Toronto Raptors: 5 goals for Jonas Valanciunas in 2017-18

5. Garner respect for his outside shot

Jonas Valanciunas entered the NBA with an impressive repertoire of low post moves.

Blessed with a potent hook shot, as he knocked down 59.9 percent of those shots a year ago, and a knack for converting at the basket, shooting 62.7 percent at the rim, Valanciunas scored 12 points per game for the third consecutive season.

Even though he is a viable scoring option, ranking 14th among all centers in scoring average a year ago, when he squares up from the outside, opponents are tempted to let him shoot.

During a preseason game against Detroit, Pistons center Andre Drummond showed how little respect he has for the jump shooting capabilities of Valanciunas.

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/917905944872439809

For his career, Valanciunas has made just 1-of-4 attempts from 3-point range. A shot from beyond the arc isn’t a necessity for him to maintain his scoring numbers, but a respectable outside shot would be a bonus.

Valanciunas converted just 39.8 percent of his attempts from 16 feet out to the 3-point line — not enough for Drummond to even bother contesting his shot.

If Valanciunas can make opponents pay for leaving him open, it adds a much needed dimension to the Raptors’ offense.