Jonas Valanciunas -- Q/A

kavan · Post #1 » by **kavan** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 7:43 pm

Met Jonas at YYZ on his way out to Vegas last night with his GF. I got a chance to talk to him and had a few questions for him he was waiting for his luggage so we talked for a half hour or so.

I broke the news about the Tyler H signing to him, he was shocked and said I guess he starts at the 4.. then I said what about Amir he said your right. He said Tyler would be taking up Aaron Gray min's. He also said he rather play with him then against him. Called him a tough guy.

Told him Dwight went to Houston that caught him by surprise. He said Houston should make a run next year. He said Dwight is still a power house big man in the NBA.

Asked him about the Andrea Trade.. He said Andrea's time was up and he needed a change, he still believes Andrea can be effective. He also likes the fact they have a spot up shooter, to whom they can dish the ball to stretch the floor out in Novak. He finished by saying Camby is almost 40, doesn't see him coming to Toronto to play.

I asked him about the new GM Masaii, he said he is a great GM and a nice guy. Also that they are looking to win and Masaii wants to win now. He liked BC but winning is what equals success in the NBA nothing else. He thinks Masaii is not done juggling yet and he can't wait to get to training camp.

Also asked him about Kyle Lowry, he said he is the "Revolution" I think that is what they call him, he said they like him, doesn't matter what anyone says he plays hard and wants to win doesn't matter what the score is. Says he plays hard and and plays with lots of energy he makes the other team tired.

Asked him about Canadian talent; said that Tristan Thompson is a really good player and will get better.

He did not know Bennett went first overall and expects him to be a good player if he follows Tristan's foot steps and adapts to the NBA.

A quick thing about our Gaurds/Forward said that Demar and Rudy are still the big names of the team and the team's success will depend on how well they play. He thinks they are up there with the best.

Overall a great guy, he asked if I wanted a picture. He looks like hes in great shape. He has a great sense of humor and is totally looking to make a big push he believes this current team if the guys are playing their best and improving can really make a push for a play off run.

My little tid bit for the forum and based on the pictures it need not be said but his girl friend is very pleasant and beautiful.

VinBaker6 · Post #2 » by **VinBaker6** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 7:47 pm

Thanks man, nice stuff. Sounds like a great dude.

Kabookalu · Post #3 » by **Kabookalu** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 7:47 pm

Also that they are looking to win and Masaii wants to win now.

HolyMage110 · Post #4 » by **HolyMage110** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 7:52 pm

I guess we're not tanking? :cry:

BillyGM · Post #5 » by **BillyGM** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 7:55 pm

So his English has improved a lot?

beeflow · Post #6 » by **beeflow** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 7:56 pm

Post the picture with JV to silence the doubters bro!

BillyGM · Post #7 » by **BillyGM** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 7:57 pm

whois this guy Valenciunas? I only know Valanciunas

UcanUwill · Post #8 » by **UcanUwill** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 8:00 pm

I thought they said JV had very little knowledge on players. Remember when he carelessly dished Harden (I believe that was). Surprised he even remembers Hansbrough and Thomson.

Post #9 » by **Patman** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 8:00 pm

kavan wrote:Met Jonas at YYZ on his way out to Vegas last night with his GF.

Hangover: Part IV

fredericklove · Post #10 » by **fredericklove** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 8:04 pm

Choker wrote:
Also that they are looking to win and Masaii wants to win now.

Well Jonas isn't gonna tell a non raptors that Masai wants to tank, would he? And hell, Masai prolly won't tell Jonas anything just yet

smoke-screen, smoke screen! Relax! :lol:

prelude00 · Post #11 » by **prelude00** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 8:05 pm

Awesome info dude. Got to speak with him for a good half hour, that's pretty solid.

So no tank, we gunning for a playoff run eh. Let's see what Masai can add to the roster or how he can tweak it. Still lots of time left in the off-season so it's still all up in the air roster wise

Post #12 » by **Kohanz** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 8:07 pm

I don't know why, but I love the fact that Jonas was completely unplugged about the league while away. Seems like he's got his priorities right.

I wouldn't put much stock into him saying that Masai said they want to "win now". What else is he going to tell Jonas? "Son, we're going to gut the team at the trade deadline and you're going to lose about 4 out of every 5 games. Try to enjoy it!".

Stealth68 · Post #13 » by **Stealth68** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 8:31 pm

fredericklove wrote:
Choker wrote:
Also that they are looking to win and Masaii wants to win now.

Well Jonas isn't gonna tell a non raptors that Masai wants to tank, would he? And hell, Masai prolly won't tell Jonas anything just yet smoke-screen, smoke screen! Relax!

You just in denial that there is very likely chance we are not tanking.

fredericklove · Post #14 » by **fredericklove** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 9:01 pm

Stealth68 wrote:
fredericklove wrote:
Well Jonas isn't gonna tell a non raptors that Masai wants to tank, would he? And hell, Masai prolly won't tell Jonas anything just yet smoke-screen, smoke screen! Relax!

You just in denial that there is very likely chance we are not tanking.

Not in denial, if we don't tank so be it. I'd be really interested in seeing the outcome of this current core, whether we end in holy miracle run or in disastrous doomsday, I will be a witness. We are all witness!

ReaLiez · Post #15 » by **ReaLiez** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 9:21 pm

JV is awesome! if I met any Raptor I would ask him about how much he loves this city and if any of that "its too cold" is important to players - or is all about the money the fame and the perks the organization provides

Just how important is Loyalty these days

kavan · Post #16 » by **kavan** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 9:26 pm

Yea his English is still a work in progress but he makes out what he is trying to say, I did fail to include the umms and grammatical errors he made. His GF knows little to none English as well. He was clearly trying his best to converse he even asked my my own opinions and stuff.

He was totally tuned out as he was enjoying his time away from "work" (NBA).

Great guy stand up glad to see we have him on our team. I think our team is capable of winning so its nice to see he is optimistic about it too.

rapsanity · Post #17 » by **rapsanity** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 9:52 pm

dont want to seem like an a***** but why would he be waiting for his luggage if he was on his way TO vegas??

Mack11 · Post #18 » by **Mack11** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 9:57 pm

kinda shocked he knew who bennet was

Post #19 » by **niQ** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 10:02 pm

kavan wrote:
I broke the news about the Tyler H signing to him, he was shocked and said I guess he starts at the 4.. then I said what about Amir he said your right. He said Tyler would be taking up Aaron Gray min's. He also said he rather play with him then against him. Called him a tough guy.

Looks like JV has some inside scoop about a possible Amir trade.

kavan · Post #20 » by **kavan** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 11:18 pm

rapsanity wrote:dont want to seem like an a***** but why would he be waiting for his luggage if he was on his way TO vegas??

Connecting from Copenhagen ... Clearing Customs to go through to the US. Not sure how often you connect through Toronto.

Edit: If you must know he went from Lithuania to CPH to YYZ to LAS.