Lithuanian national team - 2012

[Hepcat2]

Why isn't Donatas Motiejunas with the national team?? Lietuva could use this guy against the US or anybody.

Donatas Motiejūnas was unable to be insured at NBA pay levels until he signed with the Houston Rockets. But NBA teams were not allowed to sign their draft picks until 1 July and Motiejūnas did not actually sign with the Rockets until 6 July. Motiejūnas chose not to report to Team Lietuva and risk injury until after he signed his NBA contract. But that was too late of course for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, and too late to even be a part of the Olympic team in the opinion of coach Kęstutis Kemzūra. Motiejūnas was also quoted in the press to have asked Kemzūra to guaranty him a "significant" role on Team Lietuva. I've never heard of any Lithuanian coach willing to give such assurances though.

So all in all Motiejūnas might have strengthened Lithuania's bench, but it was just not to be this year.

 

[Raze Lupin2]

Donatas Motiejūnas was unable to be insured at NBA pay levels until he signed with the Houston Rockets. But NBA teams were not allowed to sign their draft picks until 1 July and Motiejūnas did not actually sign with the Rockets until 6 July. Motiejūnas chose not to report to Team Lietuva and risk injury until after he signed his NBA contract. But that was too late of course for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, and too late to even be a part of the Olympic team in the opinion of coach Kęstutis Kemzūra. Motiejūnas was also quoted in the press to have asked Kemzūra to guaranty him a "significant" role on Team Lietuva. I've never heard of any Lithuanian coach willing to give such assurances.

So all in all Motiejūnas might have strengthened Lithuania's bench, but it was just not to be this year.

That is disappointing. Looks like the Liths could use the young stud.

 

[Hepcat2]

Ofcourse its easier game when centers are playing well its basketball classic play inside - out.But Lithuanian basketball style is differrent...Maybe its because we had only one offensive center in years Sabonis (others were defensice minded Zukauskas,Javtokas).So our game always were going as far as our guards can take as.2000-2003-2007-2010 medals were won without big game inside,its was running and 3pointers game...So why we should change our game that bring us suxcess ?

I agree. Since Sabonis retired Team Lietuva has been built on fast breaks and outside shooting.

Tell me what of our bigs could score on Ramos and santiago inside? Javtokas cant score,Valanciunas got 5fouls in 6minutes because he couldnt defend those big bodies atleast now.

That's right. Peter Ramos is 7'3" and 280 pounds while Daniel Santiago is 7'1" and 250 pounds. The Dominican Republic's two biggest men in the tournament were only 6'11". That's why Jonas Valančiūnas was able to establish a presence under the basket against the Dominican Republic but had no success whatsoever against Puerto Rico. He doesn't seem to have learned how to play yet against opponents who completely outmatch him physically.

 

[jiggawhat2]

I have to say those Motiejūnas highlights were very impressive. Reminiscent of Gasol/Nowitzki

 

[Hepcat2]

So what happen madmax with our old and slow team,that didnt have chances for qualifing to olimpics ? I even can add this loud this team will have seriuos fight in Londons 1/4 game and have not bad chances in that game if opponent wont be spain... This lietuva 2012 team have alot of diferent weapons that can hurt and main thing is that all 12 players can produce...Im not saying we gona win that 1/4 game but i see that this team has all components and formula tallent+depht+experience= my basketball knowledge says "good formula"

Both France and Argentina are eminently beatable. I think Team Lietuva should finish in second or third place in its group and then win the quarterfinal.

 

[auris12]

Both France and Argentina are eminently beatable. I think Team Lietuva should finish in second or third place in its group and then win the quarterfinal.

That's how we roll.
We take quaterfinals and we hustle afterwards.
For better or worse.
We have to avoid Spain in quarterfinals,that's for sure.
Preferably Russia too.
Even then...

 

[sashikas2]

Robertas Javtokas is doubtful for Olympics. He has suffered a leg injury and is not participating in the practices in Palanga. Kemzūra has invited Antanas Kavaliauskas back to the national team camp. Antanas is on his way from Texas and he might join the team even today in the evening practice.
The fate of unlucky Javtokas will be decided after detailed examination of his leg in Kaunas clinics.

