Jonas Valanciunas 11/12 Season Thread III

Darknemo2000 · Post #981 » by **Darknemo2000** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 12:00 pm

Dontd wrote:Donatas is very dependent on things like coach, team, etc... He needs suitable team, otherwise Jonas has been succeesful in every team he played, I cannot say that Donatas wasn't succeesful, but he wasn't quite the guy that you expected him to be. That's the reason why Jonas has a better career so far though he is 2 years younger. While Donatas has skills, Jonas has extremely good personality for sports which drives him to succees.

Well Jonas can be good without the ball. You cant really say the same about Donut. He needs ball in his hands and team working for him, then he can be really good.

sisibilio · Post #982 » by **sisibilio** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 4:45 pm

xprt wrote:Yea PF is stacked Songaila is former NBA player, Lavrinovic is NBA level player Raptors there interesting in him in past but he couldnt go to NBA because of his problems with law, coach didnt even invite another brother Lavrinovic who is CSKA player because he didn't played enought so PF bar is high this year. Motiejunas best chance would be to make as 3rd PF though Kleiza can play PF so I don't know even if they need 3 PF.

All those used to be really good players but Songaila is also a pretty banged up 34 YO player and he's been not so impressive in Turkey and Spain this season.
D Lavrinovic has played well for CSKA and could make the cut but i'm not sure i pick him over Motiejunas.

I think Javtokas-Valanciunas-Jankunas are the only guys that have a secured spot in the roster, K Lavrinovic will probably gets in to be the 3rd string center and then you have 1 or 2 spots for Lavrinovic-Songaila-Donatas. I'd take the latter

xprt · Post #983 » by **xprt** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:53 pm

Olympics basketball groups just announced
A group

USA
France
Argentina
Tunisia
qualifier
qualifier

B group

Spain
Australia
Brazil
China
Great Britan
qualifier'

Well seems A group with USA, Argentina and France is stronger. 4 teams go further. If Lithuania would make to Olympics and get into B group... 3/4 chance they are getting Argentina, USA, France in next round which are all great teams...

UcanUwill · Post #984 » by **UcanUwill** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 9:50 pm

Hope Group A it is.

Oh, and Some people... :nonono:

Dontd wrote:Donatas will definetely make it to olympics or to the roster that competes for olympics, he would have made it even in 2010 WC if Lithuanian basketball federation wasn't against him playing for senior team because of his refusal to play for U20 or U19 team a year ago (or that same year).

This reminds me this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx_wozKGbSc&t=9m35s

Back in 2010, Donatas was cut because of his poor rebounding and defense, especially rebounding. I understand a lot of people think he was a better option than Andriuskevicius, but I disagree. MA barely played at all, but he did his job, he was that 7'2 guy who just stands there and contest shots. Meanwhile Donatas is complete opposite and was not needed, especially with Kleiza already playing 4. Besides, we all know MA would never whine about his minutes, while Donatas has me first mentality.

In 2011, he looked really lost, especially on D. Was probably really nervous, had no idea what to do there. Game against Slovenia was enough to guess he will be cut tomorrow, and he was.
Here, I have a footage of him. You can really tell he was not ready.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwZ3R_KqnDs&t=39m10s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwZ3R_KqnDs&t=70m10s

xprt · Post #985 » by **xprt** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 10:09 pm

Though I could see Donut fitting in if coach decides to go with run and gun system like he did in 2010 with young guys. Imagine lineup of Jonas 7'' Donut 7'1'' Kleiza 6'8'' Pocius 6'5'' Kalnietis 6'5'' would be crazy fast, athletic and just huge.

Darknemo2000 · Post #986 » by **Darknemo2000** » Tue May 1, 2012 12:07 am

xprt wrote:Olympics basketball groups just announced
A group

USA
France
Argentina
Tunisia
qualifier
qualifier

B group

Spain
Australia
Brazil
China
Great Britan
qualifier'

Well seems A group with USA, Argentina and France is stronger. 4 teams go further. If Lithuania would make to Olympics and get into B group... 3/4 chance they are getting Argentina, USA, France in next round which are all great teams...

