Over the past few months, I’ve put together Trade Proposals involving the Toronto Raptors’ starting center Jonas Valanciunas. The giant Lithuanian has been the object of much criticism, and not only for his spotty play.
The entire NBA has changed its modus operandi in a shockingly short period of time. The days of building a competitive team’s roster from the frontcourt backwards is as out of fashion as disco music. Now the game is played at blinding speed, which mean teams able to push the pace and score in transition have a huge advantage. Shooting, particularly from deep, matters far more than a back-to-the-basket big man trying to score over his opposite number in the low post.