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Straight forward2
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Grigonis has been struggling this season thus far and now he faces issues with back injury. I think his participation in WC might be in jeopardy.
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OK, I've seen enough. Sedekerskis had to be in the 2022. Maksvytis made a mistake not tying up with him. I don't care if he makes some mistakes reading the defenses from time to time. He hustles and bangs like a lion defensively. He can go head to head with beasts like Smits, he can move at perimeter. It was obvious mistake not to have him when we lack defense by all means. I like his physicality, like his effort, like how he can play without the ball.
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Shawshank2
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I want Ulanovas+Butkevicius play last 5 minutes of close games over everybody in NT 2023-2024 over Grigonis/Brazdeikis/Kuzminskas/Giedraitis and so on.
Those 2 simply makes winning plays on both ends of the floor and makes very little mental mistakes + always forces opponnets to shoot tough shots.
Playing those 2 together in last 5 minutes would be good start not to lose all game endings like in 2022.
Those 2 simply makes winning plays on both ends of the floor and makes very little mental mistakes + always forces opponnets to shoot tough shots.
Playing those 2 together in last 5 minutes would be good start not to lose all game endings like in 2022.
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Straight forward2
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R. Giedraitis name shouldn't be even mentioned...This has to stop...He is complete rubbish in the NT. That's has to be openly and clearly addressed. I even look at EL games and in most times I hate his basketball. Sissy, even stupid at times defense and super opportunistic offense. I wouldn't have him anywhere on my team.
Well, Butkevicius has been finishing games for LTU. If his open three against Germany went in, maybe our EB story could been different.
The problem is Ulanovas is not very much interested in playing for NT. I hope he can give us something this Olympic cycle, but he will be 31yo this summer and already on the "we'll see mode" for few years now. Not a piece to rely on him long term.
And we still need proper piece at 5. Love Sabonis, and I think he can dominate the game, but I would prefer some-one like Hayes, Smits to close games.
Also we have issue with our key guards. I'm OK with Jokubaitis (and I think he will be better next summer), but Grigonis is fragile and Brazdeikis is wild. I see only Jokubaitis as a starter and no brainer piece at 1 down the stretch. I have no idea who should play at 2. Grigonis has been struggling down the stretch in EB. Too soft end both ends of the floor and couldn't get what he attempted.
Today I go with this down the stretch:
Jokubaitis
?
Butkevicius
Ulanovas
Sabonis
Jokubaitis
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Shawshank2
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Sabonis,Ulanovas,Butkevicius doesnt matter about their stats in that game they must be in last 5 minutes of close game simply for defensive reasons.
Last 2 places Jokubaitis/Lekavicius/Brazdeikis/Grigonis
Grigonis most likely will be 4th player in most cases for coaches. Marius can be PG for little streach too if coach gonna see that our wild PGs dont control the team.
High quality mature Pg like Evans shows biggest diffrence between Zalgiris and LTU NT in game endings. Guards is deciding game endings.
Both zalgiris and LTU NT players is fighting very hard for 38min,but in order to beat other elite team guards must finish game ( outplay/outhink their perimeter opponnet in last 2 minutes as desicion maker with the ball)
Last 2 places Jokubaitis/Lekavicius/Brazdeikis/Grigonis
Grigonis most likely will be 4th player in most cases for coaches. Marius can be PG for little streach too if coach gonna see that our wild PGs dont control the team.
High quality mature Pg like Evans shows biggest diffrence between Zalgiris and LTU NT in game endings. Guards is deciding game endings.
Both zalgiris and LTU NT players is fighting very hard for 38min,but in order to beat other elite team guards must finish game ( outplay/outhink their perimeter opponnet in last 2 minutes as desicion maker with the ball)
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Straight forward2
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The main reason is Zalgiris' defence.