Well its not necessarily better to end up in group A either since you most likely end up in the 4th position on Q which means you would be facing the Spain.

sisibilio · Post #987 » by **sisibilio** » Tue May 1, 2012 12:26 pm

Darknemo2000 wrote:Well its not necessarily better to end up in group A either since you most likely end up in the 4th position on Q which means you would be facing the Spain.

Argentina is not as strong as it used to be, they have a huge hole in the middle, they're looking to Oberto (who was technically retired and hasn't played in a year) as the savior so imagine how desperate they are.
And the PG position is not in much better shape with old fart Prigioni and a bunch of unexperienced and not very talented kids. THey have great wings and a good bunch of PFs but all in all the team is not that reliable.

BalticGiants · Post #988 » by **BalticGiants** » Tue May 1, 2012 6:12 pm

Hi, there.

I have to say it have been said a lot of wrong things about Lithuanian NT and Motiejūnas. I feel it should be clear out.

Firs of all, D. Lavrinovič is out of extended list of contenders. K. Lavrinovič is not expected to come as well (as NT staff expressed), but he's in the lst though. He usually is put of shape in NT, he's injury prone as well. So it's funny to see some people put him in in the starting lineup. Most likely he won't be in NT at all.

Linas Kleiza is clear starter at 4 unless some games, but I have no doubt in most games this is the case.

Danatas Motiejunas is a lock for 2012 team, IMO. Kemzura expressed that in his own way saying "Motiejunas is doing all this season that I would have no arguments for saying NO" Actually, he said "Jonas should take example of Donatas, and to do what he does". That is - less profiles in the media, more silent work. That's before Jonas best performances in Eurocup/VTB though. Motiejunas not even should be in the team, but should probably be the first in the game after Kleiza at 4.

UcanUwill, bashing DM constantly here, but he's a agreat offensive player, way more polished that current JV at the moment and should be a great contributor for Lith NT, specially in the future (yes, I know his FG accuracy, but I'm actually following Motiejunas' real games and not only stats cheets). I also see Jonas and Donatas starting for NT in some games BTW, not to mention that these two are clear key players for the future.

Good news that our best SG - Rimantas Kaukėnas- is healthy already and playing basketball. If Šarūnas Jasikevičius will come, Lithuania will have balanced, deep and athletic team that can be highly competitive. Way stronger that 2011, that's for sure.

PG. Kalnietis, Jasikevičius
SG. Kaukėnas, Pocius, Seibutis (we have a great shooter Gecevičius here as well)
SF. S. Jasaitis. J. Mačiulis
PF. L. Kleiza, D. Motiejūnas, P. Jankūnas.
C. Valančiūnas, Javtokas

And no thanks for barely walking, completely washed out Songaila. If you've watched Motiejunas game against Songaila's team, Motiejunas looked like from other world, totally dominating Songaila and other bigs of Galatasaray (later Songaila was cut from this team).

raptor21_85 · Post #989 » by **raptor21_85** » Tue May 1, 2012 7:21 pm

I was reading an article in ESPN deportes LA about Argentina in the Olympics.. the writer says the situation for Argentina during the first round is very complicated due to the competitive teams in Group A.. He also names Lithuania, Russia and Greece as the favorites to shine in the qualifier in Venezuela.. The goal is being 2nd or 3rd at the end of the first round to avoid Spain in the second round and to be 3rd overall.. Finally, he says its like the end of an era for this roster (33 year old average)
I guess Lithuania has the same goal in the first round, to avoid Spain in the 2nd round, and then play hard and see what happens..

http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/st ... ype=column

Yoga · Post #990 » by **Yoga** » Tue May 1, 2012 9:02 pm

BalticGiants wrote:Hi, there.

I have to say it have been said a lot of wrong things about Lithuanian NT and Motiejūnas. I feel it should be clear out.

