Whenever public opinion on the Raptors turns ugly, one can generally file any criticism under a list of usual suspects. Whether it’s a call for Dwane Casey’s head, frustration over DeMar DeRozan’s decision-making consistently being inconsistent, the lack of faith in Valaciunas fully adapting to the NBA’s new style of play, or Terrence Ross’s inability to get out of his own way.
It’s funny how the landscape works, though, as that same rage after a loss can quickly shift to a heap of praise following a win. A give-and-take scenario that was present and accounted for the moment Bismack Biyombo was signed.
Depending on the Raps’ latest stretch, it will eventually reach the front office. Masai Ujiri will either be held in contempt or reside on the Mount Rushmore of Toronto’s GM’s.
But the intention here is not to mock the people who react with bandwagon viewpoints. If we didn’t get emotional, things would get stale pretty fast. The thought process I wish to encourage is that of seeing a situation through before declaring a verdict on a particular player.
That’s easier said than done, of course, but the players aren’t the only ones who have to sweat out an 82-game grind. We should all attempt to strike a balance. Holding players and coaches accountable is a must but, so is letting a story play out to its potential. Keeping an open mind when it comes to DeRozan and JV being a prime example. Even Casey is trending upward these days. Well, at least he’s showing flashes.
There are exceptions to the rule, however. When a player receives multiple chances to prove himself yet reinforces doubt time and time again, feel free to unleash your hot-take-on-Ross fury.
To be clear, I don’t pretend to think my rationale is that of the high and mighty. Hell, I’ll even call myself out. It’ll also allow me to re-introduce the story’s main character.
After the clash against the Clippers, I stated:
Bismack Biyombo won’t get one-dimensional matchups every night. I’d probably hold off on his role vs. the Clippers becoming the norm.
I was referring to his 31 minutes played. Which was far and away his highest total of the season up until that point. It was the first full game with Jonas on the shelf so a bump was to be expected. What I didn’t foresee was those minutes actually increasing in the games that followed.
The way I looked at it, he hadn’t earned absolute trust just yet. I’d even pump the breaks on suggesting he has now. Perhaps I can’t get past his offensive issues, which are still highlighted every time Lowry, DeRozan, and at times Joseph have to utilize the drop-off dish on drives to the rim and Biyombo is the only option under the basket. But even with those concerns, he makes up for it in more ways than one.
His motor is relentless, with an effort-level that every team in the league covets. There’s not many players around the NBA who truly don’t care about getting a certain amount of touches. While at the same time doing whatever is possible to make a positive impact.
Limiting the opposition’s second-chance opportunities has been a sight to behold. Whether it’s flat-out rejections (8 overall in his last two games) that lead to transition buckets or tirelessly fighting for the rebound. During his 35-board run in the three games before Phoenix, 25 of them (71%) were brought down in the defensive set.
It’s like the other team keeps trying to steal a Veggie Steamer from his kid:
That video may have been staged, but Biyombo’s rim protection is the real mccoy. Not to mention the fear he strikes in any guard or wing that’s about to penetrate the lane. Which T.O. arguably hasn’t had since the days of Marcus Camby, and to a lesser extent, Keon Clark.
His Blocks Per 36 Minutes and Per 100 Possessions are both experiencing a drop-off from last season (4.1 to 2.9, and 2.9 to 2.1), but that can also lend itself to believing the best of Biyombo is still on its way.
Bismack is just the latest of Ujiri’s offseason acquisitions to pay dividends early on. Like clockwork, Luis Scola’s inside-outside game has eased our Power Forward concerns, Carroll immediately filled the hole on the wing at both ends, and Corey Joseph’s emergence has almost single-handledly changed the way this roster operates in crunch time.
The original worry that Carroll and Joseph would result in an experiment gone wrong, as they were coming from far more disciplined systems, has been put to rest. The opposite has occurred.
But, and there’s always a but with this team, a few elephants remain in the room. The first revolves around the heavy reliance on Lowry and DeRozan carrying too much of the scoring weight, the second surrounds the lack of contributions off the bench, and perhaps most of all, the impending return of Valanciunas.
All of which connect to the question of just how long success can be sustainable for before Biyombo’s offensive woes reach the forefront.
If another second-half spiral is to be avoided, sooner or later K-Low’s and DeRozan’s minutes will need to be held in check. It’s imperative that Ross and Patterson snap out of their decline. Providing the proper backup not only helps the backcourt out, but it prolongs Biyombo’s presence in the first-unit at the same time. Hiding a player while playing him is the Raps’ new mandate.
As for Valanciunas, what exactly happens when Jonas comes back?
It does just go to show how much things can change over the span of a week. Numerous rotation questions surfaced as soon as Valanciunas went down. And now by all indications Casey will face even more when he returns.
The new NBA still collides with traditional aspects come playoff time, and once healthy, Valanciunas needs to step back in to continue his development. I can’t recommend playing Biyombo and JV together, as you don’t want plodders in the paint hindering drives to lane. Something that already needs to happen with more regularity. Besides, that plays right into the defense’s hands with neither of the two able to step outside.
Though a logjam of players who can contribute in different sets is a good problem to have. It’s just how their deployed that matters.
That’s yet another storyline that needs more time to figure things out.
Despite the discouraging loss to Phoenix, now is the perfect opportunity to implement the aforementioned give-and-take scenario. Give the second night of a back-to-back defeat the benefit of the doubt, but if after their two-day rest they’re still lacking assertiveness, take matters into your own hands. And there’s plenty on deck that suggests a roller coaster week is ahead.
Take your pick: Carroll’s return to Atlanta, the very first meeting with Emmanuel Mudiay, a rematch with the Refs Golden State, and the last chance to see Kobe Bryant perform on Canadian soil.
DEAR BASKETBALL: Giddy up!