In terms of decision making Evans is not more matured PG than Jokubaitis. And he will never be as good. His advantage is athleticism at both ends. Position 1 for us is not a problem cause Jokubaitis upside is tremendous. Sure as 21yo he couldn't yet truly take over, but he's a higher level player than Evans. In the future it won't even be close. Evans probably would have zero chance to get any minutes in Barsa. He's not a decision maker, not a facilitator, there's a lot of spoilage in terms of passing/decisions. And we can only speculate what kind of numbers and impact current Jokubaitis would have for Zalgiris getting 26min. I have no doubt Zalgiris would have more offense, specially in terms of facilitation and decision making. I personally think Jokubaitis would be more precious piece for this Zalgiris who has strong defenders in all the positions basically and lacking more talent offensively. Evans is good, but you got a little bit lost if you think he's higher level player than Jokubaitis/Grigonis. Evans is exceeding with his shooting recently, but I doubt he can keep it up. I hope I'm wrong though.
The problem with NT that we always have to suffer with our no D offensive bigs...We can't make stops. Zalgiris has wonders with strong defensive units.
I will put it in other words:
Hayes, Ulanovas, Butkevicius, Grigonis, Jokubaitis >>> Hayes, Ulanovas, Butkevicius, Brazdeikis, Evans
Evans in the NT wouldn't be more dominant than Jokubaitis was with 9,2ppg, 9,3eff cause such pieces as Sabonis, JV, Grigonis are around. In Zalgiris he's a number one option and has all the freedom.
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Shawshank2
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Im not talking about upside... winning is done now not in 2025. Was Jokubaitis ready with his desicions to win close games in 2022? No.
Will he in 2023? Not sure. Rokas will be ready only around 2024-2025 to be clear floor general for 30min thats control his team... thats the problem.
Right now 2022 Evans > Jokubaitis both offensively and defensively.
Evans also is wild sometimes,but when he feels its diffrent individual level compared when Jokubatis feel it.
Jokubaitis wont be playing with Barsa if Not Jasikevicius . Dont need to picture like he is some elite euroleague guard now.
Evans playing way better for Zalgiris now than last Jokubaitis season is not even close.Evans will go to top 6 euroleague club next season if we will keep this play.
Its basically impossible for white genetics men to play Hayes/Draymond type defence. NT will never have such type big athletic defender unless we naturalise one.
For me there nothing to discuss Sabonis is miles better defensively than all best ltu centers right now Jv/Dmo/Gudaitis/Birutis/Echodas.
If we searching center who can play switch defence like afro athletes can to defend best fiba guards such center didnt existed in 30 years of LTU NT history.
NT problem was not only big defence but our guards is also very bad defenders.
Give Sabonis --> Evans,Smit,Ulanovas,Butkevicius around him he also would be make some stops for sure.
But Sabonis was alot in game endings with Kuzminskas,Brazdeikis,Jokubaitis,Grigonis near him yeah this lineup wont make no stops like in 2022
Will he in 2023? Not sure. Rokas will be ready only around 2024-2025 to be clear floor general for 30min thats control his team... thats the problem.
Right now 2022 Evans > Jokubaitis both offensively and defensively.
Evans also is wild sometimes,but when he feels its diffrent individual level compared when Jokubatis feel it.
Jokubaitis wont be playing with Barsa if Not Jasikevicius . Dont need to picture like he is some elite euroleague guard now.
Evans playing way better for Zalgiris now than last Jokubaitis season is not even close.Evans will go to top 6 euroleague club next season if we will keep this play.
Its basically impossible for white genetics men to play Hayes/Draymond type defence. NT will never have such type big athletic defender unless we naturalise one.
For me there nothing to discuss Sabonis is miles better defensively than all best ltu centers right now Jv/Dmo/Gudaitis/Birutis/Echodas.
If we searching center who can play switch defence like afro athletes can to defend best fiba guards such center didnt existed in 30 years of LTU NT history.
NT problem was not only big defence but our guards is also very bad defenders.
Give Sabonis --> Evans,Smit,Ulanovas,Butkevicius around him he also would be make some stops for sure.
But Sabonis was alot in game endings with Kuzminskas,Brazdeikis,Jokubaitis,Grigonis near him yeah this lineup wont make no stops like in 2022
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Straight forward2
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Did you see all clutch shots of Jokubaitis last season for Barsa? I didn't see things like that Evans doing.
