[Scottoant93Participant]

LTU/SRB – How do you stop Valanciunas?

RIGA (FIBA U19 World Championship) – For Serbia to claim gold on Sunday afternoon the game plan sounds simple enough: shutdown Jonas Valanciunas. But effectively executing the game plan is a whole different scenario.
 
At this tournament one player has stood hands and shoulders above the rest – both literally and figuratively. Leading the tournament in both points and rebounds, no other player has come close to leaving their mark on this tournament like Lithuania’s 2.11 metre center Valanciunas.
 
Every press conference at the FIBA U19 World Championships following a game involving Lithuania follows a similar pattern. Lithuanian Coach Kazys Maksvytis will make a remark regarding the main role Valanciunas played in his side’s win and how his plan to get the ball to his center was well executed while the trainer sitting at the other end of the podium will put his team’s loss down to their inability to stop the Lithuanian superstar.
 
But Lithuania do not come without weaknesses that Serbia need to take advantage of. Losing backup point guard Renaldas Simanivicius to a badly sprained ankle in their Semi Final leaves them without a genuine second option at point guard to support Vytenis Cizauskas.
 
Lithuania also reminded us of their age and inexperience against Russia, allowing them to come within striking distance late in the game after leading by as much as 33 points. Following the match, Coach Maksvytis admitted that concentration may have been a problem with his team already thinking of the final. Having beaten Serbia by 17 points earlier in the tournament his young team must not let complacency slip into their game.
 
In Alexander Cvetkovic, Cizauskas has a more than worthy adversary with the point guards providing perhaps the most intriguing match-up. The two are averaging similar points per game in Latvia and both of their teams have lacked direction with them off the court. Serbia have been involved in a number of close battles in Latvia to date with Cvetkovic often proving himself to be the difference with an ability to make shots count in crucial moments.
 
Perhaps however, Serbia’s most important player will be 2.21 meter center Nemanja Besovic who will be handed the personal responsibility of neutralizing Valanciunas. Besovic had a quiet start to the tournament but has hit his straps at the right time, playing key roles in his side quarter and semifinal victories with his semifinal 15 point, seven rebound haul against Argentina his best performance in Riga to date. If he can control play under the basket and limit the number of offensive rebounds on offer for Valancunias, he will go a long way to helping Serbia get over the line.

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/48023/arti.html

 

[quiet storm 3Participant]

This Guy has the tools to be something special…why cle didn’t Take him at 4??? Lets just hope TT pans out…Cleveland needs something to cheer about

[quiet storm 3Participant]

This Guy has the tools to be something special…why cle didn’t Take him at 4??? Lets just hope TT pans out…Cleveland needs something to cheer about

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

"This Guy has the tools to be something special…why cle didn’t Take him at 4??? Lets just hope TT pans out…Cleveland needs something to cheer about"

The U19 Championships, big picture, is largely meaningless

2007

Serbia won the event, and was led by Milan Macvan. The same Milan Macvan who was taken late in the second round of the 2011 Draft. Other notable performers in the 2007 tournament were Paulo Prestes, Devoe Joseph, A.J. Ogilvy, and Solomon Alabi. The US finished second, and was led by Patrick Beveley, Michael Beasley, Deon Thompson, and Jonny Flynn. How have those careers been working out?

2009

The US won the 2009 event, and were led by Tyshawn Taylor, Gordon Hayward, and Trey Thompkins. The All-Star Five of the tournament is Toni Prostran (Croatia), Nikolaos Pappas (Greece), Tyshawn Taylor (USA), Gordon Hayward (USA) and Mario Delas (Croatia). Mike Rosario led the tournament in scoring, and Miguel Kiala did his best Kenneth Faried impression on the glass. How have those careers been working out?

The point of this is to just make clear that there really is no historical basis for thinking a player performing well in a loosely coached and organized event matters going forward. Just because there is nothing else going on in the basketball universe at the moment doesn’t mean this thing matters. Playing well at the junior events means very little for NBA prospects. Jonas dominating children from South Korea doesn’t make him any more qualified to play well against CSKA or Zalgiris much less Dwight Howard just as good performances did nothing for Prestes or Ogilvy. Junior level tournaments and All-Star games are always far more tease than substance.

 

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

"This Guy has the tools to be something special…why cle didn’t Take him at 4??? Lets just hope TT pans out…Cleveland needs something to cheer about"

The U19 Championships, big picture, is largely meaningless

2007

Serbia won the event, and was led by Milan Macvan. The same Milan Macvan who was taken late in the second round of the 2011 Draft. Other notable performers in the 2007 tournament were Paulo Prestes, Devoe Joseph, A.J. Ogilvy, and Solomon Alabi. The US finished second, and was led by Patrick Beveley, Michael Beasley, Deon Thompson, and Jonny Flynn. How have those careers been working out?

