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NBA: Ranking the Top 5 Breakout Players

By Clint Pemberton

The Chicago Bulls will be without Jimmy Butler as they open their NBA season due to a thumb injury Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Bulls will be without Jimmy Butler as they open their NBA season due to a thumb injury Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 24, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) reacts after missing a rebound against Phoenix Suns center Alex Len (21) at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Phoenix 104-100. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

No.5 – Jonas Valancunias

22 year-old 7’0″ Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas, drafted fifth by the Toronto Raptors in 2011 was already one of the most skilled big men in the league, having all the physical tools, the body, the hands, the touch and the footwork, averaging 14.5 points on 53.1% shooting, 11.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per 36 minutes.

This season Valanciunas is averaging career highs in points (18.1), rebounds (11.9), FG% (59.4) and Free Throw Attempts (6.5) per 36 minutes. Valanciunas Player Efficiency Rating (PER) has jumped from 16.17 last season, ranking 29th among NBA centers to 22.59 which ranks 17th in the NBA overall trails only DeMarcus Cousins and Marc Gasol in the centers category. Valanciunas has the potential to be a top flight center in the NBA, he ranks in the top ten in True Shooting Percentage (seventh), Offensive Rating (ninth) and Win Shares per 48 minutes (sixth).

I’m cheating a little on this one with Valanciunas playing fewer minutes per game than last year. However based on last nights 27 points, 11 rebounds on 10 of 11 shooting, I feel confident that by years end the Raptors big man will be the best center in the Eastern Conference.

Next: No.4

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