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  • TheGloveinRapsUniform wrote: View Post
    I love how his fistpumps during pre-season games.
    He won't be pumping them much in the regular season when he's getting his ass handed to him

    Comment


    • stretch wrote: View Post
      Drummond's has length where it counts. I am not talking about his porn star potential but instead about his standing reach which is nine feet one and a half inches. Meyers Leonard is listed at 7' 1" tall but his reach is "only" nine feet even. I am uncertain what Valanciunas' standing reach is but I am thinking that it is likely around the nine foot plus range.

      Drummond is going to be a big time player, perhaps not right away, but as the number nine pick of last June's draft it's not going out on a limb to say that the Pistons were so fortunate that Andre fell into their laps.
      Jonas from what I know has a 9'3 or 9'4 standing reach

      Comment


      • Very endearing article by Holly MacKenzie:

        Asked what he likes to do when he's not playing basketball, he paused, said, "video games," and then continued, "I don't know. Everything about basketball. Basketball is my passion, my life. I spend so much time on the court, a lot of time on the court. I don't have too much free time; I'd rather be on the court."
        "He's going to be a very successful NBA player in this league," Lucas said. "He's young, he's hungry. He's still learning he's like a sponge soaking everything up, but he's not getting frustrated. You say something to him and he's like, 'Okay, I got you,' and he corrects it. If he doesn't understand he'll come talk to you and figure it out. When you have a young guy like that, shoot, sky is the limit for them."
        In each of his two preseason games, Valanciunas has walked over to each of the three officials prior to the game and extended a hand to introduce himself by saying, "Hi, I'm Jonas."

        He does the same with the media members who cover him each day, making it his goal to learn their names and choosing to open his media scrums by asking how their days have been, then patiently waiting for their responses.
        As for his new city, he's a fan of the diversity, calling it a "great, great city." Asked what he'd like Raptors fans to know about him he doesn't hesitate in saying, "That I love the fans. I love the fans. I love the basketball fans. Back home I always was talking with fans. For me it's not a problem to sign autographs or take a picture. For me that's okay."
        It's hard not to love this kid

        http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ba...7849--nba.html

        Comment


        • Nilanka wrote: View Post
          Very endearing article by Holly MacKenzie:









          It's hard not to love this kid

          http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ba...7849--nba.html
          I feel like stick of butter laying on a hot tin roof in the Dominican Republic at noon.

          Comment


          • I love the fact that JV was in dance school early on in his life.. explains why he's so mobile as a center.

            Comment


            • Nilanka wrote: View Post
              Very endearing article by Holly MacKenzie:


              It's hard not to love this kid

              http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ba...7849--nba.html
              Oh what a treat, this entire article!!! Loved it. I wish they could do more journalism of this kind where the fans really get a chance to "feel" a player from up close.

              Just like this kind of article, I always loved those practice vids or funny/dramatic locker-room moments, or in general some off-court action on tape where you get to see the players being their normal selves, hanging out. You get to know them more as individuals and this makes watching the games more meaningful, because you start rooting for them individually and as a team. You're no longer a regular Raptors "fan" who barely knows the names of the starters, but an individual who honestly loves to root for other human beings you happen to care for... win or lose, you start to share it all.

              Comment


              • BadDinosaur wrote: View Post
                Oh what a treat, this entire article!!! Loved it. I wish they could do more journalism of this kind where the fans really get a chance to "feel" a player from up close.

                Just like this kind of article, I always loved those practice vids or funny/dramatic locker-room moments, or in general some off-court action on tape where you get to see the players being their normal selves, hanging out. You get to know them more as individuals and this makes watching the games more meaningful, because you start rooting for them individually and as a team. You're no longer a regular Raptors "fan" who barely knows the names of the starters, but an individual who honestly loves to root for other human beings you happen to care for... win or lose, you start to share it all.
                You want a treat? Touchy feely journalism? Check out Stephen Jackson.

                My favourite parts are when he talks about how humble he is and when he is talking about why he is a great person because he helped the passed out girl at the club.

                http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba...ll-spurs-life/

                Comment


                • Remember this from Raptorblog? http://goo.gl/vKsvH

                  (removed table showing statistical averages of big men rookies their first year) Dwight Howard, Andrew Bynum, Tyson Chandler, Marc Gasol, Roy Hibbert, Andrew Bogut, Joakim Noah ,Al Horford, Nene, Javale McGee

                  "If you weren’t already aware that big men, especially centres, take the longest to develop, perhaps this table was a simple reminder. Even taking into account future All Stars and dominant players, none of these guys could average more than 12 points as a rookie, more than 10 rebounds or even crack two blocks per game. Howard’s impressive yet not spectacular player efficiency rating of 17.2 ranks the highest on this list."

