Special to the AmNews
The Toronto Raptors’ 6-foot-9 frontcourt force, Bismack Biyombo, flashes what seems to be a perpetual smile when fiercely competing against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. The 23-year-old native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, one of the world’s poorest and most politically chaotic countries, has emphatically introduced himself to the global basketball fan base this postseason.
He has been instrumental to the Raptors’ surprising revival in the best-of-seven series versus the Cavaliers. After losing the first two games on the road, the Raptors had the look of a near lifeless team. They were playing without their starting center, Jonas Valanciunas, who was sidelined since sustaining a sprained right ankle in Game 3 of the Raptors’ conference semifinals matchup versus the Miami Heat, in addition to trying to overcome the uncharacteristically poor play of all-star point guard Kyle Lowry.
But Biyombo, inserted into the starting rotation by head coach Dwane Casey in the absence of Valanciunas, became a revelation, at least to many of the followers of the series. His energy, athleticism and sheer tenacity helped will the Raptors to two straight wins at home to tie the Cavaliers 2-2 heading into Game 5 last night (Wednesday) in Cleveland.
In Game 3, Biyombo dominated the glass, snatching a Raptors playoff record with 26 rebounds. The effervescent player has greatly increased his value during this postseason and will be in line for a large increase this summer of his current $2.94 million salary as a highly sought-after unrestricted free agent.
“It was amazing,” said Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan of Biyombo’s Game 3 effort. “Without him, we probably wouldn’t get this win.”
Biyombo foreshadowed his success in the NBA when he posted the first ever triple-double in the three-decade history of Nike Hoop Summit in 2011, matching a team of some the best USA high school players, led by superstar Anthony Davis. But it has taken him nearly five years to realize his potential.
After being drafted by the Sacramento Kings in June of 2011 (seventh overall) and then traded to the Charlotte Bobcats the same night, Biyombo languished for four seasons in Charlotte.
Now in his fifth season in the league, he has become indispensable to the Raptors.