Official Eurobasket 2013 Thread

[Laure]

Valanciunas didn't look too good for the prospect people say he is.

He averaged 6/5 throughout the competition (tho on limited minutes), completely disappeared during some games, and he was the 6th best scorer on the Lithuanian national team. His competition was mostly scrub European centers.

Centers can dominate Eurobasket games. Players like Marc Gasol and Nenad Krstic were playing extremely well, and were the best on their teams, even Alexis Ajinca was extremely solid. Jonas was nowhere to be seen.

I can see your point, but I would have to disagree with you. Valanciunas wasn't the only NBA center who was underrused and dysfunctional (see Vucevic). Marc Gasol is a DPOY and one of the best centers in the world, of course he'll be the best on a depleted Spanish roster. And when it comes to Krstic, again, their roster was completely made out of young , unproven talent, and they needed his veteran leadership throughout the tournament.

LTU was just too deep in the big man department, and coach Kazlauskas was hesitant to play Valanciunas because he made alot of rookie-ish mistakes, so he didn't even make him start.

But I admit that Valanciunas didn't look well for a prospect, but an international game means little if he delivers in the NBA. Those scrubby centers are experienced and play the game the Euro way, and JV just isn't made for it, even more now with his added strength and shortage of post moves.

[SunKing]

Valanciunas was a 16/11 guy in Euroleague... Best PER in the competition. So you can't say he can't play in Europe.

What stand out the most for me was how he was still raw. Don't get me wrong he has a very good potential but still row. I know he isn't the same player as them but Gasol already was dominating in Euroleague/ACB/Eurobasket at his age before coming in NBA and Nowitzki was already a very good player with his NT in 1999.

Anyway, it's pretty amazing here in France

French NT is the ****, and are everywhere in the media. Especially since our football team sucks in results and attitude. I think seeing a bunch of young guys (from differents places in the country whom blacks, whites and mixed or whatever) very well educated for most of them, all singing the national anthem with an amazing spirit, talent and an humble attitude couldn't come in a better time.

Tony Parker is definitely a legend, he was already, but now I think right now he's just right behind Zinedine Zidane. I never taught I would see this day coming

[JV4MVP]

Tony Parker is definitely a legend, he was already, but now I think right now he's just right behind Zinedine Zidane. I never taught I would see this day coming

Didn't Parker say that he probably won't be available for the World Cup?

And Valanciunas isn't that raw anymore. The coach gave him limited minutes and his role was to rebound and defend. After a few games, he was discouraged from iso post ups and never took any close jumpers. Even the skilled Motiejunas was on a similar leash. This tournament def doesn't mean anything for JV's offensive skillset.

[SunKing]

Tony Parker is definitely a legend, he was already, but now I think right now he's just right behind Zinedine Zidane. I never taught I would see this day coming

Didn't Parker say that he probably won't be available for the World Cup?

Yeah but what's your point ? Anyway, a lot of people think the World Cup should be a lab for the Fournier and Westermann of the world get playing time and show what they got in them.

[JV4MVP]

Tony Parker is definitely a legend, he was already, but now I think right now he's just right behind Zinedine Zidane. I never taught I would see this day coming

Didn't Parker say that he probably won't be available for the World Cup?

Yeah but what's your point ? Anyway, a lot of people think the World Cup should be a lab for the Fournier and Westermann of the world get playing time and show what they got in them.

France without Parker is probably out of the top-10 in world rankings. Parker is like the Jordan of your team. And he's irreplaceable.

Haven't seen much of Fournier in Denver but he just looks like an above average shooter, and nothing more. Of course he's still young and can prove me very wrong.

It only means so much to win one tournament.

[SunKing]

I think if you retire Parker we are at the door of the top 10. The kind of team that get to the QF in Olympics/Eurobasket but get absolutely smashed by any good team in playoffs (see us at the WC in 2010).

Now I think Parker but also Diaw and Batum should skip the WC to get rest and when you know them I can guarantee you a summer with national team play will get them ready as **** for Eurobasket 2015 and Olympics 2016.

Evan Fournier is a legit talent. I can see him be a good starter in this league with above average scoring ability/playmaking and he has a good defensive player potential. I hope next summer he comes so he can get straight international experience as a key guy with Antoine Diot and Nando De Colo.

We have a good potential I think those next 3 years are important for the place of basketball in french culture. If we can create a good generation to go with Diot/Batum/De Colo when Pietrus/Parker/Diaw/Gelabale will get old and still emulate passion from the national with results I have good hope for the future

[sisibilio]

Valanciunas was a 16/11 guy in Euroleague... Best PER in the competition. So you can't say he can't play in Europe.

?? he never had those stats in the Euroleague, maybe you've been looking at his numbers in the lithuanian league.

What stand out the most for me was how he was still raw. Don't get me wrong he has a very good potential but still row. I know he isn't the same player as them but Gasol already was dominating in Euroleague/ACB/Eurobasket at his age before coming in NBA and Nowitzki was already a very good player with his NT in 1999.

Well, Gasol wasn't dominant until his last season in Barcelona when he was already 21, which would be this upcoming season for Jonas.



Although i also expected more production from Valanciunas in the Eurobasket i wouldn't be worried yet, it's clear he still needs time to adjust his game to his "refurbished" body.

[SunKing]

Valanciunas was a 16/11 guy in Euroleague... Best PER in the competition. So you can't say he can't play in Europe.

?? he never had those stats in the Euroleague, maybe you've been looking at his numbers in the lithuanian league.

I absolutely messed that up. I was looking at his first line of stat (when he was playing junior). I don't watch anymore european basketball since like 2004/2005 or so (when Skipper Bologna led by Vujacic lost in the final four). I just follow french prospects and that's about it.

Well, Gasol wasn't dominant until his last season in Barcelona when he was already 21, which would be this upcoming season for Jonas.

If you go strictly "age by age", the season where Gasol blew up in Barcelona was this very season that ended. Gasol was the best player in the Eurobasket 2001 (held few months after his 21st birthday just like JV) behind Nowitzki.

I know you can't compare this kind of things but well... I feel like we should have already seen a very good JV with his NT. Just like Turkoglu in 2001, Gasol in 2001, Parker in 2003 whom where all leaders of their national team no matter how young they were as far as I remember.

Although i also expected more production from Valanciunas in the Eurobasket i wouldn't be worried yet, it's clear he still needs time to adjust his game to his "refurbished" body.

You're absolutely right, he's very young, but he has tools and seems to have a good mindset so I wouldn't judge him before the end of his 3/4th year in the league.

[JV4MVP]

Anyone know when FIBA updates the country rankings?

I don't think it has been modified to account for Fiba Americas, Fiba Asia, Eurobasket, etc.

Lithuania should move up to #4 but where will Canada be?