This video proves why we HAVE to draft Jonas Valanciunas

[Steely Reserve]

I know some of you want Kanter after seeing him go through wind sprints and no contact drills, but c'mon, watch this video so we can put an end to this "debate" of Kanter vs Valanciunas.

From May 10th, 2011:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBS0lHZGJP0


A couple things....

Jonas plays with a GREAT motor. He's always moving with or without the ball. Notice in the first :20 seconds of the video when he shows on the midget point guard 20 feet from the basket. His stance is low and rock-solid. His long arms allow him to play off smaller players while still being able to play them for the driver or shot.

VERY impressive. He looks ALOT like Jakim Noah on defense. Jonas plays aggressively and loves contact. Is willing to mix it up and protect the basket, as shown in the video.

Valanciunas free throw form at the :53 mark is that of a +80% and that's exactly the case, since he shoots like 90% from the line. This guy will live at the line in the NBA.

And let's all collective @ the 1:53 second mark of this video. Jesus!!! Is that gazelle out there??? Dude is 6'11 running the court like he's 6'6.

Overall the video shows post moves, blocks, and basically elite effort in everything he does. And at just 18 years old, the guy is worthy of the #1 pick.

[Kaner]

Worthy of the #1 pick? Seriously? I know he plays with a high motor, and you can get away with that in the Euroleague, but he has NO bulk on his frame, and although he is very long, he is far too raw to consider taking at #4 even...if we miss on Kanter at 4, I would honestly love to trade down to maybe Charlotte if they really want Kemba Walker, and get picks 9 and 19, and take Alec Burks, and maybe Lucas Noigera(sp?), and make HIM our overseas project big, and still have our two impact players.

[Steely Reserve]

Worthy of the #1 pick? Seriously? I know he plays with a high motor, and you can get away with that in the Euroleague, but he has NO bulk on his frame, and although he is very long, he is far too raw to consider taking at #4 even...if we miss on Kanter at 4, I would honestly love to trade down to maybe Charlotte if they really want Kemba Walker, and get picks 9 and 19, and take Alec Burks, and maybe Lucas Noigera(sp?), and make HIM our overseas project big, and still have our two impact players.

He's too skinny?? He's 18 years old... lol

And too raw to take @ #4??

LMAO

But really yuor bold quote shows you know very little about basketball. Ask "skinny" players like Noah and Varejao if having a motor means anything. Plus, Jonas is more offensively advanced than either of them.

[mcfly1204]

This must be why we traded that first for Jiri Welsch.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHAW5394ozw[/youtube]

[Kaner]

Worthy of the #1 pick? Seriously? I know he plays with a high motor, and you can get away with that in the Euroleague, but he has NO bulk on his frame, and although he is very long, he is far too raw to consider taking at #4 even...if we miss on Kanter at 4, I would honestly love to trade down to maybe Charlotte if they really want Kemba Walker, and get picks 9 and 19, and take Alec Burks, and maybe Lucas Noigera(sp?), and make HIM our overseas project big, and still have our two impact players.

He's too skinny?? He's 18 years old... lol

And too raw to take @ #4??

LMAO

But really yuor bold quote shows you know very little about basketball. Ask "skinny" players like Noah and Varejao if having a motor means anything. Plus, Jonas is more offensively advanced than either of them.

OK ill ask that guy Andy who we already have if being skinny and playing with a high motor means anything... Soo my bold quote about players in the Euro league being generally thinner and generally less physical than the NBA means that i know very little LMFAO ok , waste our top four pick on a skinny Euro center that even Toronto doesn't want to touch with a ten foot pole that depending on his contract scenario overseas, may not even be able to get bought out and play here next year.

edit: Would you mind posting Jonas' one on one stats when he defended Kanter?

[tidho]

I like Big V and wouldn't have a problem with the Cavaliers taking him at #4.
That said, I see nothing in that clip that suggests we HAVE to.

He moves well, is nifty around the basket, and does a nice job on the offensive boards.
He also get shoved around a lot, makes mistakes in space, and shows extremely limited range.

Very good prospect, and a legitimate top 5 consideration.
Must have? Not really.

[Roger Murdock]

Jonas is definitely in the conversation at 4. If Williams isn't there I think I would choose either Biyombo, Kanter, or him.

[Kaner]

I'll be honest though, Steely, his ability to convert on pick and rolls, his length, and his athleticism are all aspects he is better at than Kanter. Your rebuttal to my claim that Jonas' is too thin was that he was only 18? That has nothing to do with it IMO, it has everything to do with bone structure/ body fame size when it comes to tacking on weight, and I just don't know if he is gonna be able to bulk up significantly enough to hold his own against guys like Dwight, Bogut and MAYBE Oden next year, if he actually can play a full season and doesn't come back too rusty (i just mean size-wise too)

Also, I didn't necessarily mean skinny people excel overseas...I was really just trying to point out that the guys Jonas was being guarded by didn't look to be very athletic and strong, which are two things NBA centers are as opposed to Euro centers. I don't know i guess i initially over-reacted at the thought of getting him at 4, and in the long run he MAY be the better center based on POTENTIAL and UPSIDE, but as it stands right now Kanter is more skilled, has a bigger frame, and is better on offense by a long shot IMO... he may not have the athleticism/motor/length that Jonas has, BUT we have a guy similar to that in AV like you even said! Kanter and AV would fit VERY well together, with Kanters ability to shoot, and AV's high motor/slashing...if you think back to it when AV played off LBJ, AV is a pick and roll player, is 6'11, has a high motor, and plays good defense...i just don't see what Jonas accels at so much that is that much better than AV...I will say though, that IF Jonas is the BPA, i would probably not hesitate to take him.

