H
Hepcat
Guest
I watched that on my computer screen at the time and I was aghast. I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
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Straight forward2
Guest
What percentage of NBA players are lefties?
Left-handed players comprised 5.1% of all professional basketball players compared to the 11% prevalence in the general population
I'm super surprised how many lefties we have recently at PROs. The number is actually shocking. I mean in 90s we had one Marciulionis (and well Maskoliunas who left little impact). In 00s we didn't have any lefties, zero as NT goes. In 10s Jankunas and D-Mo. This year NT had 4 lefties in the roster. But basically we can field the entire roster of high quality lefties.
Motiejunas, D. Sabonis, Birutis, Tubelis, Ulanovas, Brazdeikis, Sirvydis, Rustavicius, Lekavicius, Jokubaitis, Kariniauskas, Janavicius
There's a theoretical possibility that we will field all lefties drafted lineup one day:
Jokubaitis
Rubstavicius
Brazdeikis, Sirvydis
Tubelis
Sabonis
The data on lefty players vary. Some treat them as instantly harder to guard, while analytics don't see too obvious advantages when it comes to the NBA. But Lithuania will have strange rosters in the future when half players will be lefties.
Left-handed players comprised 5.1% of all professional basketball players compared to the 11% prevalence in the general population
I'm super surprised how many lefties we have recently at PROs. The number is actually shocking. I mean in 90s we had one Marciulionis (and well Maskoliunas who left little impact). In 00s we didn't have any lefties, zero as NT goes. In 10s Jankunas and D-Mo. This year NT had 4 lefties in the roster. But basically we can field the entire roster of high quality lefties.
Motiejunas, D. Sabonis, Birutis, Tubelis, Ulanovas, Brazdeikis, Sirvydis, Rustavicius, Lekavicius, Jokubaitis, Kariniauskas, Janavicius
There's a theoretical possibility that we will field all lefties drafted lineup one day:
Jokubaitis
Rubstavicius
Brazdeikis, Sirvydis
Tubelis
Sabonis
The data on lefty players vary. Some treat them as instantly harder to guard, while analytics don't see too obvious advantages when it comes to the NBA. But Lithuania will have strange rosters in the future when half players will be lefties.
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Straight forward2
Guest
"We definitely were not weaker than France in 2013..." Ar you fucking kidding me? 
International superstar Parker alone was worth more than entire our roster. Then Diaw, Batum! Compare that with one legged Kleiza and Kalnietis, Maciulis. Completely rubbish claim. "We really were better team than Russia in 2007". It is not so idiotic claim as previous, but is it right? Who was the best player on the court by both teams? Definitely Kirilenko, not Jasikevicius or Siskauskas. They also had elite 2 ways wing Khriapa and elite PG Holden. The same Lithuania homerism talked before the game against Slovenia 2021. I mean they had mega super duper star in the great shape Doncic and the whole team was electric in term of chemistry, but no, most Lithuanians thought we are favourtes...
I mean...dude...We have to admit we even underrated Spain in 2022. Sure, it was the weakest Spain in many years, but did we have such elite PG as Brown? No. Did we have such defensive big as Garuba? No. So why we were so arrogant? Even Willy was playing up to the level of JV/Domas.
2 things. Lithuanian homerism should be navigable. And are there more money thirsty guys in the world as basketnews.lt recently? It's beyond pathetic...I hope they won't sell their relatives for few bite clicks and their so loved "patreons"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi_OcKxQA9g&ab_channel=BasketNews․LT
International superstar Parker alone was worth more than entire our roster. Then Diaw, Batum! Compare that with one legged Kleiza and Kalnietis, Maciulis. Completely rubbish claim. "We really were better team than Russia in 2007". It is not so idiotic claim as previous, but is it right? Who was the best player on the court by both teams? Definitely Kirilenko, not Jasikevicius or Siskauskas. They also had elite 2 ways wing Khriapa and elite PG Holden. The same Lithuania homerism talked before the game against Slovenia 2021. I mean they had mega super duper star in the great shape Doncic and the whole team was electric in term of chemistry, but no, most Lithuanians thought we are favourtes... I mean...dude...We have to admit we even underrated Spain in 2022. Sure, it was the weakest Spain in many years, but did we have such elite PG as Brown? No. Did we have such defensive big as Garuba? No. So why we were so arrogant? Even Willy was playing up to the level of JV/Domas. 2 things. Lithuanian homerism should be navigable. And are there more money thirsty guys in the world as basketnews.lt recently?
