Jonas Valanciunas has done it all in his first two career playoff games. He’s shot nearly 55 percent from the field, made his free throws, put up double-digit point and rebound totals, outduelled Kevin Garnett and, as of last night, secured an offensive rebound while planted firmly on his ass.
He’s also made a bit of history.
Since 1986, only four players have tallied at least 15 points and 15 rebounds in their playoff debut. Shaquille O’Neal went for 24 and 19 against the Pacers in 1994; Ben Wallace hung 19 and 20 on the Raptors in 2002; Andres Nocioni put up 25 and 18 for the Bulls in 2005; and, in game one on Saturday, Valanciunas lit the Nets up to the tune of 17 and 18.
Though his debut was quite the feat in and of itself (especially given the jitters showed by his fellow playoff virgins), Valanciunas was far from done. Last night, he came out and—as part of a spectacular team-wide effort on the glass that saw the Raptors outrebound Brooklyn 52-30, somewhat making up for their 20 turnovers—added a game-high 14 rebounds to go along with 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting.
That second-consecutive double-double moves JV into truly elite company. The Big Diesel’s second playoff game saw his numbers slip to 15 points and seven boards; Big Ben remained a force on the glass in his, pulling down 15 boards, but only scored seven points; and The Wild Bull of Pampas went a not-so-hot 4-of-12 from the floor for 10 points and seven rebounds.
So, has Valanciunas put together the greatest two-game playoff debut of any big man in the last 28 years?
Naw, that might have to go to Alonzo Mourning, who, against the Celtics in the first two games of their 1993 first-round matchup, posted lines of 30 points, 11 boards and 2 blocks, and 18 points, 14 boards and six blocks. But still, what JV has managed so early in his post-season career is truly staggering.
‘Zo cooled off somewhat in his third appearance, scoring 14 points and pulling down 8 boards, but his Charlotte Hornets did go on to win the series. If Valanciunas can manage another double-double in game three on Friday he may just help the Raptors do the same.
(Brief aside: If Valanciunas does manage a third straight double-double, he’d become just the eighth player since ’86 to do so in his first three playoff games. The others: Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Paul Pierce, Samuel Dalembert, Carlos Boozer and Chris Paul.)
BONUS
DeMar. DeRozan. Just nasty.