2023 Lithuanian NT

[Hepcat2]

Ultimately the deciding factor was that Lithuania shot an incredible 62% from the field while Greece shot only 36%. After the run of four three pointers in a row starting midway through the first quarter, the Greeks weren't getting their shots to fall. I'd need to study the game more closely now to determine whether Lithuania was doing something on defence to cause the Greeks so much shooting trouble.

 

[fasoulaki2]

Ultimately the deciding factor was that Lithuania shot an incredible 62% from the field while Greece shot only 36%. After the run of four three pointers in a row starting midway through the first quarter, the Greeks weren't getting their shots to fall. I'd need to study the game more closely now to determine whether Lithuania was doing something on defence to cause so much trouble for the shooting of the Greeks.

No this is our usual shooting performance. At some point it had to come back to normal.

 

[Straight forward2]

Good win at the end. After a long time we are among top 8 teams. The last time it happened it was 2015. Nightmare stretch for LTU basketball, but seems like slowly good things are coming home. Australia is out, France is out. It's not good news when we speak about fighting for direct Olympic ticket, but good news that we have a team which has some realistic chances to fight for it.

(those who want only positive and want only celebrate, I suggest to ignore the continuation)

Despite huge win in the second half, I'm more pissed with this game than satisfied. I kept silent yesterday and so on, but when I saw the game GRE vs NZE I knew that we are way better than this incredibly limited Geek team. Unfortunately we again took the pressure on us and we lost the mental battle in the first half. We couldn't play aggressively, we hesitated, our offense was static and our body language was anxious, we were bad with timing, we were nervous. But most importantly I couldn't believe my eyes seeing how Walkup takes one open shot after another attacking JV. This is nothing less but incredible! I don't see any other team in the world which allows such thing. Taking one open shot after another and JV just sits his ass down low and doesn't move. We play 4 vs 5 defensively literally. If I'm not mistaken first 10 points was scored all attacking JV. In 2016 Mills and Aussies went nuts attacking JV in pick and roll and Aussies swept us. In 2017 again we were literally killed in p'n'r situations and Sloukas was the hero who took most of it. In 2019 Aussies Mills drained game winner on JV and French De Collo did the same. In 2022 Maksvytis unleashes JV for first minutes against Spain in OT and that 2 minutes stretch basically cost us a game. Now I couldn't believe that absolute offensiveless scrubs like Walkup and Lorentzakis turning into scoring beasts against us. It nearly cost us a game. We were close to collapse mentally during that stretch and if other Greeks like Papanikolou drained few more threes we could easily be completely demoralized. I couldn't believe that Valanciunas yet again sinking us for another tournament. But thanks god Greeks were too weak and we were too good despite JV. We are playing well despite him dragging us down relentlessly in this tournament. We literally trying to survive 4 vs 5 defensively with him. And if not huge Jokubaitis again, Brazdeikis again, and Bendzius as an X factor, JV would sink us down yet again. He's slow us fuck, he doesn't even rebound the ball as well as previously, he still sucks with double team, he plays zero defense, he doesn't move offensively without the ball. I am literally convinced that we are playing better without him. D-Mo moves without the ball better, passes the ball better, plays better defense. I'm certain that Jokubaitis would dish more assists and score more points sharing starting minutes with D-Mo. JV ATM is complete cancer for the team, for any team. He still scored some and he can do it, but I claim that it's complete insanity to continue the gamble when we no DEFENCE at all with him...Literally. This has to stop. It's insanity and it has to be addressed openly. He either has to retire after this tournament or to become 5-10 minutes player. You can't fucking allow Walkup to score 15pts and Lorenzakis 15pts in some freaking 15minutes and to pretend that shit is possible against any other team than Lithuania in the world and that you can justify that. This is madness. You can't play basketball today simply allowing open shot after open shot. It's suicide. If not this limited Greek team, we would had been punished again (easily). We are not going anywhere with this. JV should be left aside and forgotten as the biggest mis-understanding in LTU basketball. Very very young and agile JV was still useful for LTU NT till 2015. Later it turned out to be a nightmare. Everyone knows that JV is contra-productive player. In NBA everyone knows it. He will score some, but he will get even more at the defensive end. That's why he's changing the teams constantly now and Pels looked for a trade, but couldn't get anything. The dude is done. He caused a lot of bad things for LTU baskebtall, we became absolute old school and province of BB for 8 years and JV is the main reason why.

