A recent Insider article at ESPN shares the 10 things to look for this season. Tom Haberstroh writes this for #6:
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story...s-watch-season
Remember the name (and the pronunciation, too): Jonas Valanciunas
If you're looking for a reason the Toronto Raptors jumped to a 5-1 start in the preseason, look no further than the immediate impact of the 20-year-old Lithuanian big man, Jonas Valanciunas (pronounced Val-ehn-chew-ness). The near-7-footer has been an instant presence underneath, averaging more than eight points and eight rebounds in his past four games as the Raptors' starter. More impressively, he's kept his fouls down to a manageable level while seemingly blocking everything in sight.
It's too early to say whether Valanciunas is ready to be a legitimate NBA starter, but there's a lot to like about this kid as he tests the NBA waters for the first time. His youthful energy (he's probably calling for the ball as you read this) and underrated skills on the block has befuddled opposing defenses already. If Valanciunas is ready to be a cog in the middle, Dwane Casey could coach this team into the playoffs.
If you're looking for a reason the Toronto Raptors jumped to a 5-1 start in the preseason, look no further than the immediate impact of the 20-year-old Lithuanian big man, Jonas Valanciunas (pronounced Val-ehn-chew-ness). The near-7-footer has been an instant presence underneath, averaging more than eight points and eight rebounds in his past four games as the Raptors' starter. More impressively, he's kept his fouls down to a manageable level while seemingly blocking everything in sight.
It's too early to say whether Valanciunas is ready to be a legitimate NBA starter, but there's a lot to like about this kid as he tests the NBA waters for the first time. His youthful energy (he's probably calling for the ball as you read this) and underrated skills on the block has befuddled opposing defenses already. If Valanciunas is ready to be a cog in the middle, Dwane Casey could coach this team into the playoffs.
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