Jonas Valanciunas discussion thread

Raptor/LakerFan · Post #1 » by **Raptor/LakerFan** » Mon Nov 5, 2012 5:00 am

One thing I noticed very clearly today is Jonas was clearly trying to avoid fouling. This worries me because he was avoiding any contact to an extent where it made his defense look really bad tonight.

Last nights game against Brooklyn Jonas got into foul trouble and as a result played very limited minutes, and being a competitive guy he wants to be on the court as much as possible. Tonight he was playing to stay on the court instead of playing to make an impact!

I am a Bargnani fan but I don't want another Bargnani on defense where he's avoiding contact and playing some "fake" defense just to stay on the court. Bargnani had foul problems his rookie season and quickly learned to not foul by pretty much jumping away from the opponents.

Regulio · Post #2 » by **Regulio** » Mon Nov 5, 2012 6:30 am

He is learning the limits, I wouldn't make definitive conclusions out of it.
This season is going to be a roller coaster for him.

Raptors Aiya · Post #3 » by **Raptors Aiya** » Mon Nov 5, 2012 1:02 pm

he also looked really nervous when Pekovic was backing him down and that makes sense considering how massive Pekovic is he make Val look scrawny.

Jambo · Post #4 » by **Jambo** » Mon Nov 5, 2012 1:31 pm

Raptor/LakerFan wrote:One thing I noticed very clearly today is Jonas was clearly trying to avoid fouling. This worries me because he was avoiding any contact to an extent where it made his defense look really bad tonight.

Last nights game against Brooklyn Jonas got into foul trouble and as a result played very limited minutes, and being a competitive guy he wants to be on the court as much as possible. Tonight he was playing to stay on the court instead of playing to make an impact!

I am a Bargnani fan but I don't want another Bargnani on defense where he's avoiding contact and playing some "fake" defense just to stay on the court. Bargnani had foul problems his rookie season and quickly learned to not foul by pretty much jumping away from the opponents.

The problem with Smitch was he'd use a couple of early fouls to bench Bargs the entire game .

Chuck Newhouse · Post #5 » by **Chuck Newhouse** » Mon Nov 5, 2012 3:19 pm

I don't think he looked like he was good enough to be an NBA starter last night. He looks like he should spend time in the D-League.

martypython · Post #6 » by **martypython** » Mon Nov 5, 2012 3:23 pm

Raptors Aiya wrote:he also looked really nervous when Pekovic was backing him down and that makes sense considering how massive Pekovic is he make Val look scrawny.

Pekovic will make anyone look scrawny, let alone a rookie who's still in the process of filling his frame.

J-Roc · Post #7 » by **J-Roc** » Mon Nov 5, 2012 3:23 pm

You kids want him to start, this is what you'll get.

Indeed · Post #8 » by **Indeed** » Mon Nov 5, 2012 3:28 pm

Every player needs to go through these rookie wall.
The only thing is, we hope he gets it fast.

His defense isn't the biggest problem right now, but his offense.
I think we were on the road, so I guess after today, he will get some feedback.

ATLTimekeeper · Post #9 » by **ATLTimekeeper** » Mon Nov 5, 2012 3:30 pm

He got a couple of touch fouls on him and adjusted to the refereeing. That's what smart players do. He struggled against a better player and was a mess on offense, but this OP has the scent of panac.

ItsDanger · Post #10 » by **ItsDanger** » Mon Nov 5, 2012 3:32 pm

Holy ****, no patience here?

Gold Chain · Post #11 » by **Gold Chain** » Mon Nov 5, 2012 3:33 pm

This is what you're gonna get with a trial-by-fire intro for a Euro rookie straight to starting in the NBA.

This is a process.

Val already shows 5 times the effort and want that Bargs has ever shown in his career.

I like Barg's offence, but when it is not there, he has nothing to offer.

Jonas is at least trying to put a body on guys, plays hard, and look for those garbage buckets.

Give this kid time, it is like three games.

JohnnyFlame · Post #12 » by **JohnnyFlame** » Mon Nov 5, 2012 3:38 pm

Gold Chain wrote:This is what you're gonna get with a trial-by-fire intro for a Euro rookie straight to starting in the NBA.

This is a process.

Val already shows 5 times the effort and want that Bargs has ever shown in his career.

I like Barg's offence, but when it is not there, he has nothing to offer.

Jonas is at least trying to put a body on guys, plays hard, and look for those garbage buckets.

Give this kid time, it is like three games.

This is it completely. If Bargnani isn't makin his shats he shouldn't be on the floor. His horridly bad rebounding and at best mediocre defense is a large deficit if he isn't making up for it on offense. I'd rather have a JV/Davis duo out there anytime that Bargnani's offense isn't a factor.

Saciid11 · Post #13 » by **Saciid11** » Mon Nov 5, 2012 3:41 pm

Well he is not Dwight Howard or top 3 center in this league, but if he gets stronger he has chance to be a better version of Varajo ....

Patman · Post #14 » by **Patman** » Mon Nov 5, 2012 3:42 pm

Chuck Newhouse wrote:I don't think he looked like he was good enough to be an NBA starter last night. He looks like he should spend time in the weight room.

Fixed. Dominating scrubs isn't gonna help with JV's weaknesses, literally.

UcanUwill · Post #15 » by **UcanUwill** » Mon Nov 5, 2012 3:47 pm

He played against the strongest player in the league. I thought it will be much worse.

Big Shot · Post #16 » by **Big Shot** » Mon Nov 5, 2012 4:00 pm

It's part of the learning curve. He will make adjustments throughout the season.

Raptor/LakerFan · Post #17 » by **Raptor/LakerFan** » Mon Nov 5, 2012 4:08 pm

I wasn't trying to "panac", I know it's early and he still has a lot to learn.

The point I was trying to make is that I don't want him to be scared of contact and playing defense as a result of the benchings. I want him to get in foul trouble this year and keep playing tough D and eventually learn how to do that under control. We saw the same thing with Bargnani, he's better on D now but for the longest time his goal on D was to avoid fouling.

arbsn · Post #18 » by **arbsn** » Mon Nov 5, 2012 4:24 pm

Pekovic kept pulling the exact same move on Val.

Dwayne needs to help him adjust to beat the move.

trick · Post #19 » by **trick** » Mon Nov 5, 2012 4:42 pm

Coming into the game I heard Pekovic has potential to be a pretty good C for his career but didn't know how he looked physically. Once I saw him standing in front of Jonas for the jumpball I was hoping Pekovic wouldn't cause some serious injury to Jonas. It was like Ivan Johnson in a 7 foot frame. That said, Jonas did alright against someone twice his size and hope that this helps him find the motivation to getting stronger and become more physical.

UcanUwill · Post #20 » by **UcanUwill** » Mon Nov 5, 2012 4:54 pm

I think he looked bewildered against Brook Lopez. It looked like Val really wanted to avoid fouls in that game, and he looked terrible...

He did the same thing against Pek, but it wasnt really his fault IMO. Heres the thing - he did tried to contest Peks shots, which is almost impossible for him to do. Pekovic is a monster, when your opponent is so much stronger, you either double team him constantly or foul him every time. Val had no chance defending him 1on1, but was still assigned to. And at the end, I think he did his best.

I was really surprised Gray didn't played last night. I thought this was the reason why he is on this team to begin with, to defend big bodies. There is no bigger body than Pek in this league.