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Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
The 6'11" PF/C is only 18 years old from Lithuania and is projected as a top 5 pick in next year's draft should he declare.
He's currently playing in the U18 European championships and just had 18 points and 11 rebounds and kept his team undefeated. He's averaging 17 points, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks and shooting 80% from FT line and 56% from the field.
He played on an average team in Lithuania this past season and averaged 12 points (62% from the field; 75% FT), 8 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks in 24 minutes per game. He's considered a better prospect than Motiejunas so it'll in be interesting to see his development in the next year.
[IMG]http://www.fibaeurope.com/files/%7B71CD298F-5008-4B6A-9CA4-EB0F7A54FFC3%7Dflexible.jpg[/IMG]
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
[QUOTE=HisJoeness]Who does he compare to?[/QUOTE]
He excels at the pick and roll and triple threat position facing the basket. I'd say he's a less athletic (still a good athletic), longer, more defensive oriented Amar'e Stoudemire type player.
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
[QUOTE=Grinder]He excels at the pick and roll and triple threat position facing the basket. I'd say he's a less athletic (still a good athletic), longer, more defensive oriented Amar'e Stoudemire type player.[/QUOTE]
once again you show your complete lack of knowledge about european guys...Valaciunas is nothing like Amare - he's traditional center with a nice touch and a feel for rebounds. He's also blessed with very long hands and has a knack for offensive put-backs. He's actually already a better NBA material than Motiejunas is.
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
[QUOTE=madmax]once again you show your complete lack of knowledge about european guys...Valaciunas is nothing like Amare - he's traditional center with a nice touch and a feel for rebounds. He's also blessed with very long hands and has a knack for offensive put-backs. He's actually already a better NBA material than Motiejunas is.[/QUOTE]
LMAO. Have you watched any of the games at the Euro championships? His offensive game is face up like Amare. He excels at using one or two dribbles to get to his spots and gets a lot of plays on the pick and roll.
Traditional center? GTFO.
Your posts about Motiejunas were about as inaccurate as I've seen.
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
[QUOTE=Grinder]LMAO. Have you watched any of the games at the Euro championships? His offensive game is face up like Amare. He excels at using one or two dribbles to get to his spots and gets a lot of plays on the pick and roll.
Traditional center? GTFO.
Your posts about Motiejunas were about as inaccurate as I've seen.[/QUOTE]
LOL:roll: He's my compatriot dude - I've watched plenty of him last season in Rytas...sure, he's versatile enough to play a face-up game, but his best skills are rebounding and post-up moves. Stop spreading misinformation on these boards
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
[QUOTE=madmax]LOL:roll: He's my compatriot dude - I've watched plenty of him last season in Rytas...sure, he's versatile enough to play a face-up game, but his best skills are rebounding and post-up moves. Stop spreading misinformation on these boards[/QUOTE]
To say he's a traditional center is a joke. I don't care if you're Lithuanian and have seen him play a lot, doesn't mean much when you don't accurately describe his game. He's probably a 4 in the NBA anyway. He can't post up NBA big men, he's at his best facing up.
You lost all credibility when you said Ibaka wasn't good enough to make the Spanish NT. :facepalm
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
He should have moved to college league, like Enes Kanter did. No way he can be selected at top 5 picks, while playing in europe.
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
So is Valanciunas actually a better prospect than Montiejunas? If so, how?
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
Valanciunas exploded to the tune of 34 points/13 rebounds/4 blocks (14-16 from the field).
He's now averaging 21/10/3 for the tourney.
Remember the name.
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
Is he tougher than ernes kanter ???
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
[QUOTE=ashbelly]Is he tougher than ernes kanter ???[/QUOTE]
well, he's more athletic and faster - that's for sure...
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
He looks great in U18, just unstoppable, and his team mates are giving him a lot of balls.
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
[QUOTE=CLTHornets4eva]So is Valanciunas actually a better prospect than Montiejunas? If so, how?[/QUOTE]
I have never seen him play, but after reading several reports on the guy he seems willing (and able) to play defense while Motiejunas doesn't. Hopefully i can catch this guy play a few games
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
Valanciunas continues to dominate in the U18 Euro championships. He's been the best player in the tournament for the best team leading Lithuania to an undefeated 6-0 record so far.
He had 20 points (7-9), 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks in just 20 minutes of play against Spain yesterday.
