Jonas Valanciunas, the atmosphere in the Nuggets locker room
« Um… I’ve seen better than him. But it is… probably in the Top 10! », it turned out Jonas Valanciunas teasing. A reporter had just asked him what he thought of his teammate Tim Hardaway Jr.’s dunk. left hand early in the second quarter in Sacramento.
During the post-match question-and-answer session, following his team’s 30-point win, the Lithuanian struggled to keep his composure. ” Jonas is… one of the funniest guys I’ve ever been around. He’s the best guy », emphasizes his coach David Adelman.
To which his headquarters – after the objections are reported – will respond: ” He’s lying, and it’s not nice, coach! » It is easy to understand that the 33-year-old seems to have found his place in Denver. One that he has been thinking very seriously about this summer the idea of returning to Europe.
The Nuggets had more than one advantage in convincing him not to leave: to play on a team built to win back a title — one he never won — and to be a backup, albeit limited role, to the best center in the world, Nikola Jokic.
« I must not let him down (smile). I have to do a good job. He’s playing great, he’s carrying us. The mission of the second five is to widen the gap even more. It’s a mentality, an approach », summarizes his role in which he excelled last night against his former team: 15 points on 7/7 shooting and 6 rebounds in 19 minutes.
An exemplary attitude
It was his most playing time of the season and some of his best production. There are few minutes behind the Serbs. ” His attitude towards his role on the team never wavered. Some nights he doesn’t play many minutes. He is the first in the rallies to try to motivate the team to win », still describes his coach.
David Adelman adds: On the bus, in the dining room, in the dressing room… It’s a joy to see every day. We are really fortunate to have a pivot replacement who finishes 7/7 on strikeouts. But we are also happy to have found another leader in our locker room, who understands what a marathon is. (from the regular season). »
Logical because in his 14th season in the Big League, the former Raptors, Grizzlies or Pelicans player is the most experienced player. And the pivot, who averages about 8 points and 5 rebounds in 12 minutes, has perhaps the best opportunity to go to the ring.
« I enjoy playing, being in the locker room, being a member of this team. It’s just the beginning, there are still many games and things to do, but we’re going one day at a time. I personally use it, I arrive with a smile “, testifies Jonas Valanciunas, with a smile that never leaves him.
| Jonas Valanciunas | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | The team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | That | Pd | Ft | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2012-13 | TOR | 62 | 23:54 | 55.7 | 78.9 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 0.7 | 3.0 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 8.9 | |
| 2013-14 | TOR | 81 | 28:10 | 53.1 | 0.0 | 76.2 | 2.8 | 6.0 | 8.8 | 0.7 | 3.1 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 11.3 |
| 2014-15 | TOR | 80 | 26:12 | 57.2 | 0.0 | 78.6 | 2.7 | 6.0 | 8.7 | 0.5 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 12.0 |
| 2015-16 | TOR | 60 | 25:57 | 56.5 | 76.1 | 3.1 | 6.1 | 9.1 | 0.7 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 12.8 | |
| 2016-17 | TOR | 80 | 26:29 | 55.7 | 50.0 | 81.1 | 2.8 | 6.7 | 9.5 | 0.7 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 12.0 |
| 2017-18 | TOR | 77 | 22:26 | 56.8 | 40.5 | 80.6 | 2.4 | 6.2 | 8.6 | 1.1 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 12.7 |
| 2018-19 | TOR | 30 | 18:48 | 57.5 | 30.0 | 81.9 | 1.8 | 5.4 | 7.2 | 1.0 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 12.8 |
| 2018-19 | MEM | 19 | 27:44 | 54.5 | 27.8 | 76.9 | 2.7 | 7.9 | 10.7 | 2.2 | 3.4 | 0.3 | 2.7 | 1.6 | 19.9 |
| 2019-20 | MEM | 70 | 26:21 | 58.5 | 35.2 | 74.0 | 3.0 | 8.2 | 11.3 | 1.9 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 14.9 |
| 2020-21 | MEM | 62 | 28:18 | 59.2 | 36.8 | 77.3 | 4.1 | 8.4 | 12.5 | 1.8 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 17.1 |
| 2021-22 | NO | 74 | 30:16 | 54.4 | 36.1 | 82.0 | 3.1 | 8.3 | 11.4 | 2.6 | 3.3 | 0.6 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 17.8 |
| 2022-23 | NO | 79 | 24:55 | 54.7 | 34.9 | 82.6 | 2.8 | 7.3 | 10.2 | 1.8 | 3.1 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 14.1 |
| 2023-24 | NO | 82 | 23:29 | 55.9 | 30.8 | 78.5 | 2.3 | 6.5 | 8.8 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 12.2 |
| 2024-25 | SAC | 32 | 16:54 | 55.6 | 10.0 | 84.7 | 2.2 | 4.8 | 7.0 | 1.8 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 8.7 |
| 2024-25 | YOU | 49 | 20:04 | 54.7 | 25.9 | 89.6 | 2.4 | 5.8 | 8.2 | 2.2 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 11.5 |
| 2025-26 | IT | 24 | 12:45 | 58.9 | 30.0 | 73.9 | 1.3 | 3.3 | 4.7 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 8.5 |
How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.
2025-12-12 10:12:00
