Kaunas Zalgiris Thread

[Mindozas6]

There is a chance to compete with richer teams, we proved that few times in a row, but this season it all goes down logically, I predicted some time ago Zalgiris to fell short with couple of wins till PO places, sadly, for now exactly that is happening. Two next games in Turkey probably will be last nails into PO coffin. Efes, Fener stepped up big time, some other teams has wide roster to cope with any problems or might just sign new players, while Zalgiris doesn't have more resources, Garino comeback postponed again, no money to sign a replacement, additionally for weak SF position, Milaknis got injured, and there's no one to step up. Lukosiunas too raw, Vasturia must leave, he can't find his place in this team. Lekavicius lost his rhythm. Every such small detail is very important for such club. Overall, EL season is still good, staying in PO contention almost till very end after losing Saras is decent result, Schiller is improving and that's also good and promising for next season, when he will have space and time to implement more of his ideas to roster. Anyway, there is still small hope in this one, this season is so unpredictable and probably this is that straw we can grasp at

 

[Straight forward2]

Schiller, IMO, is overachieving without any doubt. It's more than decent debut for him. A guy who came from USA and instantly made a name for himself. Also, he did it in different fashion that Saras. Different defence, more liberal offense and the result is the same, Zalgiris remained in 10-8 EL teams branch.

Regarding what's left, the momentum is not good for Zalgiris unless we would see some growth of some players shape, but it's wise versa at the moment. Not only Z missed Milaknis, Hayes, Rubit, Jokubaitis, Walkup also struggled recently. But the positive now is that Lekavicius bouncing back, Grigonis remains consistent, Lauvergne in good shape. But Zalgiris needs most of the pieces providing to have a chance. Even if Zalgiris will collect losses in last games, it is still very very solid season.

 

[Hepcat2]

Two next games in Turkey probably will be last nails into PO coffin. Efes, Fener stepped up big time....

Hopefully Žalgiris sweeps both Turkish clubs then and we all have to immediately change our tunes again.

 

[Mindozas6]

Hopefully Žalgiris sweeps both Turkish clubs then and we all have to immediately change our tunes again.

I'm not good at jinxing Even one win would be huge success, Efes is the hottest team in league, sweeping everyone, they looks like a sure Final 4 team now, arguably the best with Barca. Beating Fener looks more reachable task, but they also are getting better, far from that clueless side we destroyed in Kaunas. Now we are the underdogs, but that would be our better shot at winning and very important one as Efes looks out of reach talking about final standings, Fener probably too, but at least not that long shot, they has tough schedule. 1 out of 2 would still keep some hopes alive, cause 5 wins out of 6 remaining games is a must

 

[Dreamcatcher2]

I didn't expect Zalgiris to collaps in the end so much. Grigonis could hardly run in the end of the game against Maccabi, but 2 days ago he had to play 20+ min to beat Dzukija. Hayes had a day off so maybe it helped him to have a career game? Louvergne also played 20+ min to beat a freaking Dzukija, and Blazevic who os more than om for LKL - only 5 min...I would blame Shiller here for a bad LKL rotation and exhausted Zalgiris in the final and failed EL stretch.

 

[Svajunas2]

I didn't expect Zalgiris to collaps in the end so much. Grigonis could hardly run in the end of the game against Maccabi, but 2 days ago he had to play 20+ min to beat Dzukija. Hayes had a day off so maybe it helped him to have a career game? Louvergne also played 20+ min to beat a freaking Dzukija, and Blazevic who os more than om for LKL - only 5 min...I would blame Shiller here for a bad LKL rotation and exhausted Zalgiris in the final and failed EL stretch.

Schiller's rotations is questionable. I remember in the last or one previous double week he badly overplayed Grigonis 36min and others on Tuesdays game and then lost the game on Thursday.

 

[Shawshank2]

My eyes hurts from defence i saw from NT backout trio Grigonis,Lekavicius,Jokubaitis is was just very bad.

Next season Dimsa is must on zalgiris team,i feel he is best defender from all higher quality ltu guards right now.Tomas on his peak years,good defender, lithuanian and having good season on semifinal eurocup team.

Tomas can be that 15min euroleague player with special roles on defence and hit some open long shots.

It was just stupid to sign Vasturia and keep him over Dimsa and send Tomas to acb league.

 

[Mindozas6]

My eyes hurts from defence i saw from NT backout trio Grigonis,Lekavicius,Jokubaitis is was just very bad.