Today he posted 22 points (8-11), 17 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
Numbers for the tournament:
21 ppg / 12 rpg / 2.5 bpg - 70% FG and 81% FT
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
[QUOTE=Grinder]Valanciunas continues to dominate in the U18 Euro championships. He's been the best player in the tournament for the best team leading Lithuania to an undefeated 6-0 record so far.
He had 20 points (7-9), 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks in just 20 minutes of play against Spain yesterday.
Today he posted 22 points (8-11), 17 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
Numbers for the tournament:
21 ppg / 12 rpg / 2.5 bpg - 70% FG and 81% FT[/QUOTE]
yup, and his numbers could even be better if liths had PG's who knew how to use him properly...I just wonder if he could be used as a backup C for our NT in Turkey - he can't be worse than that stick Andriuskevicius
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
[QUOTE=CLTHornets4eva]So is Valanciunas actually a better prospect than Montiejunas? If so, how?[/QUOTE]
Motiejunas is just like Rubio. Mostly pure hype.
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
[QUOTE=Lakas Fan Yo]Motiejunas is just like Rubio. Mostly pure hype.[/QUOTE]
stop talking crap about non-greek Euro players:banghead: Motiejunas had a good season with Treviso and was one of their best frontcourt guys
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
[QUOTE=madmax]yup, and his numbers could even be better if liths had PG's who knew how to use him properly...I just wonder if he could be used as a backup C for our NT in Turkey - he can't be worse than that stick Andriuskevicius[/QUOTE]
He's definitely good enough to play and would be useful if Javtokas and Andriuskevicius get in foul trouble. He's already proven to be a valuable contributor for Rytas and had a few good games against Zalgiris in the finals, I doubt he'll play both the u18 and the WC though.
What do you think the Lithuanian roster will look like?
My guess:
Kalnietis / Delininkaitis
Gecevicius / Seibutis
Jasaitis / Maciulis
Kleiza / Jankunas / Motiejunas
Javtokas / Andriuskevicius
Maybe Kleiza starts at the 3 and Jankunas at 4.
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
[QUOTE=Grinder]He's definitely good enough to play and would be useful if Javtokas and Andriuskevicius get in foul trouble. He's already proven to be a valuable contributor for Rytas and had a few good games against Zalgiris in the finals, I doubt he'll play both the u18 and the WC though.
What do you think the Lithuanian roster will look like?
My guess:
Kalnietis / Delininkaitis
Gecevicius / Seibutis
Jasaitis / Maciulis
Kleiza / Jankunas / Motiejunas
Javtokas / Andriuskevicius
Maybe Kleiza starts at the 3 and Jankunas at 4.[/QUOTE]
I'd assume that would be the roster of our NT in Turkey. Obviously we are very shaky at the PG position, but we've been through this crap before - hopefully our coach will somehow manage to use other guards if Kalnietis sucks too badly. Gecevicius and Seibutis can perform PG duties as well if required. As for our big guys, I expect Kleiza to start at the 3 or 4, depending on the opponent, with Jankunas being our main PF.
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
Dude will need to get bigger to play in the NBA.
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
Top 2 center prospects from Europe.
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SOU7J3_wZc[/url]
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
[QUOTE=madmax]stop talking crap about non-greek Euro players:banghead: Motiejunas had a good season with Treviso and was one of their best frontcourt guys[/QUOTE]
Like I said, mostly pure hype just like Rubio.
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
[quote=Lakas Fan Yo]Like I said, mostly pure hype just like Rubio.[/quote]
Reported. Keep posting crap.
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
Valanciunas keeps Lithuania undefeated with an 84-51 rout of Greece.
He had 10 points on only 2 FG attempts and 8-10 from the FT line to go along with 17 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
[QUOTE=Grinder]Valanciunas keeps Lithuania undefeated with an 84-51 rout of Greece.
He had 10 points on only 2 FG attempts and 8-10 from the FT line to go along with 17 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.[/QUOTE]
Yes, he's a great player. Far better than the hype machines Rubio and Motiejunas.
And Chrysikopoulos outplayed him in the game.
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
FIBA compares Valanciunas to Sabonis (the comparison has already been made for a long time in Lithuanian basketball circles).