It's beyond pathetic...I hope they won't sell their relatives for few bite clicks and their so loved "patreons" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi_OcKxQA9g&ab_channel=BasketNews․LT
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Straight forward2
Guest
Best defensive line-up all time:
Marciulionis
Siskauskas
Timinskas
Maciulis
Javtokas
Chomicius, Maskoliunas
Seibutis
M. Zukauskas
T. Masiulis, Jankunas
Young. A Sabonis
PS: OK, I missed pre-injury D-Mo. He was pretty good, basically 2 ways. But was a bit soft down low and wasn't a good rebounder for his size. And rarely went for blocks.
Marciulionis
Siskauskas
Timinskas
Maciulis
Javtokas
Chomicius, Maskoliunas
Seibutis
M. Zukauskas
T. Masiulis, Jankunas
Young. A Sabonis
PS: OK, I missed pre-injury D-Mo. He was pretty good, basically 2 ways. But was a bit soft down low and wasn't a good rebounder for his size. And rarely went for blocks.
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Straight forward2
Guest
Holly shit! I missed Butkevicius The apple was so low that I unconciously missed it He is definitely top 12 all time.
The apple was so low that I unconciously missed it He is definitely top 12 all time.
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Straight forward2
Guest
Top 5 all time hustle players:
S. Marciulionis
R. Seibutis
J. Maciulis
A. Butkevicius
M. Lukauskis
To mention: T. Masiulis, M. Zukauskas, D. Maskoliunas, G. Krapikas, V. Chomicius, R. Javtokas, T. Sedekerskis (it's unfair thus far cause he didn't even make NT yet, but he surely qualify as one of the best, IMO), R. Matulis, Robertas Giedraitis, A. Jomantas, Lipkevicius, Salenga, Kuciauskas, Ginevicius, P. Jankunas, Z.Urbonas, Ulanovas.
Probably some 10-15 more names could be added, but I'll stop here.
Agreed?
Suspects for the top in the future: Sedekerskis, D. Giedraitis, A. Marciulionis, Krivas, Padegimas, K. Jakucionis.
S. Marciulionis
R. Seibutis
J. Maciulis
A. Butkevicius
M. Lukauskis
To mention: T. Masiulis, M. Zukauskas, D. Maskoliunas, G. Krapikas, V. Chomicius, R. Javtokas, T. Sedekerskis (it's unfair thus far cause he didn't even make NT yet, but he surely qualify as one of the best, IMO), R. Matulis, Robertas Giedraitis, A. Jomantas, Lipkevicius, Salenga, Kuciauskas, Ginevicius, P. Jankunas, Z.Urbonas, Ulanovas.
Probably some 10-15 more names could be added, but I'll stop here.
Agreed?
Suspects for the top in the future: Sedekerskis, D. Giedraitis, A. Marciulionis, Krivas, Padegimas, K. Jakucionis.
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LuDux
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LuDux
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Straight forward2
Guest
That's it. The best guard of 10's retires. Kalnietis left a deep mark on NT history. Three medals, a lot of wins. A lot of heart. He never was elite player, but in the NT he was playing on the different level and showed terrific example of fighting spirit and loyalty.
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Shawshank2
Guest
I never saw more diffrent level wise player than Kalnietis with NT jersey and some club jersey.
One NT record book stats says it what he meant for NT as floor general
All time asssists leaders
1. Kalnietis 484
2. Jasikevicius 483
after that huge gab
3.Marciulionis 196
4.Karnisovas 183
5.Siskauskas 156
in order to come even close to first 2 leaders new guard must play like 10-11 fiba tournaments and be top 10 all tournament assist category like Saras and Mantas always were.
