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According to Sportas.delfi.It(lithuanian sports site), it’s been reported that Jonas Valanciunas has made it to the next round of the men’s national basketball team try-outs for the upcoming EuroBasket 2011. The first training camp took place in the city of Druskininkai and players Mindaugas Lukauskis and Arthuras Jomantas were sent home Saturday night.
The remaining 17 potentials, including Jonas, will now pack up and head to Palanga for the second stage of camp that begins Monday. Good luck to Valaciunas from all the Tim and Sidizens.
As promised Tim and Sidizens, I’m going to be grabbing news from everywhere until Tim, Sid, Noon, Bronsteter, and Pizzo return. Until then, you’re left with me rambling about whatever is available in the sports world. Tonight, I bring you more news about the newest Toronto Raptor, Jonas Valanciunas. If Tim can’t tweet it in fear of backlash, then I’ll post it.
Since Big V helped Lithuania win the FIBA U-19 World Championships, the country has been in party mode. This past Monday, in front of thousands of fans, Valanciunas and his teammates were honoured by Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite in the main square of Vilnius’ Old Town.
During an interview after the celebration, Jonas had some thoughts regarding the Men’s Lithuanian National Team.
* The following excerpt below was taken from a Lithuanian paper and I did my best to translate it. Therefore, the grammar below is out of whack and to prevent trying to alter Jonas’ comments, I decided to leave it as is. You can still make out what he’s saying and it’s clear that he respects the men’s team and understands that making the team will not be a walk in the park. The kid seems to be mature…it’s a good sign.
“Gold medal at the World Basketball Championship in 19-year olds who won the Lithuanian national team leader John Valanciunas going to do everything said to enter the Lithuanian men’s basketball team. He thus acknowledged that access to it will be difficult, because there playing basketball is a lot older and have more experience than the young.
“Men’s basketball teams begin camp on Sunday. In the evening we will begin all have a choice. Discouraged or not, is present in the team, I do not know. Will try to do everything that patekčiau. If excluded, it will only be greater incentive to engage in more of what I am doing more work. If you are, it will be very happy, I will endeavor to fight and possibly to transport one more victory to Lithuania “, – the President said Mr awards Valanciunas
Lithuanian youth team captain acknowledged that access to the men’s team will be very difficult.
“There was a whole different level. It is difficult to compare our and their team, as the men’s team of candidates and our age and experience are very different. Men are a higher caliber than we, the children “, – assured Mr Valanciunas.
Predict the experience of Lithuanian men’s team championship of the country’s young basketball dared to hope. “I think it is very difficult to predict, because the sport is a sport. But all of a burning desire to play and win something, so it can help us, “- said one of the candidates to play in the national Lithuanian men’s basketball team.
Later that evening, the team had a more formal meeting with the President and again showered with medals and accolades.
And for those willing to sit through a video of the above ceremony, feel free to check out below. But if you’re like me, just fast forward to 8:20 of the video.
Congratulations Jonas. If meeting the President isn’t cool enough, you even got some sugar from her. Good luck with the upcoming Lithuanian Men’s National Team – I’ll be pulling for you.
Well that’s it. After nearly two weeks of #calmdown, #justthefacts, and #RememberRafael, Tim Micallef no longer needs to worry about receiving tweets from people in Raptor Nation that are tired of hearing anything that has to do with Jonas Valanciunas as the FIBA U-19 World Championships are now officially over. In today’s gold medal match-up, Valanciunas helped lead Lithuania to a 85 – 67 victory over Serbia. Jonas was also named the tournament’s MVP as he finished with a beast of a game by compiling:
36 PTS., 8 REB., 3 AST.
Big V owned the entire FIBA U-19 World Championships and his statistics for the entire tournament through 9 games were:
1st Tournament Scoring Average: 23 PPG. 1st Total Points: 207 2nd Field-Goal Percentage: 59.8 % 8th Free-Throw Percentage 81.1 % (I should note that Jonas has taken the most free-throws (60) in the tournament) 1st Rebounds Per Game 13.9 REB. 1st Blocks Per Game 3.2 1st Double-Doubles 7
Congratulations Jonas Valanciunas from all the Tim and Sidizens in Canada. I don’t care about the debate that “he’s playing against kids” or “wait until he faces MEN”, it’s good to see a Toronto Raptor having success. To be honest, I’m just happy to see our prospect showing enthusiasm…when was the last time you saw Bargnani show this much excitement?
Unfortunately, I didn’t see Micallef tweet today; it could be to avoid the wrath of people who hate numbers and facts. However, I’ll throw them out – another solid game today for the Toronto Raptors No. 5 selection in this year’s draft, Jonas Valanciunas. Lithuania defeated Russia today in the semi-finals with a score of 85 – 68 and will meet Serbia tomorrow for the Gold Medal at the FIBA U-19 World Championships. Valanciunas had another solid game as he finished with 21 PTS, 13 REB, and 2 AST.
Big V is owning this tournament so far and his statistics for the entire FIBA U-19 World Championships through 8 games (avg. 29.8 MIN) are:
1st Tournament Scoring Average: 21.4 PPG. 1st Total Points: 171 2nd Field-Goal Percentage: 57.7 % 3rd Free-Throw Percentage 83.3 % (I should note that Jonas has taken the most free-throws (60) in the tournament) 1st Rebounds Per Game 14.6 REB. 1st Blocks Per Game 3.2 1st Double-Doubles 7
Also noteworthy, Canada finished 11th at the tournament today after defeating Egypt 84 – 79. While the Canadian team finished on a high note, the final result is a disappointment for Canada after they finished 7th at the 2009 tournament in New Zealand.
