Tyler Hansbrough brings more than a culture change to Raptors

The pervading theme of Tyler Hansbrough’s arrival in Toronto is about how his signing points to a culture change for the Raptors. Al Dannity says this is correct but only scratches the surface of what the former Naismith Trophy winner brings to the team.

It wasn’t even close to a straight swap but culturally the equation fits. Andrea Bargnani out, Tyler Hansbrough in. Bargnani is a big who doesn’t like to bang, Psycho T can’t get enough contact around the hoop. It would be silly for me to sit here and make a contrarian argument saying Hansbrough doesn’t represent a tougher look for the Raptors. It would be equally foolish for me to accept that he’s nothing more than a banger who will influence his team mates to play a more physical style.

Hansbrough was pretty much the definitive Pacer since that organisation underwent a rather successful overhaul. It’s not just about grit. The Pacers bring a level of efficiency and focus to both ends of the floor that every team aspires to. Despite a drop off in production last season, Hansbrough was still immensely successful at drawing and-ones. Every point counts and Hansbrough plays with that intelligence on offence and defence.

Now look at who he’s going to be working with. The front court for Toronto will probably be Jonas Valanciunas, Rudy Gay, and Amir Johnson. Hansbrough is an excellent rotation piece to put with this trio. When Valanciunas or Johnson sits, Hansbrough can fill their role without the Raptors changing shape. When Gay sits, Hansbrough’s insertion turns Toronto’s front court into the mini-Pistons. Strategically this is a great signing. Hansbrough will get some starts but his real value will come off the bench.

Last season the North Carolina product saw his minutes diminish. With at a Toronto team that’s starting to get interesting, he’s certain to be more than a 20-minute energy guy. Hansbrough may be the antithesis of making a side League-Pass friendly but he’ll hardly turn away casual viewers either. Where Hansbrough succeeds is in the little things. Having been a star in NCAA Basketball, Hansbrough’s attention to detail occasionally got overlooked. As an underdog in the NBA, it’s his greatest asset. Hansbrough knows he isn’t a skilful as his peers so instead he changes the challenge. Instead of finding a way to beat them, he gives them ways to lose to him. The fewer mistakes he makes, the fewer his opponents can afford. That’s the real culture change he brings to Toronto. Offer opponents enough ways to lose and they’ll probably find one.