One NT record book stats says it what he meant for NT as floor general
All time asssists leaders
1. Kalnietis 484
2. Jasikevicius 483
after that huge gab
3.Marciulionis 196
4.Karnisovas 183
5.Siskauskas 156
in order to come even close to first 2 leaders new guard must play like 10-11 fiba tournaments and be top 10 all tournament assist category like Saras and Mantas always were.
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Straight forward2
Guest
Since 2010s ltu basketball had 3 (top 10 ever level) tallents Kleiza,Valanciunas,Sabonis
Obviuosly in your horoscopes you predict lithuania will have like 4 such players soon in few years
What are top 10 players? Only NT or Ilgauskas included?
Let's see:
A. Sabonis
S. Marciulionis
A. Karnisovas
R. Kurtinaitis
S. Jasikevicius
A. Macijauskas
R. Siskauskas
L. Kleiza
J. Valanciunas
D. Sabonis
Ilgauskas should be in, if not NT. Also Stombergas is at the borderline (let's leave Chomicius, Jovaisa out of this as they peaked in pre-modern era).
Anyway, I see 2 player who can sneak in or to be at the same level as currently top 10 - that's Jokubaitis, Buzelis. Two players. On other hand, Murauskas and N. Indrusaitis might be also candidates, but I'm confident that Jokubaitis and Buzelis are 2 keys for this decade.
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Shawshank2
Guest
M.Paulauskas over R.Kurtinaitis for sure from historical standpoint .Fiba hall of famer and Kurtinaitis is not.
being top 10 all time is very big shoes.
at 21 Paulauskas MVP in eurobasket 1965
at 23 Marciulionis made all tournament team in eurobasket team 1987. And was leading scorer in Olympic gold medalist in 1988
at 23 Macijauskas should have been all tournament team in eurobasket 2003. (he didnt make just because Saras and Parker was nba champion by positions,but Macas was more important than Stombergas who made instead ).At 24 was leading scorer of olympic semifinal team.
at 24 Jasikevicius would be all tournament Olympic team in 2000 (if such teams would be selected)
At 21 Sabonis eurobasket mvp in 1985
At 23 Valanciunas eurobasket 2015 all tournament team
those all timers were great very early so called generational tallents.
Jokubaitis will be 23 in world champ,what i saw in 2022 he isnt even close to be in all tournament conversations.
So put Rokas with ltu all timers as projections i would say is brave horoscope prediction or simply lack of historical knowledge about all time greats
Let Rokas first overcome Kalnietis NT level and maybe then try to compare with ltu basketball legends in lets say 4 years from now.
being top 10 all time is very big shoes.
at 21 Paulauskas MVP in eurobasket 1965
at 23 Marciulionis made all tournament team in eurobasket team 1987. And was leading scorer in Olympic gold medalist in 1988
at 23 Macijauskas should have been all tournament team in eurobasket 2003. (he didnt make just because Saras and Parker was nba champion by positions,but Macas was more important than Stombergas who made instead ).At 24 was leading scorer of olympic semifinal team.
at 24 Jasikevicius would be all tournament Olympic team in 2000 (if such teams would be selected)
At 21 Sabonis eurobasket mvp in 1985
At 23 Valanciunas eurobasket 2015 all tournament team
those all timers were great very early so called generational tallents.
Jokubaitis will be 23 in world champ,what i saw in 2022 he isnt even close to be in all tournament conversations.
So put Rokas with ltu all timers as projections i would say is brave horoscope prediction or simply lack of historical knowledge about all time greats
Let Rokas first overcome Kalnietis NT level and maybe then try to compare with ltu basketball legends in lets say 4 years from now.
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Straight forward2
Guest
Not all player are early bloomers from top 10 of all time and they shouldn't be. You just picked exactly ones and made it look like it's status quo. Siskauskas, Jasikevicius, Valanciunas, D. Sabonis were not making any all tournament teams as young players.
I think you missed my post. Do your calculations one more time.
