Raptors: 3 players who could shine without Scottie Barnes
By Mike Luciano
2. Khem Birch
The Raptors appeared to signal that they are willing to reduce Precious Achiuwa’s minutes in favor of Birch, as Achiuwa was once again disappointing against New York. Birch came in and provided excellent interior defense, screen-setting, and rebounding despite only scoring six points.
With Barnes out, Birch has an opportunity to firmly supplant Achiuwa and make himself the starting center until we see Siakam return from the injury. Barnes’ touches in the low post won’t be there, and Birch could be the primary beneficiary.
Raptors center Khem Birch might improve without Scottie Barnes?
Birch is never going to be an elite scorer, but he has proven that his finishing at the rim is miles ahead of where Achiuwa is right now. With two elite finishers on the floor in Birch and Barnes on the floor when everyone is healthy, that could be a game-changer for this offense.
Birch averaged 11.9 points and 7.6 rebounds with the Raptors during their Tampa stint last year, and that is not a production that should be overlooked out of a starting center. Relegated to bench minutes for the first eight games of the season, Barnes missing some time could lead to a Birch renaissance.