Hoops Habit
Fansided

Toronto Raptors: Four burning questions as they enter the season

By Corey Rausch

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 09: Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates after making a three pointer against the Boston Celtics in the first half during Game Six of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on September 9, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 09: Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates after making a three pointer against the Boston Celtics in the first half during Game Six of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on September 9, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Toronto Raptors (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Toronto Raptors (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

1. Will Aron Baynes be enough of a center replacement?

The loss of Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka cannot really be overstated. They were key functions of the team defense that dominated the Eastern Conference last season. Marc Gasol is one of the best passing big men of all time and Ibaka added a nice 3-point shot to the center rotation that the offense benefitted from. It did not hurt that he put up a career-high in points while playing his lowest minutes per game since his second season in the league. Replacing both of them was of the utmost importance.

Aron Baynes is the starter of choice who will be replacing them to start the year and if he is anything like what he was during the beginning of last season the team will not miss a beat. He shot 42.1 percent in October (3.8 attempts), 44.7 percent in November (4.8 attempts) and then cooled off for three months before shooting 43.8 percent (10.7 attempts) per game in March. Admittedly this total 16 games of the 42 he appeared in last season but it shows he is at least capable.

Related Story. Raptors starting lineup: Locks, fringe, break-ins. light

Never a double-figure scorer before last season, Baynes posted career highs in points, rebounds, minutes, 3-point percentage, effective field goal percentage and assists per game. He can fit into the team’s defense well and is a great teammate. He will need to be the player that thrived with the Phoenix Suns for part of the year for them to continue to roll along.

The options behind Baynes are at a minimum interesting. Alex Len is serviceable and a good “break glass in case of emergency” option. Chris Boucher is a bouncing 28-year-old entering his fourth season just begging for an opportunity. He is a per-36 minute All-Star, averaging 18.1 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.7 blocks in that same size. As he transitions into the full-time backup center spot hopefully something like that can continue.

Home/Toronto Raptors