Lithuanian National Team 2013

[macleopard132]

A little surprised by the swift cut by Kazlauskas, but let's be honest here; he wants a combo guard in the roster, not three shooting guards, because he wants to cover both guard positions with a single player in case of injuries.

Kalnietis admits his own faults in an interview after the Finland game (Source: http://www.basketnews.lt/news-64570-lietuvos-rinktinei-koja-kiso-kvaili-sprendimai-video.html). At least he's aware of them, and hopefully will try to rectify them.

 

[macleopard132]

Awesome job against Russia today. The refs were biased in certain situations, but that's to be expected.

- Kalnietis improved his passing from yesterday, and immediately looked better. Still not confident passing inside, but he's getting there, I guess.
- Juskevicius also looked great. Although he wasn't successful in all of his moments with the ball, he at least showed his fighting spirit today.
- Cizauskas was the one who looked lost today. Not at all assertive in his passing/dribbling.
- Delininkaitis, I think, is our best shooter right now. However, he needs to warm up first by connecting a wide open shot. He also showed some decent passing skills today.
- I liked Pocius' aggressiveness on offense, particularly how he cut to the basket, leaving his opponent behind his back.
- Consistent Seibutis was same old self.
- Ksystof did a nice job of connecting his shots. I think that his talent for shooting accuracy will serve us well in Slovenia.
- Javtokas carried the same fighter's attitude today on defense.
- Darjus did all right today.
- Kuzminskas and Maciulis continue to be a threat to any team. I think the most solid-looking position right now is the small forward.
- Motiejunas finally put up a great offensive display. Defensively, he still makes a lot of mistakes. He's often involved in mismatches. The coach should talk to him about that.
- Valanciunas - needs a little bit more confidence when starting games. Still, he was able to become a dominant post player after a little bit of time on the court.
- Kleiza - played less today, so he didn't look particularly exceptional. Still, a decent game today.

SAFE: Valanciunas, Motiejunas, Kleiza, Pocius, Seibutis, Kalnietis, Kuzminskas, Maciulis, Ksystof Lavrinovic
IN QUESTION: Darjus Lavrinovic, Javtokas, Cizauskas, Juskevicius, Delininkaitis
CUT:

 

[auris12]

IN QUESTION: Darjus Lavrinovic, Javtokas, Cizauskas, Juskevicius, Delininkaitis
CUT:

I am sure that Cizauskas is not ready so far.But...What happened here is a great example of how things should had been done long years ago...That is - getting a young players a chance to be with a team - yes,it was a long shot with Cizauskas,but i am sure we will reap the benefits in years to come.

 

[macleopard132]

Lithuania once again regressed a little against Czech Republic, especially offensively. Defensively, our team did a nice job.

Kleiza - he was the leader who got us started today.
Motiejunas - finally he started being more active offensively, drawing those fouls. However, he couldn't convert at the free-throw line.
Valanciunas - another dominant night for the young Jonas.
Maciulis - I liked his fighting character, but he took it a little bit too far today, committing 4 fouls.
Kuzminskas - he put in enough effort to be a useful player, even when he wasn't hot offensively.
Seibutis - like Kuzminskas, he didn't do so well, but he put in enough effort today.
Pocius - not as good as he was yesterday, he neither helped nor hurt the team today.
Kalnietis - committed so many turnovers. Sometimes he really doesn't plan his attacks effectively. Still, he did better than against Finland, and, arguably, about the same as against Russia.
Delininkaitis - he was the only one from our demented guards who played pick-n-roll with Valanciunas today. Kudos!
Juskevicius - he's finding his place on the NT. Sure, he makes careless passes and stops fast breaks like Kalnietis, but he's trying hard, and I have to give him credit for that.
Javtokas - awkward battling for the ball in the post. He has to be strong with it.
Darjus - awkward in the post like Javtokas, but he can come out behind the arc and hit threes.
Ksystof - no problems with him offensively (except for missing those two wide-open threes - what a shame ).
Cizauskas - DNP, I don't know why. I feel that he might be cut.

