Midseason Grades For The Toronto Raptors

Pascal Siakam

Grade: B+
Stats: 4.6 points, 3.6 rebounds per game. 50 FG%

If there was a polar opposite of Bruno Caboclo, it would be Pascal Siakam. While Caboclo was drafted as a young, raw talent, Siakam was drafted as an older player that can contribute now.

When the Raptors drafted him, I doubt that they anticipated that he would start 34 of his first 37 games.

While his counting stats aren’t impressive, Siakam has shown tremendous ability as a defender. He has the athleticism to switch onto wings, a trait that is incredibly valuable in today’s NBA. The issue with Siakam is that he shouldn’t be starting.

As the Timberwolves are learning, young players just don’t make an immediate impact in the NBA. The Raptors have a net rating of minus-1.7 with him on the court, and plus-11.8 when he sits.

His abilities as an individual defender are better than expected, but he doesn’t understand team defense yet and the game is moving too quickly for him.

These issues are to be expected with someone just starting out in the NBA. Going from college to playing against starting caliber players is going to lead to a rough transition. Siakam has handled the change well, but his limitations mean he should probably have a reduced role, which has been the case as of late.

The valuable minutes Siakam has given the team this season are more than anybody could have asked for. Now as the team gets healthy, he can develop in a role more suited for somebody with his current skill set.

Lucas Nogueira

Grade: A-
Stats: 4.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game. 66.3 FG%

Now we come to the man affectionately known as “Bebe.” Lucas Nogueira was always an intriguing prospect with his 7-foot frame, mobility and even some touch on his jumper.

But it hasn’t been until this season that he’s really broken out and played his way into meaningful minutes.

This season the Raptors have a net rating of plus-15 with Bebe on the floor, compared to plus-2.9 when he sits. The team’s offense skyrockets with him setting screens and presenting himself as a lob threat. But his biggest impact comes on the defensive side of the floor.

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Opponents score 6.6 points per 100 possessions fewer when he is on the court. Keep in mind, this isn’t just in minutes against scrubs. He is playing 21 minutes per game and often has been called on to close games in the fourth quarter over the defensively deficient Valanciunas.

Opponents are shooting just 47.5 percent at the rim against Bebe, which is the second best DFG% at the rim on the Raptors behind Patrick Patterson’s 45.9 percent. (Jakob Poeltl is allowing just 45.8 percent at the rim, but that’s on a much smaller sample size).

He’s also been an above average pick and roll defender, rating in the 51st percentile. A significant improvement over Valanciunas, who’s in the 25th percentile.

While he has his limitations, Bebe has fit in incredibly well with this Raptors team. He isn’t a post up threat, and doesn’t have the offensive repertoire of Valanciunas.

But as a low maintenance center that can set screens, catch lobs and play defense he fits the void left by Bismack Biyombo well.