I'm not sure who is better fit for Zalgiris. ATM Evans looks good and Zalgiris winning, but don't fool yourself thinking current Jokubaitis wouldn't be huge for Zalgiris this season. If I'm not mistaken, Zalgiris was offering starting spot at 2 for Jokubaitis even last season when Zalgiris tried to keep him, but he took Barsa's offer. Jokubaitis was in double digits with great decision making and winning clutch plays for Barsa last season when both Higgins/Calathes went down. He barely ever turned the ball over. Jokubaitis and Lapro carried Barsa as main guards and Barca remained winning everything kinda team. Would Evans be able to have that kind of stretch with Barsa? FOA, Jokubaitis is there in Barsa cause not many players can contain Saras' system. Saras needs the guy who read the mismatches and moves the ball properly, rotates correctly and so on. Jokubaitis even today is one of the highest IQ guards in EL, without a question. Today he would be very good for Zalgiris. I don't know if better than Evans, but there's no doubt he would score a lot, make plenty of assists, would move the ball like a stud. Evans has his advantages and maybe he's ATM is better individually, but Jokubaitis can play for Barsa, Evans can't. That's the difference. Would Evans feed JV, Sabonis better than Jokubaitis? No chance, not even close. Would he be taking all the shots instead of Grigonis in NT. Also no. Have the perspective. NT and Barca are different animals than Zalgiris. It's not like Evans is winning games for Zalgiris in clutch minutes. It's very collective effort and defence orientated effort.
It's not about to have some black atheltic defensive freak. I just want pretty agile dude with good defensive fundamentals (like Javtokas had f.e.). Sabonis has no solid defensive fundamentals. He's by all means offensive player. Do I hate his defence? No. Do I want better? Yes. Can we win with Sabonis at 5 down the stretch? I hope so, but we need different D to truly expect certain consistency closing games. Playing Sabonis at 5 at the end is really complicated. Not as ridiculous as with antient JV, but still it's not what we need to be a force.
I'm not sure who is better fit for Zalgiris. ATM Evans looks good and Zalgiris winning, but don't fool yourself thinking current Jokubaitis wouldn't be huge for Zalgiris this season. If I'm not mistaken, Zalgiris was offering starting spot at 2 for Jokubaitis even last season when Zalgiris tried to keep him, but he took Barsa's offer. Jokubaitis was in double digits with great decision making and winning clutch plays for Barsa last season when both Higgins/Calathes went down. He barely ever turned the ball over. Jokubaitis and Lapro carried Barsa as main guards and Barca remained winning everything kinda team. Would Evans be able to have that kind of stretch with Barsa? FOA, Jokubaitis is there in Barsa cause not many players can contain Saras' system. Saras needs the guy who read the mismatches and moves the ball properly, rotates correctly and so on. Jokubaitis even today is one of the highest IQ guards in EL, without a question. Today he would be very good for Zalgiris. I don't know if better than Evans, but there's no doubt he would score a lot, make plenty of assists, would move the ball like a stud. Evans has his advantages and maybe he's ATM is better individually, but Jokubaitis can play for Barsa, Evans can't. That's the difference. Would Evans feed JV, Sabonis better than Jokubaitis? No chance, not even close. Would he be taking all the shots instead of Grigonis in NT. Also no. Have the perspective. NT and Barca are different animals than Zalgiris. It's not like Evans is winning games for Zalgiris in clutch minutes. It's very collective effort and defence orientated effort.
It's not about to have some black atheltic defensive freak. I just want pretty agile dude with good defensive fundamentals (like Javtokas had f.e.). Sabonis has no solid defensive fundamentals. He's by all means offensive player. Do I hate his defence? No. Do I want better? Yes. Can we win with Sabonis at 5 down the stretch? I hope so, but we need different D to truly expect certain consistency closing games. Playing Sabonis at 5 at the end is really complicated. Not as ridiculous as with antient JV, but still it's not what we need to be a force.
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Straight forward2
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I
NT problem was not only big defence but our guards is also very bad defenders.
Give Sabonis --> Evans,Smit,Ulanovas,Butkevicius around him he also would be make some stops for sure.
But Sabonis was alot in game endings with Kuzminskas,Brazdeikis,Jokubaitis,Grigonis near him yeah this lineup wont make no stops like in 2022
Sure. That's why we need to add more defensive players. I think Maksvytis understands that very well too. Specially now that he's having success with defensive team. He already addressed him self that he will be looking for more defence.
