Toronto Raptors: The Growing Value Of Bismack Biyombo

Since signing with the Toronto Raptors last summer, Bismack Biyombo has rejuvenated himself and has risen to be an unsung hero for their success this postseason.

It may have taken them awhile, but it finally looks like the Toronto Raptors are finally starting to play like the Toronto Raptors.

For much of the postseason, the focus on the Raptors was about what had gone wrong for them.

Whether it was the shooting slumps, their overall creativity on offense, the injuries to their All-Star guards and the questionable game management from head coach Dwane Casey, the Raptors were doing everything (or nothing) to undo what had been a watershed season for the franchise.

Despite those concerns, the Raptors managed to get past a tough Indiana Pacers team in the first round as well as finish off a short-handed Miami Heat in the conference semifinals.

After a forgettable opening two games in their Eastern Conference Finals matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Raptors now have surged back to even up the series at two games apiece.

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More importantly, however, the Raptors have rediscovered their blueprint to success ever since the series switched to Toronto.

While the re-emergence of both Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan have made the headlines for why the Raptors have suddenly turned into a formidable foe for the Cavaliers, the driving force behind their energetic, spirited play lies down low with Bismack Biyombo.

Ever since Jonas Valanciunas has been sidelined with a sprained ankle, Biyombo has relished in his role as the Raptors’ starting big man.

Although he still carries some recognizable flaws, Biyombo’s strengths are simply designed to create a spark for the Raptors on both ends of the floor.

Offensively, Biyombo’s ability to keep plays alive by hauling in rebounds has been a difference maker for the Raptors in their series against the Cavaliers (in the Raptors’ four games against the Cavaliers, Biyombo’s averaging 3.8 offensive rebounds per game).

Despite his lack of an offensive game, Biyombo has been efficient around the rim as he’s finished 31 of his 43 attempts (72 percent) around the rim this postseason, per Basketball-Reference.com.

On the defensive end, Biyombo’s been a menace down low against the Cavaliers and whether he’s blocking shots (Biyombo has nine blocks in the last three games) or altering them, Biyombo has been making the Cavaliers think twice when driving in the paint if he’s down low.