By Jeff Borsuk
Patrick McCaw
Some may believe that the Raptors re-signed Patrick McCaw because he is a talented player who Nurse can plug-in off the bench at multiple positions. They may point to the defensive prowess that earned him a nod to the MWC All-Defensive Team when he was a sophomore at UNLV. However, the real reason McCaw is back with the Raps is because he guarantees them a championship.
McCaw may have only had a small role at the end of the bench for the Raptors in the postseason but his presence was enough to clinch the title. McCaw has been in the NBA for three seasons and has won the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy each of those years. He happens to be the first to win three consecutive NBA titles since Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant did it from 2000-2002.
The Raptors get a player who they can trust to play with energy in the halfcourt. He will provide above-average defence but below-average offence. It may be difficult for him to become a consistent finisher at the hoop as it has been a real struggle in his career. As such, he should work on using his athleticism to drive to the bucket. He would also benefit from focusing on improving his passing.
Combining well-timed drives would allow McCaw to draw help defenders and kick out to teammates to get them open looks.
Biggest area to work on: Attacking the basket
Serge Ibaka
Serge Ibaka needs to stop feeding his teammates beef penis. It just isn’t a tested and reliable way to build camaraderie. Though it’s surely a delicious delicacy, the Mafuzzy Chef should consider finding alternative ways to ingratiate himself with his teammates.
On the court, Ibaka was a feared rim protector who dined out on pick-and-rolls. He used screens to help generate shots from his office at the elbow. He also wasn’t shy about launching open jumpers from beyond the arc. Unfortunately for Ibaka, he was often left unattended for a reason. From outside, he connected on only 29-percent of his shots.
From two-point range, Ibaka was a lot more consistent. Outside of releasing the ball from the restricted area (he had a field goal average of 73.7-percent), Ibaka was best from mid-range. He hit 49.4-percent of his shots between eight-16 feet and 50.7-percent from 16-24 feet.
Ibaka is historically a better outside shooter than he was this past season. He needs to work through pushing his range back and finding that stroke once again.