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Shawshank2
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yeah defensive players but from highest levels euroileague/nba not defenders from students/lkl level leagues.
There is huge diffrence defend average lkl level players and defend elite players that punish every little misstep.
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Shawshank2
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Is one thing being good in game ending when nobody is taking you seriuosly being around elite players like Mirotic/Higgins/Lapro/Calathes when all defensive attention going on them.
Tottaly diffrent being Nr1 floor general/desicion maker on average team that defenses takes you seriuosly.
Im saying what i saw Jokubaitis did bad job in playmaking/controling NT in all game endings in 2022. In same way like Sharas was bad in 1997-1999.
It takes years to learn how to run entire men team.Normal process.I expext big things from Rokas starting from 2024 or 2025.But imagine we can take 21 youngster as main desicion maker and he will control bunch of mature highest level men team is a bit unrelistic.
Evans type guard is better suited to be nr 1 playmaker in average level teams like Zalgiris/LTU NT + athletic afro guard have more to offer in defence too.
Jokubaitis maybe is better role player for specific coaches jobs in elite team,but as main ball handler/desicion maker for me is clear who is better right now to run average level team.
Tottaly diffrent being Nr1 floor general/desicion maker on average team that defenses takes you seriuosly.
Im saying what i saw Jokubaitis did bad job in playmaking/controling NT in all game endings in 2022. In same way like Sharas was bad in 1997-1999.
It takes years to learn how to run entire men team.Normal process.I expext big things from Rokas starting from 2024 or 2025.But imagine we can take 21 youngster as main desicion maker and he will control bunch of mature highest level men team is a bit unrelistic.
Evans type guard is better suited to be nr 1 playmaker in average level teams like Zalgiris/LTU NT + athletic afro guard have more to offer in defence too.
Jokubaitis maybe is better role player for specific coaches jobs in elite team,but as main ball handler/desicion maker for me is clear who is better right now to run average level team.
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Straight forward2
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Probably, but we don't know for certain. We don't know how Jokubaitis would lead such team as Zalgiris now. We don't know how Evans would do with such team as LTU NT (it's a higher level team nevertheless - like 3 players would be No.1 option in Zalgiris: JV, Domas, Grigonis). Have in mind that Sloukas in EB was 10ppg, 10,6eff kinda guy, Calathes 8,1ppg, 11eff. And look how they dominate in EL. FIBA is different animal than EL. There's more talent on the court (world class stars), the game is even more intense as it's a short tournament, refs usually allow plenty of contact. I wouldn't be shocked if Evans numbers would be lower in NT than Jokubaitis was and he would look more lost (except the D). It's one thing to play when the next 2 best guys around are some Iggy, Smits and completely other - Sabonis, Valanciunas. The tension and responsibility is incomparable. EL season is long, who cares. And I wouldn't say that Jokubaitis was bad down the stretch. I think as 21yo he dealt with the pressure impressively. Sure, made some mistakes here and there and wasn't yet fully comfortable, but knowing his age he dealt really well.
Our problem with game endings has very clear hierarchy of three issues:
1. Defence.
2. Lacking game closers.
3. Missing open shots (some would call it lack of luck or guts)
It's the mix of these three. I'm not sure Evans would pull it off at such crazy tournament as EB and all the stars around.
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Shawshank2
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Evans best querters are 4th statistically he scores most of his points in one podcast somebody said this fact. Thats what NT needed badly guard that take things to his hand in 4th querter.
How zalgiris is scoring in 4querter and wins those close games? Evans so far was nr 1 men or scoring or creating for teammates.
I disagree in euroleague is harder and level higher overall than in eurobasket + opponnets prepare for you not one day like in eurobasket,but entire week.
Euroleague teams is way better preprared tactically than NTs because of way bigger time together. Ask Brazdeikis .
Yeah 1-2 nba players adds individual level in starting 5 ,but euroleague bench players 7-12th is stronger than NT uleb level players for most NT at 7-12th spots.
Most best NT have 5-6 highest quality players,euroleague top 10 clubs have like 8-9 highest quality players.
Euroleague teams because of way bigger time together reach better chemistry that allows to reach higher level of basketball.
Dont get wrong those nba players would be stars in euroleague,im talking about overall playing level.
