Bryan Colangelo may not have made the popular move3 for the Raptors, but he made the right one.
Draft crowds can be tough. They boo when they don't get what they want but as a Hall of Fame coach once said: "In coaching and management, if you spend too much time listening to the fans, you'll end up sitting with them far too soon."
With many in the Toronto fan base clamouring for a familiar face they had seen running the floor on TV in the NCAA tournament like Kemba Walker or Brandon Knight; Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo went the other way. He nabbed Jonas Valanciunas, a selection may not have been popular but it was made with an eye toward rebuilding the Raptors properly.
The Raptors selected him because he was the best big talent available. You don't always draft for need but Toronto has been searching for a centre for years. As far as players that fill the middle go, Valanciunas fits the bill as he is said to be extremely talented for a player his size.
I've always said Colangelo is never afraid to "pull the trigger and make a move" and he did here, in spite of popular sentiment. Colangelo is thinking long term even though some think his contract should be dictating a short-term, instant-gratification-type fix.
"I can't worry about where they're from," remarked Colangelo. "I can only worry about how they plan and what they bring to the table. I can't worry about me. I can't worry about my contract situation."
"This is a solid pick, trust me."
New head coach Dwayne Casey also weighed in on the Valanciunas and he spoke optimistically about the potential of the new big man.
Regardless of what people say, good guard play is necessary and it keeps you in games but it doesn't always lead to wins unless accompanied by the essentials of defence and rebounding.
It is easier to find perimeter people than a big man and the Raptors have been looking for a centre for a long time. They have always tried to make it work, with some guy who wasn't really a centre that they thrust into that spot. If things go according to plan, perhaps in a few years, they will have a legitimate NBA centre that they have developed.
Why was Valanciunis still available?
There was an issue of a buyout from his club team in Lithuania that may have been an obstacle to some, but not to Colangelo. You can bet in the near future, the Raptors president and general manager will do his best to secure the services of the 7'0" centre in the event that the NBA is operating next season.
So the rebuild continues in Toronto and although not the fashionable or "sexy" pick, Valanciunas, was chosen with an eye toward the future. If it works out for Toronto, maybe some fans will look back and think, "maybe it's a good thing he wasn't sitting beside us on that night."
It was a big night for a couple of Canadians as well. Texas Longhorns Tristan Thompson and Cory Joseph were both drafted in the first round. Thompson was reportedly highly sought after by the Charlotte Bobcats but with the spectre of a Valanciunas buyout hovering over their heads, the Cleveland Cavaliers grabbed the Canadian product.
Thompson spoke about his selection by Cleveland.
Hey, maybe there is more to workouts as it was noted that that Thompson had two of his best showings in Toronto and Cleveland and that was obviously enough to sell the Cavs.
When the fans come down off the high of the draft reality may set in quickly. The collective bargaining agreement is set to end in less than a week and there's still no resolution toward a new deal. With three choices looming, (dig in, cave in or give in,) it sure looks like the players are opting for door No. 1.
Unless there is an 11th hour settlement Insert link http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nba_tv/2011/06/23/20110623_CBA_Derek_Fisher.nba/ the league will shut down when the agreement expires on June 30th.
