Zalias, pretty much spot on. You're one of rare hopes of this dying forum as new sensible poster. NT still has the depth and quality just lacking expressed leader or two in the perimeter. And we have pieces for that to emerge.
Now with the boomer redneck there's millions of problems as always.
FOA, you don't have precise eye on basketball and thus rely on some very abstract and vague takes. You never precise and analytical enough. Just putting everything into rigid primitive schemes.
FOA, why to take Australia or France as an examples of drafting and not to take Serbia or Germany? Serbia got only Jovic drafted high recently and he became a player. Now they got Topic and he will also be a player. Germany had only Franz as high drafted and he became a player. Slovenia had only one true first rounder Doncic and he became GOAT.
Lithuania had Sabonis, Ilgauskas, Kleiza, Motiejunas, Valanciunas, Sabonis as first rounders and all of them became players, either solid/great. Not a single first round LTU pick didn't become a bust. Marciulionis also had to be first rounder, he would be today, probably top 10 easily, and he didn't become a bust. I have little doubt that Buzelis will be a player as first round pick, good player, and if Jakucionis will show further stable stand out development, he also will be a player. I believe we are pretty good with lottery
Like 100% successful so far
Another problem with all these France and Australia's or even Canada's picks is that you don't have an eye on players. People who understand BB saw that Giddey is special and he's delivering. Exhum never was that kind. So you have to always see at individuals. When I saw Franz's highlights of NCAA I instantly saw it. You either have an eye on basketball or you don't. And you, boomer redneck, simply don't have it.
Another mistake you make. You don't evaluate full holistic picture. Kaspa and Nojus balled big time, but the team sucked. And you don't get it. You don't get it that Australia has worse frontcourt than other contenders and that's the reason why they lost (but they were very close to win big things). It's not only about the starts or superstars, but the BALANCE. Look how Doncic is helpless with Slovenia which is not deep and fundamentally sound team. When I have to say these things for grandpa I feel really bad cause it's cringey. I feel sorry for you.
So when you say that Buzelis is just another piece like some of those French first round picks it only shows that you're completely clueless. You can't even separate players who have upside to play WITH THE BALL from those who don't have it. Buezelis is completely different piece compared to Sarr or Risacher cause he has handles and ability to create for himself and others. But it's useless to say to you these things, you don't get it. You're too primitive.
Another thing. 2022 was won by elite EL guard as the key. Serbia snatched a medal last year with only one NBA role player Bogi. France in Olympics won the silver with their best guard Fournier dropping shabby 9.8ppg. Where the dominant guard? France didn't have, but they had a great team with great size, depth and defensive presence. So all this primitive talk like you must have guard superstar to do it (like Luka is winning any medals...) is another harsh and stupid reduction. It's about the whole picture the whole team. Lithuania controlled the game against Spain for the biggest part in 2022 and blew it the last second drama. We could easily win medals in 2022 with some better coaching (like Sedekerskis being present) and luck.
Another thing. In 2023 and 2024 top 6 teams had no naturalized players.
Naturalized players don't work with some extremely rare exceptions that nearly don't exist. Look at Turkey with elite El guards sucking balls. And it's even hard to find an elite second rate American to naturalized. So I'm just laughing hearing suggestions to naturalize some undrafted scrub who reached decent EL level at best when we have lottery Buzelis and likely lottery or first round Jakucionis. Yeah give me some fucking undrafted scrub instead of them and a random guy from no-where. You're fucking nuts dudes.
