During the preseason Memphis Grizzlies big man Marreese Speights showed Toronto Raptors rookie Jonas Valanciunas that blocking a dunk isn't an easy proposition. The learning process for the first year NBA player from Lithuania continued tonight. This time the teacher was three-time scoring champ Kevin Durant. http://youtu.be/QuWPtGTOvKE Just a few days ago ... Read More

    The NBA career of last year's fifth overall choice, Jonas Valanciunas, is underway after he spent last season playing in Europe. He's averaged 8 points and 7 rebounds in the preseason and has been a defensive presence with 11 blocks in six games, including one tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies. ... Read More

All fifteen Toronto Raptors should appreciate this off-the-backboard slam by their pending rookie Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas, who Toronto selected with the 5th pick in last year's draft: http://youtu.be/ZetxlmCrzT0 The arrival of Valanciunas and 2012 #8 overall pick Terrence Ross, combined with DeMar DeRozan, should give all fifteen the entire Raptors fan base ... Read More

The reaction was pretty subdued when the pick was announced. A collective sigh could be heard from across the border by Raptors fans who were hoping for a player who could help them now and not a few years down the road. http://youtu.be/xOXPoghoMs8   After his performance at FIBA's Under-19 World Championships quite ... Read More