My point is very simple. Jokubaitis will be better than Kalnietis and more or less (it can go easily to any way) in the same tier with Jasikevicius. If you don't see it, you don't really see basketball. But relax, you're not good with prospects or figuring out different contexts. Jokubaitis today is basically in the same situation as prime Kalnietis when it comes to Euroleague. Unleash current Jokubaitis for 28mpg in mid tier EL club as Lokomotiv, and he would even today give you probably even more than 9.4ppg, 4.8apg, 11,8pir. I could surely see these numbers even today, more or less. Today Jokubaitis would be starting level PG in Zalgiris. Kalnietis never ever was able to fill this position, even prime Kalnietis when he split ways with Zalgiris and went to Armani (while Jokubaitis last season was able to carry Barca as a starting player when Calathes was injured, he was in double digits playing 20+ minutes and Barca remained winning team). Zalgiris tried to give Kalnietis this position, but he couldn't cope with it. Nor Kalnietis was ever good enough to be solid role player of elite EL team (Kalnietis is good only when you give him full control and full freedom, just as he got in the NT or Lokomotive 20/21 when he was MVP of VTB). Jokubaitis is 4th most valuable player in 2022 EB, being 21yo, right after JV, Domas, Grigonis. In 4 years, he'll be better than Kalnietis in EL by far, and also in the NT too, despite Kalnietis being huge NT overachiever. He's already better role player than Kalnietis ever was in EL. He adapts to different situations better, he reads the game better, he's more consistent and versatile scorer/decision maker. Jokubaitis is 4th most efficient Barca's player in ACB with 10.8pir, and teams really go hard on them. Once Jokubaitis will be finished product physically, and he will get bigger role in the NT, he will be better player than Kalnietis without any doubt, unless his development would be stopped by injuries or some major disturbances.
Have in mind that Jokubaitis in EB with 26mpg, 7,7shots produced 9.3pir and he had a good 13pts, 15pir knock out game against Spain. That's 21yo kid.
Kalnietis 2013 played 32mpg, took 12shots, and had 10,4pir.
Kalnietis 2015 played 34mpg, took plenty shots, 9,7pir.
Just in comparison 21yo Jokubaitis had more efficiency 9,3 than 24yo Kalnietis in 2010 WC 8.1. Both played similar minutes 25-26.
In other words, Jokubaitis is already very very close prime Kalnietis level. And, off course, the game was very different. Jokubaitis wasn't unleashed for full action as Kalnietis. He was often played without the ball, watching Grigonis, Brazdeikis operating, feeding bigs inside. In 2013-2015 everything was going through Kalnietis in the first place. When Jokubaitis will have more tools and will be trusted as the main aggressor and protagonist, his numbers will only go up.
I think you missed my post. Do your calculations one more time.
My point is very simple. Jokubaitis will be better than Kalnietis and more or less (it can go easily to any way) in the same tier with Jasikevicius. If you don't see it, you don't really see basketball. But relax, you're not good with prospects or figuring out different contexts. Jokubaitis today is basically in the same situation as prime Kalnietis when it comes to Euroleague. Unleash current Jokubaitis for 28mpg in mid tier EL club as Lokomotiv, and he would even today give you probably even more than 9.4ppg, 4.8apg, 11,8pir. I could surely see these numbers even today, more or less. Today Jokubaitis would be starting level PG in Zalgiris. Kalnietis never ever was able to fill this position, even prime Kalnietis when he split ways with Zalgiris and went to Armani (while Jokubaitis last season was able to carry Barca as a starting player when Calathes was injured, he was in double digits playing 20+ minutes and Barca remained winning team). Zalgiris tried to give Kalnietis this position, but he couldn't cope with it. Nor Kalnietis was ever good enough to be solid role player of elite EL team (Kalnietis is good only when you give him full control and full freedom, just as he got in the NT or Lokomotive 20/21 when he was MVP of VTB). Jokubaitis is 4th most valuable player in 2022 EB, being 21yo, right after JV, Domas, Grigonis. In 4 years, he'll be better than Kalnietis in EL by far, and also in the NT too, despite Kalnietis being huge NT overachiever. He's already better role player than Kalnietis ever was in EL. He adapts to different situations better, he reads the game better, he's more consistent and versatile scorer/decision maker. Jokubaitis is 4th most efficient Barca's player in ACB with 10.8pir, and teams really go hard on them. Once Jokubaitis will be finished product physically, and he will get bigger role in the NT, he will be better player than Kalnietis without any doubt, unless his development would be stopped by injuries or some major disturbances.
