Jonas Valanciunas Summer Discussion Thread (Olympics!)

[Morse Code]

This is why it's completely WRONG for Colangelo to try to make the playoffs next year. In order to do that we'll have to limit JV's minutes at least for the beginning, as he'll definitely make mistakes that'll cost us games.

It's just how Rookie's go.

I'm not under the impression that BC wants to give 1 more solid year towards the growth of our youth, but I wish it was the case. I think Ed, DD, JJ, Bargs all need 1 more season of steady minutes and freedom to f**k up. Val will need 2 or more imo, but if we can just maximize what he's already good at, then he should be serviceable for his first few seasons, at least. This year does make sense to shoot for playoffs, though, because the next draft class appears weak so far. I'm hoping for Nash because he will help Val develop faster.

[Dr Positivity]

I don't understand why people are obsessed with rookies getting huge minutes. It's like hockey prospects being sent to the minors - the proper phrase is that no young player's career has been hurt by staying down, while players careers have been hurt by playing too soon.

[SkywalkerAC]

This is why it's completely WRONG for Colangelo to try to make the playoffs next year. In order to do that we'll have to limit JV's minutes at least for the beginning, as he'll definitely make mistakes that'll cost us games.

It's just how Rookie's go.

I'm not under the impression that BC wants to give 1 more solid year towards the growth of our youth, but I wish it was the case. I think Ed, DD, JJ, Bargs all need 1 more season of steady minutes and freedom to f**k up. Val will need 2 or more imo, but if we can just maximize what he's already good at, then he should be serviceable for his first few seasons, at least. This year does make sense to shoot for playoffs, though, because the next draft class appears weak so far. I'm hoping for Nash because he will help Val develop faster.

The team will have a role for Jonas but he won't be leaned on the way we had to lean on a rookie Bosh for instance. He's coming to what should be a MUCH more complete team where he can come in off the bench, play high energy, and finish around the basket off of our ball-movement (which I'm counting on to be above-average). He will thrive in the limited role because he's a team first guy and he will catch and finish at a high rate, not because he's an elite defender at this point. Add Nash to the mix and suddenly a rookie Jonas is all but guaranteed double digit points, whilst providing hustle play and solid rebounding. You don't need to be a complete player to contribute on a good team, especially if Captain Canada is on your side.

Why wouldn't Bargs, DD, Ed, and JJ get steady minutes under Casey? These aren't rookies we're talking about here. There will be more competition for their minutes than before but they're all going to have a role to play if they're on the team and I expect them all to go to work and produce. If they can't, if Ed hasn't taken it up a notch with him motor/physicality, then sure, the minutes won't be there but otherwise, this is a solid young core for Casey to work with that won't have to be counted on nearly as much. We've done that, they got plenty of shots up, they learned how to play NBA defense, now they need some veteran assistance to bring it all together.

Jonas will finish games as a rookie because he's ace from the line, can challenge with length, and can secure rebounds but he's going to have plenty of help and plenty of competition for those mintues. I think it's going to be a fantastic situation for all involved.

Nash to Jonas! (crowd erupts)

[YoungG]

can anyone tell me JV's stats please and thank you

[JV4MVP]

can anyone tell me JV's stats please and thank you

I wouldn't worry about stats until the official qualifying tournament starts.

These games are meaningless and coaches from both sides are just testing random lineups and plays. Whatever stats you gather here won't translate into any predictive capabilities.

[Raptor_Claw]

can anyone tell me JV's stats please and thank you

I wouldn't worry about stats until the official qualifying tournament starts.

These games are meaningless and coaches from both sides are just testing random lineups and plays. Whatever stats you gather here won't translate into any predictive capabilities.

True. But the thing is that these international friendly games are played basically how NBA games are played. The official games will be played in European style, which is much different from the NBA. These prep games are actually played in an NBA style.

It's also true that the games are meaningless. But then again, players on both teams are fighting to make the rosters. So the players are playing very hard.

[xprt]

can anyone tell me JV's stats please and thank you

I wouldn't worry about stats until the official qualifying tournament starts.

These games are meaningless and coaches from both sides are just testing random lineups and plays. Whatever stats you gather here won't translate into any predictive capabilities.

True. But the thing is that these international friendly games are played basically how NBA games are played. The official games will be played in European style, which is much different from the NBA. These prep games are actually played in an NBA style.

[JV4MVP]

can anyone tell me JV's stats please and thank you

I wouldn't worry about stats until the official qualifying tournament starts.

These games are meaningless and coaches from both sides are just testing random lineups and plays. Whatever stats you gather here won't translate into any predictive capabilities.

True. But the thing is that these international friendly games are played basically how NBA games are played. The official games will be played in European style, which is much different from the NBA. These prep games are actually played in an NBA style.

It's also true that the games are meaningless. But then again, players on both teams are fighting to make the rosters. So the players are playing very hard.

Not sure about them being similar to NBA games. The entire starting lineups are mixed. If anything some of the fringe individual guys are playing more of a NBA summer league game to showcase their skills. In Jonas' case as well as many others of the LTU players the rosters are set... that's why some guys didn't even put jerseys on yesterday. It's also why Jonas didn't start... last game you had guys starting that may not even make the team. He has nothing to prove in these friendlies. I wouldn't look much into it until the QT. There everything will be serious and Jonas himself will be up against stiff competition.

