Jonas Valanciunas was dealing with a fracture to his left hand earlier this season, and he chose to forego surgery and opt for rehabilitation. He is fortunate that he shoots with his right hand, because otherwise rehab might not have been an option. He has been brilliant for the Toronto Raptors so far, and they should give him more minutes to make sure he is ready for the playoffs.
Toronto has been the surprise team of the Eastern Conference this season. Valanciunas is averaging 12.3 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.18 blocks per game in only 26.3 minutes of action. His PER of 21.2 is the third best on the team, and he is showing true toughness to play through a sprained right thumb in the last week.
The Raptors are currently tied for third in the East with the Boston Celtics, and it should be a fun race in that conference from top to bottom. Toronto has a real chance to make some noise in the playoffs, and Valanciunas could be the focus of their offense at that time if his minutes improve in the next couple months.
Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan have both been fantastic as well, but that backcourt will need a big man to take the pressure off of them in the postseason. Valanciunas can answer that bell. The Raptors would have a much greater shot of advancing if they have better seeding, and playing their big men a lot more would help them in that cause.
Toronto head coach Dwane Casey has done a solid job with this crew, but the work won’t be done until they achieve playoff success. Getting swept last year wasn’t a good look, and Valanciunas could be the man to get them over the hump. Casey should seriously consider adjusting his big man’s minutes accordingly.