Have in mind that Jokubaitis in EB with 26mpg, 7,7shots produced 9.3pir and he had a good 13pts, 15pir knock out game against Spain. That's 21yo kid.
Kalnietis 2013 played 32mpg, took 12shots, and had 10,4pir.
Kalnietis 2015 played 34mpg, took plenty shots, 9,7pir.
Just in comparison 21yo Jokubaitis had more efficiency 9,3 than 24yo Kalnietis in 2010 WC 8.1. Both played similar minutes 25-26.
In other words, Jokubaitis is already very very close prime Kalnietis level. And, off course, the game was very different. Jokubaitis wasn't unleashed for full action as Kalnietis. He was often played without the ball, watching Grigonis, Brazdeikis operating, feeding bigs inside. In 2013-2015 everything was going through Kalnietis in the first place. When Jokubaitis will have more tools and will be trusted as the main aggressor and protagonist, his numbers will only go up.
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Straight forward2
Guest
OK, JV won it 2015, but it was his 5th tournament with the NT too. Fact is Karnisovas, Siskauskas, Jasikevicius, D. Sabonis, Macijauskas and so on didn't. But I never count in Paulauskas and such. He deserves it, but I doubt any guy here seen his greatness with his own eyes live or even some sort of video tapes...Nothing to take away from Paulauskas, I'm just saying I keep away from things IDK. I don't even judge Jovaisa and Chomicius cause I was too young in their prime.
BTW, Jokubaitis will be 22yo in WC. Yeah, like 2,5 months away 23, but the fact is he will be 22yo, and only in Olympics 23yo. JV as 21yo, 2013EB played 16mpg, scored 6,5ppg, 8pir and scored 2.3ppg in in the knock out stage...Compare this with Jokubaitis 9.3pir and one of leading roles against Spain in knock out stage.
BTW, Jokubaitis will be 22yo in WC. Yeah, like 2,5 months away 23, but the fact is he will be 22yo, and only in Olympics 23yo. JV as 21yo, 2013EB played 16mpg, scored 6,5ppg, 8pir and scored 2.3ppg in in the knock out stage...Compare this with Jokubaitis 9.3pir and one of leading roles against Spain in knock out stage.
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Shawshank2
Guest
I dont count monthes if player is born in 2000 and tournament is played in 2023 player is 23 in my book.
Sabonis in 1985 also was only 20 but i count as 21. Same with Paulauskas he was 20 in 1965.
I dont see point compare stats from diffrent eras . I care more where player was to his era players in pecking order thats how greatness of players is judged.
Kalnietis in 2010 played better than Jokubaitis in 2022 in my eyes who watched games closely because Mantas wasnt outplayed in every single game ending in close games by opponents guards . Thats their stats eff diffrence was 1 or 2 pts to one or other side thats says nothing to me.
As main playmaker Kalnietis run and controled team better in 2010 than Jokubaitis did in 2022.But Mantas was 2 years older so lets give time to Jokubaitis time to mature and become smarter.
That 2022s players is way more skilled players than 1965 Paulauskas was ofcourse 100%.Same like today nba centers scores more pts and shoots from distance way better than Bill Rusell did in 1965.
But thats not how greatness is judged. Not by stats from diffrent eras,but by players achievements in his own era.
Sabonis in 1985 also was only 20 but i count as 21. Same with Paulauskas he was 20 in 1965.
I dont see point compare stats from diffrent eras . I care more where player was to his era players in pecking order thats how greatness of players is judged.
Kalnietis in 2010 played better than Jokubaitis in 2022 in my eyes who watched games closely because Mantas wasnt outplayed in every single game ending in close games by opponents guards . Thats their stats eff diffrence was 1 or 2 pts to one or other side thats says nothing to me.
As main playmaker Kalnietis run and controled team better in 2010 than Jokubaitis did in 2022.But Mantas was 2 years older so lets give time to Jokubaitis time to mature and become smarter.
