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2024 Lithuanian NT

  • Thread starter Thread starter Straight forward2
  • Start date Start date
Kuzminskas have place in NT 2024 in his last olympic . For never saying no even for window NT games and being really good in 2022 and 2023 too. He was really good comming of the bench that cold blooded veteran that plays on his own speed . Last 2 fiba tournaments was my favourite NT Kuzminskas version with not scared eyes anymore.

So if you looking at Kazys taste its clear Dimsa and D.Giedraitis will be high on his list. Lekavicius would have no chance making the team

Ulanovas will be put in starting 5 to play 25min by Kazys taste :)


Lineups according to +- with Bendzius shooting at PF was really good in 2023.That he got injured before serbian game really hurt our teams spacing.Near Sabonis skillsets Bendzius is clearly best fit from big candidates

When we have Sabonis and Sedekerskis i dont see why we need raw Tubelis and not extra shooting big.I wouldnt be fan seeing 4 below averages shooting bigs and only one Kuzminskas that is good shooter from bigs.

for those 10-12 spots coach needs specific type player for specific roles. Thats why Dimsa or Bendzius works better

and why neither R.Giedraitis or Sirvydis worked in role players spots last 2 tournaments.They both need to play alot and be in rhythm to shoot well


This summer will be very short preparation, no time for more than 16-17 top players and youngster who wanted to earn trust of head coach it was 2023 summer with half of our B team.

2024 olympic summer is for proven and established players. For newcomers summer will be next one 2025
 
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Kuz deserves, but it's about paying respect, it's about competing. I'm generally sure Kuz will be in, but I would choose today Sirvydis most likely cause he can play better than he did in 2023. Kuz also similar option basically. It's not certain who's better in the NT context ATM. Sirvydis after such season would feel more comfortable in the NT I think.


To me Ulanovas is better fit at 4 cause he's higher level player and shoots threes 37% in EL, he's pretty good at stretching the floor cause in his career he took tons of difficult threes playing for Zalgiris, off the dribble too. Bendzius can only catch and shoot. Ulanovas can be facilitator from position 4, he can post up, play pick and roll and most importantly he's better defender.
 
Ulanovas also shows clear signs that in his plans is olympic summer.

To point that he even agrees to help NT in window games :)


2024 it will be LTU A team only injuries can take maybe max 1-2 players all other top ltu players want to play

Its last chance for 1992-1996 players to unite their strenghts and try to qualife to Olympics. They are not dummies they saw the draw and they know its very fair chance to qualife.
 
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Watched Grigonis 15pts vs Armani

Every time i watching this season Grigonis running fast its like watching 35 old veteran. He tries his best but his speed is clearly bothered by his bad back,


What Marius have right now going for him : he is at his peak of his basketball understanding where to be,when to put up a speed and when not to bother ,very calm not rushing his shots,plays with brain all the time.

Panathinaikos mostly plays him at SF (with 2 other ball handlers) . I have feeling at 30 being 1m98 long and bad backup being Sf is his best position right now.

Grigonis in Panathinaikos under ataman at SF role is similiar Krunoslav Simon used to play under Ataman in efes championship teams (near 2 elite ball handlers)


But thats not what NT 2024 would need for him. NT have so manny options at SF thats clearly coaches will be interested put Grigonis in SG.

But eye test says to me his back limitations will make hard for him to have the ball alot and do all that dribbling under pressure for 25-30min.
 
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Ulanovas still "I'm not decided yet". Classy...:) He sort of plans, but he can't say openly like Giedraitis did. Ulanovas has been bad example for future player, hopefully none is too impressed with that.

This window with Ulanovas, R. Giedraitis and hopefully Jokubaitis will be a quality look for NT fans. Interesting situation with Rubstavicius. NBL season ends Feb 19 and NT playing on 22 with Poland. It would be very nice to see him and have a sense where he stands now as a player, specially that probably D. Giedraitis will be in too.

For window I would like to see such team:

Jokubaitis, Lekavicius
R. Giedraitis, D. Giedraitis, Rubstavicius
Ulanovas, Sirvydis, Kuzminskas
Bendzius, Orelikas,
Birutis, Tubelis

(Dimsa has injury, no need to overuse him now, if Rubstavicius out, take Normantas)

Just expect solid 2 wins against Poland and Estonia. Both respectable opponents, but it should be solid wins and a chance to have a bit of preparation for OG qualification in a way.
 