Next season Dimsa is must on zalgiris team,i feel he is best defender from all higher quality ltu guards right now.Tomas on his peak years,good defender, lithuanian and having good season on semifinal eurocup team.

Tomas can be that 15min euroleague player with special roles on defence and hit some open long shots.

It was just stupid to sign Vasturia and keep him over Dimsa and send Tomas to acb league.

It was Saras who signed him and it was Dimsa who asked by himself to be loaned when he got little opportunities. Btw I don't see Dimsa doing too good in Gran Canaria, especially in ACB his numbers are awful and that's for a team which will fail to make it to PO there. I hope next season we'll have someone like rumoured Cordinier to replace Vasturia, unless money situation will get even worse, Grigonis will be gone and then Dimsa also might be an option

 

[Shawshank2]

It didn't seem to me that Dimsa after just few weeks asked to be sent himself .In his interview this week he didn't said anything like that, he gave a vibe he simply wasn't needed.

How I see it was more coaches desicion, not players to go to other team.

Dimsa averages 10pts for semifinal team of uleb season with solid defence.His team is few wins for acb playoofs,they are not some Kulbokas/Birutis teams at the end of the standings with no chances making playoofs.

Zalgiris will need good level ltu players. Jankunas,Milaknis is closing to the end.Grigonis will go to next level.

Now when we know how season went it is obviuos letting Dimsa go was a mistake.

That Vasturia can't score I can live that, but that he just horrible defender worse than Lekavicius ( thats hard to do ) and hurted team more that helped.

I don't see a single element what Vasturia does better than Dimsa. I don't see practises, but I can't imagine how Dimsa would lose to Vasturia on basketball court.

 

[Straight forward2]

Zalgiris lacks the same Ulanovas who could guard multiple positions. Healthy Garino had to provide that as overall to have huge impact, but we know the story. Zalgiris should grab Sedekerskis if it's possible. I agree with Leksas that he is most complete defender in Lithuania today (1-4 positions). Dimsa is not some super defender. Sturdy body, yes, but nothing else to add, nothing special at IQ or long limbs part. Surely I also would have him instead of Vasturia, but he wouldn't be important player by any means. Zalgiris should consider to lock Velicka and D. Giedraitis long term. Give them 2+1. Get their feet wet in the first season and you can have 2 terrific Lithuanian guards going further who can really play at both ends of the floor, have nice defensive upside. I would suggest Augustas as well as he is by far the best defensive guard prospect in the country, but I believe he's much more Vilnius prone than Blazevic and would instead choose NCAA anyway

 

[LuDux2]

Not sure if Dimsa will be better defender against SF than combo guard Vasturia

 

[Hepcat2]

Zalgiris lacks the same Ulanovas who could guard multiple positions.... Zalgiris should grab Sedekerskis if it's possible. I agree with Leksas that he is most complete defender in Lithuania today (1-4 positions). Dimsa is not some super defender. Sturdy body, yes, but nothing else to add, nothing special at IQ or long limbs part. Surely I also would have him instead of Vasturia, but he wouldn't be important player by any means. Zalgiris should consider to lock Velicka and D. Giedraitis long term. Give them 2+1. Get their feet wet in the first season and you can have 2 terrific Lithuanian guards going further who can really play at both ends of the floor, have nice defensive upside.

Well with Edgaras Ulanovas long gone, Marius Grigonis about to leave and Artūras Milaknis together with Paulius Jankūnas approaching retirement, Žalgiris has both the payroll space and space on the floor let alone on the bench for all of Tomas Dimša, Dovis Giedraitis, Andrius Velička and Tadas Sedekerskis. Whether Žalgiris goes after any of these players is another question.

I would suggest Augustas as well as he is by far the best defensive guard prospect in the country, but I believe he's much more Vilnius prone than Blazevic and would instead choose NCAA anyway.

Augustas Marčiulionis has been getting his playing time with Rytas. He's better off playing for Rytas than sitting on Žalgiris' bench.



How is Marčiulionis as a student anyway?

 

[Mindozas6]

It didn't seem to me that Dimsa after just few weeks asked to be sent himself .In his interview this week he didn't said anything like that, he gave a vibe he simply wasn't needed.

How I see it was more coaches desicion, not players to go to other team.

It didn't seem to you, but that whats happened Dimsa said it few times by himself. He got little opportunities, received an offers from abroad and agreed to be loaned. Not that club forced him to. It's obvious that first of all he asked his agent to look for opportunities. It was his decision first of all. He didn't want to wait, now you can see that he is little bit confused about it, cause he would've had received his chances later as Vasturia failed and even got injured, Garino situation didn't pan out as expected, Milaknis was moved to SF.