This victory came because Lithuania finally established two strong legitimate GUARDS. End of the story.

 

[Shawshank2]

This is by far best team chemistry any our NT had since 2010. Players is fighting,scrapping for each other

My god seeing how those Dimsa,Normantas,Sedekerkis,Jokubaitis is fighting over screens is what NT didnt have with those Lekavicius,Giedraitis type weak defenders


Our bench 2nd game push lead from+8 to like +16 or +18,i didnt see coming such bench production from these players just wow

Freaking Kariniauskas was +16 in todays game

Lineup Kariniauskas,Dimsa,Kuzminskas,Bendzius,Motiejunas literally made most critical run on Greece in 1/8 playoofs type game,that sounds like anecdote and makes no sense


I have feeling this team have sport gods on their side .There is simply no logic explanation for 15/23 shooting today from long range

.This team literally will have real shot winning 1/4 game

Valanciunas and Motiejunas changing each other and never plays together.

Coaches should have to do same thing with Jonas and Domas.Then we look as team way better and way less predictable

 

[Straight forward2]

That's what Grizz community members were writing about JV when he was still dropping 17ppg for them in the NBA...

First of all, the Grizzlies are marginally better with Valanciunas off the court. As opposed to his last two seasons in Grind City, JV has a negative point differential, meaning the team performs better when the Lithuanian is off the court. This is not the case for all three of the Grizzlies’ core starters this season.

What’s more, his game is the statistical equivalent of empty calories. JV’s total points + rebounds has almost no correlation to the Grizzlies’ margin of victory, while Valanciunas’ +/- is actually negatively correlated to the team’s margin of victory. The best example of this was Memphis’ 49-point victory over the Houston Rockets, in which Valanciunas somehow finished -1 despite his team winning by nearly 50 points. That shouldn’t be possible.

http://www.backsportspage.com/the-grizzlies-jonas-valanciunas-fallacy/

It turning out to be really ugly. In 2022 JV was most attacked player of entire EB. No-one was probably close. Tonight we were really risking to lose against inferior opponent because of him. The sooner we get rid of the turtle (Raptors fans nickname) and start playing at least some soft of defense from 5 (like with even freakin' D-Mo who is really bad defender we are looking better...how about that?) and play some defense from 5, the sooner we will put our selves in completely different situation.

You wanna know why our bench is playing well? Think again...

LTU would do itself a favor sending Sabonis/Gudaitis or Sabonis/D-mo or Sabonis/Tubelis to Olympics. With all seriousness.
​

 

[LuDux2]

Ultimately the deciding factor was that Lithuania shot an incredible 62% from the field while Greece shot only 36%. After the run of four three pointers in a row starting midway through the first quarter, the Greeks weren't getting their shots to fall. I'd need to study the game more closely now to determine whether Lithuania was doing something on defence to cause the Greeks so much shooting trouble.

Going under screen > going over screen

 

[Straight forward2]

Aside first off game against irrelevant Egypt, Jokubaitis has been putting 17,6ppg in last 3 games against competitive opponents and 23,3eff. He shoots 70% threes (7/10) and 100% FTs (8/8). He slightly exceed my expectations. Nothing but pleasure to witness elite PG emerging.

https://twitter.com/FIBAWC/status/1697623072474640658

Iggy in exhibition looked messy. Once WC stated he turned into completely different player. Doesn't push anything, better decisions, better shots, good patience. That's what I wanted from hit. He showing that's he's coachable player. With that said he has much more chances to become elite EL player. Not sure he can be consistent shooter ever, but so fat NT is lucky that he shoots the ball well both 22 and 23. Also shoots 70% threes (7/10) and 54,5% from 2 which is elite for SG.

