Jonas Valanciunas Summer Discussion Thread (Olympics!)

UcanUwill · Post #1221 » by **UcanUwill** » Thu Jul 5, 2012 5:49 pm

Let me be a Skip Bayless for a minute, my thoughts on Puerto Rico players and stats.

First of all, team stats are almost identical, except for rebounds. Puerto Rico is way ahead, and they grab over 12 offensive rebs per game. Since Lithuania struggle to get any rebounds, it can be a huge factor.

Now players. Surprisingly a pretty deep roster, no one plays over 25 minutes per game. But we should focus on 7 main players.

Centers :
Here we have another surprise - Peter Ramos is their statistic leader, 17.5 points and 8 rebounds per game so far. He put a lot of weight lately and looks huge, and as a 7'3 monster, he will get hard times to Javtokas, Jonas. Not a guy who draws fouls, so thats a bit of relief tho.
Daniel Santiago. I think everyone knows him. Old, slow, big, 7'1 robotic C, still a great for 15 minutes and his stats are great, 7/6.

PF :

Renaldo Balkman. Another guy everyone should know. Not that much of stats padder, 6.5/4, but he is their best defensive player easily, and a perfect guy to stop Linas Kleiza. Perfect match up for Puerto Rico, and one of my main worries.

SF :

Nathan Peavy. Big, consistent, 10 ppg guy. Linas Kleiza type of big, If Lithuania puts Kleiza at 3 to guard this guy it would be a good idea, but if they keep Pocius on him, it should cause some miss match problems.

SG :

Nothing to talk about, their main SG's suck. Barea fills spot minutes, and we will talk about him. Nothing else to say.

PG :

J.J. Barea. Well, he sucks so far, but damn he can torch that crap Lithuanian defense. He is easily the hardest problem to solve, who is gonna guard this guy, he is just too fast. He can beat 1 on 1 and zone. Without analyzing his game, is impossible to say what exactly Lithuania should do, but they should focus on him, force him to take bad shots and use his high volume shooting against him and Puerto Rico. Thats the only thing to do, you cant deny him from getting the ball because hes a point guard...
Carlos Arroyo. Legend... Puerto Rico can always count on this man. Lithuania has bodies on him, but hes a backup. Thats what so dangerous about this team, they have very different point guards and can change and adapt to everything opposing team trows at them. If Barea fails, Carlos gets to control the offense or vice versa. 24 mins per game, 7.5 pts. guy simply knows how to play.

Bottom line :

Peter Ramos = HUGE problem, big force inside, very scary. Balkman = absolutely perfect fit, guy was made to play against this Lithuania team. Barea = that guy who swept NBA champs, period.

nahom1319 · Post #1222 » by **nahom1319** » Thu Jul 5, 2012 7:28 pm

Me: Okay I thought about it some more, and despite the fact that I want VAL to get extra attention by Toronto staff I'm going to be greedy and hope LIT wins.

You: Greedy how so?

Me: Glad you asked, if he comes back to Toronto he plays for 5 days next week and we have nothing to entertain ourselves with for the rest of the summer. If he plays with the NT he finishes off this week and we get over a week of basketball at the end of the month to look forward to.

raptors_star · Post #1223 » by **raptors_star** » Thu Jul 5, 2012 9:40 pm

So when would it be too late for Jonas to be in the summer league?

nahom1319 · Post #1224 » by **nahom1319** » Thu Jul 5, 2012 9:42 pm

Summer league starts July 13 and ends July 19....sooo july 19

JV4MVP · Post #1225 » by **JV4MVP** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 3:02 am

I'm so nervous about tomorrow. This is such a big deal for Lithuania, especially after the disappointing Eurobasket... in Lithuania.

BalticGiants · Post #1226 » by **BalticGiants** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 1:09 pm

UcanUwill wrote:
Motiejunas is inferior Lithuanian prospect, with more horrendous defense, and incredibly inefficient scoring ability.

OK, maybe it's time to you to stop writing crap about Motiejunas? "Incredibly inefficient scoring ability". You sound like a complete troll or never saw Motiejunas playing. Stop writing a crap, please.

LithuanianOne · Post #1227 » by **LithuanianOne** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 2:04 pm

BalticGiants wrote:
UcanUwill wrote:
Motiejunas is inferior Lithuanian prospect, with more horrendous defense, and incredibly inefficient scoring ability.