Firs of all, D. Lavrinovič is out of extended list of contenders. K. Lavrinovič is not expected to come as well (as NT staff expressed), but he's in the lst though. He usually is put of shape in NT, he's injury prone as well. So it's funny to see some people put him in in the starting lineup. Most likely he won't be in NT at all.

Linas Kleiza is clear starter at 4 unless some games, but I have no doubt in most games this is the case.

Danatas Motiejunas is a lock for 2012 team, IMO. Kemzura expressed that in his own way saying "Motiejunas is doing all this season that I would have no arguments for saying NO" Actually, he said "Jonas should take example of Donatas, and to do what he does". That is - less profiles in the media, more silent work. That's before Jonas best performances in Eurocup/VTB though. Motiejunas not even should be in the team, but should probably be the first in the game after Kleiza at 4.

UcanUwill, bashing DM constantly here, but he's a agreat offensive player, way more polished that current JV at the moment and should be a great contributor for Lith NT, specially in the future (yes, I know his FG accuracy, but I'm actually following Motiejunas' real games and not only stats cheets). I also see Jonas and Donatas starting for NT in some games BTW, not to mention that these two are clear key players for the future.

Good news that our best SG - Rimantas Kaukėnas- is healthy already and playing basketball. If Šarūnas Jasikevičius will come, Lithuania will have balanced, deep and athletic team that can be highly competitive. Way stronger that 2011, that's for sure.

PG. Kalnietis, Jasikevičius
SG. Kaukėnas, Pocius, Seibutis (we have a great shooter Gecevičius here as well)
SF. S. Jasaitis. J. Mačiulis
PF. L. Kleiza, D. Motiejūnas, P. Jankūnas.
C. Valančiūnas, Javtokas

And no thanks for barely walking, completely washed out Songaila. If you've watched Motiejunas game against Songaila's team, Motiejunas looked like from other world, totally dominating Songaila and other bigs of Galatasaray (later Songaila was cut from this team).

Thanks for the detailed info about the Lithuanian NT. Why is Kleiza starting at PF and not SF?

Post #991 » by **Nuntius** » Tue May 1, 2012 9:45 pm

Yoga wrote:Thanks for the detailed info about the Lithuanian NT. Why is Kleiza starting at PF and not SF?

He always played more PF than SF in Europe.

Post #992 » by **Nuntius** » Tue May 1, 2012 9:46 pm

BalticGiants wrote:(we have a great shooter Gecevičius here as well)

Martynas has gone cold for the second half of the season in Olympiacos. Let's hope that he will be hot in the Final 4 cause we need him

xprt · Post #993 » by **xprt** » Tue May 1, 2012 10:44 pm

Kleiza lost weight he isn't bulked enough to play full time pf. Gecevicius always sucked in NT he needs ton of minutes to perform but isn't talented enough to get then in NT. If Kaukenas, Pocius, Seibutis plays Gecevicius isnt making NT.

UcanUwill · Post #994 » by **UcanUwill** » Tue May 1, 2012 11:34 pm

He also blew his knee. He is PF, he will probably play SF minutes, because its a need, but his primary position is PF for sure.

And that coach praise towards Donatas is so misunderstood. First of all, coach wants to boost guys morale, he was kicked from NT twice already.

Jonas does everything right, he does''t need extra lessons. You think he is not working in silence? He works his ass off every day. And what media profiles? Guess what, its not his fault he is superior player and everyone is talking about him. Last time I remember Jonas flirting with the media was when he did the radio when he was injured. Thats about it.

raptor21_85 · Post #995 » by **raptor21_85** » Wed May 2, 2012 12:19 am

aint Kleiza undersized to be PF?? rather him on the arc for open 3s.. talkin about the Raps, not his NT

UcanUwill · Post #996 » by **UcanUwill** » Wed May 2, 2012 12:32 am

raptor21_85 wrote:aint Kleiza undersized to be PF?? rather him on the arc for open 3s.. talkin about the Raps, not his NT

He did played more of a PF this year anyway, and it was in the NBA. Cmaping PF, but a PF nonetheless. He was at least tolerable, much better compared to last year.

