Jonas Valančiūnas thread

[rikhardur]

He's 17 years old, you want him to look like Kambala?

Do you really think so?

I agree Simonas123, he'll have time, but generally that's one thing highly disregarded.

[Straight forward]

He really needs to get some muscle.

It's normal for Lithuanian youngsters. Sabas wasn't much more "bigger" at his age. And there's Ilgauskas at the age of 17. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OUqHzcDDLI Nothing much more than current Valančiūnas, heh?

[Gytaz]

Draft Express predicts Valančiūnas to be a number 3 pick in 2011 NBA draft.

[Test]

http://www.nbadraft.net/2011mock_draft don't even know that Valanciunas exists

[Lietuvis]

Draft Express predicts Valančiūnas to be a number 3 pick in 2011 NBA draft.

I hope this is not another player that we lose to the NBA and have some "circumstances" that prevent him from playing for NT like the Ilgauskas case. We are breeding these class players but not getting to see some of the best play for our country. For us to succeed at the world stage in the future we need a way to protect them from all the bullshit American politics.

[Lietuvis]

Great Valanciunas's debut in Lietuvos Rytas. He was the best scorer against Techasas in LKL game.

18 points (20 min, 8/11 2pt, 2/3 ft, 5 reb, 20 eff)

What is more, he has become the youngest LR player in its history - 17 years, 8 months, 13 days.

Some more photos from that game:

http://litnews.lt/litnews/vtechas/index.html

[Franz]

Draft Express predicts Valančiūnas to be a number 3 pick in 2011 NBA draft.

2011 Draft looks pretty weak as far as college players go. Because of that, Valanciunas has a good chance of being #1 if he continues to play like he has so far. If he adds more muscle by then, he should be a lock.

http://www.nbadraft.net/2011mock_draft don't even know that Valanciunas exists

NBADraft.net (like most draft sites) pretty much regurgitate what Draftexpress puts on their site. They try to be different by leaving out certain players on their mock drafts.

[Straight forward]

Valančiūnas broke the record of BBL with 8/8 from two points range against Tartu Rock.

[madmax]

Valančiūnas broke the record of BBL with 8/8 from two points range against Tartu Rock.

Our new GOAT

[rikhardur]

LTU – Steep learning curve for hard-working Valanciunas

KAUNAS (2010 FIBA World Championship) – Jonas Valanciunas has a big future with Lithuania but the 2010 FIBA World Championship may come too early for the 2.10m starlet of Lietuvos Rytas.

The 17-year-old played fouled out after playing just 16 minutes in his side’s Baltic Basketball League clash against Zalgiris Kaunas over the weekend, an 85-82 win for the Kaunas team that left both sides with 16-2 records.

Valanciunas competed but found it hard against Zalgiris big man Tadas Klimavicius and Travis Watson.

“It's a shame that a 17-year-old has to fight it out against the strongest Euroleague hustler and gets called for five fouls,” Kurtinaitis said.

“We are trying to play aggressively. Today the referees didn't allow the kind of game that was allowed in Vilnius, maybe they favor home teams.”

Lietuvos Rytas won the first BBL encounter between the sides in Vilnius 91-74 back on December 12.

"Valanciunas can't compete (yet) with the likes of Watson or Klimavicius, he's still developing," Kurtinaitis said.

"He's still very young and needs to work, and that's exactly what he is doing."

Klimavicius, meanwhile, is doing his best to force his way into Kestutis Kemzura’s Lithuania national team for the FIBA World Championship.

The 27-year-old power forward was easily the game’s top player after pouring in 24 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.

Because of Lietuvos Rytas’ +14 differential in the two meetings with Zalgiris, the Vilnius club ended the regular season in first place in the Baltic League.

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/38930/arti.html

[madmax]

Refs were very biased and horrible that day, but it's not like that game mattered anyway - let's see how he does with proper refereeing in important matches this spring. The entire Rytas frontline was fouled out before the game ended for trying to play any kind of defensive pressure...

[dudas]

hes putting good numbers in such a young age , if he will get stronger and work on his mid range game , he will be a dominant center

[mbenga]

So, is he going to play the u-18 or u-20 european championship?

I assume he's got no chance of going to Turkey.

[madmax]

So, is he going to play the u-18 or u-20 european championship?

I assume he's got no chance of going to Turkey.

he's playing for U-18 this July...no chance for Turkey I guess, not this year at least

[auris1]

he's playing for U-18 this July...no chance for Turkey I guess, not this year at least

thats strange ...if Turkey is a preparation for 2011(and it should be) ,then he should go there - i guess we might be relying on old warriors in 2011 again .i know there must be some logic behind this ,and i am not saying it is wrong for him to play for under 18..but ... Sabonis went to world championships aged 17,and it did him no harm...Valanciunas is being given starting role in lrytas.there is just a hint of what he will be expected next season ....Playing with juniors ? hell no