National Basketball Association

Raptors JV & Bebe - time to play together?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

DeMar DeRozan’s scoring exploits have papered over the shortcoming in the Raptors offense. It’s time to get imaginative before the magic ends.

The recent play of Toronto Raptors centre Lucas (Bebe) Nogueira has brought smiles to the faces of team fans. After compiling a seemingly unending string of DNP-CDs over the last few years, the Brazilian centre has taken advantage of his thrust into the spotlight. Blocking five Knicks shots on Saturday was the icing on a cake which also included 10 rebounds and 6 points.

Nov 6, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Lucas Nogueira (42) tries to keep the ball in bounds against Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) at Air Canada Centre. The Kings beat the Raptors 96-91. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Meanwhile, starting centre Jonas Valanciunas has been capable offensively, but his defensive play has been worrisome. There have been too many offensive rebounds given up lately. JV has appeared to be a step behind in rotations.

All the while, the Raptors’ chronic weak spot, power forward, has been occupied by committee. While Pascal Siakam has been the starter, and has shown he was not a wasted draft pick, Patrick Patterson has played the bulk of the minutes.

I’d like to see Raptors coach Dwane Casey try an experiment. Start Bebe at centre with JV as the 4-man.

Jonas has jump-shooting range out to about 18 feet, but rarely gets to use it because he’s either setting picks at the top of the key or receiving the ball in the low post. That’s the centre’s job, but it’s one Bebe can undertake just as well. In the meantime, JV could be shooting over his man, as he’s almost certain to be bigger than whoever is covering him.

The Raptors’ mid-range attack is currently unbalanced, to put it mildly, as DeMar DeRozan takes virtually all those shots. Getting some complementary scoring would help DD greatly; he’s got to be getting sick of the double-teams he’s facing every night.

I don’t like predictability in an offense. There’s a need to show different looks constantly, to keep opponents’ defences guessing. I have no idea whether Bebe’s recent fine play proves he’s ready for major minutes or is a fluke. If he’s the real deal, JV is too good a scorer (and the Raptors have too big a hole at PF) to not give this configuration a try.

What’s the worst that could happen? Not much – perhaps Bebe’s man cheats on JV, who suddenly has no room. Or the other guys go small, and we can’t keep up. Whatever; it’s another option for a Raptors offense that too often is in a rut.

I have trouble believing the Raptors can succeed by relying on DeRozan to pour in 34 points a night. A Twin Towers offense may flop, but it’s still worth a try.