Jonas Valanciunas Summer Discussion Thread (Olympics!)

torontosfinest · Post #101 » by **torontosfinest** » Sun May 27, 2012 2:51 pm

jonas is a superb athlete for his position, we're too spoiled with the new freaks of athletes like javale mcgee and deandre jordan, and howard. but when it comes to every other center in the league he is just as physically gifted if not more. Hes agile, and fluid which to me says more than being able to jump like a freak.

Yoga · Post #102 » by **Yoga** » Mon May 28, 2012 5:46 am

Excited to see him play in the Olympics!! Manu Ginobili, Ricky Rubio, Pau Gasol, Luis Scola are some international players who have done well at the Olympics....this will give us a good indication of what we have with Jonas V

Raptor_Claw · Post #103 » by **Raptor_Claw** » Wed May 30, 2012 12:51 pm

Since some people here have asked about the level of the Lithuanian League that Valanciunas was playing in, the Euroleague just released their new national/domestic league rankings, and this was the result:

1. Spanish League
2. United League (international)
3. Greek League
4. Italian League
5. Turkish League
6. French League
7. German League
8. Lithuanian League
9. Adriatic League (international)
10. Belgian League
11. Czech League
12. Ukrainian League
13. Israeli League
14. Polish League
15. Bulgarian League
16. Dutch League
17. Latvian League

The European leagues Euroleague and Eurocup, are also considered higher level leagues as well.

So, the Lithuanian League is currently considered to be the 10th best league in Europe.

Hopefully that helps give everyone here a better perspective about the leagues he was playing in this year, to better judge it.

Of the three leagues that Valanciunas played in this year, the Eurocup is about the 6th best league in Europe, the Lithuanian League is the 10th best league in Europe, and the VTB United League is the 3rd best league in Europe.

Kastas · Post #104 » by **Kastas** » Wed May 30, 2012 3:50 pm

To be fair, top 5 leagues are head above the rest. Lithuanian league is carried by two clubs. Motiejunas had 19.9 pts and 7.0 reb at the age of 18 there, Ilgauskas 19.2 and 12 20yo. Valanciunas - 14.2, 7.4 at 20yo. It is a tricky age and questionable competitions. Ilgauskas broke his leg twice before his NBA debut with 16 points and 16 rebounds against Hakeem Olajuwon.

Absolutely exited about Olympics and upcoming season... and tonight's lottery.

team edward · Post #105 » by **team edward** » Wed May 30, 2012 4:56 pm

Raptor_Claw wrote:Since some people here have asked about the level of the Lithuanian League that Valanciunas was playing in, the Euroleague just released their new league rankings, and this was the result:

1. Spanish League
2. United League (international)
-- NBADL
3. Greek League
4. Italian League
5. Turkish League
-- NCAA (top 25 teams)
6. French League
7. German League
8. Lithuanian League
9. Adriatic League (international)
10. Belgian League
11. Czech League
12. Ukrainian League
13. Israeli League
14. Polish League
15. Bulgarian League
16. Dutch League
17. Latvian League

So is there a consensus as to where the D-League and the NCAA would rank compared to these? Just so we have a useful frame of reference when evaluating the performance of our future centre. I've suggested lcoations above but really am not informed enough about EL. Also, obviously NCAA is hard to rank - it may be that an average NCAA team can't beat an average Turkish team, but I bet Duke has a pretty good shot.

xprt · Post #106 » by **xprt** » Wed May 30, 2012 5:12 pm

team edward wrote:
Raptor_Claw wrote:Since some people here have asked about the level of the Lithuanian League that Valanciunas was playing in, the Euroleague just released their new league rankings, and this was the result:

1. Spanish League
2. United League (international)
-- NBADL
3. Greek League
4. Italian League
5. Turkish League
-- NCAA (top 25 teams)
6. French League
7. German League
8. Lithuanian League
9. Adriatic League (international)
10. Belgian League
11. Czech League
12. Ukrainian League
13. Israeli League
14. Polish League
15. Bulgarian League
16. Dutch League
17. Latvian League

So is there a consensus as to where the D-League and the NCAA would rank compared to these? Just so we have a useful frame of reference when evaluating the performance of our future centre. I've suggested lcoations above but really am not informed enough about EL. Also, obviously NCAA is hard to rank - it may be that an average NCAA team can't beat an average Turkish team, but I bet Duke has a pretty good shot.

For example NBADL made all league team and played in China with Lithuanian leagues 10th worst team Sakalai this season and NBADL all team won 2 of 3 games. Jonas team destroyed Sakalai by 30 and 40 pt. So I imagine how much does NBADL SUCK. They wouldnt crack top 10 list of these leagues so wouldnt NCAA. I imagine team like Duke could be competitive in below top 10 leagues but mostly NCAA teams wouldn't. Though thats just my opinion.