2009

The US won the 2009 event, and were led by Tyshawn Taylor, Gordon Hayward, and Trey Thompkins. The All-Star Five of the tournament is Toni Prostran (Croatia), Nikolaos Pappas (Greece), Tyshawn Taylor (USA), Gordon Hayward (USA) and Mario Delas (Croatia). Mike Rosario led the tournament in scoring, and Miguel Kiala did his best Kenneth Faried impression on the glass. How have those careers been working out?

The point of this is to just make clear that there really is no historical basis for thinking a player performing well in a loosely coached and organized event matters going forward. Just because there is nothing else going on in the basketball universe at the moment doesn’t mean this thing matters. Playing well at the junior events means very little for NBA prospects. Jonas dominating children from South Korea doesn’t make him any more qualified to play well against CSKA or Zalgiris much less Dwight Howard just as good performances did nothing for Prestes or Ogilvy. Junior level tournaments and All-Star games are always far more tease than substance.

 

[Scottoant93Participant]

yes he does just needs to bulk up before he comes over but that usually the case for all rookies, been really impressive in the fiba under 19 games, be interesting to see how he does in the finals. Hopefully this translates to the nba, where he will be playing against taller, stronger, and of course better skilled players. I starting to think cleveland passed on him becuase they didn’t want to wait a year before he comes over, and also because grant was in love with thompson, he even traded away hickson so you know he really believes in him

[Scottoant93Participant]

yes he does just needs to bulk up before he comes over but that usually the case for all rookies, been really impressive in the fiba under 19 games, be interesting to see how he does in the finals. Hopefully this translates to the nba, where he will be playing against taller, stronger, and of course better skilled players. I starting to think cleveland passed on him becuase they didn’t want to wait a year before he comes over, and also because grant was in love with thompson, he even traded away hickson so you know he really believes in him

[quiet storm 3Participant]

I don’t understand Gilbert though…they could have gave hickson to Phoenix and snatched amare’…maybe LBJ wouldn’t have gotten pissed and left…now they trade hickson and draft an unproven Tristan Thompson..I don’t know but I agree jonas has gotta bulk up

[quiet storm 3Participant]

I don’t understand Gilbert though…they could have gave hickson to Phoenix and snatched amare’…maybe LBJ wouldn’t have gotten pissed and left…now they trade hickson and draft an unproven Tristan Thompson..I don’t know but I agree jonas has gotta bulk up

[Scottoant93Participant]

Your right it makes no sense, hopefully this gm wises up, and makes better moves. He’s got irving, and thompson to build around,. Now he needs to trade one of his pg(most likely sessions), and maybe ship baron out as well, I would keep jamison since he could be a mentor to thompson since offense is his weak point, and he could help him with that.

[Scottoant93Participant]

Your right it makes no sense, hopefully this gm wises up, and makes better moves. He’s got irving, and thompson to build around,. Now he needs to trade one of his pg(most likely sessions), and maybe ship baron out as well, I would keep jamison since he could be a mentor to thompson since offense is his weak point, and he could help him with that.

[boshjonesfordParticipant]

im canadian so im tristan thompson fan at the same time a raptors fan but i dought thompson is going to be as good as jonas…i dont think he could have put up these numbers in this tournoment and he is also a year older…Jonas also has more size and might still be growing.

I guess cavs warent sure when jonas would come to the nba (could have been as long as 3 years but as he didnt have a buyout,,,but the day after the draft he signed a buyout agreement that will allow him to come next year)

He is gonna ready for sure

FIBA U19

then FIBA with team lithunia (if he makes the team which i think he will) 

then EUROLEAGUE basketball against better compition then NCAA (compition might get even better with nba players going to europe … sonny weems is already signed on to play for Jonas;s rival team Zalguris)

then Summer League next year for the raptors

then TRaining camp

should be ready while some other rookies might be relaxing or taking it easy if the lockout continues.

overall was a good pick for the raptors….and a bold statment but imm betting if the lockout + fiba games happend before the draft he would have went 2nd to the Timberwolves. (not saying he is better then Williams although he might be considering the fact that he is younger but he is also a much better fit for the wolves) 

[boshjonesfordParticipant]

im canadian so im tristan thompson fan at the same time a raptors fan but i dought thompson is going to be as good as jonas…i dont think he could have put up these numbers in this tournoment and he is also a year older…Jonas also has more size and might still be growing.