SAFE: Kleiza, Motiejunas, Valanciunas, Maciulis, Kuzminskas, Seibutis, Pocius, Kalnietis, Juskevicius, Ksystof
IN QUESTION: Cizauskas, Delininkaitis, Darjus, Javtokas
CUT:

 

[auris12]

IN QUESTION: Cizauskas, Delininkaitis, Darjus, Javtokas
CUT:

I see that you have updated the players in "question".
In my opinion,the choice of two will be ,as it is now,from them 3 players -
Cizauskas(almost 100 percent),and Juskevicius or Javtokas.

 

[Shawshank2]

biggest part of fans believe that players who gonna be cut is from Cizauskas,Juskevicius and Javtokas.Than i think kazlauskas gonna go trough risk and take 6 bigs.Javtokas there definetely will be important games when he will be needed im sure 100%...And captain is captain ,if you ask players they would be againt javtokas cutting,he are main player in loockeroom that put everyone on one page.And basically javtokas has better records playing in real championships than let say brother lavrinovics...Brothers always looked very good in friendlys,but when it comes to real games they disapear...But also sure cizauskas/juskevicius wont help as in any game against any team.They gonna be 12 player that watches and are there on bench incase something happens with our 4 guards.

My gues this is our team of 2013:

PG Kalnietis,Delininkaitis
SG Seibutis,Pocius
SF Maciulis,Kuzminskas
PF Kleiza,Motiejunas,K.Lavrinovic
C Valanciunas,Javtokas,D.Lavrinovic

surely best frotncourt of eurobasket 2013.No team has so many different weapons inside as kazlauskas will have.With all those absenses in this champ this our team looks really strong.

 

[pacosas2]

I actually think, that Javtokas won't be cut, because if so we would be left with no other real center (Darjus is more pf to me, because he can't defend strong center like Gasol, Krstic and etc.). It would be difficult situation if lets imagine Valanciunas gets two fast fouls. Then Javtokas would became really usefull.
Also I do not see why to bring 6 big men, when 4 is more than enough in normal games (1 extra needed if someone is injured or has a foul trouble in game, also when there is easy games where you can let second squad play). So I stay with 5 big men.
I would cut Darjus and Juskevicius/Cizauskas

 

[Darknemo20002]

I actually think, that Javtokas won't be cut, because if so we would be left with no other real center (Darjus is more pf to me, because he can't defend strong center like Gasol, Krstic and etc.). It would be difficult situation if lets imagine Valanciunas gets two fast fouls. Then Javtokas would became really usefull.
Also I do not see why to bring 6 big men, when 4 is more than enough in normal games (1 extra needed if someone is injured or has a foul trouble in game, also when there is easy games where you can let second squad play). So I stay with 5 big men.
I would cut Darjus and Juskevicius/Cizauskas

Problem is taht brothers play better together. Bringing just one brother is like having 2012 all over again. Javtokas defense isnt that good enymore. poetrauyskas was always babbling how greta Javtokas was on defense so it felt good when Paceses when he and Petrauskas were commenting on Russia game criticized that notion saying that Valanciunas is better on defense than Javtokas. Petrauskas was clearly shocked and a a bit at a loss because Pacesas challenged the view that he developed during all this time - Javtokas is our best center on defense while Valkanciunas is better on offense but not so good on d.

Pacesas basically said - while one on one Javtokas is still solid his held defense is poor making Valanciunas at the center bigger defensive force than Javtokas. One on one Javtokas can stop Kritic as you say yet at the same time teams defense will go down as he isnt as fast to rotation to other s and cannot challange other guy's shits as well as Valanciunas (I'd still argue that Javtokas cannot stop Gasol at all in fact back in 2010 he looked rather useless against Gasol and Kemzura had to desperately serach for other options and that was three years ago when Javtokas was better than he is right now).

 

[Hepcat2]

I actually think, that Javtokas won't be cut, because if so we would be left with no other real center (Darjus is more pf to me, because he can't defend strong center like Gasol, Krstic and etc.). It would be difficult situation if lets imagine Valanciunas gets two fast fouls. Then Javtokas would became really usefull.

I would cut Darjus and Juskevicius/Cizauskas

Prior to the mini-tournament in Vilnius, I thought Javtokas was a lock to stay on Team Lietuva. While I've not seen the +/- numbers for those games, Javtokas' stats otherwise were simply forgettable. The Lavrinovič brothers looked to have had far more of an on court impact in those games. Kazlauskas is going to have a difficult decision to make unless Javtokas steps up in Athens next week.

