2023 Lithuanian NT

[Straight forward2]

Regarding rotation, Maksvytis basically used 10 men rotation. Well, Echodas played 5 games out 6, but I treat that he also was in rotation nevertheless.

Rokas Giedraitis in three tournaments with Lithuanian NT (2019, 2021, 2022) averages 15,1% threes. Plus, he plays horrible defense. Again, why he's in NT? I mean not only Tubelis and Marciulionis ("birckers") would shoot it better, but freakin' Vaidas Ceponis would make more threes out there. I would split my ways with Giedraitis. He had enough of chances to give something, but failed at it miserably. I remember guys like Prekevicius, Mazutis and so on. They tried once and they're gone. Even Gecevicius who shot 36% in 2010 and 50% in 2017 got only 2 chances. Now we have a guy who fails three times miserably and we still talk about him as a lock Incredible. This 2016-2022 stretch will be remembered as the most shameful stretch of Lithuanian BB all time. That's my prediction. I doubt we will ever have such miserable backcourt ever again. Specially when we speak about 2017-2021 stretch, to be exact. Soon such "deliverers" as R. Giedraitis won't have the slightest chance to sneak into final NT roster.

 

[Shawshank2]

I cant take seriuosly blind fan that suggest take 22,23,22 guards to same NT and imagine that team can be good in 4 querters with such inexperience guards.

I see what winning Nt coaches does and believe in them .They sees everything how those players reacts under pressure from inside in those champs and chooses according their rosters.

You can dream in your fantasy land and ignore what NT coaches does .

I see what they do and trying to learn/get why.

 

[Straight forward2]

I saw Dimsa being cut and Normantas not invited to the camp. I'm not sure what do you see

Yeah, well add those freakin dudes, CL material, and our game endings will finally be alright. What are you kooking dude? Must be some 60's thingies

 

[Shawshank2]

If you arent even able to see what best NT coaches does i cant help you.

Better go watch your kids and analyse their theoritical tallents.

What wins in men basketball you have no clue

 

[Hepcat2]

So I take it twelve from this group of players will take the court against France on Friday:

Vaidas Kariniauskas PG 199 cm 92 kg 28 m.
Kristupas Žemaitis PG 192 cm 89 kg 26 m.
Arnas Velička PG 195 cm 91 kg 22 m.
Mantas Rubstavičius SG 198 cm 84 kg 20 m.
Mindaugas Girdžiūnas SG, PG 188 cm 80 kg 33 m.
Margiris Normantas SG, PG 194 cm 94 kg 26 m.
Gytis Radzevičius SF 197 cm 92 kg 27 m.
Eimantas Bendžius PF 207 cm 98 kg 32 m.
Gytis Masiulis PF 207 cm 99 kg 24 m.
Mindaugas Kuzminskas PF, SF 205 cm 98 kg 33 m.
Eigirdas Žukauskas PF, SF 201 cm 98 kg 30 m.
Martynas Echodas C 206 cm 115 kg 25 m.
Marek Blaževič C 209 cm 96 kg 21 m.
Regimantas Miniotas C, PF 208 cm 106 kg 26 m.

Let's just say that I've seen stronger looking Lithuanian teams on paper. But who knows, maybe they'll jell!

 

[Straight forward2]

If you arent even able to see what best NT coaches does i cant help you.

Yeah, all NT lacks is few mediocrities. That's the only thing that NT missing It's so sad we couldn't find few mediocre players like Dimsa and Normantas...It's such a rare speech...

More like you barely ever can see the whole picture. For Spain the only non-EL level player who seen true crunch time, 2-3 minutes till the end, was Alberto Diaz. That's because he's a heck of defender, lock down defender. Dimsa and Normantas, or even Zemaitis are not close to him. Dimsa in ACB was 3,5eff player. Diaz stats in ACB are way better and you don't need stats to see his miles superior defender. Some call him the best perimeter defender in Europe, and at least in EB he surely was one of the best. The same Albicy is way better defender than Dimsa/Normantas. You must be out of your mind.

If you think Dimsa or Normantas will be seeing playing time in the crunch time for senior NT you are completely out of your mind. Dimsa can't crack feakin' Zalgiris rotation. Let alone pushing off one of Jokubaitis, Grigonis, Brazdeikis. None of them will ever have a chance to even try to make a difference for the NT down the stretch. I really doubt any of them will ever again suit up with senior NT jersey, even for that 12th spot. If Lithuania's main problem was the addition of few scrubs, our problems would be very small, but it's just another crazy idea of yours.

Zemaitis is slightly better than both Dimsa/Normantas, and he was glued to the bench. I would suggest you to sober up.

Our A. Diaz in 2022 roster was Butkevicius. Butkevicius would had played in crunch time if not fouling out.