 

[sashikas2]

In an interview to the media about the current situation, Kemzūra has claimed, that calling up Antanas Kavaliauskas was the most logical decision in such circumstances. If the situation becomes critical, Donatas Motiejūnas would come to the camp as well. But that is just Kemzūra's opinion.

 

[Hepcat2]

How bad does the situation have to be before Kemzūra judges it as "critical"? Team Lietuva was already vulnerable at the center spot. Why not bring both Antanas Kavaliauskas and Donatas Motiejūnas into camp now? Would it not help if they got in as much practice with teammates as possible? I mean time is running short. The Olympics are only two weeks away.

 

[Darknemo20002]

Olympics are on the nose. Thats a crytical situation. He should have invited both - ofcourse that would screw up Motiejunas summerleague games but if his last performance there is an indication then there is not much to loose.

 

[Gytaz2]

How bad does the situation have to be before Kemzūra judges it as "critical"? Team Lietuva was already vulnerable at the center spot. Why not bring both Antanas Kavaliauskas and Donatas Motiejūnas into camp now? Would it not help if they got in as much practice with teammates as possible? I mean time is running short. The Olympics are only two weeks away.

Kavaliauskas came back knowing that if Javtokas recovers, he won't play in the olympics. There's no chance that Motiejūnas would accept similar proposal. He would only come if there was a guaranteed spot in the team and even that isn't certain since he already plays in the summer league.

 

[macleopard132]

Man, we need a solid center. Jonas the stick insect won't be able to pull all the weight. We need a muscular and a physical center!

 

[macleopard132]

That's how we roll.
We take quaterfinals and we hustle afterwards.
For better or worse.
We have to avoid Spain in quarterfinals,that's for sure.
Preferably Russia too.
Even then...

If we want to avoid those two teams, we have to finish second behind Team USA, because chances are high that Spain and Russia will place 1st and 2nd.

Chances to beat teams: (Chances we'll go through to the quarterfinals: 75%)
1. Tunisia - 85% (nothing surprising.)
2. Nigeria - 65% (beatable with a little more determination and motivation - revenge.)
3. Argentina - 60% (a bunch of veterans like in the 2010 FIBA World Championship. Should be able to beat them.)
4. France - 50% (tough team, many NBA players. Thankfully, no Noah, or else we'd have been screwed, with our "good" centers.)
5. USA - 30% (it's unlikely that we'll win this, but who knows. Maybe it'll be our lucky day.)

We take second or third in group and play Russia/Spain/Brazil in the quarterfinals. Brazil, (which is just a little bit stronger than Puerto Rico, but not much), is beatable. Russia and Spain will be a harder nut to crack. I'd say we have 45% chance to go through to the semifinals.

 

[madmax2]

Man, we need a solid center. Jonas the stick insect won't be able to pull all the weight. We need a muscular and a physical center!

well, we don't have one right now, unless you consider washed up limping Javtokas the one...
So I guess that "stick" Valanciunas will do, if he manages somehow to avoid constant foul trouble

 

[sashikas2]

It's official. Javtokas is not going to Olympic games due to stress fracture in his left foot.

 

[Gytaz2]

That's very bad news for us, no matter what some people think, Javtokas was a very important player. Having Motiejūnas or Lavrinovic would really come in handy now. Even more pressure on Jonas now, I hope he steps up and plays most games like he did against the Dominicans. The most important thing for him is to learn to not foul so often. It will be interesting to see how our front court will look without Javtokas.

Bringing Motiejūnas would be great, but I still doubt he'd come.

 

[Mindozas6]

That's very bad news for us, no matter what some people think, Javtokas was a very important player.

I doubt that they're able to do it, atleast not in proper way that's for sure

 

[Straight forward2]

Bad news. Kavaliauskas is not a proper substitution, but lets hope he'll play some solid D at least and will make some buckets after p&r. Now Motiejunas loss is even more hurtful. He could play some minutes at center. At least he's proving that pretty well in NBA summer league.

We'll see a lot of of Songaila now...I hope he'll continue a solid work...

 

[macleopard132]

Does this mean that Kavaliauskas has a guaranteed spot on the roster now?

 

[Hepcat2]

Well there's nobody else at camp that can play in Kavaliauskas' place. Where is Kšyštof Lavrinovič anyway? He was the Italian SuperCup MVP this spring.