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Toronto Raptors: 5 Questions For 2015-16

By Joshua Howe

Apr 24, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) dribbles the ball as Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) defends in the fourth quarter in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 106-99, and lead the series 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) dribbles the ball as Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) defends in the fourth quarter in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 106-99, and lead the series 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 15, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) shoots the ball as Charlotte Hornets center Bismack Biyombo (8) defends during the first half at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) shoots the ball as Charlotte Hornets center Bismack Biyombo (8) defends during the first half at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Can JV Step Up?

Fresh off of his $64 million contract, Jonas Valanciunas has a lot to prove. He’s stated that he’s ready for it and excited for it, so let’s hope that that’s not just nice talk for all those too ignorant to realize he’s never made any serious leaps during his first three seasons in the league.

Questions abound about Jonas himself. The development staff hasn’t seemed to do a stellar job with him, and Dwane Casey has made some questionable coaching decisions in regards to playing time and, more specifically, fourth quarter minutes.

But it’s not just the staff. Valanciunas himself has, at times, been puzzling. He seems to get breathless quickly, needing a breather after relatively short spurts of running time. He also made the team worse when he was on the floor last season, with the best bigs combination for the Raptors being Amir Johnson and Patrick Patterson.

Still, that’s not to say that all JV has done is bad. There is a ton of untapped potential in the young man and we’ve seen flashes of it. He is a player that looks as though he’s ready to make the leap, and it’s clear that Toronto is trying to send, not only fans, but their big man the message that they’ve bought in. That contract was a big boy’s deal, and one that management is hoping they won’t regret.

If everything goes right this season, we should see a new Jonas Valanciunas. Almost discreetly, he’s the team’s bet on the future. He’s the building block for the franchise moving forward. Trust has been placed in him to come through, and it’s a nerve racking thought for a fan base who just dealt with another European big man who was supposed to do the same thing and failed miserably.

The lights are on you, JV.

Next: What's T-Ross Got?

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