Raptors Rapture » Jonas Valanciunas http://raptorsrapture.com A Toronto Raptors Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More Tue, 21 May 2013 09:55:26 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 Jonas Valanciunas makes the All-Rookie Team http://raptorsrapture.com/2013/05/15/jonas-valanciunas-makes-the-all-rookie-team/ http://raptorsrapture.com/2013/05/15/jonas-valanciunas-makes-the-all-rookie-team/#comments Wed, 15 May 2013 18:05:37 +0000 Brian Boake http://raptorsrapture.com/?p=3108 It’s welcome news to learn of JV’s election to the All-Rookie Second Team. The Toronto Raptors have not had a lot of standout rookies (the last three Raps to get elected were Jamario Moon, Andrea Bargnani and Jorge Garbojosa – let’s hope the career arc of JV extends slightly higher than those guys!), so we [...]

Jonas Valanciunas makes the All-Rookie Team - Raptors Rapture - Raptors Rapture - A Toronto Raptors Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

]]> It’s welcome news to learn of JV’s election to the All-Rookie Second Team. The Toronto Raptors have not had a lot of standout rookies (the last three Raps to get elected were Jamario Moon, Andrea Bargnani and Jorge Garbojosa – let’s hope the career arc of JV extends slightly higher than those guys!), so we need to go back to Chris Bosh, MoPete and Vince to find All-Rookie Raps who truly panned out. To me, making this team is a meaningful honour, as it’s the NBA coaches who do the voting.

Scanning the historical All-Rookie list is fascinating. Sure, there are lots of now-great players as you would expect (Tony Parker, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Kevin Durant) but there are a lot more flameouts than I would have thought (Adam Morrison, Jonny Flynn, Marcus Fizer are but a few Gong Show choices). It shows how difficult it is to extrapolate a player’s future when even the top minds in the NBA can go so wrong.

Apr 6, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Terrence Ross (31) shoots over Milwaukee Bucks forward Mike Dunleavy (17) during the first quarter at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Getting back to JV’s selection: while the coaches vote on players regardless of position, you could in fact field a team with the 10 choices, as there are a reasonable number of backcourt and frontcourt representatives. JV finished third in the imaginary big man ballot, behind easy choices Anthony Davis of New Orleans and Detroit’s Andre Drummond, but ahead of the Cavaliers’ Tyler Zeller. Davis and Washington’s Bradley Beal must feel slightly cursed, as their 57-points total would win the All-Rookie Award most years. Not this one, however – Portland’s Damian Lillard received all 29 possible first-place votes, and certainly looked to these eyes like a player who will rack up many more awards before he’s through. The young man can create, and make, his own shot from anywhere. If he manages to become even an average defender, he’s a serious All-Star candidate.

JV richly deserved his spot, and might well have bumped up into the First Team had the season gone on much longer. If there were a most improved rookie award (I know, we’re getting silly now), he’s my top choice.

Final thought: Terrence Ross managed to garner one second-team vote. Coach Whoever-You-Are, I hope your brave selection is vindicated in years to come.

Brian Boake is Senior Editor for Raptors Rapture. “Like” Raptors Rapture on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @RaptorsRapture for all the latest news and updates about the best damn NBA team from Canada.

 

 

]]> http://raptorsrapture.com/2013/05/15/jonas-valanciunas-makes-the-all-rookie-team/feed/ 0 The Oak for the Raps’ best defensive player goes to… http://raptorsrapture.com/2013/05/05/the-oak-for-the-raps-best-defensive-player-goes-to/ http://raptorsrapture.com/2013/05/05/the-oak-for-the-raps-best-defensive-player-goes-to/#comments Sun, 05 May 2013 12:55:11 +0000 Brian Boake http://raptorsrapture.com/?p=3084 In many ways, choosing a DPoY (Defensive Player of the Year) is the most difficult selection of all. By definition, if you’re on defense, you don’t have the ball, so there are only a few statistics which are relevant, like blocked shots and defensive rebounds. There are “phantom” stats, like shots negatively affected by a block [...]

The Oak for the Raps’ best defensive player goes to… - Raptors Rapture - Raptors Rapture - A Toronto Raptors Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

]]> In many ways, choosing a DPoY (Defensive Player of the Year) is the most difficult selection of all. By definition, if you’re on defense, you don’t have the ball, so there are only a few statistics which are relevant, like blocked shots and defensive rebounds. There are “phantom” stats, like shots negatively affected by a block attempt, or the number of times a defender kept his man in front of him, thereby denying him a drive to the basket, or a comfortable jump shot. “Had we but world enough, and time” [h/t, Andrew Marvell (1621–1678)]  I could research tipped and intercepted passes, the Rap who kept his opposite number to the biggest number of points below his season average, and on and on. But we don’t. Statistics can provide some backstopping, but I’m going to rely on my game scribblings and observations.

Mar 17, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center-forward Amir Johnson (15) and center Jonas Valanciunas (17) come down with a rebound as Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem (40) defends at the Air Canada Centre. Miami defeated Toronto 108-91. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

With all the mulling done, and notes accumulated, I’m nominating:

  • Amir Johnson
  • Jonas Valanciunas
  • Kyle Lowry
  • Rudy Gay (yes, I’m surprised too)

Amir’s candidacy emerges because of his stats leadership (#1 in blocks PG @ 1.4, #2 in D-rebounds @ 4.7) and consistent excellence. How often does Amir’s man beat him down the floor to score in transition following a Raps’ turnover? I’ll offer a hint: very seldom. Sure, he also “led” the team in Personal Fouls PG @ 3.7, but he was usually asked to guard the opponent’s toughest big man. Who else could do it – Andrea Bargnani?

Jonas Valanciunas improved defensively by leaps and bounds in his rookie season. I like his demeanor; he backs down to no one. His rebounding was not what it will be @ 4.0 PG, but 1.3 blocks is very solid. JV is still learning, and will be for years. He’s not a finished product in help defense situations, but he’s coachable and very young.

Kyle Lowry finished second in steals @ 1.4 PG, which you would expect from a speedy guard with quick hands. However,  grabbing 3.9 D-rebs (ahead of DeMar DeRozan and (sigh) AB, among others) is an unexpected bonus, and lifts his DPoY candidacy. Kyle struggled to defend taller elite point guards like Kyrie Irving, but who didn’t?

Apr 14, 2013; Toronto, ON, Canada; Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Johnson (7) scores against Toronto Raptors forward Rudy Gay (22) at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Rudy Gay’s 7 years of NBA experience shows up in his surprisingly solid defensive stats. Did his name come to mind when you wondered who led the team in D-rebs PG? Me neither, yet there he is @ 5.1. His blocks are a so-so 0.7, but he led in steals @ 1.7. Rudy sometimes appears to be not trying, but he usually had his man locked down.

A tough decision, but it’s time for the envelope. And the winner is….RUDY GAY [much sharp intake of breath indicating disbelief, and here and there some hooting]

Brian Boake is Senior Editor for Raptors Rapture. “Like” Raptors Rapture on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @RaptorsRapture for all the latest news and updates about the best damn NBA team from Canada.

Apr 12, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Bulls guard-forward Jimmy Butler (21) protects the ball against Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (3) at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Chicago 97-88. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

 

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