That 2022s players is way more skilled players than 1965 Paulauskas was ofcourse 100%.Same like today nba centers scores more pts and shoots from distance way better than Bill Rusell did in 1965.
But thats not how greatness is judged. Not by stats from diffrent eras,but by players achievements in his own era.
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Straight forward2
Guest
It's very debatable. Cause there's so many similarities in terms of Kalnietis 2010 and Jokubaitis 2022 performances. A bit up and down in the tournament and more consistent performances down the stretch of the tournament. Kalnietis had 3.4asp/1,8TO, Jokubaitis 4apg/2TO. I basically agree that Kalnietis looked more convincing, he played better defence and at that point was a little better athlete that current Jokubaitis, but I'm not sure about the control of the game. It's really close. That's exactly my point. 21,7yo Jokubaitis was basically playing the same quality basketball as 24yo Kalnietis and that was my exact prediction before EB. I expected that.
Again, it's not really important whenever great players brake out, being 22 or 25, or when do they make all tournament team. Siskauskas made all tournament team only when he was 29 in EB 07. But he's absolutely top 10 all time Lithuanian player, one of the most complete players ever seen.
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Shawshank2
Guest
For me nothing debatable there. When Kalnietis had ball in 2010 i felt ball is in safe/smart hands,when Rokas had ball in 2022 far from that
Kalnietis in 2010 was not a little bit better athlete,he was dunking from free throw line in those days and flying over the floor in fast breaks. Jokubaitis cant do that.
Siskauskas at 22 in 2000 Olympics when he was NT rookie Kazlauskas put in starting 5 together with Stombergas (over older Timinskas) and asked Ramunas guard all best guards/wings.
Siskauskas offensively can say break through in 2005,but in 2003-2004 he was one of 4 key offensive players+ always was asked to guard opponnets leaders and be part time PG also.
If coach needed Siskauskas could average 15pts already in 2003 no problem,but coach needed diffrent things from him in that offensively loaded team.
Those top 10 all timers ltu players already were very good at 21-23 old age in men NT. Better than what Jokubaitis shown in 2022 eurobasket.
Thats why i always say there are generational tallents that comes like 2-3 players per decade and 99% of players *others* with lower standarts for them
Kalnietis in 2010 was not a little bit better athlete,he was dunking from free throw line in those days and flying over the floor in fast breaks. Jokubaitis cant do that.
Siskauskas at 22 in 2000 Olympics when he was NT rookie Kazlauskas put in starting 5 together with Stombergas (over older Timinskas) and asked Ramunas guard all best guards/wings.
Siskauskas offensively can say break through in 2005,but in 2003-2004 he was one of 4 key offensive players+ always was asked to guard opponnets leaders and be part time PG also.
If coach needed Siskauskas could average 15pts already in 2003 no problem,but coach needed diffrent things from him in that offensively loaded team.
Those top 10 all timers ltu players already were very good at 21-23 old age in men NT. Better than what Jokubaitis shown in 2022 eurobasket.
Thats why i always say there are generational tallents that comes like 2-3 players per decade and 99% of players *others* with lower standarts for them
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Straight forward2
Guest
Well, that team was successful so everything about it seems to be better. But the fact is that Jokubaitis didn't turn the ball over more than Kalnietis and dished a bit more assist per minute than Kalnietis did. There was no fundamental difference between 10 Kalnietis and 22 Jokubaitis. As I wrote before, Jokubaitis' efficiency rating was even better. I mean he had 13pts, 5assists, 15eff, only 2tos playing 32 minutes against Spain. You can't ask more than that, Kalnietis wasn't doing more than that in WC. And it was really close game. I'm not even sure which team is better - 2010 or 2022, despite 2010 being more successful.
Again, we should compare only PGs. Jasikevicius as 21-22yo wasn't as ready to contribute as Jokubaitis. And it's not even a debate that 21-22yo Jokubaitis was better than Kalnietis of this age. It's nut even close. 20yo Kalnietis was a nut case and streetballer. Macas was constantly yelling on him for constant nonsense ball hogging. And he was no-body, bench warmer on trashy Zalgiris team. Jokubaitis already had a solid season with Zalgiris (under Schiller) and solid showing in Olympic qualification.
