Jonas Valanciunas vs. Deandre Ayton

Moderators: bwgood77, zimpy27, infinite11285, Clav, Domejandro, ken6199, bisme37, Dirk, KingDavid, cupcakesnake

Who is the better player?

Jonas Valanciunas
62
57%
Deandre Ayton
47
43%
 
Total votes: 109

LeBronSpaghetti
Bench Warmer
Posts: 1,367
And1: 2,204
Joined: Mar 08, 2018

Jonas Valanciunas vs. Deandre Ayton 

Post#1 » by LeBronSpaghetti » Tue Jul 22, 2025 9:57 pm

Who’s better?
Dacost
Sixth Man
Posts: 1,792
And1: 1,500
Joined: Feb 21, 2017

Re: Jonas Valanciunas vs. Deandre Ayton 

Post#2 » by Dacost » Tue Jul 22, 2025 10:10 pm

In my opinion Valanciunas is the worst defensive center in the NBA and by far and also the worst defensive player overall in the whole NBA.

He is an elite offensive rebounder and a good offensive player but it's not enough to offset his awful defense.
MrGoat
Lead Assistant
Posts: 5,859
And1: 7,426
Joined: Aug 14, 2019
 

Re: Jonas Valanciunas vs. Deandre Ayton 

Post#3 » by MrGoat » Tue Jul 22, 2025 10:14 pm

If locked in, it's Ayton. But that's the big if with Ayton
Free Luigi
BigGargamel
Lead Assistant
Posts: 5,184
And1: 10,876
Joined: Jan 28, 2020
Contact:
     

Re: Jonas Valanciunas vs. Deandre Ayton 

Post#4 » by BigGargamel » Tue Jul 22, 2025 10:31 pm

I mean, obviously Ayton is better. But looking at how much each team is going to have to depend on respective player, Denver is probably in the better situation.
brackdan70
RealGM
Posts: 17,974
And1: 12,770
Joined: Jul 15, 2013
Location: Ogden, UT
   

Re: Jonas Valanciunas vs. Deandre Ayton 

Post#5 » by brackdan70 » Tue Jul 22, 2025 10:34 pm

A quick glance at several advanced metric will tell you that JV is a fair bit better…that said I think Ayton has the capability to be better.
Jordan Walsh > Lonnie Walker
User avatar
The Laker Kid
General Manager
Posts: 9,506
And1: 6,968
Joined: Dec 16, 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA

Re: Jonas Valanciunas vs. Deandre Ayton 

Post#6 » by The Laker Kid » Tue Jul 22, 2025 10:38 pm

Bronny's teammate
MaxwellSmart wrote:I hate to say this, but Go Lakers....
Up-And-Coming
Lead Assistant
Posts: 4,668
And1: 4,010
Joined: Jul 21, 2015
       

Re: Jonas Valanciunas vs. Deandre Ayton 

Post#7 » by Up-And-Coming » Tue Jul 22, 2025 10:43 pm

:lol:
Duke4life831
Forum Mod
Forum Mod
Posts: 36,204
And1: 66,934
Joined: Jun 16, 2015
 

Re: Jonas Valanciunas vs. Deandre Ayton 

Post#8 » by Duke4life831 » Tue Jul 22, 2025 10:44 pm

Who's the better individual player? Ayton.

What situation would I rather have?

Ayton as my starter vs Jonas as my backup to Jokic? Jonas without much hesitation
Jon1798
Lead Assistant
Posts: 4,725
And1: 2,621
Joined: Feb 15, 2005

Re: Jonas Valanciunas vs. Deandre Ayton 

Post#9 » by Jon1798 » Tue Jul 22, 2025 11:05 pm

Pels were 6th in defense the last two years with Jonas as a starting center, and I believe Memphis was #1. Not saying that was all because of Jonas, but I certainly don’t think you can say he’s a bad defender. In particular, his size and ability to rebound and end possessions is huge.
"This post wants out of New Orleans" - Woj
Bankai
RealGM
Posts: 33,614
And1: 28,341
Joined: Oct 16, 2006
Location: Toronto, ON
       

Re: Jonas Valanciunas vs. Deandre Ayton 

Post#10 » by Bankai » Tue Jul 22, 2025 11:10 pm

Valanciunas has an enigma career. He has better offence, and the people eye test says his defence is bad. However, his defensive stats throughout his career say he is at least decent. He has been the center of plenty of team lineups, and they dont do bad defensively.

So on paper, he is supposed to be better then Ayton.
User avatar
NO-KG-AI
Retired Mod
Retired Mod
Posts: 44,025
And1: 19,956
Joined: Jul 19, 2005
Location: The city of witch doctors, and good ol' pickpockets

Re: Jonas Valanciunas vs. Deandre Ayton 

Post#11 » by NO-KG-AI » Tue Jul 22, 2025 11:14 pm

Bankai wrote:Valanciunas has an enigma career. He has better offence, and the people eye test says his defence is bad. However, his defensive stats throughout his career say he is at least decent. He has been the center of plenty of team lineups, and they dont do bad defensively.

