Toronto Raptors: Player grades for first 2 weeks of the season

5. Jonas Valanciunas

Stats: 13.6 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.3 APG in 18.3 MPG, 52.6 FG%

With the Raptors currently possessing a strong core of big men including Jonas Valanciunas, Siakam and Ibaka, it comes as no shock that the Lithuanian is averaging the lowest amount of minutes in his career. However, you cannot complain when he’s averaging 13.6 points and 7.3 rebounds in barely 18.3 minutes per game. That’s is the literal definition of hyper-efficiency, as he is coasting his way to a 27.5 PER.

Furthermore, Jonas has thrived in this new role. Nurse is now splitting playing time between him and Serge Ibaka at the 5-spot, and boy, is it working. They are both averaging no fewer than 13 points and seven rebounds per game on a seemingly even split of minutes. Nonetheless, even Valanciunas’ per 36 minutes numbers are at an eye-popping 26 and 14.

Credit Nurse for coming up with this plan, and credit both big men for maximizing what they can do in a shorter period of time. Overall, if things keep going like they are for Valanciunas, a Sixth Man of the Year campaign could be in the works, as he has only started only three games so far.

Grade: A-