Toronto Raptors: Will Ibaka, Tucker Additions Fuel Their Playoff Push?
With the additions of Serge Ibaka and P.J. Tucker, the Toronto Raptors might finally be equipped to knock off the Cleveland Cavaliers
The Toronto Raptors appear to have finally found a solution to their struggles in the rotation at forward. The Phoenix Suns sent P.J. Tucker north of the border in exchange for underwhelming power forward/center Jared Sullinger and two second round picks at the NBA Trade Deadline.
After acquiring Serge Ibaka from the Orlando Magic earlier this month, the Raptors filled a gaping void at power forward. However, the Raptors sent forward Terrence Ross to Orlando in the deal.
Norman Powell, a shooting guard by nature, can replace Ross as a stretch three but the team needed a legitimate power forward. And boy did management deliver.
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Landing Tucker, known for his defensive abilities, is exactly what Masai Ujiri had craved. Tucker isn’t much of a scoring threat at only 7.0 points per game, but he averages 1.5 steals and only 0.9 turnovers.
Therefore, he is a valuable defender and doesn’t make many mistakes on offense. He knows his role. Toronto has two all-stars in the backcourt in Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, with more than adequate frontcourt players in Jonas Valanciunas, Ibaka and DeMarre Carroll. All of them are capable, efficient of scoring the ball.
As a result, Tucker can come off the bench and focus on crashing the glass, defending the perimeter and take care of the ball.
Having a bench guy who can do the little things well can go a long way. Cory Joseph, Norman Powell, Lucas Nogueira, Patrick Patterson and Tucker make up a large part of what has become a deep bench at all five positions.
However talented their bench may be, there’s only one obstacle that the Raptors must overcome to truly reach the next level: The Cleveland Cavaliers.
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Maybe the additions of Tucker and Ibaka are enough to push the Raptors past LeBron and company. Toronto will certainly be better equipped to face the King and Uncle Drew if they meet in the playoffs.