He had a great season in Greece and was great in Lithuanian jerseys back in 2010, playing PF, so thats not a problem. Now he just got slower, so PF is even more logical choice.

Raptor_Claw · Post #997 » by **Raptor_Claw** » Wed May 2, 2012 1:08 am

raptor21_85 wrote:I was reading an article in ESPN deportes LA about Argentina in the Olympics.. the writer says the situation for Argentina during the first round is very complicated due to the competitive teams in Group A.. He also names Lithuania, Russia and Greece as the favorites to shine in the qualifier in Venezuela.. The goal is being 2nd or 3rd at the end of the first round to avoid Spain in the second round and to be 3rd overall.. Finally, he says its like the end of an era for this roster (33 year old average)
I guess Lithuania has the same goal in the first round, to avoid Spain in the 2nd round, and then play hard and see what happens..

http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/st ... ype=column

If Greece and Lithuania do qualify, then they go into Group A also. That's a horrible draw for Argentina. It will be hard for them to even make it out of the group stage. They would be the 5th best team in that group.

Post #998 » by **Nuntius** » Wed May 2, 2012 1:35 am

raptor21_85 wrote:aint Kleiza undersized to be PF?? rather him on the arc for open 3s.. talkin about the Raps, not his NT

Kleiza is 6'8. That's a bit undersized for a PF in the NBA and the Raps. However, it is completely fine in Europe and his NT.

That said, 6'8 is not a terrible disadvantage either. Chuck Hayes is 6'6 and he tends to cover at C as well. Shelden Williams is 6'9 and mostly plays Center.

David West is 6'9 and he has been an All-Star. So, 6'8 is not something terrible especially since Kleiza plays in the Raptors' 2nd unit.

raptor21_85 · Post #999 » by **raptor21_85** » Wed May 2, 2012 1:46 am

Raptor_Claw wrote:
raptor21_85 wrote:I was reading an article in ESPN deportes LA about Argentina in the Olympics.. the writer says the situation for Argentina during the first round is very complicated due to the competitive teams in Group A.. He also names Lithuania, Russia and Greece as the favorites to shine in the qualifier in Venezuela.. The goal is being 2nd or 3rd at the end of the first round to avoid Spain in the second round and to be 3rd overall.. Finally, he says its like the end of an era for this roster (33 year old average)
I guess Lithuania has the same goal in the first round, to avoid Spain in the 2nd round, and then play hard and see what happens..

http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/st ... ype=column

If Greece and Lithuania do qualify, then they go into Group A also. That's a horrible draw for Argentina. It will be hard for them to even make it out of the group stage. They would be the 5th best team in that group.

Thats correct.. the writer is also aware of that.. he wants to be optimistic (hes Argentinian), but actually i can feel he thinks it will be hard for his country, although theres still some hope since this is the last Olympics for several players..

redred9 · Post #1000 » by **redred9** » Wed May 2, 2012 1:50 am

Raptor_Claw wrote:
raptor21_85 wrote:I was reading an article in ESPN deportes LA about Argentina in the Olympics.. the writer says the situation for Argentina during the first round is very complicated due to the competitive teams in Group A.. He also names Lithuania, Russia and Greece as the favorites to shine in the qualifier in Venezuela.. The goal is being 2nd or 3rd at the end of the first round to avoid Spain in the second round and to be 3rd overall.. Finally, he says its like the end of an era for this roster (33 year old average)
I guess Lithuania has the same goal in the first round, to avoid Spain in the 2nd round, and then play hard and see what happens..

http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/st ... ype=column

If Greece and Lithuania do qualify, then they go into Group A also. That's a horrible draw for Argentina. It will be hard for them to even make it out of the group stage. They would be the 5th best team in that group.

wow that's a tough group

I'm glad Australia is in Group B!