Overall, really positive week for LTU basketball. FOA, Grigonis continues to play his best BB which give hope we'll see him playing well, Brazdeikis had a good week finally and he should get more chances in the rest of the season hopefully, Jokubaitis is doing well in EL lately, Grimau doesn't unleash him as much as I would like, but he's playing in Barca after all. These three perimeter players are the key ATM. They are main weapons in the perimeter and all should be ready. Both Rokas and Iggy will be stronger and more aggressive than previously and Grigonis just has to play smart, just as he do now in PAO. Hope his 4th quarter threes will fall this time, not like as in 2022 EB.

Then there's good signs from guard role players. R. Giedraitis still do what he does, but I don't see him being what NT needs for a role player. Rubstavicius, Marciulionis doing great for what they should at this stage, D. Giedraitis and Dimsa playing good season overall for role players of Zalgiris. Only Lekavicius on a decline generally, but I think it's time to unleash Marciulionis with his bulldog D and aggressive facilitation. Maksvytis will have decent pool to choose role guards.

At 3 Sirvydis shinning. Kuz had a good season before injury. The key to me is to have healthy Butkevicius. He would glue the D a lot between 2-4 position, cleaning 50/50 situations if he's 100% ready.

Sederskis has been great. If Ulanovas shows up, he can improve our 4 position and make NT more flexible and overall better defensively.

Domas feasting, JV still has for a monster offensive back up and Tubelis can bring some fresh legs and athleticism operating between 4 and 5.

Overall, picture looks really positive. I think we can gather the best team since 2008. I do believe this team can be on the same tier with 2012 Olympic Team and even a bit better. I don't see us being as good as in 2008 yet (there was still very good Jasikevicius, prime Siskauskas, already strong Kleiza, solid Kaukenas, solid Lavrinovic and very strong defensive center Javtokas and quality role players as Jankunas, Jasaitis and such).

But having prime Sabonis, still good JV, already good Jokubaitis on FIBA stage, still prime Grigonis, pretty good Brazdeikis, super role player Sedekerskis and quality role pieces as Ulanovas, Butkevicius, Sirvydis, makes me think we are surely can match 2012 talent pool and even exceed it a bit, IMO. I definitely don't ask medals from this team. But if things will click, and say Jokubaitis and Sabonis will brake out on FIBA stage, we can even win overachieve and win something as an opportunity.
 
Rubstavicius and Marciulionis wont even be invited to camp. They are not real candidates for 2024.


Tubelis and Sirvydis will be invited but wont be favourite to make the team looking that everybody is IN.


SF lineup of Butkevicius,Ulanovas,Grigonis,R.Giedraitis,Brazdei kis,Sirvydis,Kuzminskas is so deep that coaches cant take all of them.

My guess is one from R.Giedraitis/ Sirvydis wont make it.


Rubstavicius 2024 inexperience version have zero chance competing in this experience euroleague wolfs group (thats why he wont even be invited)


Having so manny SF lenght type dudes its clear lineup Sabonis at C and put 4 shooting wings/guards must be used atleast 10minute per game in some matchups even more.


Thats why i would seriuosly consider taking just 3 real bigs Domas,Jonas,Sedekerskis and use all those Kuzminskas,Ulanovas,Butkevicius types at PF if needed. We have so manny 2m00 type wings they must rotate through 3 positions.

Playing Puerturico and Italy team clearly dont need more than 2-3 bigs.If qualification would shown we need one more big team can make changes before olympics.I rather use Dmo/Birutis/Tubelis big roster spot on D.Giedraitis for just puerturico matchup.


Latvia played Smidt and Bertans,Grazulis all tournament long in big positions and almost eliminated gold medal winners.They had one long 2m15 dude but never played him.I dont get why NT need 4th bad shooting big in roster how game is played in 2020s .

All 4th non shooting big will do is make easier to double team Domas/Jonas for opponents.
 
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How do you know that Marciulionis and Rubstavicius won't be invited? I my opinion they should be invited, specially Marciulionis cause PG back-up position is butt naked with Lekavicius decline. Kariniauskas is trash. I sincerely believe it, I'm actually sure that Bickauskis is a better player than Kariniauskas and that says a lot. Marciulionis will be invited, unless Maksvytis will make early decision to go with Lekavicius all the way, just as he did it with Kariniauskas. There's no other way around. Rubsta may not be invited, specially if there's NBA draft and shit, but he is better than you realize, I see. He's a beast piece and legitimate NBA prospect. I think he's already the most consistent shooter after Grigonis in the country. He literally shoots 50% of threes in NBL and takes almost 3 shots each game. He takes some difficult shots too and even makes it with a contact some. So this 50% is surreal. That kind of piece can't be ignored. It would be great to see him in upcoming window though. For this summer Rubsta is not a must, but you can't ignore him either.