Those even not highest quality american athletic guard rocks in NT competions simply because 1 vs 1 individual abilities. Evans would be really good in fiba too from what i saw.
In 2 weeks sprint no time for big tacticall adjustments,just play basketball 1 vs 1 or use pikenrool and attack slow bigs.
In long club season is abit more complicated.Evans even here looks really good ,but we will see now teams gonna do adjustments on him going further.
How zalgiris is scoring in 4querter and wins those close games? Evans so far was nr 1 men or scoring or creating for teammates.
I disagree in euroleague is harder and level higher overall than in eurobasket + opponnets prepare for you not one day like in eurobasket,but entire week.
Euroleague teams is way better preprared tactically than NTs because of way bigger time together. Ask Brazdeikis .
Yeah 1-2 nba players adds individual level in starting 5 ,but euroleague bench players 7-12th is stronger than NT uleb level players for most NT at 7-12th spots.
Most best NT have 5-6 highest quality players,euroleague top 10 clubs have like 8-9 highest quality players.
Euroleague teams because of way bigger time together reach better chemistry that allows to reach higher level of basketball.
Dont get wrong those nba players would be stars in euroleague,im talking about overall playing level.
Those even not highest quality american athletic guard rocks in NT competions simply because 1 vs 1 individual abilities. Evans would be really good in fiba too from what i saw.
In 2 weeks sprint no time for big tacticall adjustments,just play basketball 1 vs 1 or use pikenrool and attack slow bigs.
In long club season is abit more complicated.Evans even here looks really good ,but we will see now teams gonna do adjustments on him going further.
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Shawshank2
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Interesting Maskoliunas interview in pikenrolas and he said: he felt before game best to handle Doncic is let him play 1 vs 1 and cut all those 10-12 asists for slovenian shooters,but didnt had balls to make this desicions and he regrets about it.
Let Luka scores 35pts,but do not let involve those other slovenian shooters.
But its easy to say and way harder to do that men is basketball genius.France did that in group and Doncic scored 46pts when France simply refused to double team him.
Overall i felt our death group took alot physically from Luka. He wasnt healthy anymore and was tired when playoofs came. That heavy loud in group versus very strong opponents Ltu,Ger,Fra,Bos left marks on his body. When players need to play every second game.
Similiar story happend in 2021 Olympics.The further tournament went,the less strenght one men attack had in him .Even visually it was very clear by bronze game he barely was even running fast.
Unlucky LTU NT faced Doncic both summers early when he was still fresh and energetic.
Let Luka scores 35pts,but do not let involve those other slovenian shooters.
But its easy to say and way harder to do that men is basketball genius.France did that in group and Doncic scored 46pts when France simply refused to double team him.
Overall i felt our death group took alot physically from Luka. He wasnt healthy anymore and was tired when playoofs came. That heavy loud in group versus very strong opponents Ltu,Ger,Fra,Bos left marks on his body. When players need to play every second game.
Similiar story happend in 2021 Olympics.The further tournament went,the less strenght one men attack had in him .Even visually it was very clear by bronze game he barely was even running fast.
Unlucky LTU NT faced Doncic both summers early when he was still fresh and energetic.
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Straight forward2
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Bench is thinner, yes, but in the game endings there's more talent on the court and that's why it's so hard to win FIBA. Yeah, individually those naturalized Americans do well, but their teams never win anything basically. One could say Brown is an exception and to certain extent he is, but we should also emphasize that L. Brown is truly elite guard. He's like skilled American guard with European PG's mind. He sees the mis-matches, his decision making is elite and so on. Other than that only teams who have legitimate NBA guards or high IQ European guard win in FIBA - Fournier, Rubio, Mills, Dragic, Doncic, Kalnietis, Bogdanovic and so on. The same Germany needed elite guard in Schroder to be successful. They wouldn't do it with some-one like Evans. It's another level.
It's complicated comparison. Sure, there's less polished team work, less scouting and more ISO action in FIBA, but that goes for both sides, thus that doesn't mean that it's easier to play there. Both teams are thrown in wild game and you have to survive somehow. The coaches who make quick and spot on decisions can benefit a lot in such tournament though. Scariola showed it nicely I think.. In EL it's hard to surprise cause the scouting is strong in both sides. At the end we can see that huge heart and hustle means a lot (Zalgiris).