 

[LuDux2]

Miniotas and Rubštavičius will skip the first game

Vaidas Kariniauskas PG 199 cm 92 kg 28 m.
Kristupas Žemaitis PG 192 cm 89 kg 26 m.
Arnas Velička PG 195 cm 91 kg 22 m.
Mindaugas Girdžiūnas SG, PG 188 cm 80 kg 33 m.
Margiris Normantas SG, PG 194 cm 94 kg 26 m.
Gytis Radzevičius SF 197 cm 92 kg 27 m.
Mindaugas Kuzminskas PF, SF 205 cm 98 kg 33 m.
Eigirdas Žukauskas PF, SF 201 cm 98 kg 30 m.
Eimantas Bendžius PF 207 cm 98 kg 32 m.
Gytis Masiulis PF 207 cm 99 kg 24 m.
Martynas Echodas C 206 cm 115 kg 25 m.
Marek Blaževič C 209 cm 96 kg 21 m.

 

[Shawshank2]

first 2 querters Wembi and France other bigs is killing us underbasket,playing voleyball under our own basket Echodas,Blazevic,Masiulis,Bendzius,Kuzminskas,Zukauskas have hard time doing anything.

Overall game is low quality for eye test after watching yesterday euroleague games

 

[Straight forward2]

Wemby will be unstoppable in bb if will stay healthy.

Velicka the best player thus far for LTU.

 

[Shawshank2]

This NT players effort is embarassment.

Wow cant recall more pathetic NT performance playing at home.No defence,no fight, no energy ,no nothing.

 

[Straight forward2]

So many useless players defensively. Basically this team didn't have a single good defender. Even "future NT clutch player in WC" Normantas was completely useless at both ends of the floor. Previously he didn't shine also, but tonight he's pathetic. Girdziunas also pathetic. So Kemzura completely missed with position 2 players. Overall in all positions French players looked bigger, tougher, quicker, more athletic. Kariniauskas BTW is trash too. He's useless as facilitator and overall sucks. Now the idea that he had to be serious player in 2021 for senior NT looks like complete madness. But well, people tend to have wild ideas as we know...

The only positive is Velicka and Blazevic. The only guys who showed some life. All others looked dead and NT completely unprepared emotionally. I think many NT players still have difficulty playing in front of home crowd. Also Wemby's presence made huge difference at both ends of the floor.

Now I'm not even sure this roster can beat Montenegro. But hope players will show more character.

 

[Straight forward2]

I think Kemzura has much more difficult task without Butkevicius (specially) and even Dimsa. Those however you watch it for windows were setting certain defensive thickness and athleticism at the perimeter. Now probably Zemaitis is the best perimeter defender. I thought Kemzura could throw in both Velicka and Zemaitis to play together. That's the only 2 guards who showed some life. IDK, how good is Montenegro, but our D is really bad. Guys will hustle more hopefully, but we might take another loss. Also I think we need more aggression from forwards - Kuz and Radzevicius. Our guards are not particularly ready to lead the team, we need more balance from other positions.

 

[Shawshank2]

Nba lithuanians

1.D.Sabonis 32min 17,9pts+11,3reb
2.J.Valanciunas 24min 13,8pts+10,1reb

Euroleague lithuanians:

1.E.Ulanovas 28min 9,9pts Eff. 13,1
2.R.Giedraitis 25min 10,3pts Eff.13,3
3.I.Brazdeikis 22min 11,6pts Eff. 8,9
4.M.Grigonis 21min 10,6pts Eff. 6,7
5.T.Sedekerskis 20min 7,9pts Eff. 11
6.A.Butkevicius 20min 4,3pts Eff.4,3
7.A.Gudaitis 18min 7,6pts Eff.7,7
8.R.Jokubaitis 16min 5,0pts Eff. 6,4
9.L.Lekavicius 15min 7pts Eff.6,9
10.D.Motiejunas 15min 7,6pts Eff.6.6
11.T.Dimsa 14min 6,7pts Eff. 4,6


This 13 lithuanians that playing on highest basketball level every week and getting real minutes.

Eurobasket 2022 LTU NT was 9 men team. From that top 9 list only Kuzminskas is not here but he was in this list for 10 seasons before.

To be top 9 NT playoofs rotation players it takes years to become one. It doesnt happen over night.

Jokubaitis and Brazdeikis was rookies in NT in main tournement,but they werent comming from nowhere they had 3 seasons experience euroleague/nba. But they will need even more time to adapt/get more experience to play winning basketball in NT as eurobasket shown.

Sedekerskis is the only one in this 13 men list that never made LTU NT

 

[Straight forward2]

Giedraitis the biggest EL stats padder in Lithuanian BB history ever. Sedekerskis will be the second one if he will continue with the same path.

Most players who played a lot in EB have/had a slump. Most who skipped it or played irrelevant roles play good.

I can say Lekavicius is NT overachiever. He was 5th most efficient player in the NT 2022 and 3rd most efficient in WC 2019. He should give us another 2 solid upcoming tournaments of the bench.

On other hand, efficiency in some cases doesn't tell the story. Butkevicius usually have low rate of efficiency. He doesn't score, doesn't initiate assists, don't rebound much as he plays in perimeter, receives all good personal fouls and yet does such an amazing hard work overall. Or, say, you can't really blame Iggy for reserved efficiency. If you take a lot of ISO action after broken plays you will miss some shots. As a scorer you won't be the most efficient ever.