Grigonis and Brazdeikis will play the 2 in the NT.

Yesterday you wrote that Birutis and D-Mo are candidates to make it :D Now you only need Domas and JV. I actually agree. The less slow lumberjacks the better. You can have one in JV and that's enough. To me, it's either Domas, JV, Sedas or these 3 and plus Tubelis. I think Maksvytis will go with the latter cause he's no huge exprimentalist and he already wanted that 4/5 dude last summer and took Maldunas.

Today there's Grigonis, Kuzminskas and Sirvydis as best fit to play around Domas cause they are plus shooter (or at least Sirvydis has that upside if he continues to shoot as he has been shooting in last 2 months). R. Giedraitis has been sucking in the NT, even though he's a solid shooter in EL. There's also Bendzius as plus shooter for his position, so he remains a candidate. That's why Rubstavicius should already be tested as legitimate candidate. He's a plus shooter at guard position and, IMO, most consistent shooter already along with Grigonis in the country. Yeah, you don't know if rookie will nail those in NT at first, but we do know R. Giedraitis has been sucking despite being a vet for a fact :D Iggy got away with good shooting as a rookie.

Iggy so far shoots in NT surprisingly well, but I'm not sure it's sustainable. He will have disappointing shooting tournaments in the future I think. His 52% in WC was surreal and it will be hard to repeat. D. Giedraitis shoots 48.6% in EL and 48,3% in LKL, but he attempts only 1,6 threes per game (both EL and LKL) and usually takes just wide open catch and shoot threes, so I have him only as solid shooter, but not Plus shooter. Plus shooter to me is a guy who can shoot off the dribble, who can take difficult spot ups off the staggers, who can pull up quickly in the fast brake. From that breed I see only Grigonis, Sirvydis, Kuzminskas, Rubstavicius ATM generally (and maybe Bendzius).

Problem is that Kuz and Bendzius are very vulnerable defensively. Specially Kuz. We were butt naked with him at 4 in EB 2022. Even when he played well offensively he caused so much problems defensively. When you have Domas and Kuz at the front, you have a problem. We needed Sedekerskis to hold on Garuba against Spain. Spain just exposed our weak defense. You can't play with Kuz at 4. Just can't.
​
 
Because they have zero experience of highest levels and coach will have 2 weeks prep no time to explain for newcomers everything and check are they ready or not.

Team will be put in very hostile envirenment in puerturico ( similair to 2012 Caracas) coach will need grown up men that wont panick when things wont go according to plan.NT Rookies have no chance helping in such atmosphere.


My prediction : not from euroleague and nba players only Sirvydis and Tubelis will get invites what im seeing now and even they far from having spot in final roster.

Yesterday i was talking about just candidates,today im talking who i would take to final roster looking at main players strenghts and future opponnets..Thats 2 diffrent things.


I would say D.Giedraitis skillsets is needed more for 2024 NT than Sirvydis or Tubelis skillsets.Not because D.Giedraitis is better player,but because his skillsets not clear who can do from euroleague players.

Tubelis things Sabonis and Sedekerskis can do just better. Sirvydis skillset Grigonis,R.Giedraitis, to lesser degree Iggy too can do and they are way more experienced and battle tested.



Same way like R.Giedraitis was sucking in 2022,in same way Sirvydis was sucking in 2023. Not a fan overall in fiba rough game of such soft type shooters that plays no defence.

I can see Butkevicius,Ulanovas,Brazdeikis,Grigonis helping much more because i predict they will adapt better to wild americas hostile envirenment.
 
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In my opinion Marciulionis is must to invite. His defence, physicality and ability to create for others can be very valuable. Most importantly he can bite opponent's necks such as Mannion (who is playing well in Italian league) and Alvarado for some 10-15min. Even if he wouldn't bring much offensively, he at the very least can contribute the ball solidly and that defence is a must. Team as Puerto Rico will throw two midgets who can score a lot, and in some stretches you might even want to have both Marciulionis and D. Giedraitis playing. Defense translates to any level and any pressure basically. Kariniauskas would suck a cock at D, we now that. Jokubaitis won't be much of a stopper. Lekavicius also, specially current one. We need athleticism and real defensive grip that Augis and Dovis can offer.

Rubstavicius depending on situation. But I would invite him. No problem to cut him if you see he's not ready.

So

Lekavicius
D. Giedraitis, T. Dimsa
R. Giedraitis
Ulanovas
Birutis

are all in for window.

