2025 Lithuanian NT

[Straight forward2]

Well, maybe SF is too optimistic (like always) with Lithuanian prospects but you are too pessimistic. Its not unreasonable to hope Buzelis and Jakucionis becoming leading players. They are good and not only them. With Murauskas, Krivas and Lelevicius you might have a very talented core. I dont see a big problem in the front court in the future and also the wing positions are not bad at all but you need a Giannis or different impact level player.

I do see a better LTU team in the future, surely better than this (its not very difficult btw) but I dont see a medal with this core, at least not yet.

Actually it's more like Buzelis KJ + Sabonis, Indrusaitis, Murauskas, Jokubaitis as our next 6 best players if you ask me.

As for KJ, I think we didn't see his best in EB, but he was still nice, specially at the end. His feetwork will be much more impressive at some mid season I'm sure. I think he was on off season bulking mode in the NT. NCAA will answer many things. If he can standout instantly, he'll be lottery. If will struggle...the road will be more complicated.

BTW, Buzelis has tons of nice defensive traits. He even reminds a bit Kirilenko at that end. Shot is the only real question, but I think he will have deadly midrange game even if his three won't become deadly.

So what's the obstacles for LTU to be medal contender if Buzelis, KJ prevails? I only see that there's tons of such level teams, so it's more difficult, but that's the only obstacle. We will have amazing offense. Like I think I'm not exaggerating a bit. KJ's amazing game reading (pick and roll clinics) matched with Sabonis and there's Buzelis in the corner as ISO machine. Deadly.

 

[Straight forward2]

Not true. I remember that it was disappointing (not extremely of course, but still). That's why i mentioned it. Today semis would be big success. At that time not grabbing medals was disappointing. And once again, i didn't compare the level of Siska and Grigonis. You simply can't get it.

Even in that context I found it ridiculous and unnecessary. Simply meaningless.

 

[Shawshank2]

I agree with your last sentence.

and remember our biggest talent Buzelis have never even been in Lithuania.

Yes his both parents are lithuanians.But who know what kinda player he will become and what patriotic emotion he will have after becoming nba milionair how often he will play for our NT

He surely wont be Valanciunas that comes every summer because he simply lithuanian at heart and spends all his free time in ltu teritory

Every second tournament most realistic scenerio with Buzelis even if he become a star.

 

[Dreamcatcher2]

Well, maybe SF is too optimistic (like always) with Lithuanian prospects

It's only half of the issue. At the same time he underrates former Lith prospects because of a short memory or whatever else.

 

[Straight forward2]

Buzelis said his most favorite player Arvydas Sabonis. That's says enough. Domas also barely lived in Lithuania. And Brazdeikis.

 

[Straight forward2]

It's only half of the issue. At the same time he underrates former Lith prospects because of a short memory or whatever else.

Like who?

 

[Dreamcatcher2]

Like who?

Haven't you just recently said that upcoming generation is the most talented ever? Even surpassing golden 2003 and Sabas and Co? Also, you underrated 84-85 and such generations saying they were not talented despite medals. And overall that upcoming generation is much better than previous ones. All this stuff.

Even now you say that Jakucionis is the best guard prospect since Marciulionis. How about Macijauskas who at Jakucionis' upcoming season averaged 16 pts in Neptunas with great 49% from three? And he didn't play like 35 min and was allowed to do whatever he wanted. No, he played like a mature player and averaged 25 min. Do you think that KJ could do smth like that this season? From what i saw, no way.

 

[Straight forward2]

Haven't you just recently said that upcoming generation is the most talented ever? Even surpassing golden 2003 and Sabas and Co? Also, you underrated 84-85 and such generations saying they were not talented despite medals. And overall that upcoming generation is much better than previous ones. All this stuff.

I said it will be the deepest gen we ever had and even potentially the best. I don't know it it's true regarding the latter, we'll have to wait, but that's my guess. I didn't underrate 84-85 gen. I simply said this gen was no-where close 90s and 00s gen. If you disagree with that, you have no clue about BB, IMO.

Even now you say that Jakucionis is the best guard prospect since Marciulionis. How about Macijauskas who at Jakucionis' upcoming season averaged 16 pts in Neptunas with great 49% from three? And he didn't play like 35 min and was allowed to do whatever he wanted. No, he played like a mature player and averaged 25 min. Do you think that KJ could do smth like that this season? From what i saw, no way.

