Speaking of all-star games, here's Valanciunas at the Lithuanian League all-star game... His performance consisted of dressing up as gandalf, switching places with a referee and then calling a technical on the same ref, doing traditional lithuanian folk-dancing to 'ice ice baby', and putting up 25 pts, 13 rbs, and 6 assists to win the game's MVP.
In more serious competition, he was the VTB League MVP for the month of February, and had 17 pts (on 7/9 shooting) to lead his team into the Eurocup quarterfinals.
I know those were just a few short clips, none of which were truly worth anything given it's an all-star game, but I really can't get past his lack of leaping ability. He's aggressive, but boy I hope this work on his jumping game. Not dunking, just getting his feet higher off the ground when he takes his shots. In the NBA he'll be blocked more often than he's getting over there if he doesn't get that down pat.
I know those were just a few short clips, none of which were truly worth anything given it's an all-star game, but I really can't get past his lack of leaping ability. He's aggressive, but boy I hope this work on his jumping game. Not dunking, just getting his feet higher off the ground when he takes his shots. In the NBA he'll be blocked more often than he's getting over there if he doesn't get that down pat.
He is a pick and roll guy so going to be more about body positioning than trying to back some guy down and getting stuffed. He is a very mobile guy with very good skills. DD looks to have his game on track now though it took half a season. AB has been out half a season or so it seems.
But imagine how much room JV will have to operate with the threat of AB's shot and DD's drive. Plus a sharpshooter SF from the draft. Plus another guy from this year's draft.
Been reading how scouts are saying JV would have been number two this year only eclipsed by Davis. I'm looking forward to seeing him in a Raptor uniform bigtime. Next year --it's all about next year.
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He is a pick and roll guy so going to be more about body positioning than trying to back some guy down and getting stuffed. He is a very mobile guy with very good skills. DD looks to have his game on track now though it took half a season. AB has been out half a season or so it seems.
But imagine how much room JV will have to operate with the threat of AB's shot and DD's drive. Plus a sharpshooter SF from the draft. Plus another guy from this year's draft.
Been reading how scouts are saying JV would have been number two this year only eclipsed by Davis. I'm looking forward to seeing him in a Raptor uniform bigtime. Next year --it's all about next year.
Yeah, he really only needs to jump-shoot enough to keep the defense honest and force defenders to come out to the top of the key with him. When you've got a 9' 5" standing reach, the only way you're going to get blocked on a jumpshot is if your defender leaves his feet, or he's right up in your face, in which case you should be driving around him anyway.
He could learn something from Bargnani there, because that's actually one of Bargs' best skills, getting his defender in the air so that he can drive around him or draw contact. I don't want JV shooting from much further out than about 18 feet, but a solid jumper would be great for adding a pick-and-pop option to the standard pick-and-roll that they'll probably be running for him.
He is a pick and roll guy so going to be more about body positioning than trying to back some guy down and getting stuffed. He is a very mobile guy with very good skills. DD looks to have his game on track now though it took half a season. AB has been out half a season or so it seems.
But imagine how much room JV will have to operate with the threat of AB's shot and DD's drive. Plus a sharpshooter SF from the draft. Plus another guy from this year's draft.
Been reading how scouts are saying JV would have been number two this year only eclipsed by Davis. I'm looking forward to seeing him in a Raptor uniform bigtime. Next year --it's all about next year.
i don't think defenses worry about DD's driving.....it seems like he needs to come off a pick to create separation instead of creating separation with his dribbling + first step. but the worse thing is his finishing ability is mediocre at best
i don't think defenses worry about DD's driving.....it seems like he needs to come off a pick to create separation instead of creating separation with his dribbling + first step. but the worse thing is his finishing ability is mediocre at best
He has had numerous 20pt games of late. He has been taking the ball to the hoop for the vast majority of them. Finishing them with some flair or ending up at the foul line. Last year it was his midrange jumper that was his real bread and butter. He got points going to the hoop but it was mostly in fast break situations.
