The Toronto Raptors Are In Dire Need Of A Rim Protector
A dedicated rim protector will improve the Raptors’ entire system.
The other day, from a few weeks ago, I came across a video on YouTube that talked about Deandre Ayton, the Phoenix Suns, and their current success this season.
In this video, from The Void with Kevin O’Connor series, one of the topics discussed was how Ayton’s defence has helped the Suns win games.
The guests on the episode, Sam Cooper and Mike Vigil (from The Timeline podcast) said that because Ayton has improved his rim protection (and interior defence), the Suns’ perimeter players aren’t afraid to go for steals.
They are willing to take risks as they try to interrupt plays because they know that Ayton will be around to bail them out.
After I heard this, I immediately thought of the Toronto Raptors and how beneficial a shot-blocking big would be for the team.
Currently, the Raptors have no rim protectors.
Nada.
Not one.
They have good defensive bigs, but no one who specializes in protecting the paint.
Their tallest players are 6’9” and, more importantly, there is currently only one player on the team that is averaging 1 block a game.
But that player -Scottie Barnes- isn’t a rim protector. Not a true one anyway.
When you think of a rim protector, you think of guys like Myles Turner, Rudy Gobert, or Mo Bamba… guys who are tall, long, and lengthy, and their main job on defence is to intimidate and to protect the paint.
Barnes is not tall and lengthy (or really that scary either because he’s always smiling).
His arms are long, but when he reaches them up to their fullest, he’s still much shorter than the players mentioned above.
In addition to that, most of his blocks come as a result of him contesting his man’s shot, not him hanging around the paint, reacting to slashers.
The Raptors, in my opinion, need a Dikembe Mutombo-type-of-player, not a Shawn Marion/Scottie Pippen-type-of-defender (they already have a lot of those).
How The Raptors Will Benefit From a True Rim Protector
If the Raptors get a defender for the paint, their entire system (defensive and offensive), in my opinion again, will improve significantly.
The reason why is that they have so many great perimeter defenders who can interrupt the opponent’s offence and who can run the fastbreak (i.e. Gary Trent, Jr.).
They just need to know that a help defender will be around to assist them if they fail at forcing the turnover.
Who Can Be The Raptors’ Next Rim Protector?
So, who can they get to help them out with this one factor?
There have been reports that the Raptors might try their hand at the Indiana Pacers’ Myles Turner.
But the issue with him is that though he is a fantastic shot blocker, he’s not that good of a rebounder for a 7-footer.
And if the Raptors trade for him, they might have to include Precious Achiuwa, who is one of the team’s best rebounders. So if they make this trade, they’ll essentially lose a rebounder for a shot blocker.
Also, his skill set on offence may not mesh well with Nick Nurse’s offensive system, which likes the team to run.
But then again, Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka played well under it when the Raptors won the title in 2019. They also put up good numbers in the following season.
So who knows?
Final Thoughts
However, I still do think that a traditional center (size-wise) will benefit the Raptors immensely.
He may slow down their offence a tad, but they will be getting out on the fastbreak more often because their perimeter defence will improve.
He can also be a dedicated screener for them, which can improve their half-court game.
But these are just my thoughts. What do you think the Raptors should do?
Should they get a dedicated rim protector? Or should they stick with what they have and let time and experience fix their problems?