Jonas Valanciunas Summer Discussion II

[ClassicRaptors]

He's making little mistakes, but not complete mess up's, you can tell his confidence is hurt from the coach basically benching after he subs , not even giving a chance to make in game adjustments. I feel when he comes to Toronto, starting from training camp he'll be a different player confidents wise knowing the franchise has so much faith in him , and are willing to work with him through the up and downs. I also the fan base is gonna help him a lot , Because the hustle , and emotion he show's in his game Toronto fans love that, and thats what we been missing , a player can never hustle to much, he gets easily excited , if he uses the crowd as somewhat motivation , And being in a whole different suition from where hes at right now, i defently feel his Play will rise. You Cant hes not Comfortable nor Confident, which is hurting his play.

[xprt]

SebastianPruiti‏@SebastianPruiti
Last year, Jonas Valanciunas gave up 49 points to his opponents on 51 post touches. This year? 47 points on 74 post touches.

SebastianPruiti‏@SebastianPruiti
Valanciunas shot 77.1% as the roll man in pick and roll situations

[DG88]

BC is at the Olympics watching Jonas play here's what he has to say

Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo administered a verbal Valium to Raptors fans who may be in a tizzy over the play of the club’s 2011 first-round draft pick at these Olympic Games.

In five games with the Lithuanian team, Jonas Valanciunas is averaging just 3.6 points and three rebounds in 10.6 minutes and has had difficulty establishing himself on the Lithuanian team in this, the biggest tournament of his career. His minutes under coach Kestutis Kemzura have been limited as a starter and he only played 8:32 in a 99-94 loss to the U.S. on Saturday.

But Colangelo, who has been in London watching the basketball, is duly impressed with what he has seen of the seven-foot centre, who was picked fifth overall in 2011, and is certainly not pushing the panic button. Valanciunas will join the Raptors for the 2012-13 season.

“In limited minutes, I think he’s done fine,” Colangelo told QMI Agency, via e-mail. “Obviously coach (Kemzura) is going with his comfort zone and playing the more veteran players. This is still a great experience for the 20-year-old future of their program.”

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/08/07/ra ... alanciunas

The rest of the article are the same Kemzura quotes that we read yesterday.

[nahom1319]

***NEW ARTICLE***

The London Olympics and Jonas Valanciunas's Potential for the Raptors
By Sebastian Pruiti

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-trian ... he-raptors

Since the Toronto Raptors drafted Jonas Valanciunas fifth overall in 2011, the curiosity about the 20-year-old Lithuanian has only grown among basketball fans. With the news that he would make his NBA debut this season, the interest in his performance for the Lithuanian Olympic team was heightened even further. Coming into the Games, Valanciunas had already built a solid track record in international competition, dominating the 2011 U19 World Championships and putting together a solid campaign at last year’s EuroBasket. Those performances are what make Valunciunas’s struggles during these Olympics a disappointment. Averaging barely 10 minutes, 3.6 points, and three rebounds per game, he’s failed to make much of an imprint on the tournament. Taking everything into account — the previous international success, the tape of his domestic season last year for Lietuvos Rytas, and his Olympic struggles — I still think Valanciunas can have a positive impact when he joins the Raptors, but his time in London has shown that he has a few areas of weakness he’ll need to work on during his rookie season.

He goes on to do a breakdown...

[Pooh_Jeter]

Solid article and analysis by Pruiti.

People were way too bullish on his rookie year potential prior to the Olympics and now I think people are going the opposite after his struggles.

He will likely have foul trouble and I think he will have his minutes sheltered to begin with anyways. That being said he should put up a lot of boards and while he won't be an offensive machine he should be very efficient considering he will probably be on the recieving end of a lot of PNR offense and offensive putbacks. It helps that he hits his free throws and runs the floor well too.

[BalticGiants]

It might be the last game of Olympics for JV tommorow. I don't want that it would happen though.

