Toronto Raptors: Why Jonas Valanciunas Was the Best-Case Scenario for Toronto

With the fifth pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, the Toronto Raptors are pleased to select...JONAS VALANCIUNAS of Lithuania.

Most Raptors fans probably turned off the television the moment they heard that the Raptors had picked another European with the pick that could have landed them Brandon Knight or Kemba Walker. I will also admit that I was pissed off with this pick as I wanted Brandon Knight to join the team, but after taking a long, thorough look at this pick, it all makes sense.

Valanciunas is exactly the opposite of Andrea Bargnani. He is not a very good offensive player when it comes to shooting the ball, but when it comes to rebounding and playing defense, Jonas is probably the best at both of those categories in the draft (except for Kenneth Faried in rebounding).

Most fans are wondering why Toronto did not pick Brandon Knight or Kemba Walker, and there is a very reasonable answer to that question: Jerryd Bayless.

Bayless was just a phenomenal player as the starter at PG in Toronto. It just seemed as if Bayless was much more capable of being himself and was able to make plays and run the offense much smoother then when he was coming off the bench.

When Bayless entered the game, usually during the second quarter, it seemed as if he was rushing the game a bit too much before he went and sat back down, but with confidence that he was playing more minutes, Bayless played great.

While it might seem like Knight and Kemba are better than Bayless (which will be proved during the season), Bayless just felt like the right man to run the point. Kemba is a smaller version of Bayless who is more clutch, and Knight is a better distributor and defender.

Now back to Jonas. He will indefinitely fill up the center position for the Toronto Raptors. Andrea Bargnani's natural position is power forward, and with the improved play of Ed Davis, it seems as if whenever Jonas can come play for Toronto (will cover that later), Bargnani is either packing his bags, or will be the sixth man of the team.

The fact that it was not guaranteed that Toronto would get a center during the free agency was the reason why they needed Valanciunas on the team, regardless of when he can contribute. With the great playing of Marc Gasol and Tyson Chandler, it seems as if their respective teams are not willing to let go of them.

Valancuiunas brings a defensive-style game with a very nice offensive pick-and-roll that fits in with the Raptors. He and Ed Davis will be a great defensive frontcourt, preventing other players from entering the paint so easily.

The only problem with this pick is that Valanciunas has the same situation as Ricky Rubio did, but with a shorter wait time. Jonas is still under contract with his European club for three more seasons, but with some negotiations, he could be playing in the NBA by this season or the next, with a slim chance that he stays for two or more years overseas.

Many people disagree with this pick; many do not. Only time will tell what Jonas Valanciunas will be to this young Raptors team.