Should Chris Boucher be inserted into the starting lineup?
It’s the latest question plaguing Raptors Twitter. The question replaces other early-season hot topics like: can somebody other than Kyle Lowry step up? Will Fred VanVleet be an All-Star this season? Is Pascal Siakam back?
Along with OG Anunoby, who has quietly risen to no. 3 in steals and no. 11 in two-point FG%, Toronto’s core four appear to each be rounding into form. The Center position, however, is very much in flux.
Over the last five games, here is Aron Baynes’ and Alex Len’s minutes' distribution:
- @ Sacramento — Len started and played 4:43; Baynes (DNP)
- @ Golden State — Baynes & Len (DNP)
- @ Portland — Len started and played 9:33; Baynes (DNP)
- vs Charlotte — Baynes started and played 7:33; Len (DNP)
- vs Charlotte — Baynes started and played 4:20; Len (DNP)
Meanwhile, Boucher has been on an absolute tear.