NBA Draft

Video of the Raptors first pick (fifth overall) in the 2011 NBA Draft.

Colangelo took a lot of heat for drafting Valanciunas over impressive prospects like Kemba Walker, Brandon Knight and Bismack Biyombo. Valanciunas has a buyout issue with his current contract in Europe so it is likely he will not come over to the NBA for at least one full year. Raptors fans are impatient, but with a lock out looming perhaps it is best we let Valanciunas stay in Europe and continue to develop his game.

Valanciunas addresses our most pressing needs for a big body who is not afraid to rebound and block shots. A few days ago Valanciunas put up 23 points and 11 rebounds playing for the U19 Lithuanian team against the USA U19 team. Very impressive numbers for the Raptors draft choice.