I would cut Darjus....

Darjuš has had better stats than his brother to this point. And Darjuš is the more natural center. If it came down to a choice between the two brothers, right now I'd lean to keeping Darjuš.

 

[Hepcat2]

Lithuania once again regressed a little against Czech Republic, especially offensively. Defensively, our team did a nice job.

I'm not so sure that Team Lietuva actually regressed against the Czechs. I watched most of the Lietuva-Russia game on Youtube, and a large part of the reason for Lietuva's lopsided win against Russia was that the Russian players couldn't throw the ball into the ocean. Their shooting was simply brutal.

 

[Lietuvis2]

After attending all 3 games in Siemens arena I think the 2 that will be cut will be Javtokas and Juskevicius. Although Javtokas played better against Czech Republic than his first 2 games, I don't believe its enough.

It seems Kazlauskas is running with the pairs Valanciunas/Motiejunas and D. Lavrinovicius/K. Lavrinovicius coming in off the bench. This seemed to be the most effective +/- pairing and created big game impact each time these guys were on.

Starting 5 should be with replacement 5 in ():

Kalnietis (Delinkaitis, Cizauskas)
Pocius (Maciulis, Seibutis)
Kleiza (Kuzminskas)
Motiejunas (K. Lavrinovicius)
Valnciunas (D. Lavrinovicius)

 

[pacosas2]

After attending all 3 games in Siemens arena I think the 2 that will be cut will be Javtokas and Juskevicius. Although Javtokas played better against Czech Republic than his first 2 games, I don't believe its enough.

It seems Kazlauskas is running with the pairs Valanciunas/Motiejunas and D. Lavrinovicius/K. Lavrinovicius coming in off the bench. This seemed to be the most effective +/- pairing and created big game impact each time these guys were on.

Starting 5 should be with replacement 5 in ():

Kalnietis (Delinkaitis, Cizauskas)
Pocius (Maciulis, Seibutis)
Kleiza (Kuzminskas)
Motiejunas (K. Lavrinovicius)
Valnciunas (D. Lavrinovicius)

Kleiza will not play as SF

I think starting five will be:
Kalnietis
Pocius/Seibutis
Maciulis
Kleiza
Valanciunas

Also I don't understand that Lavrinovic plays better together. They only played one really good mach for team Lietuva. It was bronze game at Eurobasket 2007. all other things that I remember is that they play good games only in friendlies and time to time in championships

 

[Hepcat2]

OK so starting fives then?

Kleiza F
Motiejunas PF
Valanciunas C
Kalnietis PG
Pocius SG

Wouldnt this be a run and gun 5!!

Thoughts?

Starting 5 should be with replacement 5 in ():

Kalnietis (Delinkaitis, Cizauskas)
Pocius (Maciulis, Seibutis)
Kleiza (Kuzminskas)
Motiejunas (K. Lavrinovicius)
Valnciunas (D. Lavrinovicius)

Thoughts? I think you're hoping to see your previous prediction fulfilled and you're therefore engaging in wishful thinking. Kleiza and not Motiejūnas will start at PF. And Pocius has not looked nearly as good in the friendlies so far as either Seibutis or Mačiulis.

And why did Kazlauskas use Čižauskas so sparingly in last week's mini-tournament in Vilnius if he was leaning to Čižauskas over Juškevičius? Čižauskas is only twenty and I don't think he's ready for the big time yet this year. I think Kazlauskas only brought him in for seasoning, to get a taste of playing with the other fellows in Team Lietuva.

 

[LuDux2]

In one of the interviews Kazlauskas said that he'll use Kleiza as PF

And why did Kazlauskas use Čižauskas so sparingly in last week's mini-tournament in Vilnius if he was leaning to Čižauskas over Juškevičius? Čižauskas is only twenty and I don't think he's ready for the big time yet this year. I think Kazlauskas only brought him in for seasoning, to get a taste of playing with the other fellows in Team Lietuva.

Knee inflammation

http://www.15min.lt/naujiena/sporta...s-izaidejas-turi-problemu-su-keliu-753-362888

 

[macleopard132]

Darjuš has had better stats than his brother to this point. And Darjuš is the more natural center. If it came down to a choice between the two brothers, right now I'd lean to keeping Darjuš.

