The Jonas Valanciunas Thread

[basketball royalty]

Alright, so now that we agree that he's a decent jumpshooter out to 15-17 feet, we can hush the offensive worries.

I'll be second to admit that I haven't watched all his games, but I sure as hell haven't seen none, and am not sitting here making assumptions on something I know NOTHING about.

I give him 3-4 years before he's a quality/reliable center in this league, guy. With the right grooming (which he's getting in Europe) and when he comes over to get a defensive minded coach in Dwyane Casey - we should have ourselves a pretty little player here.

We really going to have to wait that long? To maybe have ourselves a pretty little player? That is what I like least about this. I mean if teams like the Spurs or whatever takes a guy like that it is usually late in the draft and they don't necessarily need the talent infusion right away. We are not in that situation.

[mowcrowbar]

Love the pick. Love all the angst from everyone who hates the pick.

Chew on it, baby.

I spent a year following this kid while you were wasting your time on severely flawed NCAA trash (okay, and a few guys who thought better of entering this draft).

Mark my words. Valanciunas will be one of the two or three best players to emerge from this draft.

And I lvoe the fact that everyone was wrong on BC. He made the ballsy long-term pick, not the short-term move to ensure he wins more games next season.

He's rebuilding the proper way. BPA after BPA after BPA. It would have been easy to sell Walker or Knight, might have sold some tickets for the Teachers' pension plan. But no, he put the franchise first.

I salute you sir!

[rove]

Me personally I want an actual C that can bang inside, shotblock, intimidate - JV doesn't look like the type that can do that. And that's not talking about any offensive issues he may/may not have.

In addition, we gotta wait another 3-4 years? In this case we can wait about... hmm.. 30 years until that championship banner!

This is totally what I'm saying when I can see BC doing the same song and dance as Bustnani and he'll never admit he's wrong until he's fired.

Alright, so now that we agree that he's a decent jumpshooter out to 15-17 feet, we can hush the offensive worries.

I'll be second to admit that I haven't watched all his games, but I sure as hell haven't seen none, and am not sitting here making assumptions on something I know NOTHING about.

I give him 3-4 years before he's a quality/reliable center in this league, guy. With the right grooming (which he's getting in Europe) and when he comes over to get a defensive minded coach in Dwyane Casey - we should have ourselves a pretty little player here.

[kmatrixg]

You're assuming he can hold his positions setting a screen in the NBA, cut through the contact in the paint and then be strong enough to go up and get fouled. That's a whole lot of ifs.

The only true upside to this pick is that he probably won't come here next year and we tank next year for the true prize - Harrison Barnes.

So you think he'll actually become an offensive force

Val isn't going to become an offensive force, but he'll be REALLY efficient with his offense which I can bet on. Guys who can set hard screens for their teammates and roll to the basket are going to be useful one way or another. The fact that Val shot 91.7% from the free-throw line should really help him because when you roll, you're inevitably going to be fouled.

Before you make another response - go watch Val play. At least youtube videos are something. Nothing you say can be taken seriously at this point now that you've admitted you've never seen the kid play ever.

[clockwork]

These are just parting shots. I will officially be done with this team come daybreak.

GOODBYE!!!! CYA!!!!!

Somebody should start a countdown to that..

[Tenacious_C]

So.....no pg, but a project Center; which is what he is.

He is a project who can stay in Europe until the lockout is over. Would have taken a trade instead.

I don't mind, I just don't want to hear the bitching in 18 months.

[arbsn]

My favourite part is him saying
“I was so surprised, so happy, I didn’t think I was going to be drafted so high.”

Reminds me of the time Amir said something along the lines of
"Yea 6 million a year is great, I didn't expect to get paid so much money"

[kmatrixg]

Alright, so now that we agree that he's a decent jumpshooter out to 15-17 feet, we can hush the offensive worries.

I'll be second to admit that I haven't watched all his games, but I sure as hell haven't seen none, and am not sitting here making assumptions on something I know NOTHING about.

I give him 3-4 years before he's a quality/reliable center in this league, guy. With the right grooming (which he's getting in Europe) and when he comes over to get a defensive minded coach in Dwyane Casey - we should have ourselves a pretty little player here.

We really going to have to wait that long? To maybe have ourselves a pretty little player? That is what I like least about this. I mean if teams like the Spurs or whatever takes a guy like that it is usually late in the draft and they don't necessarily need the talent infusion right away. We are not in that situation.

If you were looking for Kevin Durant in this draft, perhaps you should have picked up the newspaper.

[rove]

Wait, hold up, you've seen YouTube videos only?? OK then I've seen everyone of them and you're not changing my mind.

Before you make another response - go watch Val play. At least youtube videos are something. Nothing you say can be taken seriously at this point now that you've admitted you've never seen the kid play ever.

[Blazing_royale]

whats wrong with waiting Val to develop over in Europe. 3 years is not that long. Are we looking to win a championship with Val? whats the rush with bringing him here. We're still in tank mode and with him stash in Europe we get extra cap to sign some players also. its a win win situation

[tkim01]

This is a great day for Canadian basketball fans.