After Marciulionis we had Jasikevicius and Macijauskas as worth considering and comparing with Jakucionis and off course Siskauskas if we treat him as pure guard, but he was more of a wing. Macijauskas is one of my favs, so don't get me wrong, it's relative, but I still think Jakucionis as a prospect is superior. Why? Jakucionis is the most complete guard since Marciulionis. He can do everything generally. One guy from NCAA said that Jakucionis may be the most complete guard overall in NCAA. He does so many things. Macijauskas was extreme shooter, but he wasn't very dominant slasher, he wasn't great facilitator, he wasn't even decent defender. Both Jasikevicius and Macijauskas didn't have KJ's self creating and ISO skills and didn't have his motor at D. In my opinion KJ will be even more dominant passer than Jasikevicius, overall more aggressive and explosive player. Actually Siska is probably the best competitor for KJ, he was 2 ways beast, but Siska had a little bit timid motor at both ends, sometimes playing lesser role than he potentially could. Siska for a very long time didn't have killers mentality and reached that level only in his complete prime. But Siska had some ISO game and was fairly athletic. Overall as prospect Siska was the best, but Macas and Jasikevicius had killers instincts and big leadership which Siska lacked.

IDK if Jakucionis would be scoring 16ppg this season for Neptunas, but he would be really good, no doubt. But when we speak about prospect's, we speak about projection and not some early career stats.

Look at Traore's debut in Champions League. Kaspa was on the same page with him last year and sometimes outplaying him (just as he constantly outplayed Gonzalez and Egor Demin). Just a reminder he dropped 37 on him and always clashing head to head:

https://x.com/BasketballCL/status/1841213661601275921

 

[zalias2]

giedraitis completely shut down euroleague's star kevin punter as if it was nothing. i dont want hear idiotic takes like he wouldn't have any impact on the national team or even worse "normantas is better" ever again. he is 2 steps ahead any other lithuanian player when it comes to perimeter defense. he also continues to develop offensively ever year.

 

[Straight forward2]

giedraitis completely shut down euroleague's star kevin punter as if it was nothing. i dont want hear idiotic takes like he wouldn't have any impact on the national team or even worse "normantas is better" ever again. he is 2 steps ahead any other lithuanian player when it comes to perimeter defense. he also continues to develop offensively ever year.

Only scrubby minded redneck "fizrukas" Maksvytis could ignore him and choose Dimsa instead of him initially. It's just unbelievable. Maksvytis is the worst ever. None other coach, not even Butautas, Sireika or Maskoliunas could be so out of space in terms of rosters selections. Maksvytis the worst ever and it's not even close. When have NT coach without an eye on players you reach the worst point of NT history. Loss against PR was the most pathetic. In 2021 we at least lost to the best team in qualification which was very close to reach the finals of Olympics.

Love it what I see from Giedraitis.

 

[Toruko2]

I watched Jokubaitis a bit... it does neither seem that hell get a major role nor he could contribute offensively in a significant way.

 

[Straight forward2]

I watched Jokubaitis a bit... it does neither seem that hell get a major role nor he could contribute offensively in a significant way.

Too soon to judge, Blatt had career game.

 

[zalias2]

Jokubaitis only logical option was going to zalgiris, but he probably thinks he's too good for them, oh well good luck further killing your career

 

[Shawshank2]

Its sad Jokubaitis rise was like comet on possible future star projectory...now he is trajectory of just good 15-18min euroleageu role player in foreign club .

How he looked at 20 in euroleague and how he looks at 24 for me its dissapointing i was expecting more by this point.


Hopefully somebody in his circles will have real talk with him and stop all that partying around basketball and trajectory again will start changing.

 

[Straight forward2]

So it was D-Mo, as expected, the one who was against partying and let others know. And it's a surprise, not only young players celebrated, but also +30 as he said. He also said that dedication was way higher in WC. D-Mo made controversial move, but you have to respect his balls and he's right that we should get shit together, talk with players what it is all about and make NT younger. With current scrubby core we are butt naked, we are not going anywhere with it. I hope Kleiza signs for the job to preach what NT is about and Kurtinaitis will tell stories about 90s because it is pathetic to watch this gutless current NT:

https://www.krepsinis.net/naujiena/...a-ir-lietuvos-krepsinio-nama-be-pamatu/337662

 

[Straight forward2]

I tend to think Butkevicius career in NT should be over. OK, the guy hustles, but we can't have a guy at the wing who may not even hit the hoop from three while open. He missed everything against PR and in today's game it's really hard to play such players. Love him as a fighter, but I think he's one of the wets that should be thanked already. I think Ulanovas should go too. I totally fine letting go Grigonis and Kuzminskas too. Even though Kuz deserves huge respect for his attitude and dedication. I would only invite JV as vet because of leadership in lockeroom and being a mentor for Buzelis and others.

NT should look something like this in 2025:

Jokubaitis, Marciulionis
Brazdeikis, D. Giedraits (Rubstavicius/Jakucionis)
Buzelis, Sirvydis
Sedekerskis, Tubelis, Murauskas
Sabonis, Valanciunas

We must integrate fighters, grinders as Giedraitis and Marciulionis. We need those guys who would fight again literally. We have to slowly integrate new future dominant wings as Buzelis, Murauskas. I would call 19yo Jakucionis if he's showing his worth in NCAA and being selected first round, it's up to him if he shows up and not, no-one will judge him in these circumstances, but he should be integrated as soon as possible if he's one of the best NCAA players instantly (let's say better than Marciulionis from the scratch). If he's not coming, Rubstavicius should be invited. Don't get confused with his slow start, he will be huge at some point of the season and the best Lietkabelis players at the end of the season.

