All time NT

[Straight forward2]

Today is 20 year anniversary of our golden NT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aAqXd7BKsI

E. Zukauskas long arms and defensive presence gave us a win against Latvians. He was huge with that rim protection presence. We badly badly miss that. Off course, in today's game you also want your center to be able to move, but Tavares factor is still alive even in today's game. Any sort of defensive center would be a big boost.

My bold prediction is that in the stretch 2027-2035 we will snatch another modern title in one of the tournaments (if Buzelis plays in that stretch).

 

[Shawshank2]

I always thought combined 60+ pts from perimeter players Jasikevicius,Siskauskas,Macijauskas gave LTU win vs Latvia

 

[Straight forward2]

I always thought combined 60+ pts from perimeter players Jasikevicius,Siskauskas,Macijauskas gave LTU win vs Latvia

I meant that last game winning stop of Eurelijus. Lithuania was up 92:91, but Latvia had that last pretty good look (Macijauskas wasn't able to stay in front of Latvian guard) and Eurelijus big blocking attempt really helped. If not that, 60pts would be meaningless. Just as there are game winning shots, there are game winning defensive stops. 2:29 in the video.

 

[Dreamcatcher2]

And it's also the lack of dialogue culture which is common among post soviets.

You could do better pointing out post-sovietism as one of the reasons why Lithuania didn't succeed in the WC.

 

[Hepcat2]

Folks should notice that my criticism is always analytical, teleological and not personal.

You've called four or five Lithuanian national team players "absolute trash" in just the past few weeks. In the context of basketball discussion, that's personal. Granted these players all certainly have their weaknesses, but they're all pretty good in certain ways and better than the other players from which the coaching staff could choose.

 

[Hepcat2]

Lithuanian NT 2016-2023 in a nutshell:

https://twitter.com/serbestatis_co/status/1699007988483101025

Bogdan Bogdanovic showed some great moves in the above video and that's actually a very tough shot (a layup over an extended hand while moving away from the basket) he ended up making. A Serbian fan posted that video to celebrate Bogdanovic's abilities.

 

[LuDux2]

You've called four or five Lithuanian national team players "absolute trash" in just the past few weeks. In the context of basketball discussion, that's personal. Granted these players all certainly have their weaknesses, but they're all pretty good in certain ways and better than the other players from which the coaching staff could choose.

it's like Mirotic12 and Vladimir Romanov had a baby. Little angry baby

 

[Straight forward2]

You've called four or five Lithuanian national team players "absolute trash" in just the past few weeks. In the context of basketball discussion, that's personal. Granted these players all certainly have their weaknesses, but they're all pretty good in certain ways and better than the other players from which the coaching staff could choose.

It's not personal at all. Like at all. What Maldunas is in NT context? Trash. There's no better word. This is common and absolutely legit, neutral world of describing something bad in basketball context. Maldunas shouldn't even be close NT with his level, he's galaxies away basically. He's not even on the level of say Klimavicius who played for Zalgiris (made it in 2010). You follow this forum so much and still didn't get my style of commenting. If I see a player who is trash, I say he's trash. If I see sun shinning, I say it's sun shinning not the moon or anything else. What, Maldunas is decent/solid/good in the NT? No, trash. I'm saying this in super neutral and calm note.

JV is trash at defense and total trash in p'n'r defense. What will you say it's offensive or personal too? Trash is trash. Gold is gold. Canada is Canada.

 

[Hepcat2]

It's not personal at all. Like at all. What Maldunas is in NT context? Trash. There's no better word. This is common and absolutely legit, neutral world of describing something bad in basketball context. Maldunas shouldn't even be close NT with his level, he's galaxies away basically. He's not even on the level of say Klimavicius who played for Zalgiris (made it in 2010).

Gabrielius Maldūnas was the best alternative. When Laurynas Birutis declded not to participate, the job of third string C/PF went to Maldūnas when he outcompeted Donatas Tarolis for the slot on the team.

 

[Straight forward2]

Gabrielius Maldūnas was the best alternative. When Laurynas Birutis declded not to participate, the job of third string C/PF went to Maldūnas when he outcompeted Donatas Tarolis for the slot on the team.