Some good rest would be the best thing for JV now though.

[RapsFanInVA]

Considering all of his shots/points are right at the rim and he rebounds effectively, he should put up a good PER in his rookie season despite TO problems. His minutes will likely be limited by fouls and inexperience but I agree with Pruiti that he'll have an positive impact for us this year.

[JPHolling]

where would jonas be drafted in the 2013 draft?

[team edward]

Jonas is the new kid on a veteran team. It's on him to earn the minutes. If he can't do so in a decisive manner, he doesn't deserve to play. It's an important lesson for a young NBA player heralded as a star, and I'm sure it can be hard to deal with when you've been a major component if not the star of every other team you've played on. I'd rather he learn this lesson with his NT than part way through the season with the Raps.

[sortpar]

I don't know what people really expect from Jonas during his limited time on the court, but with few opportunities he has done a decent job of scoring and rebounding. As for guarding other centers, in the games where he played against Scola, Turiaf and Chandler, I have only seen him give up a total of 15 points collectively to three NBA experienced centers.

[ballislife]

JV will be a better Joahkim Noah in 2 years. Noah with the ability to shoot and an improved inside game. He will make his mark on the pick and roll, but he will develop a back-to-basket game after a few seasons of work and body development.

All in all, don't worry about these Olympics... we're not going to get the best Jonas Valanciunas we expect this upcoming season... he's a big man... it'll take him time.. but once he gets it and understands the NBA and his abilities... he will easily be the best Raptor big man we've ever known to date - better than CB4. Mark my words.

[ClassicRaptors]

JV will be a better Joahkim Noah in 2 years. Noah with the ability to shoot and an improved inside game. He will make his mark on the pick and roll, but he will develop a back-to-basket game after a few seasons of work and body development.

All in all, don't worry about these Olympics... we're not going to get the best Jonas Valanciunas we expect this upcoming season... he's a big man... it'll take him time.. but once he gets it and understands the NBA and his abilities... he will easily be the best Raptor big man we've ever known to date - better than CB4. Mark my words.

Bold words , but im not disagreeing with you . I do think he'll be better in noah in 2 years , the pick and roll game is heavy right now in the nba , and i think his impact will be felt from day 1 in that department . The way he rolls to the basket , is gonna get are shooters open looks , even if he does'nt always get the ball. But better then Bosh ...... Iunno

[Mobat]

Better than Bosh

[Akomplice]

I'd say better than Bosh is possible. Wishful thinking.

[JV4MVP]

where would jonas be drafted in the 2013 draft?

1st overall

(no green font)

[Yoga]

We need to remember Jonas V is only 20. He needs time to develop. The Olympics has been a learning curve for him. I have lowered my expectations from him during his rookie year; but I still believe he can be Pau Gasol 2.0 with toughness. Mark my words.

[Yoga]

We need to remember Jonas V is only 20. He needs time to develop. The Olympics has been a learning curve for him. I have lowered my expectations from him during his rookie year; but I still believe he can be Pau Gasol 2.0 with toughness. Mark my words.

Have people forgotten what it is like to be 20? This is off-topic, but 20 year olds are generally clueless. I have tried to pursue a 20 year old at my work with no success. She doesn't understand the meaning of my love, yet. As Jonas V fully doesn't understand how to perform on a international platform like the Olympics. Its all about experience.

Some day the 20 year old at my work will understand how much I loved her during the Summer of 2012

[Yoga]

So is Lithuania playing against Russia on Wednesday?

oh ****, i'll be at work. Timofey Mozgov vs. Jonas V should be a good match up -- Mozgov's Russian Bear strength vs. Jonas V's skills, length and finesse.

Let's hope the LT coach gives Jonas V some good playing time; I think he can dominate Mozgov.

[ClassicRaptors]

what time is the game?

[tiger7]

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/34145/the-london-olympics-and-jonas-valanciunass-potential-for-the-raptors

Don't know if this article was posted yet.