Toronto Raptors: Jonas Valanciunas or Bismack Biyombo?

3) Defence

Valanciunas

Career: PF – 2.9 / BLK – 1.1 / STL – 0.3 / BLK per 36 – 1.5 / STL per 36 – 0.5

This season: PF – 2.6 / BLK – 1.1 / STL – 0.4 / BLK per 36 – 1.5 / STL per 36 – 0.5

Biyombo

Career: PF – 2.3 / BLK – 1.6 / STL – 0.3/ BLK per 36 – 2.7/ STL per 36 – 0.4

This season: PF – 2.8 / BLK – 1.6 / STL – 0.2 / BLK per 36 – 2.6/ STL per 36 – 0.4

Of the three categories, this is the one where the nerd approach, i.e. use of stats is toughest to justify. This does not mean there isn’t some credence, but Goose Gossage is well within his rights to launch a f-bomb in our direction at this point.

For example, steals are not exactly a forte of these players, especially considering their position and skill set. (In any event, it’s a virtual whitewash.) Personal fouls is an interesting one, just in the fact Valanciunas has improved every season since entering the league, i.e. seeing his average fouls go down.

The stat with the most relevance and best connection to what you see on the court every night is blocks. In that respect, this confirms what most people think, that Biyombo is better at blocking shots.

However, as per that last stat and the Goose’s perspective, the eye test tells us all we need to know. Virtually everyone agrees that Biyombo is the better defender by some distance.

Guarding the rim, dealing with the pick-and-roll, rotating around the court. No matter what area of defence we consider, Valanciunas finishes second-best.

Advantage: Biyombo

Next: So, who's the better option overall?