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Biyombo gives finger wag to ‘media bulls***,’ and other shootaround notes

Bismack forever.

Greetings once more from this spotty-WiFi on a Greyhound bound for Cleveland. The bus ride has reached hilarious heights – Alex Wong, the 21-year-old college basketball player beside me I just met, and I were all looking at the same meme at the same time. The internet is a beautiful place.

Even more important than the trip for Game 5, though, is that I’m about two hours away from sneaking on to the Fast 8 lot and finally kick-starting my overdue career as a low-rent henchman in action movies.

And yes, the “two hours” part means I’m not making it in time for shootaround. The Raptors and Cavs both had availability this morning ahead of Game 5 (8:30). Here are your notes and quotes from those sessions.

Biyombo responds to Mutombo

Dikember Mutombo caused quite a stir when he told TMZ that he never officially passed along the finger wag to Bismack Biyombo. The two are close, and Mutombo didn’t really seem bothered in the interview (to me, anyway), so I originally thought this was all in good fun. As happens, though, it made it’s way through the aggregation mill (guilty here), and now it’s a story.

Our man Josh Lewnenberg of TSN caught up with Biyombo to get his response:

And if we can end it there, that would be great. Because Biyombo’s going to keep blocking shots, and he’s going to keep wagging that finger, especially at home, where he’s had the Air Canada Centre eating out of his hand all playoffs.


The following table is unrelated to the wag, but I was curious about how Biyombo’s 2015-16 stacks up to Mutombo’s same-age season (or his closest – Mutombo wasn’t a rookie until 25) and how this playoff run stacks up to Mutombo’s deep run with the Sixers.

biztombo
Biyombo leads the NBA in total rebounds in the playoffs, by the way. The Raptors have played the maximum number of games, of course, but it’s still awesome for a backup forced into starting duty and still averaging less than 30 minutes. Bismack forever.

Valanciunas ready but can’t put a percentage on it

Jonas Valanciunas is ready if needed Wednesday. The center was active and available Monday, the next step in his recovery from an ankle sprain, but head coach Dwane Casey opted not to deploy him based on the situations that presented themselves. Two days later, he should be in even better shape, and the Lithuanian sounds like he’s feeling good.

Unrelated, Valanciunas was asked about his improving range and revealed this nugget.


He told me early in the year that he would hit threes “next year, definitely,” and adding that to his arsenal would be a fun tweak. The Raptors wouldn’t lean on it a ton – he’s too valuable inside to have him roam the perimeter – but it opens up some pick-and-roll options, gives a defense an additional weapon to think about, and could be a useful asset in transition, when Valanciunas is often the trailer and winds up with the ball at the top for several seconds waiting for a ball-handler to appear.

As for tonight, we covered off his potential role and usage in the preview. And to those suggesting he start, Casey said Monday that Valanciunas is the starter once he’s 100 percent, but he won’t be there yet. The combination of Biyombo’s rhythm and the difficulty the Scola-Valanciunas frontcourt has had defensively probably mean it makes sense to bring him off the bench selectively (and there are opportunities, as discussed within).

Assorted

*Casey is enjoying his own battle more than Warriors-Thunder. You really can’t go wrong between the two, and this unique Warriors drama (and the overdue ascension of a Thunder core I’ve been behind, on a personal level) is making for great viewing. But, yeah, the last two Cavs-Raptors games, plus, you know, the Raptors being here, give the East the win around these parts, too.


Despite the excitement and “now it’s a series!” sentiment, the Cavs remain unflinching in their confidence.


Also confident in the Cavs? Bookmakers, who give them the best odds of winning the NBA Championship right now.

*More fun randomness from Mazz:

*Today is Norman Powell’s 23rd birthday. So, obviously, he’s going to dunk on LeBron tonight.

*The Raptors are expected to begin bringing in prospects for pre-draft workouts next week. Most teams have already gotten started but those teams aren’t in a conference final.

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