The performance of the first European Cup is eye-catching! The Nuggets new inside player is still the core figure of the Lithuanian team?

In the first group match of the men's basketball European Championship, Lithuania defeated the British team 94-70, achieving a good start in the European Championship; while the British team suffered a major defeat from the beginning.

In this game, Lithuanian starting center Jonas Valanciunas, who just joined the Denver Nuggets this summer, performed very well. Valanciunas played 21 minutes and 16 seconds in the game, made 7 of 13 shots and 4 of 6 free throws, scoring the highest score of 18 points and 9 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block, which also included 5 frontcourt rebounds, 2 turnovers and 2 fouls, and the plus and negative value also reached the highest +24 in the game. Valanciunas also showed quite good scoring ability at the basket on the offensive end, and his performance in frontcourt rebounding is also very outstanding. It seems that it is difficult for the opponent to effectively limit him. Valanciunas' performance on the defensive end is also worthy of recognition, and he can also play a key role in the protection of the frame and inside defense. Valanciunas played his own characteristics on both ends of the offense and defense, and he also played a mainstay and made considerable contributions to the team's big victory.

Valanciunas was born in May 1992 and is 33 years old, 211cm tall and weighs 120kg. He is the inside player selected by the Toronto Raptors in the 5th pick in the first round in the 2011 NBA Draft. In a deal before the trade deadline last season, Valanciunas was sent to the Sacramento Kings by the Washington Wizards. After joining the Kings, Valanciunas made a total of 32 appearances in the NBA regular season, averaging 16.9 minutes per game, averaging 8.7 points, 7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.6 blocks, and 1 turnover and 2.6 fouls. He shot 55.6%, three-point shooting percentage 10%, and free throw shooting percentage 84.7%.

This summer, the King completed another deal with the Nuggets, who sent Dario Saric to the King and exchanged Valanciunas from the King. After being sent to the Nuggets by the Kings, Valanciunas once had the idea of ​​leaving the NBA. He almost signed with the Greek league giant Panasinakos on a three-year contract with a total amount of $13 million. In the end, the Nuggets had a tough attitude and refused to let Valanciunas go. In the end, Valanciunas chose to continue to play for the team. At least judging from his performance in the first European Cup, Valanciunas is in a very good condition, and he can also play a key role in both offense and defense. If he can maintain this level, the Nuggets have indeed gained a reliable substitute center.