Stock up, Stock down as Raptors difficult opening stretch ends

Stock up: Christian Koloko

Koloko has done everything that a second-round rookie with a limited offensive game could theoretically do in his first handful of NBA games. While he’s only scoring 3.3 points per game, the value he brings to the table, especially on the defensive side, goes deeper than just raw box scores.

Koloko has averaged 5.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game in the last three contests, including a start over Precious Achiuwa and Chris Boucher against Atlanta. While Nurse likely wants to keep that dynamic duo together on the bench, it shows that he has tremendous trust in what Koloko brings to the table.

The Toronto Raptors are impressed with Christian Koloko.

While he doesn’t have much offense outside of dunking, his shot-blocking and rim protection helped key Toronto’s dominant defensive night against Trae Young. With him in the paint, Toronto’s array of long-limbed defenders can be as aggressive as possible on the perimeter.

Koloko is still very much a work in progress, but even the biggest fan of his has to be stunned by the fact that he’s become such an impactful player for this team almost immediately. While he isn’t lighting up the scoreboard, the Raptors’ defense could take off if he gets more minutes.