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We can compare TT with Jonas for the next 50 pages. TT is a good player with a bright future. Nothing we say in this thread will change that. It still won't change the fact that TT has all of that potential at the power forward position, not center. I'm glad he is a Cavalier and he might be a better fit off the court in building a true nucleus who want to stay in Cleveland long-term... but he still isn't a center.
I have one issue with the old "Euros are soft" stereotype: Look at the rule book. FIBA international rules actually allow for rougher interior play than the NBA. When NBA pros play in international competitions, they whine and complain to the refs constantly because they aren't used to all the bumping and shoving in the paint. I guess the "soft" monicker came to pass because Euroleagues treat their power forwards more like small forwards offensively and defensively. When Vlad Rad and Turkaglu showed up as 6'10 guys with perimeter skills, they were called "soft" rather than "skilled."
So my point is that if Jonas can bump in the paint in the Euroleagues, he will be able to bump in the NBA as well.
I have one issue with the old "Euros are soft" stereotype: Look at the rule book. FIBA international rules actually allow for rougher interior play than the NBA. When NBA pros play in international competitions, they whine and complain to the refs constantly because they aren't used to all the bumping and shoving in the paint. I guess the "soft" monicker came to pass because Euroleagues treat their power forwards more like small forwards offensively and defensively. When Vlad Rad and Turkaglu showed up as 6'10 guys with perimeter skills, they were called "soft" rather than "skilled."
So my point is that if Jonas can bump in the paint in the Euroleagues, he will be able to bump in the NBA as well.