1) Now nine years into his NBA career, the 29-year-old continues to get better, averaging career highs last season in scoring average (17.1), rebounding average (12.5) and field-goal percentage (59.2). He ranked third in the NBA in rebounds, behind only Atlanta’s Clint Capela (14.3 rpg) and Utah’s Rudy Gobert (13.5). Valanciunas averaged 15.9 rebounds per 36 minutes,