[high floorParticipant]

Last year I posted this topic about 2 up and coming centers and received some great feedback. Personally I feel it is an interesting debate, mainly because Nic outperformed Jonas on the stat-sheet… But Jonas’ was a key contributor to a team that was much much better overall in the W/L column. Also add to the fact Jonas is 2 years younger and is a better defensive player which is not always reflected in the box score. 2014-15 stats are as follows:

*Nikola Vucevic: 34mpg, 19.3pts, 10.9rebs, 2assists, .7stl, .7blks, 52.3% fg, 76% ft
*J Valanciunas: 26mpg, 12pts, 8.7rebs, .5assists, .4stl, 1.2blks, 57.2% fg, 78% ft

Vucevic’s defensive shortcomings are a little surprising because he has tremendous size and length (6’11, 7ft 5inch wingspan) and his foot speed, although not great, seems average in comparison to the game’s other centers. And from what I’ve seen of Jonas he is definitely an above average 1 on 1 defender. For this comparison to be more clear, Jonas needs to get 30+ minutes per game this season. Is that possible under coach Casey? I’m interested to see how Jonas develops and further expands his game this year!

[Bankroll PJParticipant]

 Sorry this is irrelevant but how do you get a forum posted on the main page? 

[Bankroll PJParticipant]

 Sorry this is irrelevant but how do you get a forum posted on the main page? 

[high floorParticipant]

Click on the forum tab on the main page, then click on ‘nba draft’, and lastly click on ‘post new forum topic’ written in smaller text near the middle of the page. Post away! 

[high floorParticipant]

Click on the forum tab on the main page, then click on ‘nba draft’, and lastly click on ‘post new forum topic’ written in smaller text near the middle of the page. Post away! 

[Bankroll PJParticipant]

 Thanks!

[Bankroll PJParticipant]

 Thanks!

[Stephen A. BaylessParticipant]

 I think it comes down to preference. Per 36 minutes Valanciunas is at 17 pts,12 rebounds and 2 blocks, while Vucevic is at 20 and 12 and both have high PER, and are close or similar in a bunch of other categories.

I think Valanciunas has a bit more upside, because he’s better on defense, but Vucevic is more skilled. Probably doesn’t help that Jonas V played last year with a bunch of ball dominant guards (Lowry, Derozen, Lou Will, Vasquez) and none were great shooters, so having DeMarre Carroll should result in better spacing, ball movement and opportunity for Valanciunas to showcase his skill. 

I think it is easier to field a team with a center like Valanciunas than Vucevic because you need more specific type players that are usually harder to find. 

Vucevic has only played one more year, but he also had a year of HS basketball and 3 years of college basketball. I think it eases the transistion more and should be considered. Vucevic at the moment is probably a bit better though.

[Stephen A. BaylessParticipant]

 I think it comes down to preference. Per 36 minutes Valanciunas is at 17 pts,12 rebounds and 2 blocks, while Vucevic is at 20 and 12 and both have high PER, and are close or similar in a bunch of other categories.

I think Valanciunas has a bit more upside, because he’s better on defense, but Vucevic is more skilled. Probably doesn’t help that Jonas V played last year with a bunch of ball dominant guards (Lowry, Derozen, Lou Will, Vasquez) and none were great shooters, so having DeMarre Carroll should result in better spacing, ball movement and opportunity for Valanciunas to showcase his skill. 

I think it is easier to field a team with a center like Valanciunas than Vucevic because you need more specific type players that are usually harder to find. 

Vucevic has only played one more year, but he also had a year of HS basketball and 3 years of college basketball. I think it eases the transistion more and should be considered. Vucevic at the moment is probably a bit better though.

[BEARDED-DRAGONParticipant]

 tough to say at this point. as a canadian magic fan i did see my fair share of these two. i think jonas looks to definitely have the higher ceiling, but nikola is superior at the moment. jonas was actually quite a good defender during the season, keeping opponents to a low % at the rim, but was picked apart on that end in the playoffs. his low minutes and low usage rate isnt good, and seems to indicate coach casey doesnt trust him very much. i dont know if the raptors bringing in bismack biyombo next season will affect him very much, but it might if casey thinks biyombos superior defence is a need. on offense jonas needs to have more diverse moves than his patented running hook from the left side… its a nice move but predictable. although he can command a double team down low, and will more and more if he develops more moves, he has trouble passing out of it. he needs to work on both if he wants to be more involved in torontos offense which currently revolves around their back court. vucevic is pretty solid all around, without doing anything great, except maybe rebounding. his usage rate, minutes, and stats are definitely worth the contract hes moving onto. and thats the thing, jonas will probably get a max contract from someone after this upcoming season based on the promise that he’ll be better… while nikola is on the first year of something like 50 mil over 4 years deal. which he already deserves. i’d go with vucevic.

