At the time of the Linas Kleiza signing, many people on this forum were bashing it.. for multiple reasons. I for one, was ecstatic about this signing, and I feel it will be one of BC's under the radar gems that he seems to unearth from time to time.
This is the same Kleiza that the Nuggets considered almost untouchable, refusing to trade him for Artest. He is still only 25, has the size to be play the 3/4, and just came off a season leading his Olympiakos team to the Eurobasket finals.
I've been watching him at these Worlds, and if you Raps fans have as well, then you can see that we have ourselves a stud. He is showing off so many facets of his game: defense, slashing, shooting and a polished post game.
These Worlds are our look into what Kleiza has blossomed into, the best player on his contending Lithuanian national team who has the power to take over any game on any given night. For those that have labeled him as strictly a 3 point shooter, are just plain ignorant.
Kleiza led his team to a bronze medal in the 2010 FIBA World Championship, averaging 19.0 ppg, 7.1 rpg and 1.4 apg. He was chosen in the All-Tournament team.
I am excited to see what he will bring to our team this upcoming season and think he will be an integral part of our future.
So far in pre season, the first game he had 20 pts and 5 boards on stellar shooting %s. The game came easy to him and nothing was forced. Kleiza showed he can not only shoot spot up 3s, but coming hard off screens, and from mid-range. It is evident he possesses a complete offensive game.
He brings everything we currently need this year; toughness, savvy, shooting, a post-presence, leadership, size and hunger. This will be his year to prove himself to the NBA that he is here to stay in a big fashion, and I'm glad it is with the Raptors.
