Jonas Valanciunas Summer Discussion Thread (Olympics!)

[Darknemo2000]

Was there ever a center with softer hands and the ability to pass than Sabo? Great player.

Bill Walton ? Divac ? Hakeem I guess too.

Yeah, not that many.

Bill Walton said himself that Sabonis was a better passer than he was. Though Walton always was a bit of Sabonis fanboy so he may be biased. Divac too said that Sabonis was a better passer. Maybe hakeem was better, thoughlooking back at Sabonis passes I doubt that.

[SkywalkerAC]

A big component of Sabonis's passing was his herculean size and strength. He would make backdoor Bullet-passes from the 3-point arc like it was a little dropoff from the post - from an arm-outstretched pivot position. One hopes that as Jonas gets bigger and stronger and works on his passing ability, the pass will become a major weapon in his arsenal as well.

Is Jonas arguably getting the best developmental summer on the planet or what? Not only are you training with one of the best national team programs in the world, you're working out with your idol and living legend at your position Arvydas Sabonis, all the while bonding with your future teammate and nba veteran, Linas Kleiza. Then he gets what should be one of the greatest experiences, basketball or otherwise, of his young life by competing in the London Olympics (I can't see them not making it).

His pedigree and grooming are of the highest order. He gets it. Sky's the limit.

[SkywalkerAC]

And you know what's **** ed? I could even see him befriending Andrea. He's that great a prospect.

[nahom1319]

Is Jonas arguably getting the best developmental summer on the planet or what? Not only are you training with one of the best national team programs in the world, you're working out with your idol and living legend at your position Arvydas Sabonis, all the while bonding with your future teammate and nba veteran, Linas Kleiza. Then he gets what should be one of the greatest experiences, basketball or otherwise, of his young life by competing in the London Olympics (I can't see them not making it).

But the Summer League is soooo much better for teammate chemistry.

[JV4MVP]

Jonas ad.... can someone translate? It seems like an anti-alcohol campaign

[JV4MVP]

Was there ever a center with softer hands and the ability to pass than Sabo? Great player.

His hands were softer than cotton:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZSuksGMJY8[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZizsAdutYo[/youtube]

And don't forget his jumpshot

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdlB8tX75Mc[/youtube]

[fredericklove]

Big Val looks like he got bigger

[dTox]

from Hollinger's chat:

Manny (AUS)

Kanter, Vesely, and Biyombo all struggled in there rookie seasons or couldn't get many minutes. What makes people think Jonas V will be any different?
John Hollinger (12:36 PM)

Jonas V had far better overseas numbers than those other three guys. He should be effective immediately, reminiscent of Andris Biedrins before Biedrins lost his will to live, but with more strength.

[UcanUwill]

That same question again, always pisses me off. He is somehow connected to those other Euros? Its like asking - College's Thabeet and Joe Alexander struggled in the NBA, what makes people think Anthony Davis will be any different? Not forgetting - Irving will suck, because other Dukes sucked before him.

[mcray]

Jonas ad.... can someone translate? It seems like an anti-alcohol campaign

yup it's an anti-alcohol campaign. Text in the middle means (more or less) "Helping young people get alcohol can kill many lithuanian talents"

[GreatWhiteStiff]

I thought it said "this is what will happen to lithuanian superboy after matchup with dwight howard in nba". My lithuanian isn't the best I suppose I could be off...

[JV4MVP]

I think Al. Faruqas Aminu will represent Nigeria in the QT. They are in the same group with Lithuania

[prelude00]

I haven`t been keeping up too much with Val lately, but how`s his contract situation at the moment? Is it all done with?

[Izzit]

I haven`t been keeping up too much with Val lately, but how`s his contract situation at the moment? Is it all done with?

Yep

[LithuanianOne]

Lithuania will be playing against Macedonia this evening 17.00 Lithuanian time so I'm guessing that would be 12.00 Canadian time ?

Valanciunas will probably be playing.

[UcanUwill]

10 A.M. actually. Will it be streams and live box scores? Lithuania usually sucks in game one, but I bet Macedonia has no chance today, Lithuanians must be bitter and motivated for this one.

[LithuanianOne]

10 A.M. actually. Will it be streams and live box scores? Lithuania usually sucks in game one, but I bet Macedonia has no chance today, Lithuanians must be bitter and motivated for this one.

Not sure about boxscores but there should be a livestream since a major TV network in Lithuania will be broadcasting it. I'll be in the arena watching the game up close and I'll try to pay attention to Valanciunas and his play.
P.S. Jasikevicius won't play today so sadly I won't get to see his and JV's pnr

[HolyMage110]

did JV grow at all over this past year?

[nahom1319]

did JV grow at all over this past year?

I think that would be hard for anyone to answer as he's usually among (if not thee) tallest on the floor. A better question is would you be disappointed if I say no? And why?

[JV4MVP]

10 A.M. actually. Will it be streams and live box scores? Lithuania usually sucks in game one, but I bet Macedonia has no chance today, Lithuanians must be bitter and motivated for this one.

Not sure about boxscores but there should be a livestream since a major TV network in Lithuania will be broadcasting it. I'll be in the arena watching the game up close and I'll try to pay attention to Valanciunas and his play.
P.S. Jasikevicius won't play today so sadly I won't get to see his and JV's pnr

That's awesome... I'm going to watch the stream