Lithuania Up 20 at Halftime - Only Kleiza Misses Threes for Them in 1st Half

[blaze89]

So far there are a number of things I have noticed about Kleiza.

1. He has hustled almost continually on both ends of the court - Of course this is playing for his national team so we shall just have to see how it translates

2. He has a very nice game from 15 feet and in with a number of moves and can use both hands effectively.

3. He bodies up well on defense though he can be pinned and gotten by

4. Not great handles, can have the ball stripped but seems to be always looking for the best opportunity for the team except when he is expected to shoot on a given play.

5. Not very effective from beyond fifteen feet to maybe 20 feet.

6. Strong for a #3

7. Seems like a great teammate. Was the first over to pick up a fallen teammate. Was the first over to check on another teammate injured on a play. Looks to pass to his teammates even when he is open, if he thinks that they have a better shot. Are you reading this Jarrett Jack?

Considering that the Raptors are paying him about $5 million a year I think they will get their monies worth. I think if fans keep it in that perspective and not try and compare him to the SF's in the league that are making $10 - 20 million a year then they will be very happy with his play in 10-11.

8. I think he will be an overall positive both in the locker room and on the court, which is a lot more than can be said of "Ball"

i wanted him on the raps before he even went to europe......can't wait to see him this season going to be even better

[Buddahfan]

So far there are a number of things I have noticed about Kleiza.

1. He has hustled almost continually on both ends of the court - Of course this is playing for his national team so we shall just have to see how it translates

2. He has a very nice game from 15 feet and in with a number of moves and can use both hands effectively.

3. He bodies up well on defense though he can be pinned and gotten by

4. Not great handles, can have the ball stripped but seems to be always looking for the best opportunity for the team except when he is expected to shoot on a given play.

5. Not very effective from beyond fifteen feet to maybe 20 feet.

6. Strong for a #3

7. Seems like a great teammate. Was the first over to pick up a fallen teammate. Was the first over to check on another teammate injured on a play. Looks to pass to his teammates even when he is open, if he thinks that they have a better shot. Are you reading this Jarrett Jack?

Considering that the Raptors are paying him about $5 million a year I think they will get their monies worth. I think if fans keep it in that perspective and not try and compare him to the SF's in the league that are making $10 - 20 million a year then they will be very happy with his play in 10-11.

8. I think he will be an overall positive both in the locker room and on the court, which is a lot more than can be said of "Ball"

[jeff_hostetler]

That's game. Argentina simply got destroyed.

[JoePanini]

Lithuania hit the big 100!

[jeff_hostetler]

Announcers just made a good point: Kleiza just seems to be doing whatever Lithuania needs at the time. He's not scoring a crazy amount (though he is scoring), but he's grabbing timely boards, setting the good picks, getting good stops, in general playing like a vet. He's got no handle, though he's pretty efficient scoring up close.

It's the first time I've seen him play here, and I was hoping to see him light it up (which he hasn't). I've been pretty pleased though with the way he has been playing. The rest of Lithuania is doing the scoring.

Scola, by the way, has been guarding Kleiza. Kleiza is not guarding Scola.

[jeff_hostetler]

I'm watching as well. Couple of things:

For the most part, Argentina have simply dumped the ball to Scola and are expecting him to do something. Reminds me of how the Raps used to play with Bosh. Mostly Scola is just shooting mid-range jumpers (again...Bosh). As his shots rim out or brick, so go the hopes of Argentina if they continue to play this way (see: above comment on Bosh).

Kleiza is being doubled a lot, which is opening up the floor for the other players, who are simply taking it to Argentina. Kleiza is making the good passes.

I can see Kleiza playing very well with Amir and Davis, with Amir/Davis there to clean up Kleiza's misses and vice-versa. They play close to the rim. As such their misses don't cause wild rebounds, leaving plenty of opportunity for putbacks.

[pistol pete]

85-53 Lithuania after three quarters

Argentina just doesn't have any energy today.

Their legs are dead.

Three point shooting off and slow on defense.

Buddah, which defence?

[Buddahfan]

85-53 Lithuania after three quarters

Argentina just doesn't have any energy today.

Their legs are dead.

Three point shooting off and slow on defense.

[Buddahfan]

Tenacious defense by Lithuania in the first half and 8 for 10 on threes bolts them to a 50-30 half time lead.

Kleiza and Scola both with only seven at halftime.

To be updated.