Fansided

Holiday wish list for every NBA team

By Ernest Shepard

Jun 14, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) fights for a loose ball with Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) during the third quarter in game five of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) fights for a loose ball with Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) during the third quarter in game five of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 13, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) reacts after a rebound as New Orleans Pelicans center Omer Asik (3) looks on at Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated New Orleans 100-81. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) reacts after a rebound as New Orleans Pelicans center Omer Asik (3) looks on at Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated New Orleans 100-81. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Toronto Raptors

All is somewhat well for the Toronto Raptors. They are in position to win the Atlantic Division for a second consecutive year if they can only hold off the Boston Celtics. The best way for the Raptors to accomplish this is to utilize their bigs, namely Jonas Valanciunas when he is healthy, and former No. 1 pick of the 2013 NBA draft Anthony Bennett. Their contributions to the team must be greater than what they currently are. Granted, the Raptors are a guard-oriented team. With Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan leading the charge the playoffs are a guarantee as long as they remain healthy. Getting better use of the frontcourt players would help them advance.

Few teams have a center with the talent of Valanciunas. He can exploit opposing teams in the post and he is a nightmare on the boards. He is not used properly in Toronto.

What the Raptors needs to do is feed Valanciunas early. Both guards can get their scoring whenever they have to. What they need to do is get their center a few more shots. As of now, the Lithuanian center is dealing with an injury where he has missed 13 games and counting. Prior to getting hurt, he had not attempted more than 12 shots. Toronto have to get him more involved in the offense when he returns.

In the meantime, Bismack Biyombo has played spectacular in Valanciunas’s absence.

The case of Bennett is more curious. The talent is there, the Raptors have to try to unlock it.

Next: Utah Jazz: Make the Playoffs

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