I think we are generally Rubstavicius emerging as another elite GUARD, legitimate back-up PG (Marciulionis) and some-one who can play at least some decent D at 5 (Tubelis) away from being truly elite NT again. If that doesn't happen in 2024 it should be more or less present in 2025. While in 2027/2028 key stretch of next Olympic cycle we should have a chance to further improve NT to the bona fide NT level (having Buzelis and massive depth of elite perimeter pieces).

 

[Shawshank2]

Dinosour expert

for once in your haters life what about objectivity or your haters emotions doesnt work like that?

Today Valanciunas had best teams +- 24 in 27 played minutes


When he has worst +- you the first comming here and crying when he has best not mentioning that?

wow what a suprise

 

[Shawshank2]

When our TEAM plays like that like one unit,working like 5 fingers together

All players deserve big big applauds and big applauds for coaching staff too one of best works in years !

Smart to point tactical,unpredictable desicions.But most importantly coaches created a real T_E_A_M that will fight till the end no matter

I was wrong about LTU 2023 NT,they won me in.I literally believe anybody who comes of that bench can help


Entire nation was screaming at head coach do not play Kariniauskas.Head coach stubbornly was putting him again and again and today we saw results of that trust. Vaidas was ready to help in critical tournament game,because coach didnt gave up on him when everybody did


Every 10 years or so Lithuania NT have that underdog team that nobody believed in like 2000,2010 and maybe 2023


Sedekerskis was x factor in montenegro game,today Bendzius was X factor.

This team is very unpredictable and opponnets dont know where fire will come from.

 

[Hepcat2]

This is by far best team chemistry any our NT had since 2010. Players is fighting,scrapping for each other

My god seeing how those Dimsa,Normantas,Sedekerkis,Jokubaitis is fighting over screens is what NT didnt have with those Lekavicius,Giedraitis type weak defenders

Our bench 2nd game push lead from+8 to like +16 or +18,i didnt see coming such bench production from these players just wow

Lineup Kariniauskas,Dimsa,Kuzminskas,Bendzius,Motiejunas literally made most critical run on Greece in 1/8 playoofs type game,that sounds like anecdote and makes no sense.

Actually it does. That's a strong though very much underrated bench.

Freaking Kariniauskas was +16 in todays game.

Indeed. That's a freaky good number for only 17:44 minutes of play. What's truly heartening is that Vaidas Kariniauskas has enabled Rokas Jokubaitis to get plenty of bench rest (only 22:16 of playing time today) without the team losing a step on the court.

Not sure he can be consistent shooter ever, but so fat NT is lucky that he shoots the ball well both 22 and 23. Also shoots 70% threes (7/10) and 54,5% from 2 which is elite for SG.

Yes, but Ignas Brazdeikis has played nothing but SF in this tournament. He's therefore had nothing to do with Lithuania's improved guard play this tournament. Moreover Team Lietuva has suffered not at all when Mindaugas Kuzminskas has replaced Brazdeikis on the court.
​
Like I say, this team has a very good bench.

 

[Straight forward2]

My ambitions are higher than beating Greece who's best scorer is Larentzakis...

JV was the big problem in the first half when Greece still had the stamina and scoring power to play competitive basketball. I don't give a damn about +/-., when we win a blow out. I see that we have no defense with him. We are butt naked in p'n'r situations, butt naked. When Lithuania will beat really strong team, then I will celebrate. So far we won all games that we must win, in all games we were superior team. We did what we had to do, didn't choke. That's good, but that's not enough. If everything will end in 4finals, it will be meh tournament to me. We have to understand that in 2017 we lost to way stronger Greece, way. Not a comparison. In 2019 we lost against elite Aussies and France. In 2022 we had big bunch of elite opponents. When we will beat say Serbia, which is at the very least on the same tier, or even Italy, then we will celebrate. JV is problem. You may disagree, it's your right, if you can't see it I can't help you. JV will be even huger problem when we will face elite guards. So far we didn't face a single elite guard.