I guess cavs warent sure when jonas would come to the nba (could have been as long as 3 years but as he didnt have a buyout,,,but the day after the draft he signed a buyout agreement that will allow him to come next year)

He is gonna ready for sure

FIBA U19

then FIBA with team lithunia (if he makes the team which i think he will) 

then EUROLEAGUE basketball against better compition then NCAA (compition might get even better with nba players going to europe … sonny weems is already signed on to play for Jonas;s rival team Zalguris)

then Summer League next year for the raptors

then TRaining camp

should be ready while some other rookies might be relaxing or taking it easy if the lockout continues.

overall was a good pick for the raptors….and a bold statment but imm betting if the lockout + fiba games happend before the draft he would have went 2nd to the Timberwolves. (not saying he is better then Williams although he might be considering the fact that he is younger but he is also a much better fit for the wolves) 

[Scottoant93Participant]

Im glad jonas didn’t go to the wolves, I think that would have been a horrible fit considering the logjam. Its already bad for derrick williams, even though after beasley being in trouble again he should win his spot pretty easily if lives up to the hype.

[Scottoant93Participant]

Im glad jonas didn’t go to the wolves, I think that would have been a horrible fit considering the logjam. Its already bad for derrick williams, even though after beasley being in trouble again he should win his spot pretty easily if lives up to the hype.

[quiet storm 3Participant]

But minny looks great on paper…love Beasley Williams rubio Johnson But will barely win 30 games

[quiet storm 3Participant]

But minny looks great on paper…love Beasley Williams rubio Johnson But will barely win 30 games

[boshjonesfordParticipant]

^ i gotta respectfully disagree with that I think Jonas would be a good fit for the Wolves…he could compliment Kevin Love (Offence Strenth, bad defence) Jonas (developing offence, weak, good defense – avraging 3.7 Blocks per game while Love cant get many blocks)

Current Big Men on the wolves team

Kevin Love (true PF)

Darko Milicic (only center and not really that good)

Nikola Pekovic (true PF)

Anthony Randolph (true PF)

Jonas is clearly a true center with his size and wingspan (7-5) 

 

while players who can play SF are (same position as the one derrek williams wants to play)

Biesley (pretty good)

Johnson (i know they play him at sg but can defintly play SF and is what he was suposed to play)

Webster (Small forward) 

Lazar Haywaod (young but a scrub for now)

[boshjonesfordParticipant]

^ i gotta respectfully disagree with that I think Jonas would be a good fit for the Wolves…he could compliment Kevin Love (Offence Strenth, bad defence) Jonas (developing offence, weak, good defense – avraging 3.7 Blocks per game while Love cant get many blocks)

Current Big Men on the wolves team

Kevin Love (true PF)

Darko Milicic (only center and not really that good)

Nikola Pekovic (true PF)

Anthony Randolph (true PF)

Jonas is clearly a true center with his size and wingspan (7-5) 

 

while players who can play SF are (same position as the one derrek williams wants to play)

Biesley (pretty good)

Johnson (i know they play him at sg but can defintly play SF and is what he was suposed to play)

Webster (Small forward) 

Lazar Haywaod (young but a scrub for now)

[Scottoant93Participant]

maybe i should have worded or explained it better, you made some great points above, what i meant is I feel like the twolves have a logjam, and they would ignore him, to make darko happy(or he will complain how he wants to go back to europe blahblah story). I feel he wouldn’t develop properly, this also depends on who they bring in as a coach(I heard a rumour about a college coach,horrible idea), you are right though love/jonas combo would be nice. I guess the raps will go for a bargs/jonas or davis/jonas combo.

[Scottoant93Participant]

maybe i should have worded or explained it better, you made some great points above, what i meant is I feel like the twolves have a logjam, and they would ignore him, to make darko happy(or he will complain how he wants to go back to europe blahblah story). I feel he wouldn’t develop properly, this also depends on who they bring in as a coach(I heard a rumour about a college coach,horrible idea), you are right though love/jonas combo would be nice. I guess the raps will go for a bargs/jonas or davis/jonas combo.

[RafterParticipant]

I don’t think one player can stop Jonas, at the U19 level anyway, a double or triple team would slow him down, but he’s a good enough pass to break a multiple mark, i suppose you tighten up on the other four on the court and hope to shut them down. Easier said then done, this Lithuanian team looks more than just Jonas.

 

[RafterParticipant]

I don’t think one player can stop Jonas, at the U19 level anyway, a double or triple team would slow him down, but he’s a good enough pass to break a multiple mark, i suppose you tighten up on the other four on the court and hope to shut them down. Easier said then done, this Lithuanian team looks more than just Jonas.

 

[omar dayzeParticipant]

 Doubling down on Jonas would be hazardous as he can kick it to at least three players that will swish the open 3. You cant give Lithuanians open looks.

[omar dayzeParticipant]

 Doubling down on Jonas would be hazardous as he can kick it to at least three players that will swish the open 3. You cant give Lithuanians open looks.

[Tha_PrinceParticipant]

 Quiz him on english all throughout the game to confuse him Lol

[Tha_PrinceParticipant]

 Quiz him on english all throughout the game to confuse him Lol

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