Dimsa averages 10pts for semifinal team of uleb season with solid defence.His team is few wins for acb playoofs,they are not some Kulbokas/Birutis teams at the end of the standings with no chances making playoofs.

Zalgiris will need good level ltu players. Jankunas,Milaknis is closing to the end.Grigonis will go to next level.

Now when we know how season went it is obviuos letting Dimsa go was a mistake.

That Vasturia can't score I can live that, but that he just horrible defender worse than Lekavicius ( thats hard to do ) and hurted team more that helped.

I don't see a single element what Vasturia does better than Dimsa. I don't see practises, but I can't imagine how Dimsa would lose to Vasturia on basketball court.

Dimsa is bench player in Eurocup team, having poor ACB season for non-PO contender. Having efficiency number ~3, which is god damn bad. That's what it looks like more. And no, he is not a solid defender. Not a crappy one too tho, but hardly a difference maker there. It's far from EL level performances.Only thing that keeps him into consideration that he is Lith and he has deal. Other than that he looks like that typical LKL higher tire level player, who simply isn't good enough for Zalgiris, tried and failed to stay here.

 

[Mindozas6]

Well with Edgaras Ulanovas long gone, Marius Grigonis about to leave and Artūras Milaknis together with Paulius Jankūnas approaching retirement, Žalgiris has both the payroll space and space on the floor let alone on the bench for all of Tomas Dimša, Dovis Giedraitis, Andrius Velička and Tadas Sedekerskis. Whether Žalgiris goes after any of these players is another question.

Ulanovas is struggling in Turkey, it might be that he won't stay there, but he would have to make serious salary cut to come back to Kaunas. In Turkey he is making around 800k, Zalgiris maybe could afford some half of that in these times. If Fener would agree with some compensation to terminate the deal, then maybe Zalgiris could get him back for less money.
Sedekerskis has valid deal with Baskonia, they surely won't let him go.
Velicka might have a shot only if Jokubaitis will leave. There's no point to have him as some 3rd PG. He won't accept it either.
Giedraitis first of all should make a step into a bit higher tire. Zalgiris maybe could sign him and loan him out to some Eurocup, BCL team. Also his health status should be worrisome. I don't remember him finishing a single full season without being injured for a long time

 

[Straight forward2]

Ulanovas is struggling in Turkey, it might be that he won't stay there, but he would have to make serious salary cut to come back to Kaunas. In Turkey he is making around 800k, Zalgiris maybe could afford some half of that in these times. If Fener would agree with some compensation to terminate the deal, then maybe Zalgiris could get him back for less money.
Sedekerskis has valid deal with Baskonia, they surely won't let him go.
Velicka might have a shot only if Jokubaitis will leave. There's no point to have him as some 3rd PG. He won't accept it either.
Giedraitis first of all should make a step into a bit higher tire. Zalgiris maybe could sign him and loan him out to some Eurocup, BCL team. Also his health status should be worrisome. I don't remember him finishing a single full season without being injured for a long time

I agree, Zalgiris should look for possibilities to get back Ulanovas. Zalgiris is a perfect place for him and he is always useful to Zalgiris. Also, Zalgiris could look at Brazdeikis side a little bit, but I'm far from convinced he could play in EL right from the start, he would surely have defensive issues and we don't know how much his offensive talent would translate at this level. Nevertheless, an option for consideration.

I agree that Zalgiris should see a real role for Velicka if they get him. He's not some Blazevic. He's ready to play even in EL for a little role. For him it would be a bit risky to go to Zalgiris now and to warm the bench, probably some decent role in Eurocup's or CL team would make more sense for him now, but Zalgiris shouldn't sleep on him either. One more dominant season for him and maybe Zalgiris won't even be able to lock him long term. Velicka is still 21yo. Why wouldn't bigger clubs want upcoming and already balling 22yo? He's putting real numbers. Like probably nearly Thomas Walkup impact in bundesliga. The difference is that Walkup did that being 24yo and Velicka is doing it at 21.