                  One consideration for lowered expectations of Jonas has been a worry he would be picking up fouls like crazy. Haven't seen any indication of it yet. If he can stay out of foul trouble he may average close to a double, double a game.

                  Comment


                  • Puffer wrote: View Post
                    Remember this from Raptorblog? http://goo.gl/vKsvH

                    (removed table showing statistical averages of big men rookies their first year) Dwight Howard, Andrew Bynum, Tyson Chandler, Marc Gasol, Roy Hibbert, Andrew Bogut, Joakim Noah ,Al Horford, Nene, Javale McGee

                    "If you weren’t already aware that big men, especially centres, take the longest to develop, perhaps this table was a simple reminder. Even taking into account future All Stars and dominant players, none of these guys could average more than 12 points as a rookie, more than 10 rebounds or even crack two blocks per game. Howard’s impressive yet not spectacular player efficiency rating of 17.2 ranks the highest on this list."

                    One consideration for lowered expectations of Jonas has been a worry he would be picking up fouls like crazy. Haven't seen any indication of it yet. If he can stay out of foul trouble he may average close to a double, double a game.
                    About his foultrouble, and I've said it before, it's most likely not as big a deal as some people think because of boxscore. With his club and national teams, lots of times when he racked up a couple of fouls in limited minutes it was precisely because he knew he had limited minutes and didn't have to worry about his fouls per 36 minutes.

                    But of course, there have been, and will be, games where he'll get in (quick) foul trouble. Some nights he just has trouble getting into the flow of the game, doesn't move his feet well, lowers his arm when defending against shots round the rim, et cetera. But overall, I don't expect an Amir-like problem with fouls.

                    Comment


                    • I see him as a very very very raw Tim Duncan ... I honestly do
                      “I don’t create controversies. They’re there long before I open my mouth. I just bring them to your attention.”

                      -- Charles Barkley

                      Comment


                      • torch19 wrote: View Post
                        I see him as a very very very raw Tim Duncan ... I honestly do
                        be pretty sweet if he could have kissed that shot off the glass for an easy 2. i would find a way to blow myself if shooters had to respect the shot and take their chances with the athleticism. that would be so sweet.

                        Comment


                        • Soft Euro wrote: View Post
                          About his foul trouble, and I've said it before, it's most likely not as big a deal as some people think because of box score. With his club and national teams, lots of times when he racked up a couple of fouls in limited minutes it was precisely because he knew he had limited minutes and didn't have to worry about his fouls per 36 minutes....
                          This is something that hasn't received enough attention, in my opinion.

                          As I understand it, the reffing is slightly different between Euro leagues and NBA, so I expect there to be an adjustment period. But so far JV hasn't shown himself to be foul prone. Not like Amir Struggled with in his early years with the Raps. I think fouls and conditioning are going to be the only things that keep Jonas out of extended minutes this season. He is much more NBA ready that I could have dreamed.

                          I hope he plays 35 minutes a game the rest of the pre-season, so he can hit the regular season at running speed.

                          Comment


                          • torch19 wrote: View Post
                            I see him as a very very very raw Tim Duncan ... I honestly do
                            I was thinking the same thing, but was too afraid of the ensuing public flogging to post it

                            Duncas was putting up MVP-type numbers in his rookie year, but I do get what you're saying. When it comes to sound defensive understandings, decent offensive ability, not much flash, but high IQ and fundamentals, I find the "raw Duncan" model fits better than any other comparables we've heard so far (e.g. Chandler, Big Z, etc.).

                            Comment


                            • The thing is, Duncan's defining feature as a draft prospect was his exceptional post game. He projected as a good defender, sure; but the thing that had everyone excited about him was his already-polished offensive game. So to me, saying "very raw Tim Duncan" is kinda like saying "Ray Allen without the jump shot" or "a 6'8", 240 lb. Shaq". It takes away the defining feature of the compared player's game.

                              Comment


                              • tkfu wrote: View Post
                                The thing is, Duncan's defining feature as a draft prospect was his exceptional post game. He projected as a good defender, sure; but the thing that had everyone excited about him was his already-polished offensive game. So to me, saying "very raw Tim Duncan" is kinda like saying "Ray Allen without the jump shot" or "a 6'8", 240 lb. Shaq". It takes away the defining feature of the compared player's game.
                                I beg to differ. Duncan's defining characteristic is that he is fundamentally sound and a smart basketball player. He's a hybrid of a power forward and centre. He's more mobile than traditional centres but yet he doesn't have the athleticism of the Chandler's and Dwight's.

                                Those characteristics are present with Jonas. Hence, the comparison. The lack of offensive moves in the post is the reason why I said "raw" x3.

                                Even the release on his jump shot reminds me of Duncan's.
                                “I don’t create controversies. They’re there long before I open my mouth. I just bring them to your attention.”

                                -- Charles Barkley

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