Taken him this long to adjust to what Casey wants which is indeed him coming off screens and then heading to the hoop. If they want a guy to create his own shot of the dribble they bring in Barbosa. It's exactly the kind of offense Casey wants to run. Very deliberate, almost everything come off some kinda screen or multiple ones.
Plus DD has done this when he has been given the mantle of first option. He should be a 3rd or 4th option. Next year Casey guaranteed will pound the ball inside. This will free DD up even more. Once he is in place where he should be I think he will be a very nice complimentary piece.
According to former Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment Ltd. executive John Shannon, that was an offer considered by then Toronto Raptors general manager Glen Grunwald.
Shannon - now a hockey insider with Sportsnet - related the story on Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown Friday.
Grunwald said he had a chance to trade Vince Carter and Antonio Davis the Dallas Mavericks for Nash and Nowitzki, but rejected the deal.
It's hard to blame Grunwald for not doing it. I remember a rumored deal back in the day was Bryant for Carter swap, and most thought Carter was the second coming of Jordan, and that under no circumstances should he be dealt. Kinda crazy when you look back on these things.
I still get goosebumps watching old tape of Vince as a Raptor, especially that playoff series vs the 76ers. Vince Carter was bigger then the NBA for a stretch there. He was the most marketable star the Raptors will ever have. He brought fans, celebrities, NBC, TNT to the Air Canada Center with his dunks, his outside shot, his hustle and the idea that anytime he touched the ball he could do something great. Vince had all the tools, everything in his game to go down as one of the greatest to ever play the game and then something changed inside of him. Whether it be the injuries or his dislike for the Raptors direction. He's the biggest What IF for me in sports since I've been alive.
Raptors get Bargnani back tonight, and Calderon goes down with an ankle sprain. Bad for the chances of trading Calderon, great for Raps' lottery pick.
Hilarious ain't it. Plenty of offers in for Jose supposedly and just before the deadline down he goes. Just atypical Raptors luck. Yeah it might help the tank but trading him was the same result plus the return.
Hilarious ain't it. Plenty of offers in for Jose supposedly and just before the deadline down he goes. Just atypical Raptors luck. Yeah it might help the tank but trading him was the same result plus the return.
Yeah, and it hurts his long-term trade value as well, even if he comes back soon. Plus, with Rubio out for the Olympics, that's going to put more of a burden on Calderon to play big minutes over the summer rather than resting and rehabbing. Ah well, hopefully they can find a decent return for Barbosa still.
BC should grab Lin for Jose. Jose can feed Melo all game long and keep him happy. Lin can come and learn from Nash when they grab him in the summer(perhaps)
BC should grab Lin for Jose. Jose can feed Melo all game long and keep him happy. Lin can come and learn from Nash when they grab him in the summer(perhaps)
They just got rid of D'antoni so methink Melo is running the show.
Wow, I didn't know that. I just figured Jose to NY was basically impossible since D'Antoni was there. I don't think they would be willing to give up Lin yet, but Calderon would make some sense to pair with 'Melo.
Wow, I didn't know that. I just figured Jose to NY was basically impossible since D'Antoni was there. I don't think they would be willing to give up Lin yet, but Calderon would make some sense to pair with 'Melo.
Melo just wants the ball and Amare likes the PNR. Right up Jose's alley. Lin and Melo have already apparently clashed. Imagine Lin in a Raptors uniform --be a PR home run. Not to mention they would have a guy who is young, uptempo and can drain the 3. His turnovers would make Casey cringe a bit but they can work on that.
Melo just wants the ball and Amare likes the PNR. Right up Jose's alley. Lin and Melo have already apparently clashed. Imagine Lin in a Raptors uniform --be a PR home run. Not to mention they would have a guy who is young, uptempo and can drain the 3. His turnovers would make Casey cringe a bit but they can work on that.
I think his turnstile D would make Casey cringe even more.
Not sure why NY would make that deal though as the PR they have from him is pretty good as well and trading him and missing the play-offs would seem to piss off a lot of fans.
