Jonas Valanciunas just destroyed all the teams in U-19 World Championship

From what I've seen (and I've tried my best to find footage leading up to the draft), the guy pretty much looks like a stiff whose game is almost entirely dependent on him being taller than anyone else. That won't be the case nearly as much in the NBA.

But, I hope I'm wrong. I'm always in favor of adding more skilled centers to the league.

 

SMH at the Cavs. Gilbert is an idiot.

 

I read somewhere that the Rockets believed there as a center in this past draft who was going to be a true franchise center for some team. I can only assume it was in reference to this guy.

 

Well, he didn't destroy Croatia and Serbia, at all. You're just making it up.

 

Here are highlights from the Team USA against Lithuainia game.

<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/AynrlVhIrqE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Jonas takes it to the face at 2:00 mark. lol

 

Did Donuts play?

 

Nahh. I think he is too old.

 

Its a FIBA "under 19" World Championship. Donatas is 20yrs old, he doesn't qualify to play.

But he did play in 2009 FIBA U19, when he was still 18 and he averaged 17.3 ppg, 8 reb, 2.7 ast.

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/pl...IBA_U19_World_Championship_for_Men/index.html

 

lol. yeah.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Wow, so I just read the post again after quoting and actually think you might be serious after reading the second part. If you are...

The guy is 6'11" for christ's sake....that isn't like some 7'4" monster who just lurches around in the paint. I'm sure he has consistently played against guys his own height who were not only similar in stature, but were older and more experienced as professionals. And if you are going to try the "weak league, those guys were stiffs too" defense...than how do you explain his utter dominance over an entire tournament of players his same age. Once again, reminding you that there were plenty of other guys at the same height or within a couple inches (taller or shorter) throughout the tournament, including the US who I think you have to be aware isn't bringing around any stiffs to play basketball. Like I said, it isn't like he is half a foot taller out there. Look what he did to guys the same age and relative height as him....

Also, stiffs don't show up every game like he just did. If you are a big, slow stiff, you might show a couple dominant games because rebounds happen to be falling into your arms or both teams had poor shooting nights which fed you rebounds and easy buckets...but not over a whole tournament. Also, you would be the lone opinion over all the experts in the world on his negatives...as not one person has ever mentioned his lack of athleticism, relative to his height. In fact, it is pretty much the exact opposite.

Also, stiffs don't have good shooting form.

Also, stiffs don't do this....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGqRvRbyaHE

Doesn't look like he just was "entirely dependent on him being taller than anyone else" on that play, does it?

 

Supposedly Morey was going after this guy. From the looks of it Jonas will be an impact player in the league.

 

Makes me believe the Rockets took the correct Lithuanian national team frontcourt player.

 

ugh, first thing that comes into my head when someone says donut in terms of bassketball is Bonzi Wells. 0_0

 

Actually, Valanciunas is 7 feet, not 6-11. Valanciunas is what he is at this point. At the Euroleague level (not the high school/college level like the under-19 tournament) he was OK on offense, good at rebounding, and horrible on defense.

I have no doubt that he will become a very good player and he would be a good draft pick for any team that took him. But, his defense at the top pro levels at this point needs tons of work. He is still a project, although I do think he will become a really nice player.

But he is going to have to improve his interior defense a lot.