Regulio · Post #107 » by **Regulio** » Wed May 30, 2012 6:03 pm

NCAA boys would get their ass kicked badly. It is a very different competition against men.

xprt · Post #108 » by **xprt** » Wed May 30, 2012 6:41 pm

Jonas and Kleiza join Lith training camp today http://www.basketnews.lt/foto/sarasas-1 ... z1viQs5RF0 click on images

Raptor_Claw · Post #109 » by **Raptor_Claw** » Thu May 31, 2012 5:28 pm

team edward wrote:
Raptor_Claw wrote:Since some people here have asked about the level of the Lithuanian League that Valanciunas was playing in, the Euroleague just released their new league rankings, and this was the result:

1. Spanish League
2. United League (international)
-- NBADL
3. Greek League
4. Italian League
5. Turkish League
-- NCAA (top 25 teams)
6. French League
7. German League
8. Lithuanian League
9. Adriatic League (international)
10. Belgian League
11. Czech League
12. Ukrainian League
13. Israeli League
14. Polish League
15. Bulgarian League
16. Dutch League
17. Latvian League

So is there a consensus as to where the D-League and the NCAA would rank compared to these? Just so we have a useful frame of reference when evaluating the performance of our future centre. I've suggested lcoations above but really am not informed enough about EL. Also, obviously NCAA is hard to rank - it may be that an average NCAA team can't beat an average Turkish team, but I bet Duke has a pretty good shot.

The D-League isn't better than a single league on that list IMHO. However, I guess it's debatable starting with the 10th league on the list on down. But no way is the D-League as good as the first 9 leagues listed there.

NCAA Top 25? Even a league like Israel or Ukraine is higher IMO.

xprt · Post #110 » by **xprt** » Sat Jun 2, 2012 3:25 pm

Bump

Post #111 » by **FluLikeSymptoms** » Sat Jun 2, 2012 3:36 pm

HEY! That's OUR magic carpet!

lothy · Post #112 » by **lothy** » Sat Jun 2, 2012 3:48 pm

Jonas' pokerface :lol:

raptor21_85 · Post #113 » by **raptor21_85** » Sat Jun 2, 2012 4:48 pm

nice pics!!

sauga_raptor · Post #114 » by **sauga_raptor** » Sat Jun 2, 2012 5:46 pm

lothy wrote:Jonas' pokerface

Got stacks like!

GJC · Post #115 » by **GJC** » Sat Jun 2, 2012 8:36 pm

Raptor_Claw wrote:Since some people here have asked about the level of the Lithuanian League that Valanciunas was playing in, the Euroleague just released their new national/domestic league rankings, and this was the result:

1. Spanish League
2. United League (international)
3. Greek League
4. Italian League
5. Turkish League
6. French League
7. German League
8. Lithuanian League
9. Adriatic League (international)
10. Belgian League
11. Czech League
12. Ukrainian League
13. Israeli League
14. Polish League
15. Bulgarian League
16. Dutch League
17. Latvian League

The European leagues Euroleague and Eurocup, are also considered higher level leagues as well.

So, the Lithuanian League is currently considered to be the 10th best league in Europe.

Hopefully that helps give everyone here a better perspective about the leagues he was playing in this year, to better judge it.

Of the three leagues that Valanciunas played in this year, the Eurocup is about the 6th best league in Europe, the Lithuanian League is the 10th best league in Europe, and the VTB United League is the 3rd best league in Europe.

Link?

BalticGiants · Post #116 » by **BalticGiants** » Sat Jun 2, 2012 11:29 pm

From interview of Lithuanian NT head coach regarding Valančiūnas:

Who will be the main center? Valančiūnas or Javtokas?

K.K. They are different. Javtokas is matured, experienced and knows how to defend and how to help the other. Today Javtokas is stronger in the hustle. However in the offense Jonas has longer arsenal of moves. Specially dangerous is his pick and roll with Jasikevičius. Maybe one will start in one game and other in the next. Our starting 5 won't be constant probably.

http://www.lrytas.lt/-13386248491338...ajon%C4%99.htm

Los Manos · Post #117 » by **Los Manos** » Sun Jun 3, 2012 12:20 am

BalticGiants wrote:From interview of Lithuanian NT head coach regarding Valančiūnas:

Who will be the main center? Valančiūnas or Javtokas?

K.K. They are different. Javtokas is matured, experienced and knows how to defend and how to help the other. Today Javtokas is stronger in the hustle. However in the offense Jonas has longer arsenal of moves. Specially dangerous is his pick and roll with Jasikevičius. Maybe one will start in one game and other in the next. Our starting 5 won't be constant probably.

http://www.lrytas.lt/-13386248491338...ajon%C4%99.htm

Good to hear he is going to feature heavily for the national team this summer.

EventHorizon · Post #118 » by **EventHorizon** » Sun Jun 3, 2012 2:11 am

I am concerned that Jonas will be manhandled in the post when coaches run at him at the NBA level, his frame is too scrawny.

DBA · Post #119 » by **DBA** » Sun Jun 3, 2012 4:14 pm

EventHorizon wrote:I am concerned that Jonas will be manhandled in the post when coaches run at him at the NBA level, his frame is too scrawny.

He is still young and it's not wrestling, it's not he's going to brake in half or smth, muscles are pure work, if he works, he could be dominant.

vergogna · Post #120 » by **vergogna** » Mon Jun 4, 2012 12:57 pm

I'm posting this here: Bargnani has now officially declared he's not playing for Italy in the Euro '13 qualifications