That doesn't make him not a trash in the NT context. Sometimes you have to go with trash as 11-12 pieces. That's all.

 

[Shawshank2]

sometimes is way better to have lesser player in minimal role spot than higher quality player who cant accept 4minutes role and will show his unhapiness in such way killing NT lockeroom

Coaches are building best team for 2 weeks tournament not collecting fantasy team .Coaches did very good job building team chemistry in 2023 and NT overachieved results and playing style wise compared to 2017-2022

All those talks that NT 2023 had best team chemistry in years according to players because Maldunas types accepted role he will be querters last 30seconds defensive big and thats it


For example Birutis 2023 or Dmo in 2021,2022 being after Jonas,Domas wanted no part in 4minutes as 3rd center role.

 

[Straight forward2]

sometimes is way better to have lesser player in minimal role spot than higher quality player who cant accept 4minutes role and will show his unhapiness in such way killing NT lockeroom

Coaches are building best team for 2 weeks tournament not collecting fantasy team .Coaches did very good job building team chemistry in 2023 and NT overachieved results and playing style wise compared to 2017-2022

All those talks that NT 2023 had best team chemistry in years according to players because Maldunas types accepted role he will be querters last 30seconds defensive big and thats it


For example Birutis 2023 or Dmo in 2021,2022 being after Jonas,Domas wanted no part in 4minutes as 3rd center role.

That's a good point, but still this Maldunas pick was bad. Why? You do want to have legitimate player nevertheless for that small role. Maldunas simply couldn't impact the game in any way. Even that defensive presence he brings is not elite by any means. That's why he was trusted so little. Birutis move I think had a lot to do with the fact that he's another offensive slow seven footer and the last thing we needed is third pice like that next JV/D-Mo. Both Birutis and coach understood that perfectly, so Birutis was needed only in the case D-Mo is not available. F.e. if we had some-one like Hayes (Zalgiris) as a third center it would be a good pick. He would be OK being back-up for JV/Sabonis or even JV/D-Mo. In some games he would be a game changer or very impactful player for an important stretch. Maldunas simply can't bring that, it's impossible, the level is not there. The best example is probably 2013 D-Mo. He was young, but already good enough coming from the bench, providing energy and defensive presence as mobile, agile big (4/5) at that time (pre-injury D-Mo was very very promising player as we remember). That's what you need. That's why I hoped maybe Tubelis can cover that. I hope that for 2024. Maldunas simply was a good locker piece and talisman in this team. But you want to have legitimate piece that you can throw and he will give you things. Javtokas in 2004 is a good example too. In some games he was sitting out, barely playing and in others he was game changer. In one game he exploded big time with 23pts (against Australia), played well against USA athletic bigs. It's not like you can't have a quality player for very small role and like all of them will be pissed with small minutes. No. Sedekerskis example is very good. He was cut couple of times basically. He came to the NT as solid EL player and he didn't say a word for Kazys for not being a starter and playing less in several games than Eurocup whatever Bendzius. To me it's strange to hear that some-one is unhappy with a role, it's a NT. Just do what it's good for the team. Maybe vets and prime players have bigger egos and they sometimes want more, that's why it's always great idea to have a quality emerging player for such role, as Songaila/Masiulis 2000, Javtokas 2004, Jankunas 2005, Kleiza/Maciulis 2007, Valanciunas 2011, Motiejunas 2013 and so on. They have quality and little ego so far and they will hustle and they will never complain. That's why it's pity injuries screwed things for Tubelis this summer.

 

[Straight forward2]

BTW, what kind of youth NT will play against against 2003 title guys in that symbolic game? I guess it has to be as bad as it takes not to make them look super bad Except Macijauskas who I think still would be better than many guards in LKL at 43. He would be hitting open and semi-open shots offensively with ease. Not sure if he can survive much defense though. Guys just keeps in shape.

 

[Shawshank2]

For what was avalaible and who was training with the NT in 2023 bigs Maldfunas was correct choice.

When coach takes 12th spot player nobody ask nothing,just give solid 4minutes in defence and be good teammate.Maldunas did his part well.


For olympic roster spots in 2024 competions will be way tougher than it was for 2023 (when 50% of best players didnt show up)

Such players like Maldunas,Kariniauskas,Sirvydis unlikely will make even top 15.