It's difficult comparison. Some players exceed in FIBA (usually guards), some get worse (usually bigs). Some playing more or less on the same pace. Depends a lot on the role, team's level, facing opponents and so on. We have to have in mind that Lithuania was going against 3 great defensive teams - France, Germany, Spain. Our guys numbers would be bigger if we had Serbia's opponents f.e. BTW, Brazdeikis' numbers in EB and EL are exactly similar.
Also we should emphasize that the pressure is much bigger in FIBA. Every game is crucial basically. That is very important moment. Butkevicius already nailed couple of huge clutch buckets in EL, he actually did it early in the season, didn't need many games. While EB he was missing those in the clutch moments. The same Jokubaitis unfortunately couldn't do what he has been doing for Barca in the regular season. The tension is different.
What we can say that no average American ever lead FIBA teams to medals. Brown is huge exception, but I think he managed to do it because of his high IQ and some luck (remember how he struggled against Lithuania in the first half and overall he wasn't so good in the group stage? If we had tools to play legitimate D down the stretch there wouldn't be Brown's success in EB, but he started to punish us attacking in p'n'r possessions and so on. Gotta give credit to him. He exploded exactly in PO. 28pts against LTU in 8finals, 29pts against GER in semis).
My message is clear - keep naturalizing ISO American foreigners. It doesn't work. Brown is playing more like some Spanoulis, Jasikevicius. I guess Spain knew what they are trying to buy.
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That pressure in NT competion is bigger yes thats is very clear in players eyes.Thats why im repeating all the time rookie kids wont help in real fiba games.
But atletism of multiple americans,scouting,preparation time,chemistry,deeper teams of euroleague have bigger upper hand on 3 weeks preparation of NT .Adding 1-2 nba players doesnt overweight all those euroleague club pluses.
Almost every euroleague team have Hayes type athlete that protects the rim in NT competion is mostly long,slow white non athletic dudes.
Those weak NT doesnt win not because those americans play badly because they have weak team overall But put skilled american on Lithuania level NT that would be diffrent story.That american would have real tools to work with . Im strongly againts american with ltu jersey,but i also see facts.
Spain example with skilled pg american or slovenia example when they added athletic big men american in 2017 won them gold medals in last 2 eurobaskets.
Thats where euroleague have advantage over eurobasket NT : every euroleague team have skilled american guard and athletic afro american at big position for defence.
2022 Spain version had both (Brown,Garuba) and won eurobasket with average level players in other positions.With just one of them that Spain roster arent winning eurobasket,like slovenia arent winning eurobasket without athletism from Randolph
3-5 americans on every euroleague team simply makes competion better/higher level than adding 1-2 nba players. We see what 1 american can do in fiba games,euroleague clubs have more than 1.
But atletism of multiple americans,scouting,preparation time,chemistry,deeper teams of euroleague have bigger upper hand on 3 weeks preparation of NT .Adding 1-2 nba players doesnt overweight all those euroleague club pluses.
Almost every euroleague team have Hayes type athlete that protects the rim in NT competion is mostly long,slow white non athletic dudes.
Those weak NT doesnt win not because those americans play badly because they have weak team overall
But put skilled american on Lithuania level NT that would be diffrent story.That american would have real tools to work with . Im strongly againts american with ltu jersey,but i also see facts.Spain example with skilled pg american or slovenia example when they added athletic big men american in 2017 won them gold medals in last 2 eurobaskets.
Thats where euroleague have advantage over eurobasket NT : every euroleague team have skilled american guard and athletic afro american at big position for defence.
2022 Spain version had both (Brown,Garuba) and won eurobasket with average level players in other positions.With just one of them that Spain roster arent winning eurobasket,like slovenia arent winning eurobasket without athletism from Randolph
3-5 americans on every euroleague team simply makes competion better/higher level than adding 1-2 nba players. We see what 1 american can do in fiba games,euroleague clubs have more than 1.
