[moon]

Originally Posted by octothorp

Sorry to single out just one line from a post that makes some good points, but to suggest that Valanciunas is not a very good pick is just insane to me. Seriously, the guy just set a rookie record for best true shooting percentage amongst starting centres (a list in which #2-#5 belongs to Robinson, M. Gasol, Mourning, and O'Neal; and Valanciunas did it at a younger age than any of those guys), ended the season with a 11.5 pts, 7.5 rbs rookie of the month award. Look at the five guys drafted after him (Vesely, Biyombo, Knight, Walker, Fredette); I'd say he's already ahead of any of those guys despite playing one less season (except maybe Walker who has a green light to run up stats on tanking team), and certainly projects to be a far superior player to any of them. I wouldn't trade him for any player in that entire draft class except for Irving and possibly Leonard. (Could maybe make an argument for Faried or Klay Thompson, but I wouldn't do it.)

Ya doubtful was the wrong word. Meant there are still doubts about how he will turn out. I understand all the homers that cover the team keep talking about how great he will be but watching him play his hand selected minutes and how sheltered he is I don't see a ton of offensive instincts and some okay rebounding. I guess it is better that he does have good shooting numbers than not but they seem to be pretty few shots and he tends to pass up any tough shot so not surprising. Valcunias certainly does look like he may be the best draft pick and move that Colangenlo made during his time here I just want to see more than Doug "#1 Raptor fan" Smith telling me how great he will be.