I'm lacking defensive big in the list. We have no such player today. So godspeed Tubelis development.

A lot will depend on Jokubaitis' development. His development is the most key of all. I doubt Iggy can be different maker, he can be among the keys long term, or say very good role player, but I think Jokubaitis development at the guard spot is the key for us. We need him to truly run the team.

Another thing. I used to think that Kalnietis always shot the ball well in the NT. But obviously not. In 2013 he shot 25.6% and in 2015 29.3% threes. Yet it wasn't a problem at all and no-one remembers that cause he had strong performances nevertheless and NT grabbed medals. Necessity for PG to be a good shooter is overrated. Just run the team, facilitate, score inside and mid range/floaters, play solid D.

As a matter of fact Magic was 30% career shooter, Isiah Thomas 29%, CP3 36.8%, Jason Kid 34.9%. G. Payton 31.7%. Westbrook 30.5% and there's Curry, Nash, Stockton, Lillard who shot the ball well. So like 6-7 top 10 modern PGs of all time were not a good shooters at 1.

 

[Shawshank2]

My point wasnt about stats.

My point player must play againts best players in nba/euroleague weekly to have real chance helping NT in playoofs type games.

When the last time we have comet player that came from not euroleague/nba and really helped NT in tournament ?

Miracle happens sometimes,but 9 of 10 cases is not miracle is simple data .

Unproven player isnt comming from playing B level players all the time and start outplaying A level leaders.Thats not how things works.

Even all time best Jordan/Lebron needed lessons from older player and get eliminated multiple times in playoofs untill they learn how to win.


Thats why all your fantasy how rookie will come in first summer and will fix Nt problems that experienced player cant im just smilling hearing such nonsenses.

Lebron freaking James most mature kid ever at 20-22 in 2004 and 2006 with all that freakish tallent and athletism didnt know how to beat experienced battle tested euroleague players,how the hell some kid Tubelis or other rookie will know? Ofcourse they wont and NT coaches knows that.

 

[Shawshank2]

first half lithuanians came to compete and playing real defence.

2 euroleague players Kuzminskas and Ivanovic brought obviuos quality offensively to the game around this other 22 uleb level players.

Velicka isnt playing so far interesting.I have feeling after rewatching game versus France coaches didnt like 5 tournavers in 22min and chaotic,wild playmaking that affects entire teams offence.

Thats not what coaches need in away game from desicion makers.

 

[Straight forward2]

Thats why all your fantasy how rookie will come in first summer and will fix Nt problems that experienced player cant im just smilling hearing such nonsenses.

Lebron freaking James most mature kid ever at 20-22 in 2004 and 2006 with all that freakish tallent and athletism didnt know how to beat experienced battle tested euroleague players,how the hell some kid Tubelis or other rookie will know? Ofcourse they wont and NT coaches knows that.

It's not about instant impact. I never said Tubelis or some D. Giedraitis will fix NT defensive issues with a blink of an eye, just from the scratch. It's about constantly improving NT and having long term vision, understanding contemporary bb and what pieces should be integrated. The sooner you will throw talented youngsters in, the sooner they will deliver. For 2023 I would see only minor roles for Tubelis and D. Giedraitis, but if they will be with the team in 2023 and 2024, you can expect big things from them in 2025 already.

BTW, Brazdeikis was basically the guy who came without any serious playing experience and instantly became one of the keys. He basically played in G League. In NBA he only saw few trash minutes and late regular season games when everyone resting key players before PO basically. Brazdeikis never seen games which needed responsibility other than NCAA games with Michigan.

I don't think Tubelis will have a huge role knowing we have Sabonis and Valanciunas in the front line if he will make 2023 NT, but he could easily follow the footprints of Karnisovas, Songaila. Those guys came from NCAA and became one of the key players instantly (1992 and 2000). That's because Tubelis is good at both ends of the floor, reads the game pretty well and is physical. That's the good package. But realistically I would project him 7-12min role. The same with D. Giedraitis if he will make it.

 

[LuDux2]

Seriously? 80s PG's are not modern PG's

 

[Straight forward2]

Seriously? 80s PG's are not modern PG's

You are referring to Magic? FOA, he played in 1990 and 1995 seasons. SOA, how Magic is not modern? He's modern by all means. He actually was ahead of time like 2-3 decades. Now it's the trend to have tall PGs who can do it all in terms of the skill (except maybe shooting) as Penny Hardaway, Simmons, Livingston Doncic, Ball, Giddey and so on. Now this trend is stronger than ever.

 

[Straight forward2]

World cup here we come! Huge win. Guys hustled, played much better D. We looked like usual LTU NT again.

It's really a relief because our history with WC is not so simple. We missed 1994 and 2002 and we even didn't qualify to 2010 too (but got the wild card eventually). So it's good that we are in, doesn't happen all the time.