Tip of the Tower
Fansided

Toronto Raptors: 6 revelations from Game 2 loss to Cavaliers

By Demar Grant

TORONTO, ON - MAY 03: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers goes up for a shot in the second half of Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Toronto Raptors during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on May 3, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 03: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers goes up for a shot in the second half of Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Toronto Raptors during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on May 3, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
TORONTO, ON – MAY 01: Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors shoots the ball as Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers defends in the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre on May 1, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

4. Ibaka? Ibaka!? IBAKA!!!!!!

Where is Ibaka? Seriously, I haven’t seen the guy since Game1 of the Raptors – Wizards series. Posting two points, six rebounds and one assist in 12 minutes, it looks like Dwane Casey has had enough.

Serge was 0-for-5 from the field and has looked borderline unplayable. He’s been horrible defensively and the mistakes made on offence are unbearably demoralizing.

There was a time when Ibaka was heralded as the final piece to the Raptors’ starting lineup, possibly the third option. This is no longer the case.

When the Raptors traded for Ibaka, they though they were getting a switchable power forward who was able to play up to small ball centre if need be; this has never manifested. Every Ibaka at centre lineup has been a net negative during the regular season and post-season.

All of the discussion about how the Raptors guard Love at the 5 was supposed to be solved by Ibaka. With Ibaka shirking from post-season moments, he only brings more questions than answers.

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