You can celebrate, ignore my posts, that's your right. I see what LTU needs to win something big and what's the obstacle and missing pieces for reaching this. IMO, people overrate this win. Greece barely survived freakin' New Zealand...

 

[Shawshank2]

when we won in same 20pts diffrence versus Montenegro +- of Jonas was told here couple times

When Valanciunas has best in similiar type blowout game he dont give a shit hahha what a clown


when your blind haters eyes see only defence , what about see how opponnets is defending Valanciunas with 2-3 people every time he puts the ball on the ground ? why those morans coaches are defending Jonas in such way if he is unplayable? Before tip off Itoudis today again in filming camera reminded his players how they will defend Valanciunas

Those who can count knows if near Jonas 2-3 people is jumping,somebody is getting open looks.

ok life in your haters buble,i dont wanna make this wonderfull 2023 NT play again into Valanciunas


We have fantastic team chemistry. Todays photo where Kariniauskas jumps into Jokubaitis hands after good streach (he stole Rokas minutes today) shows everyhting we need to know this group is all about TEAM,not individual credits

 

[Dreamcatcher2]

This victory came because Lithuania finally established two strong legitimate GUARDS. End of the story.

The victory came because the team was good. The game was almost tied in the end of 3rd quarter, but then a bench lineup Kariniauskas-Dimsa-Kuzminskas-Bendzius-DMO made +12 with 5 min to go. Basically it was over and started a blowout.

 

[Straight forward2]

Fanboy gonna be fanboy. When I pointed out +/- of JV in the first round, I emphasized that this stat is relative. But you could clearly see that even Egypt and Mexico's bigs were destroying JV in some stretches literally. Even scrubs. You don't get it, don't you? JV makes more harm defensively than he makes benefits offensively. You don't get it that the whole defensive coherence steadiness collapses with him and my point is that JV's presence was the main reason why we risked big time of braking up as a team against inferior team. We were really close to that. It was felt. I would suggest to you to go play into sand box your fanboy games if you can't handle such insights. If all players to you are attachables, specially your loved ones as JV, go and celebrate the win into sand box, play your little idolizing game cause the team so far didn't even face an equal opponent yet and mature people have no problem with criticism, but you shouldn't bother.

The victory came because the team was good. The game was almost tied in the end of 3rd quarter, but then a bench lineup Kariniauskas-Dimsa-Kuzminskas-Bendzius-DMO made +12 with 5 min to go. Basically it was over and started a blowout.

Off course it's a team win, it's always is. Even Doncic needs teammates, so did Jordan. I was emphasizing the shift that we see. Jokubaitis and Iggy handled this team. They were the leaders. They carried the team in the most important stretches. Hitting big shots and keeping LTU alive when it felt that we are nervous, anxious and about to brake while Greeks played without pressure and ever opportunistically smiling after hitting their threes which surprised even themselves. Greeks could crush us because they played without any pressure and were more relaxed than us. Those heavy stretches were carried by Jokubaitis and Brazdeikis, as well as Bendzius who hit some super vital threes. Second line-up plays against second units too and they were increasing the lead from the tie. It's Jokubaitis and Iggy were bringing Lithuania from the deficit. It's not the point to emphasize individuals, but let's not pretend that Jokubaitis and Iggy were random guys in this game too.

 

[Shawshank2]

Valanciunas 15+9 and +24 and that with big Greece defence attention on him in most important tournament game and he is harmful player

Reading dinosour expert nonsenses its seems Valanciunas is worst center in entire tournament literally everyone is outplaying him


Fat mexican center shooted even 3 from 13 from the floor or today Papagianis with 4pts in 28minutes.