[TheOUTLAW]

I don't think he's particularly impressive, but then most of the players in this seasons draft are not. I guess I could live with him at 4, but it's still early. We'll see when there is more information out there.

[Niko23]

No Euros

[Smooth32]

Valanciunas would be the choice if Kanter and Williams aren't there. Otherwise, no.

I wonder if his sliding buyout will have any teams pause on taking him high.

[Kaner]

Valanciunas would be the choice if Kanter and Williams aren't there. Otherwise, no.

I wonder if his sliding buyout will have any teams pause on taking him high.

yeah what exactly are the terms of said buyout? i tried looking on Google and couldn't find it... how long until he would be able to come here, or, would he be able to reach a buyout and come over next year. Not gonna lie, I don't see us taking him at #4 if he can't come here for 2-3 years...even one year would be iffy for our management...we don't wan't a Magic/Fran Vasquez scenario, or even a Rubio scenario....I think we take Vesely, or try and package #4 with some players or the TPE and get a solid young player.

[Baseline Runner]

I don't think Steely is suggesting we pick him at one. He knows there is no chance of that happening and we can get him at four anyways. I think what he's saying is we should grab him at four if we have the choice between Kanter and Jonas. I disagree with this, I think Kanter may end up being the best player in the draft and a lot of other people are probably thinking this too (the guy was barely on the lottery radar a month ago and now people are taling he'll go #2). However I don't think Kanter will be available at the four spot and unless Minny or Utah make a stretch and grab Knight or Walker, Jonas will be the only big left (Biyombo is not in the conversation in my opinion).

One of the things I really like about Jonas is his hands. It looks like they have glue on them, once the ball touches them it isn't going anywhere. This means he'll be very good at getting loose balls, rebounds, catching difficult passes from Irving, finishing down low, etc. A big man's hands are right up there with his height as his most important asset (indeed butterfinger hands have been the downfall of many a big man) and his are some of the best I've ever seen. Still, no way I'd take him over Kanter or Williams, in fact I'm hoping we trade up to secure one of those two.

[PerkinsFor3]

I'd like to know, Steely. Did you rip this topic from this guy:
http://insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=223163

Or are you Pleezebelieve, and thus one of the biggest trolls any basketball forum has ever seen?

[TheOUTLAW]

I don't think Steely is suggesting we pick him at one. He knows there is no chance of that happening and we can get him at four anyways. I think what he's saying is we should grab him at four if we have the choice between Kanter and Jonas. I disagree with this, I think Kanter may end up being the best player in the draft and a lot of other people are probably thinking this too (the guy was barely on the lottery radar a month ago and now people are taling he'll go #2). However I don't think Kanter will be available at the four spot and unless Minny or Utah make a stretch and grab Knight or Walker, Jonas will be the only big left (Biyombo is not in the conversation in my opinion).

One of the things I really like about Jonas is his hands. It looks like they have glue on them, once the ball touches them it isn't going anywhere. This means he'll be very good at getting loose balls, rebounds, catching difficult passes from Irving, finishing down low, etc. A big man's hands are right up there with his height as his most important asset (indeed butterfinger hands have been the downfall of many a big man) and his are some of the best I've ever seen. Still, no way I'd take him over Kanter or Williams, in fact I'm hoping we trade up to secure one of those two.

I'm not so sure. Steely did suggest that he have Jonas rated higher than both Williams and Irving

[aether123]

Valanciunas has no offensive game, all he can do is finishing wide open plays around the rim, plus he needs to bulk up and quit fouling too much on defence. I dont see him as a lottery pick

[cavsfan_osiris]

That vid does not impress me at all.

[vincecarter4pres]

What is the song in that video?

That's the song RJD2 pulled the sample from for Kill Em All by Aesop Rock and the breakdown sounds exceptionally similar to a couple Mars Volta songs.

[Steely Reserve]

A couple things here...

To those who say Jonas has no offensive game -- you're wrong. This guy isn't playing against teenage boys. He's playing in a man league and clearly shown when matched against his peer group, he's a dominant player on both sides of the court and in the rebounding department. He has a back down game and can put the ball down on the floor from 15-18 feet out.

What more do you want from a 6'11 player?

Moving on... as far as him being a thin build, so what? The NBA is a league of thin builds and Valanciunas likes to initiate and play through contact. That's called skill and toughness. Just because you have size or strength doesn't mean you have the touch and agility to maximize the benefits of being stronger than your opponent.

To those who disagree with me, I suggest you all take a minute to realize I have as much credibility as the draft forums you surf. I was the first to predict Brandon Knight top 10 draft board status. Six months ago, I was the one who brought up the name Jeremy Tyler first. Now all of a sudden Tyler is "rising" up mock drafts.

But hey, its no waaaaaaay Jonas can be as good as I say he is, right?

[TheOUTLAW]

I don't get any of the confidence watching this video that you seem to embrace so greedily. He looks okay, but the only reason you aren't being completely laughed off of the forum is because the draft is so weak.