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Straight forward2
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Does 5 average American foreigners exceed Jokic/Bogdanovic, Sabonis/JV, Shroder/Wagner, Fournier/Gobert and so on? IDK, it's debatable. Star power was crazy in 2022. What are best EL players? Clyburn, Mirotic, Micic, James, Vezenkov. NBA role players at best. And there comes superstars and stars like Luka, Gianis, Jokic, Sabonis, Gobert, Markkanen, Wagner, Shroder and so on.
My point is that comparison is very complicated. We can't directly compare FIBA teams with EL teams. In their own ways both competitions are extremely competitive. I disagree that it's harder to play in EL cause there's more scouting, because there's more preparation too. It's goes both ways. You can polish your team-play to the perfection. Imagine Sabonis with a good chemistry in EL. Or better Jokic. When they understand teammates and teammates understand them. Some players get better in club competition, specially facilitators. They need time to establish certain patterns. That's one of reasons why Sabonis will barely ever be as good in FIBA. Not enough time to fully mesh.
Top teams have better guards than EL teams with second rate (compared to true NBA material) Americans as James, Larkin, Higgins. I mean Rubio, Fournier, Bogdanovic, Shroder, Doncic are definitely better. The lack of modern athletic defensive bigs are visible though, but many teams can compensate that with offensive talent, star power. I think this decade FIBA will be crazy good. Look what kind of young players coming as Wemby, Wagner, Banchero, Buzelis, Jovic, Pokusevski.
We can't compare directly. I mean if you throw some EL teams without preparation to FIBA most of them would surely be inferior roster wise to top FIBA teams. And if some FIBA teams would have as much time together as EL teams, they would be a force, much bigger than they are in FIBA. We can compare only in the frame of each competition's semantics.
My point is that comparison is very complicated. We can't directly compare FIBA teams with EL teams. In their own ways both competitions are extremely competitive. I disagree that it's harder to play in EL cause there's more scouting, because there's more preparation too. It's goes both ways. You can polish your team-play to the perfection. Imagine Sabonis with a good chemistry in EL. Or better Jokic. When they understand teammates and teammates understand them. Some players get better in club competition, specially facilitators. They need time to establish certain patterns. That's one of reasons why Sabonis will barely ever be as good in FIBA. Not enough time to fully mesh.
Top teams have better guards than EL teams with second rate (compared to true NBA material) Americans as James, Larkin, Higgins. I mean Rubio, Fournier, Bogdanovic, Shroder, Doncic are definitely better. The lack of modern athletic defensive bigs are visible though, but many teams can compensate that with offensive talent, star power. I think this decade FIBA will be crazy good. Look what kind of young players coming as Wemby, Wagner, Banchero, Buzelis, Jovic, Pokusevski.
We can't compare directly. I mean if you throw some EL teams without preparation to FIBA most of them would surely be inferior roster wise to top FIBA teams. And if some FIBA teams would have as much time together as EL teams, they would be a force, much bigger than they are in FIBA. We can compare only in the frame of each competition's semantics.
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Straight forward2
Guest
Sedekerskis must make 2023 WC. It's absolutely a must to trust him and give him a chance. Shit's working with him in Baskonia and Baskonia is winning in EL. We can leave aside such athlete, such size of position 4. It was mistake to let him go last 2 season already I think. I don't see PF players who could fit switch all defense better than Sedekerskis (maybe Olanovas or Tubelis, but first is undersized, second not tested in EL, so we don't know). Maksvytis must do it.
I stick to my previous prediction that this should be the roster
Jokubaitis, Lekavicius
Grigonis, Brazdeikis, D. Giedraitis
Ulanovas, Butkevicius
Sedekerskis, Kuzminskas, Tubelis
Sabonis, Valanciunas
If Buzelis comes, let's have him a spot hell or high water. Just occupy the spot for him without any hesitation.
How about the line-up D. Giedraitis, A. Butkevicius, E. Ulanovas, T. Sedekerskis and D. Sabonis as a point center who makes the decisions of the short roles. This line-up would be working extremely effectively defensively.
We have to put the line-up of grinders, and hard workers and to out work and out hustle the opponents. This identity has been lacking. Until Jokubaitis, Buzelis and Murauskas won't explode, we can't compete with top teams in terms of offensive talent, we should build our identity as a defensive team for 2023-2024. Even Grigonis should be forced to play D instead of thinking about offense. When he wants it, he can play D. He showed it in 2017 EB nicely. The jimmy wasn't working so the guy worked his butt of defensively.
