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Toronto Raptors: Ranking Raptors players in 2018-19

By Jordan Fleguel

TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 30: Kyle Lowry #7 and Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors high five during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves January 30, 2018 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 30: Kyle Lowry #7 and Fred VanVleet #23 of the Toronto Raptors high five during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves January 30, 2018 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors Valanciunas flexing
TORONTO, ON – MAY 1: Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) is happy with his score. Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers in 2nd half action of Game 1 of NBA Eastern Conference semi final playoff play at Air Canada Centre. Raptors lost 113-112 in OT. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /

#4 Jonas Valanciunas

It might not seem like it since it’s happening very, very slowly, but Jonas Valanciunas is improving.  He has been the Raptors’ starting center pretty much since he first joined the team, and it took a while for him to adjust to the NBA’s style of play, but he’s finally where the Raptors want him.

Valanciunas used to be unplayable at the end of games because opposing teams would put him in a pick and roll, and guards would go right around him as if he wasn’t there.

He still makes those mistakes sometimes, but not nearly as much, and he’s come to accept that if he isn’t playing at the end of games, it’s not really his fault – there’s only so much you can expect from a bulky 7-footer like him.

He can also finally take advantage of the veteran status that he’s earned.  For what seemed like forever, he would battle in the post with players who knew exactly how to handle him.  Players like Tim Duncan, Dwight Howard, and Joakim Noah.  Those savvy post defenders really exposed Valanciunas’ weaknesses and made his life difficult.

Nowadays, and more and more each season, he’s playing against younger, inexperienced players who he can score against, out-muscle, and out-rebound much more easily.

Valanciunas has also done his best to keep up with the times and developed a respectable three-point shot.  Of course, this will never be a real strength of his and he is very reluctant to shoot them, but it’s added a whole new dimension to his game.

This coming season, Valanciunas will be somewhat of an X-Factor for the team.  It’s he who determines whether or not the Raptors will out-rebound opponents, and it’s he who will dictate if other teams can afford to go small against the Raptors or not.

With that being said, if this list was a ranking of who was most important to the Raptors right now, Valanciunas would be ranked a little higher.

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