OK, maybe it's time to you to stop writing crap about Motiejunas? "Incredibly inefficient scoring ability". You sound like a complete troll or never saw Motiejunas playing. Stop writing a crap, please.

He's actually write. Advanced statistics ( and even basic ones) easily point to the fact that he's inefficient and his defense is definitely not his strongest point.

Al_Oliver · Post #1228 » by **Al_Oliver** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 2:15 pm

Regression2u wrote:
UcanUwill wrote:FIBA Olympics lost another player ,Joakim Noah, arguably the most successful Jonas stopper in FIBA games will not play in London.

What's France without Parker and Noah? Huge loss

Parker will be playing

Los Manos · Post #1229 » by **Los Manos** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 2:16 pm

Huge game tonight against Puerto Rico. It's going to be a real test for Lithuania and I'm not convinced yet they're ready for it if Puerto Rico plays to their best.

Al_Oliver · Post #1230 » by **Al_Oliver** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 2:19 pm

ZanTabak2 wrote:Jonas is a career backup, all we should expect from this kid is 6 fouls

and all we expect of you are ridiculous posts

ATLTimekeeper · Post #1231 » by **ATLTimekeeper** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 2:21 pm

Not banking on Lithuania here. Losing to Nigeria is inexcusable with the amount of talent they had and the importance of the tournament. Something is amiss with the chemistry or preparation.

kirkwood · Post #1232 » by **kirkwood** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 2:24 pm

Sorry but I don't care about Lithuania. Hate to say it but I hope they lose out and Jonas is brought over for summer league, getting comfortable in toronto aftwards and getting prepped for the upcoming raptors season.

JV4MVP · Post #1233 » by **JV4MVP** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 2:27 pm

kirkwood wrote:Sorry but I don't care about Lithuania. Hate to say it but I hope they lose out and Jonas is brought over for summer league, getting comfortable in toronto aftwards and getting prepped for the upcoming raptors season.

So you rather him participate in a 1-week league and then spend the rest of summer playing PS3 with Ed Davis while eating pizza, pasta, Chinese and Indian food instead of playing for an entire month with the world's best basketball players?

Los Manos · Post #1234 » by **Los Manos** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 2:29 pm

kirkwood wrote:Sorry but I don't care about Lithuania. Hate to say it but I hope they lose out and Jonas is brought over for summer league, getting comfortable in toronto aftwards and getting prepped for the upcoming raptors season.

As a Raptors fan, I don't mind either outcome as far as JV is concerned. As a fan of Olympic basketball, I want to see Lithuania make it as they will be missed if they fail to qualify. I just love the passion and their legion of fans and I want that to be a part of the London Games.

kirkwood · Post #1235 » by **kirkwood** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 2:37 pm

Regression2u wrote:
kirkwood wrote:Sorry but I don't care about Lithuania. Hate to say it but I hope they lose out and Jonas is brought over for summer league, getting comfortable in toronto aftwards and getting prepped for the upcoming raptors season.

So you rather him participate in a 1-week league and then spend the rest of summer playing PS3 with Ed Davis while eating pizza, pasta, Chinese and Indian food instead of playing for an entire month with the world's best basketball players?

The ps3 part no, but summer league and getting comfortable in toronto working with coaches and on his body yes. IMO the kidis playing way to much anyways and needs to shut it down for a bit, work on his body and study the NBA game.

GreatWhiteStiff · Post #1236 » by **GreatWhiteStiff** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 2:41 pm

Al_Oliver wrote:
ZanTabak2 wrote:Jonas is a career backup, all we should expect from this kid is 6 fouls

and all we expect of you are ridiculous posts

So even his haters are admitting he's a rotational player who will play enough minutes to foul out of nba games on a consistant basis? Sweet!

Raptors2k4 · Post #1237 » by **Raptors2k4** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 4:42 pm

so whens the big game? today?

Los Manos · Post #1238 » by **Los Manos** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 4:46 pm

Raptors2k4 wrote:so whens the big game? today?

Yes.

7pm ET.

JV4MVP · Post #1239 » by **JV4MVP** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 4:55 pm

Los Manos wrote:
Raptors2k4 wrote:so whens the big game? today?

Yes.

7pm ET.

I think its 8pm

Los Manos · Post #1240 » by **Los Manos** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 5:04 pm

Regression2u wrote:
Los Manos wrote:
Raptors2k4 wrote:so whens the big game? today?

Yes.

7pm ET.

I think its 8pm

You could well be right. I'm getting conflicting info with regard to timezones.