Toronto Raptors: Stock Take, and Norman Powell sets a career-high

TORONTO, CANADA - DECEMBER 3: Norman Powell #24 of the Toronto Raptors grabs the rebound against the Miami Heat on December 3, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Toronto Raptors – Serge Ibaka (Richard Lautens/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

Serge Ibaka

Mafuzzy Chef is back, and oh does it feel good. Ibaka returned against the Utah Jazz on Sunday night and his presence was immediately welcomed. We’ve already mentioned that it was at the cost of Chris Boucher’s minutes, but while we love Boucher, it’s easy to say that Ibaka is the better player.

The much, much better player. Ibaka is a great interior defender, as well as the best rebounder on the Raptors. Having him back in the lineup can only benefit the Raptors in the short term and the long term.

In his last two games, Ibaka averaged 13 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, shooting 40-percent from the field and 50-percent from three. Ibaka shooting anything other than his dismal 29-percent from three from last season is an upgrade, but 50-percent is unprecedented. While it likely won’t last, it’s always nice to see.

Ibaka will only get better once he gets fully back into the swing of it, but what we have seen so far is pretty nice. So long may it continue. But if there’s more…then let’s have that instead.

Either way, nice.

VERDICT: STOCK UP

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