I think we may see the lesser role for JV, Lekavicius, Brazdeikis. And I really hope there won't even be a smell of R. Giedraitis.
I stick to my previous prediction that this should be the roster
Jokubaitis, Lekavicius
Grigonis, Brazdeikis, D. Giedraitis
Ulanovas, Butkevicius
Sedekerskis, Kuzminskas, Tubelis
Sabonis, Valanciunas
If Buzelis comes, let's have him a spot hell or high water. Just occupy the spot for him without any hesitation.
How about the line-up D. Giedraitis, A. Butkevicius, E. Ulanovas, T. Sedekerskis and D. Sabonis as a point center who makes the decisions of the short roles. This line-up would be working extremely effectively defensively.
We have to put the line-up of grinders, and hard workers and to out work and out hustle the opponents. This identity has been lacking. Until Jokubaitis, Buzelis and Murauskas won't explode, we can't compete with top teams in terms of offensive talent, we should build our identity as a defensive team for 2023-2024. Even Grigonis should be forced to play D instead of thinking about offense. When he wants it, he can play D. He showed it in 2017 EB nicely. The jimmy wasn't working so the guy worked his butt of defensively.
I think we may see the lesser role for JV, Lekavicius, Brazdeikis. And I really hope there won't even be a smell of R. Giedraitis.
S
Straight forward2
Guest
I'm lacking defensive point guard badly. Augustas Marciulionis development is crucial for the second line-up of the NT long term. We just have to have some-one who can we truly trust as a defender and facilitator. Jokubaitis will be huge offensively, but will be more or less liability defensively. D. Giedraitis can step to 1 some, but his facilitation is not at the needed level. In the future I can see R. Jokubaitis playing 25mpg as the primarily PG (providing his 16/7/4 in his prime or so), but Marciulionis likely finishing games with his bulldog defense and spot on facilitation offensively. The way basketball is developing, you have to have a stoppers at perimeter. Rubio won it 2019. USA won it in 2021, Spain (with Diaz and Brown) in 2022.
S
Shawshank2
Guest
Rubio,Holiday,Brown
there is no chance in lithuania basketball to have such level two way PG in next 5 years from what we have now. Brown is killing in euroleague too this season its wasnt fluke in eurobasket. Such type guards is game changers,not some defensive role player that affects game in minimal way.
Even peak Kalnietis 2010-2016 level floor general looks like very dificult mission to have in nearest 2-3 years future.
Mantas played with NT jersey like strong euroleague starting 5 pg and lots of time outplaying best europes PG in fiba games.
IF LTU basketball ale best chance is non shooting PG from students league going together with non shooting C NT is doomed to win nothing.
Their fathers was 10m times better shooters and played in non shooting era. Sons is bad shooters and playing in shooting era. That wont work. Domas need 4 shooters around him in NT get his best version. Otherwise Domas will look how he looked so far in fiba.
All my hopes is on Jokubaitis if not him rising his level alot,NT gonna be just average max 1/4 stages with such level guards next decade too.
With maybe one fluke tournament reaching more. Thats how LTU NT picture i see for 2020s with such guards.
there is no chance in lithuania basketball to have such level two way PG in next 5 years from what we have now. Brown is killing in euroleague too this season its wasnt fluke in eurobasket. Such type guards is game changers,not some defensive role player that affects game in minimal way.
Even peak Kalnietis 2010-2016 level floor general looks like very dificult mission to have in nearest 2-3 years future.
Mantas played with NT jersey like strong euroleague starting 5 pg and lots of time outplaying best europes PG in fiba games.
IF LTU basketball ale best chance is non shooting PG from students league going together with non shooting C NT is doomed to win nothing.
Their fathers was 10m times better shooters and played in non shooting era. Sons is bad shooters and playing in shooting era. That wont work. Domas need 4 shooters around him in NT get his best version. Otherwise Domas will look how he looked so far in fiba.
All my hopes is on Jokubaitis if not him rising his level alot,NT gonna be just average max 1/4 stages with such level guards next decade too.
With maybe one fluke tournament reaching more. Thats how LTU NT picture i see for 2020s with such guards.
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