​​

Javtokas 2004 or Motiejunas 2013 they werent 12th players on those teams.They were playing in playoofs games and was more in Motiejunas 2023 backup big role.


12th players historically not in olympic summers looked like :

2003 Praskevicius 2005 Silinskis 2010 Andriuskevicius 2013-2016 old Javtokas or recent 2021 Masiulis 2022 Echodas 2023 Maldunas


In olympic summers 12th players usually were player with name too.

Thast why im saying to make team in 2024 olympic year will be way tougher for any lkl player than it was in 2023.

 

[Straight forward2]

It was maybe correct, but not good choice. That's the difference.

Not only in Olympic rosters, but some Eurobasket rosters and even WC (2019, when Jankunas was 12th man) we had stacked teams with no scrubs on the roster. Give me that Praskevicius of 2003 any minute now! He would be a beast for 2023 team and would cover that 4/5 guy which was missing. Thing is that 2023 roster was highly depleted, and it's only logical to say that such options as Maldunas are trash, not other way around.

Besides, I'm talking about that particular role - back up defensive center or say center forward (5/4). Javtokas wasn't the 12th guy precisely, but he was playing less minutes than E. Zukauskas, Songaila, K. Lavrinovic. My point is, that you have to have something legitimate for this role. Maldunas didn't impact NT at all. He just simply didn't. We didn't have such piece on such position except when Maksvytis really went small and did with Sedekerskis what I (and Ceponis) was asking in the game against Montenegro.

Looking ahead to 2024 it's a must to have some-one who would help us defensively in the frontline. I would push Maksvytis to trust Sedekerskis more and use him even at 5 in some stretches and I would test Tubelis heavily. We just can't be ridiculed again and again with zero D bigs. We are not winning anything ever with that, not in contemporary basketball.

 

[Shawshank2]

For you one fan opinion not good choice ok, but for coaches and team it was ( when we saw very good chemistry inside team).

Jankunas was 35 old in 2019.Not exactly diffrence maker on the floor anymore .Similiar to Javtokas 2013-2016 years


Coaches need specific type player usually for those 11-12th players spots.Not some high quality players that unlikely to be happy with 4 minutes role.



2024 bigs with status in NT Domas,Jonas,Sedekerskis,Bendzius,Kuzminskas,Motiej unas

In order for Tubelis make team in 2024 coaches will need cut 2 of them and i dont see that.


All that theory that NT will use defensive big ale Echodas or Maldunas tournaments of 2022 and 2023 shown its max for 5minutes,other 35minutes either way it will be Domas or Jonas.

If NT already have Sedekerskis card at 5 he was guarding some centers in 2023.So why exactly raw,inexperienced Tubelis is needed in 2024 summer ?


How i see Tubelis in 2020s decade in LTU NT.

When Valanciunas will start showing clear signs of old age then Tubelis at 23-24old age will take his place naturally and get real 15minute role,not just theoritical 4 minutes role ale Maldunas did 2023.

 

[Shawshank2]

Accidently i found french sport fan and he kindly upploaded game i wanted to see for long time .LTU TV i dont think even broadcasted that game back in 2003

Everyone remembers 2003 semifinal LTU-France but those 2 teams played friendly (not really friendly ) game few weeks before eurobasket start


2003-08-13 France vs Lithuania OT game both teams scored 100pts

Cold blooded baby face killer 23 old Macijauskas put 34pts in front of sell out Strasbourg crowd. 23 old T.Parker also had his answers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQxSsOfyBMk&t=3988s

 

[Straight forward2]

2024 bigs with status in NT Domas,Jonas,Sedekerskis,Bendzius,Kuzminskas,Motiej unas

In order for Tubelis make team in 2024 coaches will need cut 2 of them and i dont see that.


All that theory that NT will use defensive big ale Echodas or Maldunas tournaments of 2022 and 2023 shown its max for 5minutes,other 35minutes either way it will be Domas or Jonas.

If NT already have Sedekerskis card at 5 he was guarding some centers in 2023.So why exactly raw,inexperienced Tubelis is needed in 2024 summer ?
.