[BEARDED-DRAGONParticipant]

 tough to say at this point. as a canadian magic fan i did see my fair share of these two. i think jonas looks to definitely have the higher ceiling, but nikola is superior at the moment. jonas was actually quite a good defender during the season, keeping opponents to a low % at the rim, but was picked apart on that end in the playoffs. his low minutes and low usage rate isnt good, and seems to indicate coach casey doesnt trust him very much. i dont know if the raptors bringing in bismack biyombo next season will affect him very much, but it might if casey thinks biyombos superior defence is a need. on offense jonas needs to have more diverse moves than his patented running hook from the left side… its a nice move but predictable. although he can command a double team down low, and will more and more if he develops more moves, he has trouble passing out of it. he needs to work on both if he wants to be more involved in torontos offense which currently revolves around their back court. vucevic is pretty solid all around, without doing anything great, except maybe rebounding. his usage rate, minutes, and stats are definitely worth the contract hes moving onto. and thats the thing, jonas will probably get a max contract from someone after this upcoming season based on the promise that he’ll be better… while nikola is on the first year of something like 50 mil over 4 years deal. which he already deserves. i’d go with vucevic.

[BEARDED-DRAGONParticipant]

 centers drafted in the first round – 2011 draft:

3. enes kanter – 70 million over 4 years (thunder), ufa 2019

5. jonas valenciunas – rfa 2016 (expected to get max, as per chad ford and others…)

7. bismack biyombo – 5.75 million over 2 years (raptors), ufa 2017

16. nikola vucevic – 48 million over 4 years (magic), ufa 2019

20. domantas montejunas – rfa 2016 (expected to get 12-14 million per year? some houston blog)

looking at those contracts, vucevic is the steal i would say. and montejunas (who plays both power forward and center) should have lots of teams interested if houston isnt going to keep him long term.

[BEARDED-DRAGONParticipant]

 centers drafted in the first round – 2011 draft:

3. enes kanter – 70 million over 4 years (thunder), ufa 2019

5. jonas valenciunas – rfa 2016 (expected to get max, as per chad ford and others…)

7. bismack biyombo – 5.75 million over 2 years (raptors), ufa 2017

16. nikola vucevic – 48 million over 4 years (magic), ufa 2019

20. domantas montejunas – rfa 2016 (expected to get 12-14 million per year? some houston blog)

looking at those contracts, vucevic is the steal i would say. and montejunas (who plays both power forward and center) should have lots of teams interested if houston isnt going to keep him long term.

[herceg_bukuParticipant]

I preffer Nikola Vucevic. He moves much more fluidly, better rebounder, and definetely one of the more skilled big men in the NBA down on the block. Not taking anything from Jonas, i am from toronto i watch him play all the time. But he moves so awkward for someone that is 6’11”, its not like he is 7’3”. Just not a big fan of his game overall, even though i will give him credit he plays hard.

[herceg_bukuParticipant]

I preffer Nikola Vucevic. He moves much more fluidly, better rebounder, and definetely one of the more skilled big men in the NBA down on the block. Not taking anything from Jonas, i am from toronto i watch him play all the time. But he moves so awkward for someone that is 6’11”, its not like he is 7’3”. Just not a big fan of his game overall, even though i will give him credit he plays hard.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 Interesting debate. Both could definitely be better on defense. Valancunias has a tendency to pick up dumb fouls, which can affect his ability to stay on the floor and get into a rhythm offensively. He probably has more potential on that end than vucevic but neither of them are great athletes and will probably never be top-notch rim protectors or pick and roll defenders.

I think vucevic’s offensive game is more advanced right now. He can step outside and make a mid-range jumper more consistently and catches and finishes better in traffic. He just seems to have a better overall feel for the game imo. I would take vucevic.

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 Interesting debate. Both could definitely be better on defense. Valancunias has a tendency to pick up dumb fouls, which can affect his ability to stay on the floor and get into a rhythm offensively. He probably has more potential on that end than vucevic but neither of them are great athletes and will probably never be top-notch rim protectors or pick and roll defenders.

I think vucevic’s offensive game is more advanced right now. He can step outside and make a mid-range jumper more consistently and catches and finishes better in traffic. He just seems to have a better overall feel for the game imo. I would take vucevic.

 

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 I think the fact that Vucevic is actually a good mid-range shooter makes him a more dangerous offensive player.  And I think Vucevic is definitely more skilled as a post player – both are effective in the post, but Vucevic is less dependent on getting super low position since he can shoot and has more advanced post moves.

Plus, Vucevic plays 34 minutes per game, while Valanciunas plays only 26, so Vuc’s per-36 numbers are more impressive in my opinion.

Valanciunas is younger, so he could catch up to Vucevic, but he hasn’t really been improving at a more rapid rate than Vuc, so I’m not sure he catches Vuc anytime soon.

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 I think the fact that Vucevic is actually a good mid-range shooter makes him a more dangerous offensive player.  And I think Vucevic is definitely more skilled as a post player – both are effective in the post, but Vucevic is less dependent on getting super low position since he can shoot and has more advanced post moves.

Plus, Vucevic plays 34 minutes per game, while Valanciunas plays only 26, so Vuc’s per-36 numbers are more impressive in my opinion.

Valanciunas is younger, so he could catch up to Vucevic, but he hasn’t really been improving at a more rapid rate than Vuc, so I’m not sure he catches Vuc anytime soon.

[JordanC20Participant]

 I like Vucevic better because I see a lot of untapped potential left in his game. I can see him becoming a solid 3 point shooter and also if he takes the time can become a much better defensive player as well.

[JordanC20Participant]

 I like Vucevic better because I see a lot of untapped potential left in his game. I can see him becoming a solid 3 point shooter and also if he takes the time can become a much better defensive player as well.

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