For those who are thrilled with this pick, here's what I saw from the Cavs board:



This quote from Wojo is the best i can do:

"The Cavs didn't break the Spurs hearts, but the Pistons'. Thompson played Derrick Williams to stand-still in workouts and won Cavs over."

I wanted JV too.

[Anatomize]

I missed the draft.. can anyone tell me what the analysts said prior to and after the Raps pick?

[kmatrixg]

Me personally I want an actual C that can bang inside, shotblock, intimidate - JV doesn't look like the type that can do that. And that's not talking about any offensive issues he may/may not have.

In addition, we gotta wait another 3-4 years? In this case we can wait about... hmm.. 30 years until that championship banner!

This is totally what I'm saying when I can see BC doing the same song and dance as Bustnani and he'll never admit he's wrong until he's fired.

Alright, so now that we agree that he's a decent jumpshooter out to 15-17 feet, we can hush the offensive worries.

I'll be second to admit that I haven't watched all his games, but I sure as hell haven't seen none, and am not sitting here making assumptions on something I know NOTHING about.

I give him 3-4 years before he's a quality/reliable center in this league, guy. With the right grooming (which he's getting in Europe) and when he comes over to get a defensive minded coach in Dwyane Casey - we should have ourselves a pretty little player here.

If you were looking for Kevin Durant in this draft, perhaps you should have picked up the newspaper.

See: Above

And you basing assumptions off the way he "looks" is as laughable as it comes.

Looks.

[Undefeated]

You're assuming he can hold his positions setting a screen in the NBA, cut through the contact in the paint and then be strong enough to go up and get fouled. That's a whole lot of ifs

Those skills are easily translated. It's just off the ball movement which he can still do. Keep in mind that Euroleague basketball plays a ton of zone defense which would make it harder on Val to roll to the basket with a clogged paint. The NBA doesn't play a lot of zone defense which would give Val more room to actually catch and finish when rolling.

[Tough Tony D]

Can someone please tell me though why those euros always sign long term contracts and then want to have a buy-out!! Can't you just sign shorter contracts?? Always buy out issues, STOP SIGNING 3-4 years and you wont have those problems!

[T_Biggums]

He's sad because his wife/girlfriend beats him.

uhhhh yaaaaaaa..... let's just leave this one alone he clearly needs help.

[McFurious1]

From Chad Ford Combine:

"Had a good talk with Jonas Valanciunas. Nice, humble kid. Huge hands. 7-4 wingspan. Measured 7 feet tall here. Not ready but major upside"

[basketball royalty]

Alright, so now that we agree that he's a decent jumpshooter out to 15-17 feet, we can hush the offensive worries.

I'll be second to admit that I haven't watched all his games, but I sure as hell haven't seen none, and am not sitting here making assumptions on something I know NOTHING about.

I give him 3-4 years before he's a quality/reliable center in this league, guy. With the right grooming (which he's getting in Europe) and when he comes over to get a defensive minded coach in Dwyane Casey - we should have ourselves a pretty little player here.

We really going to have to wait that long? To maybe have ourselves a pretty little player? That is what I like least about this. I mean if teams like the Spurs or whatever takes a guy like that it is usually late in the draft and they don't necessarily need the talent infusion right away. We are not in that situation.

If you were looking for Kevin Durant in this draft, perhaps you should have picked up the newspaper.

No, but it would be nice to see a player on the court. Did MIN make the right decision taking Rubio to wait two years for him and he still looks like he might not be NBA ready? Its a pretty high pick to be making those kind of moves.

[rove]

Whatever man. If getting a serviceable 20 min center that'll come in 3 years will make you happy then all the power to you.

As for me, I'll root for Kemba to win ROY.

Me personally I want an actual C that can bang inside, shotblock, intimidate - JV doesn't look like the type that can do that. And that's not talking about any offensive issues he may/may not have.

In addition, we gotta wait another 3-4 years? In this case we can wait about... hmm.. 30 years until that championship banner!

This is totally what I'm saying when I can see BC doing the same song and dance as Bustnani and he'll never admit he's wrong until he's fired.

Alright, so now that we agree that he's a decent jumpshooter out to 15-17 feet, we can hush the offensive worries.

I'll be second to admit that I haven't watched all his games, but I sure as hell haven't seen none, and am not sitting here making assumptions on something I know NOTHING about.

I give him 3-4 years before he's a quality/reliable center in this league, guy. With the right grooming (which he's getting in Europe) and when he comes over to get a defensive minded coach in Dwyane Casey - we should have ourselves a pretty little player here.

If you were looking for Kevin Durant in this draft, perhaps you should have picked up the newspaper.

See: Above

And you basing assumptions off the way he "looks" is as laughable as it comes.

Looks.

[kmatrixg]

Wait, hold up, you've seen YouTube videos only?? OK then I've seen everyone of them and you're not changing my mind.

Before you make another response - go watch Val play. At least youtube videos are something. Nothing you say can be taken seriously at this point now that you've admitted you've never seen the kid play ever.

What is it with you guys and comprehending a simple paragraph? You really think I was implying to go watch him play RIGHT NOW? He's in New Jersey man. I was saying, "at least youtube videos is something" FOR YOU.