Poor Jonas cant win a single matchup and what is worst our head coach played this harmful center for 27minutes team high in do or die game.Our coach is loosing his mind?


Lithuania is nr 1 rebouding team,i guess Jokubaitis and Brazdeikis grabs those rebounds like they do everything else


LTU players by Eff. after 4 games:

1.Valanciunas 18,3 2.Jokubaitis 17,8 3.Kuzminskas 15.0 4.Brazdeikis 14.0


Can u Imagine most harmful player is also most efficient one just miracle

 

[Hepcat2]

This is by far best team chemistry any our NT had since 2010. Players is fighting,scrapping for each other.

All the talk about them being just the B team because of all the absences probably made them come together as a team.

 

[Straight forward2]

Valanciunas 15+9 and +24 and that with big Greece defence attention on him in most important tournament game and he is harmful player

Reading dinosour expert nonsenses its seems Valanciunas is worst center in entire tournament literally everyone is outplaying him


Fat mexican center shooted even 3 from 13 from the floor or today Papagianis with 4pts in 28minutes.

Poor Jonas cant win a single matchup and what is worst our head coach played this harmful center for 27minutes team high in do or die game.Our coach is loosing his mind?


Lithuania is nr 1 rebouding team,i guess Jokubaitis and Brazdeikis grabs those rebounds like they do everything else


LTU players by Eff. after 4 games:

1.Valanciunas 18,3 2.Jokubaitis 17,8 3.Kuzminskas 15.0 4.Brazdeikis 14.0


Can u Imagine most harmful player is also most efficient one just miracle

Just keep being a fanboy. You lost my respect for a long time now, if you ever had any. You're not worthy replies and getting it too cheap. If you don't understand the harm that JV makes defensively, and you don't understand that he has been killed defensively by LTU opponents in 2016-2023 stretch making LTU super vulnerable, I have no further explanations. I would rather discuss matters with Raptors, Grizzlies and Pelicans fans. Sick and tired with LTU homers and fanboys here.

https://twitter.com/SpencerKeele/status/1511348428185477123

https://twitter.com/DylanWhiteCU/status/1419765216720654340

 

[Shawshank2]

Head coach said basically its more important to keep main players fresh for tuesday 1/4 game than trying to win vs Usa.

So expect all 12 players playing and nobody playing more than 25minutes


in 2022 we have more tallent,but played only 9 players.

In 2023 we have less and playing 10men real double digit minutes rotation


But what happend coaches,players dont need to think how to find minutes for 2non shooters best team players .

Everybody naturally knows their roles,knows when they gonna play and we see such fantastic team that fits and fights together

Valanciunas changing with Dmo
Brazdeikis with Kuz
Jokubaitis with Kariniauskas
Normantas with Dimsa
Sedekerskis with Bendzius



Sometimes team with less can achieve more if pieces fits than have more with pieces that dont fit

 

[Hepcat2]

Head coach said basically its more important to keep main players fresh for tuesday 1/4 game than trying to win vs Usa.

So expect all 12 players playing and nobody playing more than 25minutes

I'm fine with that. Coach Maksvytis should tell the players to just go out, run the plays they've been practicing for weeks and play their game. "We'll treat the game as a friendly, i.e. a learning opportunity, which we'll then dissect in the film room. But everybody will get a good chance to test themselves on the floor. No need to get stressed. But if the score is tight in the last few minutes, well I'm not saying you can't try to get the W."

 

[Shawshank2]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbRs54WO-Z0

Right name in video and you can see in those 3 minutes how unpredictable this 2023 team is and how players enjoy playing together

when opponents gonna make game plans about Jonas,Rokas,Iggy

suddenly Kuz,Sedekerskis,Dmo,Bendzius or Normantas strikes in diffrent games

I believe that one good Dimsa shooting game is comming too.