Comments on: Olympics Basketball 2012: Lithuania Squeaks Past Tunisia http://raptorsrapture.com/2012/08/06/olympics-basketball-2012-lithuania-squeaks-past-tunisia/ A Toronto Raptors Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More Thu, 31 Jan 2013 23:06:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Raptors Rapture http://raptorsrapture.com/2012/08/06/olympics-basketball-2012-lithuania-squeaks-past-tunisia/comment-page-1/#comment-1918 Raptors Rapture Mon, 06 Aug 2012 21:32:00 +0000 http://raptorsrapture.com/?p=1691#comment-1918 Yeah, you may be right about BC's impact on his playing time. However, Lithuania was simply better without Valanciunas on the floor today. Like I said above, he was effective in setting screens and pulling down rebounds, but he was a liability with the ball in his hands. Lithuania was getting crushed when he was in, and after he had been sitting for awhile, they finally made their surge. I'm not saying their early deficit was entirely JV's fault, and they're certainly not always a better team when he's on the bench. That was just the case today. Even when he struggles, though, his talent and potential is apparent. If Raps fans have a little patience, they will be thrilled with what he brings to the table. Yeah, you may be right about BC’s impact on his playing time. However, Lithuania was simply better without Valanciunas on the floor today. Like I said above, he was effective in setting screens and pulling down rebounds, but he was a liability with the ball in his hands. Lithuania was getting crushed when he was in, and after he had been sitting for awhile, they finally made their surge. I’m not saying their early deficit was entirely JV’s fault, and they’re certainly not always a better team when he’s on the bench. That was just the case today. Even when he struggles, though, his talent and potential is apparent. If Raps fans have a little patience, they will be thrilled with what he brings to the table.

]]> By: Jeffrey Thompson http://raptorsrapture.com/2012/08/06/olympics-basketball-2012-lithuania-squeaks-past-tunisia/comment-page-1/#comment-1917 Jeffrey Thompson Mon, 06 Aug 2012 14:14:00 +0000 http://raptorsrapture.com/?p=1691#comment-1917 I'm also rooting for the Lithuanians, and I am sure there is a reason for JV not playing. It's certainly not for basketball reasons because it does not make any sense for a coach to purposely sit a player than can help his team win. My guess is that there are outside forces thatr assuring that JV does not play and the probable source of that is Bryan Colangelo. Colangelo has a lot riding on this young big man and the last thing he wants is to have his prized lottery pick injured before the season starts. If that means him sitting out the Olympics, then so be it. I am sure that Raptors fans may not like it, but deep down they certainly agree with it. Sure, it would be nice to see Jonas show off if stuff, but what if he gets injured. That's why I don't see Lithuania going past the quarterfinals because to do so, they will need Jonas and with the coach hell bent on not playing him, that is not going to happen. I’m also rooting for the Lithuanians, and I am sure there is a reason for JV not playing. It’s certainly not for basketball reasons because it does not make any sense for a coach to purposely sit a player than can help his team win. My guess is that there are outside forces thatr assuring that JV does not play and the probable source of that is Bryan Colangelo.

Colangelo has a lot riding on this young big man and the last thing he wants is to have his prized lottery pick injured before the season starts. If that means him sitting out the Olympics, then so be it. I am sure that Raptors fans may not like it, but deep down they certainly agree with it. Sure, it would be nice to see Jonas show off if stuff, but what if he gets injured.

That’s why I don’t see Lithuania going past the quarterfinals because to do so, they will need Jonas and with the coach hell bent on not playing him, that is not going to happen.

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