Motiejunas is a gonner if Sabonis/JV available. No question. Bendzius is also questionable. Personally to me Kuz and Bendzius are too similar and I definitely prioritize Kuz.

Not saying that Tubelis is a lock or anything, but he should be tested seriously. Maksvytis was hesitant to use Sedekerskis at 5. Only against Montenegro we seen him guarding center, but also JV was on the court with him. Sedekerskis is a bit too light to use him at 5 more consistently. Besides we need him at 4. If there's no Sedekerskis at 4 who can play D at 4? No-one. Maybe Ulanovas can be used some here for small stretches, but he probably won't show up again. I personally would do it, but Maksvytis won't use Tadas at 5 consistently. Tubelis is bigger, heavier, can bang with bigger dudes. The problem only is that he still should improve at D and ATM he is more offensive player than defensive, but he has an upside to be 2 ways big. Like solid at both ends. One of the main Tubelis G League goals is to become even tougher and better defensively for the NBA. I wouldn't be surprise he would come really strong in the camp of 2024. Maksvytis gave some compliments for him even this summer.

Echodas is not a defensive big. Nothing close. He wasn't trash defensively in 2022, but nothing close what is needed for being impactful defensively.

I agree that most likely Tubelis won't be super impactful right from the scratch (2024), probably we speak about 5-10mpg if Sabonis/JV availbale. But his level allows to expect things, like he may surprise as Songaila surprised in 2000. He's from that tier of talent.

 

[Shawshank2]

What Dmo said and how he acted this summer im feeling vibe he just wants chance for his first and last olympics.

Motiejunas was asked every summer to come and be that 3rd center.So i wouldnt be so sure he wont be asked again in olympic summer either


All 3 Kuzminskas,Sedekerskis,Bendzius played well in 2023.I would take all of them especially near non shooters bigs Domas and Jonas.

That trio makes sense near Jonas and Domas.

I have hard time cutting even 1 from those 6. Cut 2 for me looks unrelistic unless injuries will happen.


Thats why unless big position will collapse with injuries I dont see Tubelis in 2024 team especially when fit wise he makes no sense near nba bigs

 

[Straight forward2]

I don't think Maksvytis is so clueless to take all three Sabonis, JV, D-Mo. Three offensive seven footers. One plays little defence, 2 don't play defense at all basically. If Maksvytis does that, he's hopeless. He got killed with that shit both 22 and 23 and if he will make zero adjustments in this area, he's an idiot. No other way around. But he's not an idiot and he won't go with that. Maksbytis this summer clearly expressed his wish for player who can play both 4 and 5 and the candidates were 3 - Tubelis, Maldunas and Tarolis. I got an impression that if not so late coming of Tubelis, he would be in the NT as he finally showed things in the camp. I think Maksvytis is smart enough to understand that it's a must for NT to have mobile big or few to be successful. He talked about even this summer, that NT has different type of bigs compared to Zalgiris so NT won't be able to play like Zalgiris or something like that. Unless Maksvytis will see that prime Sabonis is different and he will go full mode with him (like improved defensively which he did to certain extent BTW), then maybe he will take 2 vets in JV and D-Mo, but to me it still wouldn't make sense. Both old, both slow, both similar. Doesn't make sense at all and I'm 99% certain that it won't happen.

I personally think that there will be enough space for both Bendzius and Tubelis. I think either one or both Grigonis and Ulanovas won't show up. But I also see the situation when Tubelis is being taken as center forward instead of Bendzius as a stretch 4 (Kuzminskas taking this role) cause I think Maksvytis understands where the problem defensively lies. Serbia just walk over us while manipulating our p'n'r D. So did Spain. Any disciplined Euro powerhouse will do that. Just USA failed to utilize that, didn't even try too much.

If all I available I see this:

Jokubaitis, Lekavicius
Grigonis, Brazdeikis, Dimsa
Ulanovas, Butkevicius
Sedekerskis, Kuzminskas, Tubelis
Sabonis, Valanciunas​

If Grigonis and Ulanovas out, I see this:

Jokubaitis, Lekavicius
Brazdeikis, Dimsa, Normantas/Rubstavcius
Butkevicius, Kuzminskas
Sedekerskis, Bendzius, Tubelis
Sabonis, Valanciunas​​