[Raptor_Claw]

Not sure about them being similar to NBA games. The entire starting lineups are mixed. If anything some of the fringe individual guys are playing more of a NBA summer league game to showcase their skills. In Jonas' case as well as many others of the LTU players the rosters are set... that's why some guys didn't even put jerseys on yesterday. It's also why Jonas didn't start... last game you had guys starting that may not even make the team. He has nothing to prove in these friendlies. I wouldn't look much into it until the QT. There everything will be serious and Jonas himself will be up against stiff competition.

Well, for example, Nick Calathes was dribbling the ball for the whole shot clock on numerous possessions. So it is a lot more like an NBA game setting. Papanikoloau was going ISO one on one, etc. So they definitely resemble an NBA game much more than the official games will.

As far as the actual tournament goes, sure these are just friendlies, but Lithuania stands no chance of making the Olympics unless they pick up their game a lot. They can't beat Greece, Macedonia, or Russia, unless the play a lot better.

These are just early friendlies, but they are playing bad. And it's not just because they are not playing Saras and Kaukenas, or whatever. Macedonia was minus its 2 best players, and Greece was minus 4-5 of their best players also.

Both Valanciunas and Lithuania better pick it up, if they want to make the Olympics. Just adding in two offensive players in Saras and Kaukenas isn't making that much of a difference, considering the team's early form. So the players and their overrated coach, better pick it up.

[ATLTimekeeper]

I didn't watch the Greece game, but Val looked great against Macedonia. I do think they'll be in tough to make the Olympics, though. Macedonia, Russia and Greece pretty much have a free pass to the semi-finals, but Lithuania is going to have to beat Puerto Rico and then Macedonia to qualify.

[HSOB SIRHC]

Not sure about them being similar to NBA games. The entire starting lineups are mixed. If anything some of the fringe individual guys are playing more of a NBA summer league game to showcase their skills. In Jonas' case as well as many others of the LTU players the rosters are set... that's why some guys didn't even put jerseys on yesterday. It's also why Jonas didn't start... last game you had guys starting that may not even make the team. He has nothing to prove in these friendlies. I wouldn't look much into it until the QT. There everything will be serious and Jonas himself will be up against stiff competition.

Well, for example, Nick Calathes was dribbling the ball for the whole shot clock on numerous possessions. So it is a lot more like an NBA game setting. Papanikoloau was going ISO one on one, etc. So they definitely resemble an NBA game much more than the official games will.

What makes you think Greece isn't going to play like that during the QT as well?

[JV4MVP]

Raptor_Claw & ATLTimekeeper

You cannot infer anything from these two friendly games. You said it yourselves that all teams are missing players. Lithuania will have a pretty strong lineup neverthless imo:

Javtokas/Valanciunas
Kleiza/Songalia/Jankunas
Maciulius/Jasaitis
Kaukenas/Pocious/Delininkaitis or Dulkys
Kalneitis/Jasikevicius

That's a pretty solid lineup imo. Almost all of these guys have played together their entire careers and basketball is too important for LTU to coast to the Olympics. Every team will have to win a very tough game or two to qualify.

[UcanUwill]

Lithuania has no chance against Macedonia? What, are you insane?

[Raptor_Claw]

Lithuania has no chance against Macedonia? What, are you insane?

I never said that. Don't twist my statements please. I said they would not win if they kept playing poorly - not that they simply could not beat them. Totally different things. Friendlies are not totally meaningless. The state of the team, as in how the players are playing can be seen by watching how the players are reacting.

Lithuania's players are basically sleepwalking right now. So they do need to pick it up. They don't have that much time to just flip the switch. Maybe they are unaware that this summer's schedule is different.

The point is, those other teams are ahead of them right now in the training stage. Normally this would be no issue. But this summer it is different. The schedule is much different this summer.

What makes you think Greece isn't going to play like that during the QT as well?

I didn't think Greece played that good. They just played much better than Lithuania. That level would not qualify either. Greece couldn't even allow Calathes to see the floor in a real tournament, if he was playing like that.

[UcanUwill]

It was first 2 games, they always suck in in those, it was totally expected. They managed to lost against freaking Sweden in 2007, and that team dominated 2007 Eurobasket weeks later. Lithuania's training stages are extremely linear, they just left south Lithuanian town ''Druskininkai'', where they had ONLY physical workouts. Now they have 2 weeks working with the ball, and playing exhibition games, everything is under control.

Anyway, that statement still is very underestimating. The more accurate would be - IF Lithuania fails to pick up their game, THEN Macedonia HAS a serious chance.

[RPzB]

Lithuania always suck ass during these games, especailly so under Kemzura, who is BTW less than spectacular coach TBH. It will be OK later on untill about quarterfianls in the olympics.

[Raptor_Claw]

Lithuania always suck ass during these games, especailly so under Kemzura, who is BTW less than spectacular coach TBH. It will be OK later on untill about quarterfianls in the olympics.

Yeah, I don't like Kemzura. But I guess he is all that the Lithuanian federation can afford.

[UcanUwill]

Federation can afford a lot, and I bet most coaches would love to coach Lithuanian national team. The thing is, Lithuania has 100% locals policy, that means all players and head coach must be Lithuanians. The problem is, Lithuanian coaches suck...

However, Kemzura is ok. I take him over Ilias Zouros, or Sergio Scariolo any day. I have some doubts from last year, but he proved himself in 2010 and dont forget that. Last coach, Butautas, was a complete disaster, so having Kemzura is like a treat.

[RPzB]

And what about Kazlauskas, Kurtinaitis, etc. They look like pretty good coaches IMO.

[xprt]

So I read in Lith press that Colangelo said he got offer from some team to move up in lottery in expense of giving Val rights but he refused. Anyone heard this?