Hoops Habit
Fansided

The Biggest X-Factor On Every NBA Playoff Team

By Gerald Bourguet

Dec 4, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) drives in between New Orleans Pelicans forward Tyreke Evans (1) and forward Anthony Davis (23) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) drives in between New Orleans Pelicans forward Tyreke Evans (1) and forward Anthony Davis (23) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
10 of 17
Next
NBA
Nov 7, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) attempts to pass Washington Wizards forward Nene (42) in the third period. Toronto won 103-84. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports /

Toronto Raptors: Jonas Valanciunas

(*Guitar solo.*) His name is Jonas! (*Strumming.*) He’s carrying the Raps. (*Second solo.*) Thanks for the first quarter (*loud strumming*), now here’s your spot on the bench.

It’s a good thing Dwane Casey didn’t write “My Name Is Jonas,” because it probably would have sounded something like that. As we saw in the playoffs last year and for the majority of the regular season, Toronto loves to go to Valanciunas early, and the big guy is extremely effective early on…and throughout the game in general, when given the chance.

But for whatever reason, Casey usually sits JV for large portions of the fourth quarter. Valanciunas isn’t a very good interior defender, but Toronto will need his size against the likes of Nene and Marcin Gortat in the first round. This offense runs through Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, but what happens if Lowry is still feeling worn down?

The Raptors could use the interior scoring Valanciunas brings to the table. Here’s hoping the “come sit next to me, pour yourself some tea” part of the song doesn’t apply here.

Next: Portland Trail Blazers