Washington Alex Sarr, Wizards’ second general choose did not replenish the stat sheet in Thursday night time’s 122-102 loss to the Boston Celtics, however he confirmed flashes of the thrilling potential that made him a high prospect. Massive veteran man Jonas Valanciunas is already pondering that the French worldwide is likely one of the greatest rim protectors within the league.
Valanciunas stated Sarr is aware of how “learn the sport.”
“His skill to dam pictures is likely one of the greatest within the league. He’s nonetheless a younger participant, nonetheless rising, nonetheless studying, you understand, on a regular basis within the gymnasium,” the 32-year-old stated. “You understand, shot blocking, it is about studying the sport, you understand, it is about making sense. He has it, and he goes up from there.
Sarr had two blocks and 4 defensive rebounds in 22 minutes in opposition to the defending champion Celtics, whereas additionally guarding Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown on the perimeter. The 19-year-old’s subsequent check will likely be Saturday night time in opposition to Cleveland Cavaliers energy ahead Evan Mobley, an enormous man able to dealing with the ball and scoring on all three ranges.
Nonetheless, Valanciunas will likely be there that will help you when wanted. Washington’s pair of a promising rookie and a grizzled veteran on the 4 and 5 spots steadiness recent legs with expertise and a excessive basketball IQ, one thing that can profit each Sarr’s improvement and the protection of the group as an entire.
Valanciunas took over Thursday, scoring 18 factors on 8-of-13 taking pictures with 5 rebounds and two assists in 20 minutes off the bench. Washington opted for a small beginning lineup, utilizing three guards with Kyle Kuzma at energy ahead and Sarr at middle. Nonetheless, with the Cavaliers’ huge man duo of Mobley and Jarrett Allen, count on Valanciunas to get extra minutes.
Jonas Valanciunas is an important piece for Wizards
Valanciunas just isn’t solely a priceless rim protector, however his display screen setting on offense helps generate open seems for his teammates. The 6-foot-11, 265-pounder is principally a brick wall for whoever he is in search of.
Second-year shooter Bilal Coulibaly loves having Valanciunas at his disposal, through Bijan Todd of Monumental Sports activities Community.
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“Oh, it’s a energy, like each time he screens me, I really feel like I’m huge open proper after,” stated the French worldwide. “Each time he screens me, I am like, rattling, I am unable to recover from this. So sure, it’s a energy…”
Coulibaly is one in all many younger Wizards nonetheless discovering his means within the NBA, so having an enormous man like Valanciunas to assist him get open is a useful asset. The 20-year-old struggled to search out an open look in opposition to Boston, scoring simply eight factors on 1-for-2 taking pictures in half-hour, though he had six rebounds and 6 assists.
Nonetheless, Valanciunas’ position is not nearly serving to his teammates develop. The Lithuanian worldwide additionally wants to supply individually for Washington to succeed, particularly in opposition to robust matchups like Allen on Saturday night time. The 6-foot-9, 243-pounder already has 5 blocks in simply two video games and is likely one of the greatest rim protectors within the NBA.
Valanciunas, nevertheless, is an effective guess to be an efficient shooter across the rim and a dependable rebounder. The 2011 fifth general choose averaged 12.2 factors on 55.9 p.c taking pictures with 8.8 rebounds in 23.5 minutes per sport for the New Orleans Pelicans final season. Having such a excessive taking pictures share offers a great security internet for a Wizards offense that always has ups and downs.
Valanciunas might not be round on the finish of Washington’s rebuild, however there isn’t any doubt he is one in all its high contributors proper now.
