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Toronto Raptors: 10 Bold Predictions for the 2016-17 Season

By Demar Grant

May 27, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Fire shoots up from the basket arms during player introductions prior to the Toronto Raptors hosting Cleveland Cavaliers in game six of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre.The Cavaliers won 113-87. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 27, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Fire shoots up from the basket arms during player introductions prior to the Toronto Raptors hosting Cleveland Cavaliers in game six of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre.The Cavaliers won 113-87. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Raptors
Oct 3, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) during the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

4) Pascal Siakam logs minutes at back-up centre

Every time I talk about young players, I feel as though someone is sneaking up behind me and lowering a tine foil hat on my head. However, Siakam is a young, spry, agile big man who has the length and height akin to Bismack Biyombo, the player the Raptors just lost in free agency.

SIakam is a rookie and prone to rookie mistakes, but the Raptors have a deficiency at centre this year. There is no certain answer behind Jonas Valanciunas, and coach Dwane Casey is going to have to get creative with his lineups.

Siakam not only has the physical profile of a good rim protector, he also has quick enough feet to guard players on the perimeter, at least for a short span of time. Big men don’t have to do only one thing – the best defenders are versatile to the point that they can guard multiple positions.

Casey thinks Siakam is a three/four now, but he has to see that he is basically Biyombo reincarnated sooner or later… Right…?! Right?!?!

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