So ATM Jokubaitis is a head of Saras and way a head of Kalnietis, looking retrospectively. And it's not only that. Not even Jasikevicius had such consistent decision making as a prospect, didn't have such clutch gene (again, 21yo made tons of clutch points for Barca last season). That what makes him special and very likely to end up at the level of all time top 10 eventually.
It's not really fair to compare Jokubaitis with Siskauskas and Macijauskas. They were playing position 2 generally, so their job was scoring mainly. And, again, Macijauskas was 23,5yo when he rocked in 2003, Siskauskas already broke out in 2003 with 15ppg but he was 25yo at that time. So far we only seen how 21,8yo Jokubaitis played and he played pretty good, among top 4 players. When he will be 23.8yo in Olympic qualification 24, we will be expecting a little bit more, even if I feel like he will truly brake out in 2025.
Again, we should compare only PGs. Jasikevicius as 21-22yo wasn't as ready to contribute as Jokubaitis. And it's not even a debate that 21-22yo Jokubaitis was better than Kalnietis of this age. It's nut even close. 20yo Kalnietis was a nut case and streetballer. Macas was constantly yelling on him for constant nonsense ball hogging. And he was no-body, bench warmer on trashy Zalgiris team. Jokubaitis already had a solid season with Zalgiris (under Schiller) and solid showing in Olympic qualification.
So ATM Jokubaitis is a head of Saras and way a head of Kalnietis, looking retrospectively. And it's not only that. Not even Jasikevicius had such consistent decision making as a prospect, didn't have such clutch gene (again, 21yo made tons of clutch points for Barca last season). That what makes him special and very likely to end up at the level of all time top 10 eventually.
It's not really fair to compare Jokubaitis with Siskauskas and Macijauskas. They were playing position 2 generally, so their job was scoring mainly. And, again, Macijauskas was 23,5yo when he rocked in 2003, Siskauskas already broke out in 2003 with 15ppg but he was 25yo at that time. So far we only seen how 21,8yo Jokubaitis played and he played pretty good, among top 4 players. When he will be 23.8yo in Olympic qualification 24, we will be expecting a little bit more, even if I feel like he will truly brake out in 2025.
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Straight forward2
Guest
I think you also should understand better the fact that Jokubaitis is 3rd youngest EL player to reach 400 total PIR and 3rd youngest to reach 200 total assists. The majority of those came from playing for a knock out stage chasing Zalgiris and elite club Barca. Only players like Rubio, Doncic are a head of him. That alone is huge indication that not only Jokubaitis might end up being top 10 all time Lith player, but might even be aiming for something more than that in whole Europe context.
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Straight forward2
Guest
About athleticism. You're also wrong thinking Jokubaitis can't run. He's terrific in open court. At times hardly stoppable. Can go coast to coast. Kalnietis was a better leaper, but that's it. I could even argue that Jokubaitis has tougher body core and deals with the contact better than Kalnietis while slashing. Yes, Kalnietis was a better athlete a bit, but not by far. Ability to dunk from FT is far from what athelticism mean
https://twitter.com/EurohoopsTR/status/1566430320307601409
https://twitter.com/EurohoopsTR/status/1566430320307601409
And there's the difference. Jokubaitis is incomparably more skilled, smooth and better decision maker. 22yo Kalnietis (or even probably Saras) could only dream about such things. Yet another clutch bucket against Valencia after a nasty hesitation move, and how much he runs Barca's offensive possession in last minutes. Impressive.
https://twitter.com/gaboloaizaperez/status/1622722915547357187
https://twitter.com/EurohoopsTR/status/1566430320307601409
https://twitter.com/EurohoopsTR/status/1566430320307601409
And there's the difference. Jokubaitis is incomparably more skilled, smooth and better decision maker. 22yo Kalnietis (or even probably Saras) could only dream about such things. Yet another clutch bucket against Valencia after a nasty hesitation move, and how much he runs Barca's offensive possession in last minutes. Impressive.
https://twitter.com/gaboloaizaperez/status/1622722915547357187