Overall starting line-up with Rokas, Iggy, Buzelis, Sedekerskis, Sabonis would have enough ISO and athleticism to be the best line-up since 2015 I'm guessing (or put it Sirvydis instead of Iggy). We would be far from true contenders still, but having Buzelis and integrating other new pieces would be huge step forward for building real deal team for 2027-2028.

 

[Hepcat2]

giedraitis completely shut down euroleague's star kevin punter as if it was nothing. i dont want hear idiotic takes like he wouldn't have any impact on the national team or even worse "normantas is better" ever again.

You extrapolate from one game to "ever"? May I remind you that "ever" is a very long time? Let's wait until at least Xmas when the players have a couple dozen games under their belts before making any bold assessments, shall we? Yes, yes, I know, I know, Dovis Giedraitis is among your personal favourites but a touch of objectivity looking at players' production over a statistically significant number of games is invariably necessary.

 

[Hepcat2]

NT should look something like this in 2025:

Jokubaitis, Marciulionis
Brazdeikis, D. Giedraits (Rubstavicius/Jakucionis)
Buzelis, Sirvydis
Sedekerskis, Tubelis, Murauskas
Sabonis, Valanciunas

We have to slowly integrate new future dominant wings as Buzelis, Murauskas.

​

Those two players should be "integrated " into the team only when they show enough to be worth integrating. We shall see when and if that occurs.

And if Deividas Sirvydis was indeed a cancer on the team last summer, I'd think very carefully before inviting him again regardless of his numbers.

IIf he's not coming, Rubstavicius should be invited. Don't get confused with his slow start, he will be huge at some point of the season and the best Lietkabelis players at the end of the season.

Cut the crap. You could insert anybody's name instead of Mantas Rubštavičius and your statement would be no less "accurate". So far Rubštavičius has been unimpressive. That's the extent of it and that's all we know.

 

[Shawshank2]

Kurtinaitis always says only possitive things about Rokas Giedraitis he easily can not just taken but be top 9 rotation player in Kurtis offensive chaotic systems

Radzevicius is way more ready to help NT in 2025 than Rubstavicius.

Radzevicius one of few lithuanians who plays two way basketball. He is right now at age and level where Butkevicius was in 2019 in Rytas.


But looking at lithuanians clubs results in europe its disaster.

LTU best clubs started season 1-8 in europe.


Lkl levels is really not high and we can see that when they play in europe competions.

No suprise that NT is struggling last 10 years seeing lithuanian club results too. It has connection with each other.

 

[Straight forward2]

This crossed my mind as well. R. Giedraitis is one of Kurtinaitis favorites. But I hope Kurtis will understand we have to move on. We sucked a cock so long and we have no chance to achieve anything with current vets as Grigonis, R. Giedraitis, Ulanovas and so on.

Radzevicius yes, he might be better and I personally like him, but this 2025 NT shouldn't be just picked to have the best chance to win in 2025, but more like to start building the team with SERIOUS UPSIDE. There's no chance with average players to win in today's FIBA. It's not freakin' 2014 WC anymore. So it's meaningless to even try. Push for THE TALENT. That's the only way we can succeed and build our winning culture again. Better to tank a bit in 2025, giving few spots for truly upcoming game changers, and have them more ready for 2027, then to ride with mediocres and pretend that we stand a chance.

Buzelis, Jakucionis should be big priority already. I start to realize Jakucionis has to play already in 2025. All signs are he will be good in NCAA and drafted high. He was ready to be important player in ACB this season. He could be a big player for some average ACB team. In 2025 he could come and come from the bench as dynamic, electric guard with amazing decision making and deadly step back. He would be a bit wild, but I would give him a role from the bench and see how it goes. I don't even exclude the possibility that KJ this summer will be the most dangerius true guard WITH THE BALL already. He is different. And Jokubaitis has been lethargic last few years. Barca spoiled Rokas, but it didn't spoiled Jakucionis. It shows how differently those 2 took the attitude towards development. KJ was working methodically, Jokubaitis was thinking he will become elite guard without much of effort. He never looked as physically ready as in first Barca's season ever again. He eats trash, it easy to see, and he doesn't work out enough, he's chubby and now his fingers collapses, that's about inflammation, bad food and bad habits (lack of sleep). With this injuries come.

Kurtinaitis may collect the team from vets and try to win desperately or he may start rebuild and I would be big proponent of the latter. We already wasted too many time on scrubs and pretended that we can win something with trash too long. We have to move towards the talent with full force.