And, yes, D. Giedraitis seems to be an injury prone, a bit fragile. Maybe just unlucky, who knows. His brother doesn't seem to have such issue. Maybe Dovydas with time will learn how to avoid injuries, that comes with experience as well. The same Grigonis also used to be a bit of an injury prone, but Giedraitis really has a package for a Lithuanian guard. Talent, IQ, skill, motor, heart. Worth risking a little bit, IMO, and it would be a wise investment to lock him long term. I think he would be ok with some 6-10min at SG spot in the first EL season. If people love Jokubaitis, this guy can go step by step wioth him in some games.

It's also very positive for Zalgiris that they have very solid core of youngsters. Murauskas, Lelevicius, Rubstavicius. All these three have an upside, specially first 2. While Rubstavicius may be closest to have a role now. Next season he should probably have a consistent small role in LKL and in 2022/2023 season to snatch a tiny role in EL if he continues to develop. Murauskas might be ready for a little role at that time as well. But he maybe an NBA prospect, so I'm not sure he's long term Zalgiris material. If he will grow up and will work harder, he has even higher upside than being Zalgiris player. Lelevicius could be that super spot on long term SF option for Zalgiris. But off course, he's a long shot now.

 

[Mindozas6]

Brazdeikis would be very interesting option. I was sceptical about his chances under Saras, all the details and etc, but I think under Schiller he could be just fine. It's more freeflowing, open game, where Brazdeikis could feel himself comfortable. Also he is smart enough to find right plays, shot selection, maybe it would take a bit of time, but with LKL games, he would have plenty of chances to adjust. Anyway, dreams aside, first of all we don't his plans, does he want to stay in NBA to complete his contract (IIRC he has it till 2022), give another shot or he is ready for European adventure. If he will get passport soon, he might be very interesting option in Europe for lot of clubs. So salary will come into question either. Some latest NBA leftovers like Zizic receive 700k in Maccabi, Bender a little bit more. But Maccabi usually are not big spenders, so Brazdeikis might also seek for quite good money. I'm afraid Zalgiris would not the first option

 

[Straight forward2]

Brazdeikis would be very interesting option. I was sceptical about his chances under Saras, all the details and etc, but I think under Schiller he could be just fine. It's more freeflowing, open game, where Brazdeikis could feel himself comfortable. Also he is smart enough to find right plays, shot selection, maybe it would take a bit of time, but with LKL games, he would have plenty of chances to adjust. Anyway, dreams aside, first of all we don't his plans, does he want to stay in NBA to complete his contract (IIRC he has it till 2022), give another shot or he is ready for European adventure. If he will get passport soon, he might be very interesting option in Europe for lot of clubs. So salary will come into question either. Some latest NBA leftovers like Zizic receive 700k in Maccabi, Bender a little bit more. But Maccabi usually are not big spenders, so Brazdeikis might also seek for quite good money. I'm afraid Zalgiris would not the first option

Yes, there are things as possible obstacles. But he was born in Kaunas, that's one, Zalgiris is known to be a good place for upcoming EL players to start, that's second. Also, I think Zizic, Bender are still a bit different cases, both were rotation players in the NBA nevertheless while Brazdeikis is just G league stud ATM. Depends on his and his agents common sense, because in think he is somewhere between 150k-300k kinda player for first EL now since he's not proven at all. I'm not sure he think this way though

 

[Mindozas6]

Yes, there are things as possible obstacles. But he was born in Kaunas, that's one, Zalgiris is known to be a good place for upcoming EL players to start, that's second. Also, I think Zizic, Bender are still a bit different cases, both were rotation players in the NBA nevertheless while Brazdeikis is just G league stud ATM. Depends on his and his agents common sense, because in think he is somewhere between 150k-300k kinda player for first EL now since he's not proven at all. I'm not sure he think this way though

150k is some Vasturia type of guy 250-300k is usually paid for EC, BCL, lower leagues promising players who makes EL debut. Don't forget that Brazdeikis is not some random G-League player, but a guy with even a tiny one, but NBA experience and 2mln contract (before taxes). That increases the value and you have to pay more to bring player to Europe, especially the one with European passport. It's hard case to guess, passport would increase value, experience migth do vice versa, but I'd guess he would worth more than that, especially if some big spenders, which overpays a lot, would be interested

 

[Straight forward2]

Grigonis to CSKA? Dude, that's strange if true. Could imagine him in Real, Efes, but Russia...

 

[edvinas92]

Grigonis to CSKA? Dude, that's strange if true. Could imagine him in Real, Efes, but Russia...

Shocking news for everyone. It seems that CSKA was going all-in for him, whilst other teams probably have not even made an offer. Although, it's already a done deal as I was told earlier today, well before all the rumors appeared in the media.