After Ricky Rubio, Jonas Valanciunas=International Superstar

[xprt]

Lol, with all due respect, Valanciunas is SO overrated. Putting up numbers against smaller non-athletic kids has no merit.

He relies on his physical dominance WAY too much. And that dominance would disappear in the NBA when meeting athletic freaks. He could do well, but he'll never dominate.

.

Here is some videos from summer putting numbers on not small kids
Ibaka, Gasol's,Kristic, Kaman,Mazgov
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DkzWofJkZk[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1Bunu1lUoE&feature=related[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stQqOhB98vw&feature=related[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tX8mJ_el6c[/youtube]
He scored in double figures on them all averaging under 20 minutes. So whats stopping him to do the same in NBA?

[sisibilio]

I can only imagine what a front line of Jonas and Love would look like with Ricky running the show. Would have be crazy to have that lob/finishing/offensive reboudning threat alongside Love. That would have been the move that put them over the top for the furture imo. They look really good now, but they would have a chance at great with a big like this...

Yep, call me crazy but Rubio-Love-Valanciunas could have been the core of a championship team, sad we'll never see it.

[sikma42]

I can only imagine what a front line of Jonas and Love would look like with Ricky running the show. Would have be crazy to have that lob/finishing/offensive reboudning threat alongside Love. That would have been the move that put them over the top for the furture imo. They look really good now, but they would have a chance at great with a big like this...

Yep, call me crazy but Rubio-Love-Valanciunas could have been the core of a championship team, sad we'll never see it.

so sad. but it would have been a bold move(even though Kahn has made "bold" moves before). Everyone thought Williams was the pick. My biggest surprise was how someone could think Thompson or Kanter could be better prospects than Jonas based on what Jonas has shown.

[Dr Positivity]

Hell it sounds like they had Gortat and #14 for #2 sitting there

Turning down that could be a hugggge mistake. Rubio, Love, Gortat means you have your starting PG and PF/C of an elite team already done. Rebounding would be one of the best in the league, Love is covered defensively, both guys shoot and open up the paint. Maybe pick up Kawhi Leonard, Chris Singleton or Kenneth Faried at #14 for some badly needed perimeter d

TWolves are in a good position but would be in 'holy sh*t' position if they'd done that deal

[A_wildstabatanything]

Bargnani's going to open up a tonne of room for Jonas to work down low. BC's got to get these two a stud guard to play with.

[Relentless88]

Bargnani's going to open up a tonne of room for Jonas to work down low. BC's got to get these two a stud guard to play with.

Don't worry, Jeremy Lamb is coming.

[peja_the_legend]

Bargnani can give Valancunas all the room he wants and it wont matter.His post game is really clumsy,he's relying on pgs to create easy baskets for him..I dont get why ppl get upset with the Gortat comparison.Gortat is an excellent center,i see his ceiling as a Gortat/Spener Hawes type of player,no way he turns into a superstar.

[Johnny Firpo]

Bargnani can give Valancunas all the room he wants and it wont matter.His post game is really clumsy,he's relying on pgs to create easy baskets for him..I dont get why ppl get upset with the Gortat comparison.Gortat is an excellent center,i see his ceiling as a Gortat/Spener Hawes type of player,no way he turns into a superstar.

There is a massive room between Gortat, Hawes, and superstars.

[KembaWalker]

dont see anything particularly impressive with his post game

lots of wide open dunks that he wont get in the NBA

wont translate well

[sikma42]

dont see anything particularly impressive with his post game

lots of wide open dunks that he wont get in the NBA

wont translate well

im curious, assuming I agree that there isn't anything impressive about his post game(i obviously don't but that cool) how many bigs can catch and finish at the rim from all angles and with power through traffic?

Its not like the NBA is full of them...now add in the fact that he is an 85% foul shooter and can block shots? plus he is tough? plus he is 7 foot?

Seems like a lot of gms don't seem to make the moves necessary to get that elusive player. Jonas' value has gone up since the draft. Toronto would laugh at Minny if they wanted to do a Derrick Williams swap now, that is because 7 footers like that don't come around every day.

[droponov]

No, not really. Upside is Gortat IMO

Well, that's an improvement. A few months ago you were comparing him to Krstic.

[droponov]

A lot of people threw around comparisons to Pau Gasol even though JVal is not a post up threat and is uncomfortable anytime he makes physical contact with a player. JVal is horrible at setting screens, boxing out and setting up shots in the post. He simply is not strong enough or comfortable enough making contact in any situation at this moment. Turning 20 this year I think it's a major stretch to say he can turn into Pau in the post. He can turn into Pau like Anthony Davis can turn into Pau

I know you admit you don't watch basketball games and only form your opinions by reading draft sites and watching youtube videos, but you really need better sources.

Valanciunas' post game is many times superior to Pau's game at the same age. It's not even comparable. Ditto for his work as a screener (horrible?). And the same is true for most kids his age.

[droponov]

I saw Jonas play at the european under 19 and he was dominant against his peers the same age as him. It´s borderline stupidity to at least not admit that he has great potential and I for one pick him to be quite successful

Yeps. I think most people simply lose track of this. When Valanciunas plays against his peers, he dominates. If he was playing in college, he'd be the best player in the nation. Nobody would be calling his rebounding average or saying he lacks defensive awareness or has troubles reading the game.

[Amish Mafioso]

Too skinny and weak. Not strong like bull.

[droponov]

He's 20. He has very good strength for his age and height.

[Dan Z]

When can Jonas come over to the NBA?

[A_wildstabatanything]

^
Next season.

[Pooh_Jeter]

I don't get why people are dissecting his post game/offensive repetoire so much.

The main strength of Jonas V at this point is his potential as a defensive player/rebounder. Sure, he doesn't have elite level athleticism and he needs to get stronger, but he has the potential to be a Noah/Varejao type rebounder/defender and every team on the league wants a big like that on their team.

What could turn Jonas V from an above average starter into a potential all-star/superstar is his offensive game though. Sure, he doesn't have an elite post game (how many bigs do at 19?), but he has shown great potential playing the pick and roll and finishing at the basket. He is a great free throw shooter already and all the pieces are there for him to develop a solid mid range game. By all accounts he has a great work ethic and he is truly just scratching the surface of his potential and that is what has so many people excited about him.

A lot of bigs have a high bust potential, but I think Jonas V's floor is still pretty high and should allow him to be a solid energy big at worst. His best case scenario is truly intriguing though.

[Judrix]

Idk guys, Jeremy Lamb screams bust, imo.

[Frankie23]

I don't understand why the Cavs didn't pick him.. They will be in the lottery again, so you can wait one more year to make a team..