Despite facing constant double teams in the first three games of the Sixers‘ series vs. the Raptors, Joel Embiid is thriving, averaging 27.7 PPG and 13.0 RPG en route to three Philadelphia victories. The 76ers have outscored Toronto by a total of 31 points with Embiid on the court.
As Eric Koreen of The Athletic writes, Embiid’s dominance is a reminder to the Raptors how much easier things are in the postseason when you have a superstar to lean on. The last time the two teams met in the playoffs, it was a Toronto superstar – Kawhi Leonard – who was the difference in the series, but the club no longer has a player of that caliber.
While Fred VanVleet was an All-Star this season and Pascal Siakam is an All-NBA candidate, neither player commands the sort of defensive attention that Embiid does, especially in the half court. The Raptors ranked 25th this season in half-court offensive efficiency in part because they’re missing that superstar, according to Koreen, who stresses the importance of Scottie Barnes‘ development as the club seeks that sort of player.
Here’s more out of Toronto:
- Bruce Arthur of The Toronto Star agrees that Embiid’s superstar performance is overwhelming Toronto, but says this series feels different than when the pre-Kawhi Raptors used to get eliminated year after year by LeBron James. This time around, Toronto has enough potential in-house star power – especially in Barnes, Siakam, and OG Anunoby – that the team doesn’t need to dream about bringing in a big name via trade or free agency, Arthur opines.
- Anunoby remains a mystery for the Raptors, Koreen writes in another story for The Athletic. The fifth-year forward is once again playing some of his best basketball in the playoffs (24.0 PPG on 57.4% shooting), but injuries interfered with his development this season and it’s unclear how his postseason production would be affected if Philadelphia wasn’t so focused on slowing down Siakam. Toronto badly needs at least 70 games from Anunoby next season to get a better sense of his long-term role for the franchise, says Koreen.
- Following the Raptors’ Game 3 loss, head coach Nick Nurse told reporters, “We’ll have Scottie back on Saturday and another weapon to use” (Twitter link via Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca). Despite being down 3-0 to the Sixers, it sounds as if the Raps expect to bring Barnes back in Game 4 after the standout rookie missed the last two games due to an ankle sprain.
- Second-year big man Precious Achiuwa, acquired in last summer’s Kyle Lowry sign-and-trade, missed a pair of crucial free throws near the end of the Raptors’ Game 3 loss, but the team came away thrilled with the 22-year-old’s play (20 points on 9-of-11 shooting) in a high-pressure game, writes Doug Smith of The Toronto Star. Fred VanVleet called it a “breakout performance,” while Nurse said he was “really proud” of how Achiuwa played.
When they had Kawhi it felt like he was shooting 70% from the field all playoffs.
The Lowry-Derozan-Valens trio was better, just nothing equal to James. The current group is probably deeper.
I think personally, you trade Siakam for Gobert. Raptors need a rim protecting center and Utah needs a big man scorer for Mitchell. Both the contracts work for money/length. Raptors don’t have enough rim protection with Embiid/Giannis in the same conference. Utah can retool and Siakam can be a better fit for their defense with all the athletic big man the Western Conference has currently. Both teams have a need and this would solve it and start fresh.
Honestly that’s the most realistic offer I’ve seen for Utah to retool. Siakim would be a great fit. The only thing is that no one can truly replace Gobert on defense with the way he sees the floor and his rim protection that isn’t already locked up for their teams like Bam, Allen and Draymond. Maybe Bogi and a first could get you someone that’s possibly close enough.
Taco, you can’t really “replace” a multiple time DPOY award winner. I think Utah just lacks a big man who can get you 15-22 PPG. It’s heavily relied on guard play. I get it, it’s a guard league but you need a big man who can also get you some offense. Gobert does not have ANY offensive skill set besides dunking and boards. I think the only way they can replace Gobert is go a bit smaller? Sort of what GSW does and a numerous other teams have implemented? Of course, I’m not saying Utah has the players or athletes that GSW does but maybe they role out a smaller lineup with Siakam in the middle and then put Bogi at the 4? Also, I know Clarkson is a great 6th man but the man shot 31% from 3 point land this year on 7.6 3PT Attempted per game. That’s a horrible percentage. Maybe you go out and get a Terrance Ross for Clarkson? Ross is a better 3 point shooter and defender than Clarkson will ever be or is. Whatever they are doing, it’s not working and I think this is the last week we see this era of Utah basketball as we know it.
FWIW: I had Utah in 6 over Dallas, but if you can’t even beat a team without their best player, you don’t deserve to win in my opinion. This is the same team that lost last year in the Semifinals without Kawhi in the final 2 games of the series. SMH
Whiteside has worked out well in limited minutes this season. I certainly wouldn’t want to expand his role but perhaps as a rim protector when needed.
This season seemed to fall apart when Ingles went down. He was their glue guy, at 6’8″ he at least had the size and smarts if not the athleticism to slow down his man. He can knock down shots and could create for others off the bench.
Clarkson was just what the doctor needed last year but this year he’s at times hurt the team more than helped.
That series last year did disappoint but everyone seems to look past the fact that while yes Kawhi wasn’t playing both Mitchell and Conley were both playing injured and were both severely hampered with their lateral movement. Mitchell’s injury took away his burst as well.
This series isn’t over yet though they’re only down 2-1 and with the Booker injury there’s still a path to the WCF.
Great point on Ingles. He was totally their leader in that lockerroom. He was the glue guy, the swiss army knife, etc. Without him, there’s really no communication in this series both on the perimeter and defense. I have no faith in Utah anymore. Without Luka, they should have been up 3-0, but they let Game 2 slip away from them and totally were outplayed on their home floor last night. It’s very a discouraging sign that you cannot even start well when you come back home after stealing 1-1 against a team missing it’s best player and a top 10 player in the league.
Rudy’s stats …..
2021-22 >> 15.6 pts, 14.7 reb.
I get the feeling that Nurse will get the are after the series. Siakam is overrated can can be replaced by Precious. The value of big men is crashing. KAT is no longer the Wolves best/marquee player. That honor has been earned by Anthony Edwards. Double double guys are cheap and common. Rim protection has been diminished by the preeminence of the 3pt shot.
Did you mean to say Nurse will get the axe? There’s no way that’s happening. This team wasn’t even supposed to make the playoffs.
I don’t see Nurse getting fired, if he chooses to leave it’ll be on his terms.
Nurse isn’t getting fired and Siakam is still underated. If you need a bucket…give the ball to Siakam, need a playmaker because your all star PG went down…give it to Siakam, need a hard nosed defender that can switch from a rangy wing to a speedy guard…once again there’s Siakam.
Achiuwa “missed a pair of crucial free throws near the end of the Raptors’ Game 3 loss, but the team came away thrilled”
– Isn’t that PRECIOUS!
“As Eric Koreen of The Athletic writes, Embiid’s dominance is a reminder to the Raptors how much easier things are in the postseason when you have a superstar to lean on. The last time the two teams met in the playoffs, it was a Toronto superstar – Kawhi Leonard –
Really ????
Maybe if the Raptors had a real Center. They could compete. Clowns talk about the big man is not what it use to be. Yet the last MVPs are Giannis, Jokic, and probably Embiid. All seven footers. Who play BIG.