Hope Jokubaitis, Sirvydis, Rubstavicius, Normantas, Radzevicius, Tubelis, Kuzminskas, Bendzius will join them, or some of these players.
 
When fan imagines that coach when olympic ticket will be on line will even think putting 2 NT rookies in hostilie 15k envirenment and not euroleague experienced proffesionals i just give up and accept this fan have no clue what he is talking.
 
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Shawshank said:
When fan imagines that coach when olympic ticket will be on line will even think putting 2 NT rookies in hostilie 15k envirenment and not euroleague experienced proffesionals i just give up and accept this fan have no clue what he is talking.
Click to expand...


Hey, fan, why wouldn't you stop being pathetic? :) Aside 1992 when all players were rookies for LTU NT, in 1996 Garastas took Pacesas, Vaisvila as rookies. In 2000 Kazlauskas took Siska and Giedraitis, in 2004 Javtokas, 2008 Prekevicius, Petravicius, 2012 Kavaliauskas, 2016 Kariniauskas, Grigonis. Aside Petravicius no-one had real EL experience (Kariniauskas previously had, but he was taken from second Greek League).

I would suggest to leave this forum. You're always lost and unfortunately can't realize how pathetic you are. Don't make a fool of yourself even further. You're really dragging down the whole level of conversation in this forum. Go be pathetic and stupid else where, please.
 
Well, solid, really solid roster for EB qualification. Should be two strong wins. No Rubstavicius unfortunately. To me, Marciulionis and Rubstavicius now most interesting borderliners (well, Tubelis is in). It will be interesting to see how now Sirvydis will feel and provide playing next EL games. Good test for him mentally. He is more talented than players like Ulanovas, R. Giedraitis, but it's a question when he will start showing this. Reaching the highest level is a process.

Overall, I see Sirvydis and Tubelis as top tier prospect from this roster and D. Giedraitis as solid EL material (should be more or less on the same tier with Ulanovas, R. Giedraitis, or maybe Lekavicius, during his EL career, IMO).

I wished Maksvytis had balls to invite K. Jakcucionis as truly young player. Anytime I see Kariniauskas figure I'm almost instantly depressed. Even if it's only qualification. Such level players should be galaxies away from NT level and this dude already played in Olympics 2016 and WC 2023. It's a shame and travesty. I'm really happy that in next 15 years such figures will have 0 chances to make NT and it will be a proper level NT. I sincerely believe Bickauskis and Janavicius are both still better players than soft slow ass useless Kariniauskas.

https://twitter.com/ltu_basketball/status/1755183596782981361
 
Yup, that third picture. Maksvytis not only met Domas, JV, but also Buzelis. It's the key for NT to lock him for next Olympic cycle. I don't mind not seeing Buzelis playing for 2025 in EB as it will be his first NBA off season, but I want Matas 100% in 2027 WC and to contend there. To go after medals as objective and reachable goal. NT should have time to do things like that:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3NR5Bm...9e63c-e675-4e40-afd1-08549cd344d1&img_index=3
 
maksvytis mentioned buzelis could join the natiional team this year, but i really dont see how that would benefit anyone. he's struggling in G league, which kind of an indication that he's still very raw and wouldnt make much of a difference for lithuania just yet. a lot of his flaws got exposed this season with ignite, he should spend this summer in the gym lifting weights instead of wasting his time on lithuania's bench
 
zalias said:
maksvytis mentioned buzelis could join the natiional team this year, but i really dont see how that would benefit anyone. he's struggling in G league, which kind of an indication that he's still very raw and wouldnt make much of a difference for lithuania just yet. a lot of his flaws got exposed this season with ignite, he should spend this summer in the gym lifting weights instead of wasting his time on lithuania's bench
Click to expand...

FOA, it's great news that Buzelis' side sends positive message via NT. It's easy to say "we're in if possible" when they know they are 98% out, but it could be much worse, like answers - I haven't decided on my NT path yet or I will play somewhere in the future maybe. Buzelis met Maksvytis without any BS and let him know his plans to play for the NT are serious long term and that's the most important message he could send.

So he won't be there this summer, unless some NT friendly team would draft him and would say, yeah, go, FIBA experience won't hurt. Again, I see super small chance, nearly non existant. But you look at Buzelis campaign in G League too gloomy. While he slightly underdo offensively, he exceeded defensively. And he still shows that tremendous offensive potential. I think he could be brilliant options to have him for 5-10 minutes and you can easily throw him at 2-4 any minute. He wouldn't hurt at all. Defensively he's ready to be impactful and offensively, specially in the open court, he can already be deadly in some stretches, like here:

https://twitter.com/NoCeilingsNBA/status/1757247465827475540

I also think that there's minimal chances to see him next summer cause first NBA off season is usually dedicated to individual workouts in most cases. I would love him to see in 2024 or 2025, but I see him in 2027 realistically.

