Bismack Biyombo is the spirit of the Toronto Raptors.
That's what Raptors coach Dwane Casey stated following Toronto's 99-84 Game 3 win over the Cavs in which Biyombo grabbed a franchise record 26 rebounds, completely controlling the glass against Tristan Thompson -- who happens to be one of the best rebounders in the world himself.
Biyombo's 26 boards bested his previous record of 25, which he set earlier this season in a victory over the Indiana Pacers. It also shattered the Raptors' previous playoff record set by Jonas Valanciunas when he grabbed 19 rebounds in Game 1 of their first-round series against those same Pacers. Since Valanciunas went down with an ankle injury in Game 3 against the Miami Heat, Biyombo has stepped in to play major minutes for the Raptors at the center position and has provided the same level of effort and defensive intensity at the rim as Valanciunas, if not more.
"That's what he does," said Casey, who compared Biyombo's efforts to what Dennis Rodman used to do. "He's one of the top rebounders in the league and no telling how many times he gets hit and fouled under there without being called. I'm gonna say this: I think he gets hit almost on every rebound and putback there is. And he just doesn't get the calls."
That's one of the dirty little secrets to why his Cavs counterpart Tristan Thompson is so good at offensive rebounding. He clutches the arms and hands of his opponents. He throws out subtle shoves as the ball is coming off the rim to take away the balance of the man he's rebounding against. Credit Thompson. Rebound is about wanting the ball more than the other guy, and tricks of the trade go a long way. It's what all great rebounders have always done. Biyombo's answering that challenge with his own strength and energy was a big reason Toronto became the first team to beat the Cavs in these playoffs.
"He just had a great game," Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said. "He feeds off the crowd very well. They feed off of him. And throughout the whole playoffs, when they play at home, he's been a force to be reckoned with."
Biyombo has grabbed 93 of his 160 rebounds at home during this postseason run. Those 160 rebounds are more than any other player so far with Steven Adams second in the postseason with 131 rebounds.
This couldn't be coming at a better time for Biyombo, too. He has a player option for just under $3 million next season. He'd be crazy to exercise that option. Instead, he'll likely become an unrestricted free agent and cash in on this good season as the backup center for the Raptors and this playoff push in Valanciunas' absence. Valanciunas may not return for Game 4. During the Game 2 telecast, Mike Breen mentioned that hoping for Valanciunas to play in Game 4 sounded like wishful thinking from the Raptors.
If that's the case, Biyombo's historic effort for the Raptors' franchise may need to be replicated. He'll have to continue to grapple with Thompson on the boards and protect the rim. Before the series started, reporters asked Biyombo if he was scared of the Cavs and LeBron James going against them in the conference finals. Biyombo replied that he wasn't afraid of James. The only thing he's afraid of are lions.
Those going for a rebound in this series should probably be afraid of Biyombo.