So on paper, he is supposed to be better then Ayton.


That’s because most of defense is “in theory” for people, or they watch with confirmation bias. Every 6’8 guy that is slightly athletic is considered a 3-D guy that can guard 1-5, even when they suck at it. Likewise, floor bound, slow C’s are always considered some hige defensive liability even when it doesn’t play out that way.
Doctor MJ wrote:I don't understand why people jump in a thread and say basically, "This thing you're all talking about. I'm too ignorant to know anything about it. Lollerskates!"
User avatar
picc
RealGM
Posts: 19,425
And1: 21,001
Joined: Apr 08, 2009
 

Re: Jonas Valanciunas vs. Deandre Ayton 

Post#12 » by picc » Tue Jul 22, 2025 11:25 pm

Duke4life831 wrote:Who's the better individual player? Ayton.

What situation would I rather have?

Ayton as my starter vs Jonas as my backup to Jokic? Jonas without much hesitation


I too would rather have Jokic and JV than Ayton. :lol:
Image
User avatar
MrBigShot
RealGM
Posts: 18,499
And1: 20,029
Joined: Dec 18, 2010
 

Re: Jonas Valanciunas vs. Deandre Ayton 

Post#13 » by MrBigShot » Tue Jul 22, 2025 11:31 pm

I'll take Jonas all day. At least you can count on him not to mentally check out 3/4ths of the time.
"They say you miss 100% of the shots you take" - Mike James
User avatar
azcatz11
RealGM
Posts: 30,104
And1: 34,219
Joined: Apr 13, 2017
Location: Phoenix
   

Re: Jonas Valanciunas vs. Deandre Ayton 

Post#14 » by azcatz11 » Tue Jul 22, 2025 11:33 pm

Jonas has lead feet. The man cannot move. I know we all hate and despise Ayton but Ayton is superior at everything.
User avatar
KingFox
Lead Assistant
Posts: 5,073
And1: 5,275
Joined: Dec 23, 2014
 

Re: Jonas Valanciunas vs. Deandre Ayton 

Post#15 » by KingFox » Tue Jul 22, 2025 11:46 pm

Jonas because we can't measure potential and "ifs" in a debate like this. Give me the player that brings it every night and has a similar skillset - neither of them are anything to write home about on the defensive end with Ayton being better but his motor has always been questionable, as well as his work ethic and passion for the game in general.
JRoy
RealGM
Posts: 16,508
And1: 13,863
Joined: Feb 27, 2019
 

Re: Jonas Valanciunas vs. Deandre Ayton 

Post#16 » by JRoy » Wed Jul 23, 2025 12:01 am

It’s JV.

Ayton is a moron.
Edrees wrote:
JRoy wrote:Monta Ellis have it all


I was hoping and expecting this to be one of the first replies. You did not disappoint. Jroy have it all.
zzaj
General Manager
Posts: 8,977
And1: 3,549
Joined: Jul 12, 2006
 

Re: Jonas Valanciunas vs. Deandre Ayton 

Post#17 » by zzaj » Wed Jul 23, 2025 12:10 am

As someone who just had to deal with Ayton on the team I root for...I'd take Val 100% of the time.
SlimShady83
RealGM
Posts: 14,471
And1: 4,361
Joined: Jun 19, 2012

Re: Jonas Valanciunas vs. Deandre Ayton 

Post#18 » by SlimShady83 » Wed Jul 23, 2025 12:15 am

We really need Basketball back
My Go Team
Magic, Jordan, Pippen, Duncan, Shaq

My Counter
Stockton, Kobe, Bird, Rodman, Dirk

Today's Team
Luka, SGA, Tatum, Giannis, Wemby
SlimShady83
RealGM
Posts: 14,471
And1: 4,361
Joined: Jun 19, 2012

Re: Jonas Valanciunas vs. Deandre Ayton 

Post#19 » by SlimShady83 » Wed Jul 23, 2025 12:33 am

JRoy wrote:It’s JV.

Ayton is a moron.
I can't wait for first match up, between Lakers and your team, his going to torch you guys :nod:
My Go Team
Magic, Jordan, Pippen, Duncan, Shaq

My Counter
Stockton, Kobe, Bird, Rodman, Dirk

Today's Team
Luka, SGA, Tatum, Giannis, Wemby
Crazy-Canuck
RealGM
Posts: 29,434
And1: 7,427
Joined: Nov 24, 2003

Re: Jonas Valanciunas vs. Deandre Ayton 

Post#20 » by Crazy-Canuck » Wed Jul 23, 2025 12:37 am

Dacost wrote:In my opinion Valanciunas is the worst defensive center in the NBA and by far and also the worst defensive player overall in the whole NBA.

He is an elite offensive rebounder and a good offensive player but it's not enough to offset his awful defense.


He is not close to being the worst defensive player in the NBA.

Return to The General Board