When I picture Valanciunas, I jump to those lumbering runs up the court. Grabbing a rebound, throwing an outlet pass, dropping his head, and slowly taking off — with all the determination of someone who’s willing to play faster, but is stuck in second gear.
It’s apparent that Valanciunas understands his shortcomings, the ones that have kept him from playing crunch-time minutes for the Raptors. His off-season workouts seemed to have a focus on agility. He’s been in basketball shape playing for the Lithuanian team. As a result, we’ve seen a more lithe big in the preseason, one who’s getting even more involved on the pick-and-roll.