Toronto Raptors: 5 reasons to be excited for 2018-19 NBA season

4. Re-inventing Serge Ibaka

The “Mafuzzy Chef” had a disappointing statistical season in his first full year in a Raptors uniform, not to mention his playoff disappearing act after the first two games. The not so gracefully aging Ibaka posting career-low averages across the board since his 2010-11 season with Oklahoma City Thunder.

As a modern day stretch-4 who is known exclusively for his blocking prowess, he averaged a mere 12.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, shooting 48.3 percent from the floor and 36.0 from beyond the arc. A change in roles could benefit him.

Nick Nurse stated the Raptors have six starters on the roster: Lowry, Green, Leonard, Anunoby, Ibaka and JV. One of those starters will be “demoted” to a key bench role. Though he’s started in three of the team’s four preseason games, one candidate could be Serge Ibaka.

Being the upgraded addition at center into the Bench Mob lineup would not only help the second unit become more deadly from long range, but also fills the gap left by Poeltl as an elite rim protector. This would allow them to play more aggressive on the perimeter, which could result in more fast break opportunities.

Second unit floor general Fred VanVleet has high basketball IQ. Playing him alongside Ibaka would give the Raptors a strong pick-and-roll option on offense while Wright, Miles and Siakam, all more than capable shooters, will be waiting and lurking on the perimeter for open looks.

Another claim for Serge will be joining the Bench Mob is in his latest episode of “How hungry are you?”. Look who the guests appearances were:

The only complication with putting Serge Ibaka in a bench role is the organization would have to accept paying his $23 million salary for a key bench producer. That may not sit well with the owners, but winning can change anybody’s perspective.