Raptors Want Jonas Valanciunas To Be The Best Rim Protector In The NBA
The Toronto Raptors made a notable impression on the Eastern Conference last season, earning themselves a 3-seed going into the postseason. The core of their success is mostly attributed to the star back court of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, but Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas showed a promising energy in Toronto’s first round series against the Brooklyn Nets, particularly with his energy on the offensive end.
Well the Raptors are now focused on honing Valanciunas’ defensive abilities, and their expectations are way high, per Eric Koreen of the National Post.
Here’s what Raptors assistant coach Bill Bayno, who works heavily with Valanciunas, had to say,
One of the big focuses for us to advance in the playoffs is that he’s got to be the best rim protector — block shots, [legal] vertical [jumps] and being able to get over to that weak side early on any [dribble] penetration. At times he was great at it last year. … But we want it every night, 82 games.
Best in the league. We want him to be No. 1 in the NBA. We want that as a goal. Right now, [Pacers center Roy] Hibbert is the best. We want him chasing Hibbert. If he comes up a little short, hopefully he’s going to be elite, one of the top five in the league.
According to NBA.com, the Raptors gave up 103.7 points per 100 possessions with Valanciunas on the floor and 100.5 without him. That certainly has to change in order for him to meet these qualifications, as does his presence, awareness, and mentality on the defensive end. The Raptors need him to be an anchor that the aforementioned Roy Hibbert, Tyson Chandler, and Dwight Howard are for their teams. Any steps that Valanciunas takes towards improving as an offensive player or defensive presence helps Toronto’s balance on both ends of the floor, increasing their chances of legitimacy as a contender in the conference.
More from Bayno on the logistics,
When he’s on that weak side, [we need him] not hugging up to his man. It’s a catch-22 because sometimes we’re saying, ‘Hey, you’ve got to block out [Kings big man] DeMarcus Cousins. But when our defence breaks down and there’s a rim attack, he’s got to leave DeMarcus and trust that we’re going to crack down and have his help. It’s being able to be alert and be ready and read both of those situations. A lot of times he’s going to help and see that the [Raptors] guard has [dribble penetration] under control, so then he’s got to get back to his guy on block out. … It’s hard. It’s not easy.
These are typical principles for interior defense, but Bayno is right, they are not easy nor are they simple. Defense is a choice, an effort, and an ongoing process of willingness and communication. Valanciunas is being asked to start mastering it in his third season.