Now, it's good that all players says YES so far. It means we'll have a strong NT. Bad news that Knick Donte DIVincenzo might play for Italy. Terrific sharp shooter, solid NBA player. But I hope with A team we can win qualification nevertheless.

I also love the fact that Maksvytis will be handling reserve NT himself this time. Maybe for the first time he won't miss on the talent and won't waste it. It means he will have a very close look on Marciulionis and in previous interview he even mentioned he would like to see what's Jakucionis about. Maksvytis should monitor Marciulionis closely. If he will do that, he will see that this guy has to be in the NT already.

PS: seeing this D. Giedraitis stretch, I have zero doubts he has to be taken instead of Dimsa. We need his elite defence. Aside Walkup and Grant, he is probably top 3 in El already in terms of perimeter D.

Jokubaitis, Marciulionis
Grigonis, Brazdeikis, D. Giedraitis
Butkevicius, Sirvydis/Kuzminskas
Sedekerskis, Ulanovas
Sabonis, Valanciunas, Tubelis


That would be my Olympic 2024 roster.

I don't see a place for R. Giedraitis, Dimsa, Bendzius. I don't need Giedraitis when I have Grigonis, Brazdeikis, Sirvydis/Kuzminskas. All are better offensively in the NT. I don't need Dimsa when D. Giedraitis makes such strides in EL and is elite perimeter defender. Bendzius is nice at 4 as stretch 4, but he sucks defensively compared to say Ulanovas at 4 and is one trick pony compared to Sedekerskis, Ulanovas, Tubelis. Simply no place for Eurocup level talents as Bendzius, Dimsa if all pieces are available. This roster would have all EL upside essentially. And if Marciulionis doesn't make it, take good old Lekavicius.
 
I liked this time how Maksvytis answered to "eternal" issue of NT, how to use Domas and JV. He remained diplomatic, but I also got between the lines that he's unleashing Sabonis. Reporter asked if JV won't be more adapt to play next Sabonis since he play next Zion, and Kazys answered "Jonas, yes, but Domas no. Domas is used to play in his own position". Duh...maybe finally Kazys will figure out finally that Sabonis must get 28mmpg in the CENTER position. He should get more shots that JV (probably should take the most shots in the time, or second after Jokubaitis/Grigonis) finally, get more rebounds, be second or first in assists. Sabonis has to step up and make the team better.
 
Sneaked in to compare R. Giedraitis 2022 and Sirvydis 2023:

Giedraitis 3ppg, 14.7mpg, 36.8% FG, 16.7% threes (2/12)

Sirvydis 4.9ppg, 10.1mpg, 39.4% FG, 32% threes (8/25​)

Giedraitis was even worse in 2019 WC. He looked dreadful in both 2019 and 2022 and I don't understand why people still treat him seriously. Sirvydis in his debut was already better than prime Giedraitis ever was for the NT. I think case is closed comparing these two. Purlys says 2 NBA teams are interested in Sirvydis. I hope and expect him to stay in Europe. But he has to play. He should go to some ALBA and fight for some 20-25mpg in EL, IMO.
 
Rokas Giedraitis is having better euroleague season of 20+games streach in 2023/2024 than Jokubaitis than Brazdeikis than Dimsa/Giedraitis

Thats why he is treated like seriuos player .That he failed to be decent 14min role player in NT comming cold of the bench doesnt mean he is trash and his play in euroleague shows that


Im not a fan of R.Giedraitis neither of Sirvydis they are same to me.They cant defend even lkl level players and must play 28min to be in shooting rhythm and teams where they play alot and put stats are loosing teams usually


I would take Dimsa and D.Giedraitis instead of both of them.Zalgiris tandem scores less but i believe they play winning basketball as role players.

They would help in defence more in those 10-12min role players spot than holes in defence and pure shooters comming cold of the bench. Dimsa/D/Giedraitis shown they can make wide open 3pointers in euroleague + defensively is miles better compared to those 2 shooters.


2022 R.Giedraitis lost competion for minutes to Grigonis and Brazdeikis
2023 Sirvydis lost competion for minutes to Dimsa and Normantas

Im not so sure R.Giedraitis would have lost competion to both Dimsa and Normantas if he would play in 2023 like Sirvydis clearly did. We will see in window games who is who very soon when all 4 of them will be in same team
 
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