Eric Smith’s Raptors mailbag The curious case of Jonas Valanciunas

Eric Smith’s Raptors mailbag The curious case of Jonas Valanciunas Eric Smith’s Raptors mailbag The curious case of Jonas Valanciunas Jonas Valanciunas' minutes were a typical topic from various people that tweeted-in inquiries this week. Valanciunas is Toronto's third-best player at this moment and the third choice on this group behind, clearly, DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry. So I can value your craving to see him play increasingly and be utilized more. In any case, with regards to the last four amusements particularly, there is a legitimate clarification. We should work backward: Versus Golden State: After a strong begin in the primary quarter for JV and the Raptors general, Golden State went littler in the second quarter and thusly went on a run. Warriors focus Zaza Pachulia wasn't on the floor a ton and the match-ups against JaVale McGee or David West weren't as ideal for Valanciunas. In this manner, Dwane Casey took a gander at different choices. Eventually Toronto got in Golden State's here and there diversion, and that pace doesn't support the Raptors enormous man either. The Raps weren't backing off and working the post in all out attack mode end and you can't depend on JV to sprint back on D everytime either (couple of huge men can). So I truly think Wednesday was simply coordinate up driven. Versus Cleveland: Valanciunas logged 34:29 minutes, just 44 seconds not as much as his season high on premiere night against Detroit. So I don't have an issue with his use on Tuesday by any means. Versus New York: After the triumph over the Knicks, Casey recognized (I'm summarizing) that he wasn't sure how sound his enormous man was. Is it accurate to say that he was completely back to 100% in the wake of missing two or three recreations with a knee injury? The mentor was being careful. However, moreover, Lucas Nogueira was playing insane in what was apparently his best amusement as a master. The choice to breaking point JV was simple and not without legitimacy. Versus Charlotte: It was Valanciunas' first diversion back following a week of rest—sitting out two straight amusements – and he was basically moved in. Nothing all the more, nothing less. What's more, in view of Casey's words the following night (as noted above) there was absolutely a sentiment circumspection from the training staff with their huge man. With fights approaching throughout the following few days with Jusuf Nurkic, Nikola Jokic, DeMarcus Cousins and DeAndre Jordan I would hope to see a ton a greater amount of Valanciunas. I wager he midpoints 30+ minutes and his part increments once more. I'm not certain I would depict it as a "gap", Dan. Despite the fact that Toronto has gone little on occasion this season, we haven't seen DeMarre Carroll play much at the four. Rather, Casey has run with a substantial measurement of Pascal Siakim and Patrick Patterson, with a little sprinkling of Jakob Poeltl (however the vast majority of his minutes have been at the five). Yes, Jared Sullinger should be the starter and I think he could have solidly affected the Raptors beginning unit this season (and will when he returns in the New Year). In any case, even with Sully sidelined, Toronto got off to a 7-2 begin with a youngster control forward. Siakim has not watched strange. He's dynamic and unafraid on safeguard, and he has indicated certainty to make a go (when required) on offense, while running the floor, setting screens and pursuing down bounce back and tip-ins. He's high-vitality and hustle—the sort of qualities each mentor needs. Actually, I'd be more "worried" about Toronto's group wide conflicting 3pt shooting at this moment, and not their charged take cover front. I know there has been a huge amount of talk in the course of the last two amusements about the shriek and the apparent idea that Toronto doesn't get calls (hello, on occasion, I purchase that hypothesis as well). Be that as it may, Vince Carter is positively not the last Raptor to get calls. On Wednesday night, however hacked and whacked without an approach a couple events, DeRozan still went to the free toss line 17 times! Indeed, he set an individual record for sequential free tosses in one amusement with those 17.