The problem is, Darjus can only play center, while his brother can play both big man positions. Also, Ksystof is the more talented brother offensively. Defensively, Darjus has a slight edge over Ksystof, but their defense is below average for a big man anyway. I'd be taking Ksystof.

 

[madmax2]

The problem is, Darjus can only play center, while his brother can play both big man positions. Also, Ksystof is the more talented brother offensively. Defensively, Darjus has a slight edge over Ksystof, but their defense is below average for a big man anyway. I'd be taking Ksystof.

so why not just simply take both brothers and leave useless Javtokas at home?
it's not like these players will see some major minutes or anything, but at least Lavrinovic fellas can score when given a chance. What can Javtokas provide at this point?

 

[Straight forward2]

Since it's a pure preparation and it's hard to talk about Kazlauskas' sets and priorities I saw 3 main issues so far:

- Leaders role between JV and Kleiza. Personally, I am all for Jonas efficiency, but probably Kleiza should be the one receiving the ball in the post for the do or die shot.
- Second point guard role. Delininkaitis can't play a bit of defence and now is one step slower in offense. Čižauskas too young (I love his future chances though). Juškevičius can't hold on. Kazlauskas shouldn't hesitate and prepare Kalnietis for the best.
- Starting line-up. Kuzminskas ready to compete with Mačiulis. Motiejunas is ready to fight Kleiza if he'll finally cool off and start playing his game. Kleiza can score, but I can see Motiejunas scoring and passing abilitiy as a gold at the offensive end. Brothers are shinning, but that was always the case in preparation games (remember Eurobasket 2009). I still hope they will have a very strong role of veterans in this team (more of a mental role). Still hope Pocius can be a starter because Seibutis is not the answer. The guy doesn't have killers mentality for the big stage. I'm almost sure it will be JV, Kleiza, Mačiulis, Pocius, Kalnietis. Obviously Motiejunas, Kuzminskas and Seibutis should be the main substitutes while others having lesser roles.

 

[Darknemo20002]

The guy doesn't have killers mentality for the big stage. I'm almost sure it will be JV, Kleiza, Mačiulis, Pocius, Kalnietis. Obviously Motiejunas, Kuzminskas and Seibutis should be the main substitutes while others having lesser roles.

If by killers mentallity you mean being ineffician scorrer who to score lost of points needs to shoot a lot and who acts before he thinks then yeah Seibutis is not like that. he has better passing, better court view, better dribbling, better defense (at least this year) and better midrange shot. Pocius has better athleticism and ability to score with the contact better. But all and all Seibutis is a better answer than Pocius who turns so many balls over and isnt even capable passer. We should be playing through our bigs anyway so better passers and better shooters from mid and 3pt range are better suited than slashers.

 

[macleopard132]

If by killers mentallity you mean being ineffician scorrer who to score lost of points needs to shoot a lot and who acts before he thinks then yeah Seibutis is not like that. he has better passing, better court view, better dribbling, better defense (at least this year) and better midrange shot. Pocius has better athleticism and ability to score with the contact better. But all and all Seibutis is a better answer than Pocius who turns so many balls over and isnt even capable passer. We should be playing through our bigs anyway so better passers and better shooters from mid and 3pt range are better suited than slashers.

Actually, fearless slashers are necessary for our team too. I noticed that every time Pocius drove to the basket in the preparation games, he either scored or drew a foul. We need those kinds of players, especially when we can't hit jumpers - we would at least be able to score from the free-throw line (or from layups/dunks).

 

[Hepcat2]

so why not just simply take both brothers and leave useless Javtokas at home?

...at least Lavrinovic fellas can score when given a chance.

Well I'm sure that Kazlauskas hasn't ruled out that possibility either. I think their play in the Acropolis tournament may prove to be the decisive factor with respect to which of these players stay with the team.

Overall though I'd still rather see Team Lietuva with more depth at the center slot than at PF. Quite simply I think a center can play power forward more easily than a power forward can play center and Kazlauskas has a wealth of talent from which to choose at PF. Kazlauskas' real problem seems to be finding fellows who can play PG.