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Toronto Raptors: It’s Time for Jonas Valanciunas to Shine

By Vinnie

Apr 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) celebrates after making a basket against the Indiana Pacers in game two of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) celebrates after making a basket against the Indiana Pacers in game two of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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With Bismack Biyombo now in Orlando, the stars are aligned for Jonas Valanciunas to be in the game for the Toronto Raptors when it matters most.

The Toronto Raptors‘ campaign commences on Wednesday night and it’s time for Jonas Valanciunas to shine. Certainly, he is one person everyone should be paying close attention to during this season.

The seven foot, 265 pound big man is entering his fifth NBA season with high hopes for himself and the team, and is a bargain at $14.4 million for the year, compared to his centre peers. For example, Enes Kanter will make $17.1 million, Bismack Biyombo and Joakim Noah will earn $17 million, while Timofey Mozgov will rake in $16 million.

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Valanciunas’ minutes have been between 26-28 per game for three seasons now, but that needs to increase. I can recall various situations last season where I was left scratching my head, asking why he wasn’t in the game?

We’d sometimes see Valanciunas sitting on the bench in the fourth quarter, probably wondering the same thing to himself. The starting centre wouldn’t be in foul trouble, he wouldn’t look tired and he’d be having an outstanding game with a bunch of field goals, few misses and an impressive amount of rebounds.

Well, Valanciunas is now approaching his prime at the ripe age of 24. It’s time to see him exceed the 30-minute mark consistently.

Dwayne Casey has been asked about his centre’s playing time in post game interviews and press conferences in the past. He’s stated that it has been a part of his development and that he would begin to see bigger minutes as his development progressed.

Last season, Valanciunas shot 56.5 percent from the field and 76.1 percent from the free throw line, for 12.8 points per game. He also added 9.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks, all in just 26 minutes per game.

Toronto Raptors
Apr 16, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) comes down with a rebound against Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) during the first half of game one of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

With Biyombo now in Orlando, the stars are aligned for the giant Lithuanian to be in the game when it matters the most. He’s sometimes in foul trouble, but averages just 2.6 per game, so that can’t be a reason to keep him off the court.

Number 17 also isn’t negatively affected by the “Hack-a-Shaq”, since his free throw percentage is superb, especially for a centre. So there is no good reason to have him on the bench in the fourth quarter with less than five minutes to go, unless he’s fouled out or injured.

There are some other young players to keep an eye out for, Iike Cory Joseph and Norman Powell, who we’d expect to have excellent seasons. But if the Raptors intend on making it to the Conference Finals again and give the Cavaliers a run for their money — with the assumption Cleveland will make it there again — Valanciunas will have to be utilized to his full potential.

Next: 4 Raptors' storylines to follow this season

What’s you take on JV heading into the new campaign? Do you think he will have a big season for the Raptors? Let us know in the comments section below.

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