* Stay tuned for Friday’s review of the Tim and Sid: Uncut. It should be up shortly.
This morning, Raptor Nation’s favourite topic of late, Jonas Valanciunas led his team into the quarter-finals against Polska at the FIBA U-19 World Championships. Pretty solid game for the newest Toronto Raptor, but remember it’s only statistics, facts, numbers #fiction. Valanciunas finished the game with 26 PTS., 24 REB, and 5 BLK and Lietuva went on to win the game 87 – 75 on their way to the semi-finals.
While Lietuva dominated most of the game, Polska did make a run in the 3rd quarter and got within 4 points, but Jonas and the rest of the front line just ate up the Polish defense. Uncle Timmy’s boy, The Polish Hammer, Marcin Gortat would of helped out in the paint for Polska this morning. As of today, Valanciunas’ statistics for the entire FIBA U-19 World Championships through 7 games are:
1st Tournament Scoring Average: 21.4 PPG. 1st Total Points: 150 8th Field-Goal Percentage: 55.3 % 3rd Free-Throw Percentage 84.9 % (I should note that Jonas has taken the most free-throws (53) in the tournament) 1st Rebounds Per Game 14.9 REB. 1st Blocks Per Game 3.7 1st Double-Doubles 6
Remember to tune into into Tim and Sid: Uncut this afternoon at 4PM ET on theScore SIRIUS Radio, Channel 158. Tim will probably avoid talking about his topic to avoid hatred remarks from Raptor Nation.
“You told me your game is a little like Chris Bosh who used to play for the Toronto Raptors. How is it like Chris Bosh?”
“I don’t know, I’m, I have not…not so strong body. So I don’t know…I can move fast…” – Jonas Valanciunas
Good afternoon Tim and Sidizens! While I understand Jonas most likely dissed Chris Bosh inadvertently in his response above, I just love the guy for producing unintentional humour – that’s something you can’t teach a player. If you’ve paid any attention or listened to Tim and Sid: Uncut over the last couple of weeks, you’re fully aware that the Toronto Raptors No. 5 selection in this year’s draft, Jonas Valanciunas, has been a topic of interest at times. Even Micallef has tweeted periodically about the kid, giving updates to his 12,000 + followers on how well Valanciunas has been playing in the FIBA U19 World Championships. Since then, he’s had a few games under his belt in attempt to lead Lithuania to a U-19 FIBA World Championship. So to help those looking for information on how he’s doing, I’ve bunched together all his stats and tournament break down into one area. (stats and photos courtesy of FIBA.COM & Eurobasket)
Thursday June 30
vs. Croatia 19 PTS, 13 REB, 5 BLK.
Friday July 1
vs. Korea 25 PTS, 17 REB, 2 BLK.
Saturday July 2
vs. Canada 19 PTS, 9 REB, 4 BLK.
Monday July 4
vs. Serbia 18 PTS, 13 REB, 3 BLK.
Tuesday July 5
vs. U.S.A 30 PTS, 15 REB, 4 BLK.
Wednesday July 6
vs. Egypt 17 PTS, 13 REB, 3 BLK.
Valanciunas’ stats are also very impressive for the 2011 FIBA tourament as a whole among all players including guards, forwards, and centres. Big V. has been an integral part of the Lithuanian team and they currently sit in 2nd place with 10 pts., 1 pt. behind the 1st place United States.
2nd Tournament Scoring Average: 20.7 PPG. 1st Total Points: 127 3rd Field-Goal Percentage: 58.7 % 4th Free-Throw Percentage 83.3 % (I should note that Jonas has taken the most free-throws (35) of the top 20 players in this category) 1st Rebounds Per Game 13.3 REB. 1st Blocks Per Game 3.5 1st Double-Doubles 5
Again, these are just statistics, information, and numbers that you can digest. If you’re a fan of the Raptors, there’s nothing wrong with keeping up-to-date on how this guy is performing. So no need to tell Uncle Timmy to #calmdown.
Remember to tune in today to a new Tim and Sid: Uncut at 4PM ET on SIRIUS Radio Channel 158. The guys are back from their extended vacation and should have lots to talk about in the world of sports. Until then, take care.
As most Tim and Sidizens are aware, Micallef and Seixeiro have spent some time on Tim and Sid: Uncut discussing the Toronto Raptors and their No. 5 selection in this year’s draft, Jonas Valanciunas. We’ve heard media, Raptor fans, analysts, and everyone else in the basketball world give their opinions on whether the kid is good or not. Well, it seems that someone else in the b-ball world had some opinions of his own, Patric Casey Young, (Centre for the U19 FIBA U.S.A Basketball), that he posted to his twitter:
I’m not sure whether or not Young is just pissed that he got destroyed by Jonas on the stats sheet the other day during their FIBA warm-up against Lithuania (6 PTS. 6 REB), it’s too hot over there for him, or he just hates the food. Haters be hatin’! Remember people, Tim and Sid: Uncut airs today at 4PM ET on the Score SIRIUS Radio Channel 158.
If you check out his twitter feed, you’ll see that he’s responding to everyone…it’s more funny if anything and the tweets keep coming…
According to Sportas.delfi.It (lithuanian sports site), it’s been reported that Jonas Valanciunas has made it to the next round of the men’s national basketball team try-outs for the upcoming EuroBasket 2011. The first training camp took place in the city of Druskininkai and players Mindaugas Lukauskis and Arthuras Jomantas were sent home Saturday night.
Sid and Tim: Cut 