[URL="http://www.fibaeurope-u18men.com/en/Default.asp?coid={B9E362EB-7EE5-4960-8FE9-3355781835B1}&articleMode=on"]http://www.fibaeurope-u18men.com/en/Default.asp?coid={B9E362EB-7EE5-4960-8FE9-3355781835B1}&articleMode=on[/URL]
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
Big fella finishes Euro champ with a bang - 31 points and 18 rebounds game, leading his team to gold nonetheless. He finishes the tourney with 19 ppg, 13 rpg and 3 bpg average, while shooting 70 % from the field:rockon:
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
[QUOTE=madmax]Big fella finishes Euro champ with a bang - 31 points and 18 rebounds game, leading his team to gold nonetheless. He finishes the tourney with 19 ppg, 13 rpg and 3 bpg average, while shooting 70 % from the field:rockon:[/QUOTE]
Stay away from Euros being top 5 picks. It is like we never learn our lesson. There has yet, to be a Euro ever to be a legit franchise player that can win the big one.
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
[QUOTE=O.J A 6'4Mamba]Stay away from Euros being top 5 picks. It is like we never learn our lesson. There has yet, to be a Euro ever to be a legit franchise player that can win the big one.[/QUOTE]
It's bound to happen at some point.
Dirk was a MVP you know... Which means that at one point the best player in the league was from Europe, that's pretty major.
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
[QUOTE=ZenMaster]It's bound to happen at some point.
Dirk was a MVP you know... Which means that at one point the best player in the league was from Europe, that's pretty major.[/QUOTE]
the irony of them all is that this Euro kid plays nothing like Dirk or other typical Euro:oldlol: His game is as american as it comes
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
[QUOTE=ZenMaster]It's bound to happen at some point.
Dirk was a MVP you know... Which means that at one point the best player in the league was from Europe, that's pretty major.[/QUOTE]
Pau was taken 3rd over all as well.
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
[QUOTE=twolvesfan]Pau was taken 3rd over all as well.[/QUOTE]
He's also one of the best players in the league today and still has some good years left. Great great player!
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
[QUOTE=madmax]the irony of them all is that this Euro kid plays nothing like Dirk or other typical Euro:oldlol: His game is as american as it comes[/QUOTE]
Players who develop in Europe are pretty different though. You have Ibaka and you're going to see Pekovic this year who you wont think is typical euro either.
No matter what you think of them big white guys from Europe who can shoot has a spot in the league. Dirk, Danilo, Bargnani are all big wing/face up players who can shoot. It happens at young age here, look at this 7feet 15year old winning 3-point competitions at major Euro tournaments:
[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXRayttfXp0"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXRayttfXp0[/URL]
You have to give them and the European development system credit, you don't see too many american 6-10+ white guys who can shoot like the Euros and be NBA rotational players.
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
Next year's draft could be the golden opportunity for a European to cash in.
The Raptors are going to be terrible and likely get a top 5 pick. If Bryan Colangelo is still around, one of these guys will be a happy and rich man after draft night.
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
Amazing talent and put it all on display in the title game. The Raptors would be foolish not to draft him with a top 5 pick and play him alongside Bargnani.
Top 5 Euro prospects for next year's draft in my opinion:
1. Jonas Valanciunas
2. Enes Kanter
3. Jan Vesely
4. Elias Harris
5. Donatas Motiejunas
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
[QUOTE=Grinder]LMAO. Have you watched any of the games at the Euro championships? His offensive game is face up like Amare. He excels at using one or two dribbles to get to his spots and gets a lot of plays on the pick and roll.
Traditional center? GTFO.
Your posts about Motiejunas were about as inaccurate as I've seen.[/QUOTE]
Doesn't sound much like Amare
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
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Re: Jonas Valanciunas - possible top 5 pick
[QUOTE=Grinder]Amazing talent and put it all on display in the title game. The Raptors would be foolish not to draft him with a top 5 pick and play him alongside Bargnani.
Top 5 Euro prospects for next year's draft in my opinion:
1. Jonas Valanciunas
2. Enes Kanter
3. Jan Vesely
4. Elias Harris
5. Donatas Motiejunas[/QUOTE]
IMO Vesely might do better in the NBA then any of other players on that list. He's so long and athletic, plus hustles hard every game.
Another prospect too look is Nemanja Nedovic (plays at same time like Nemanja Bjelica did until now), a 6'2" very athletic point guard. He can shoot pretty well and is improving his decision making and passing.
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPNssDFqhE0[/url]
and here he hits a 3pointer and then assists Bjelica for a dunk
[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcpvirLKQ2w&feature=related[/url]
He is born in 1991.