Cavaliers pound the Raptors: Four things we learned

Toronto needs a plan for LeBron

LeBron James was an absolute force in Game 1, bulling his way to the rim and basically having his way with whoever the Raptors threw at him. DeMarre Carroll has had some success against LeBron in the past but he found his way into foul trouble quickly. The seldom-used James Johnson played 19 minutes and actually did a lot of positive things, but that’s probably not the solution Dwane Casey would like to be relying on. Terrence Ross is overmatched in strength, Patrick Patterson in foot speed, Norman Powell in experience. Basically, if Carroll can’t hold up against LeBron, things get ugly in a hurry.

One possible solution, which Jeff Van Gundy suggested in the second quarter, was having Biyombo defend LeBron. It’s an unorthodox and risky play but has some potential. In Game 1, and earlier in the playoffs, LeBron spent a lot of time in the post and around the paint, areas that play to Biyombo’s strengths. In lineups that feature Channing Frye, Kevin Love, or both, LeBron is easily the least threatening shooter on the floor and so moving Biyombo there might allow him space to move towards the basket.

LeBron would almost certainly shift to attacking Biyombo off the dribble but Biyombo could sag off LeBron, a’la Roy Hibbert. Then the choice for James becomes attacking a very good rim protector or a steady diet of moderately contested jumpers. Both of those options would probably be better for Toronto than what they gave Cleveland’s offense in Game 1. Biyombo on James may not be the answer, in fact, there may not be an answer, but Toronto has to figure out a plan for slowing down the best player on the floor.

Next: 1. Cleveland is much better than Toronto