Lithuanian NT 2016 Olympics

[Straight forward2]

Modis, there's no point to overreact after one or another bad game. Kalnietis for example had 2 very good games before the game against Loko (and he was ill). Seibutis in my opinion has some problems adjusting to the role in Zalgiris so far and probably still feel the burn out after NT, but his physical condition is fine so it's just some transitional period. The only player who looks really bad is Pocius and I would want to be wrong, but it might be the same case as with Kleiza - losing athleticism basically demolished their abilities. He lost explosiveness, agility, toughness and it's a question if can bring it back.

As for Olympics it's really not a time to integrate young blood unless obviously ripen talented player. Current NT is not guard orientated team. Aside Kalnietis who is very vital because of playmaking ability, there's JV, Maciulis, Jankunas, Kuzminskas as the main contributers. Seibutis surely will be in a puzzle, but this team has enough scoring option in other positions, specially if D-MO will be there as the most polished and best offensive player at the moment. So it's a team who basically relies on 5-3 positions and Kalnietis. This team doesn't even really need Kleiza if all the best players comes - JV, D-MO, Maciulis, Kuzminskas, Kalnietis, Jankunas, Seibutis and I even would say Sabonis. Some guys here would argue with that, but Domantas is growing and developing very fast. He does have a ready to go physicality, he already has some experience with NT and he seem to be fearless. So I really wouldn't be much surprised he will make Olympic team.

As for new players who could be close to the NT, we should look at the each position, and I would say Lekavicius, Grigonis, Giedraitis. Lekavicius because he's clearly the best PG prospect in Lithuania and I don't see anyone close even if Lakavicius still has a long way to go. Grigonis and Giedraitis because they can upgrade position 2. At least Grigonis for sure while Giedraitis probably is natural 3 in my eyes, but if he'll improve his feet work and will become a bit more sharper he could play 2 as well. But again those guys will be legit candidates only for 2017 Eurobasket, IMO.

 

[Shawshank2]

So far Those of our main NT players are showing signs of Decline. Pocius is totally unrecognizable barely an average player right now.For Kalnietis the injury took a lot out of him. And probably for another good 4 years we will not see anyone who could replace Kalnietis no matter how bad he plays. Kleiza doesn't seem like he will be back anytime soon and even if he does I doubt that he would be ready for the NT camp and then Olympics. Seibutis looks exhausted from the Eurobasket the way he plays now I have a feeling he will decide not to play in the Olympics and take time of then we are definitely fucked. Who thinks its time to jump of these veterans backs and let the younger generation like Giedraitis Gudaitis D.Sabonis Ulanovas Grigonis take on more responsibility. Giedraitis is already 23 when will he get his chance ? I would definitely like to see some younger blood in the Olympics. We need to start thinking about those things anyways because all of these guys are in their 30s anyways. Some even think Javtokas should go to the Olympics which is crazy..

here we go again those players that yuo want to change just 2 months ago won a silver medal in a very strong eurobasket2015.SO they suddenly forgot how to play basketball seriuolsly ? Nobody changes winnining teams,those players won as ticket to olympics,and biggest part of them will be in Olympic team. If you dotn understand what is going with our national team players right now look at real and spanish national team players...Like half of Lithuania national team players right now are injured others have no energy what so ever...This is because they are feeling effects of 2months traning and playing in summer when bodys didnt got no rest after long 9 months season.Thats all.Somewhere around january-february they again will fully feel they legs and will hungry for basketball again.

Pocius? i dont know it seems something bad is going with him.Not only that body is giving up on him,i feel he is not happy with his situation in zalgiris and minutes and do not perform at 100% effort he could.Hard to blame him when you get 8minutes average in euroleague.Last year in turkish club he got more minutes.Same situation was with jasaitis last year,when you do not get playing time you wont get in form and wont return believe in yourself. I dont think that Pocius is so bad even today as he looks right now,but also agree that he lost his speed and some atletic abilitys for sure.

National team players averages in euroleague:

Kalnietis 24min 5,1pts 3,6 asists 37%
Lekavicius 14min 2,2pts 0,6 asists 40%
Seibutis 22min 7,6pts 1,9 asist 50%
Pocius 8min 1,6 pts 0,6 asists 22%

Milaknis got injury and lost his minutes in unics too.

Jasaitis looks really good how he plays right now the only possible guard rotation player that having good season ,but he will be 34 in Olympics .

Those others Giedraitis,Gailius,Juskevicius,Grigonis we can try ,but i doubt they do any better than those 6 i mentione earlier in Olympics 2016.

Overall guard lineup situation looks really poorly again Kalnietis-Seibutis will have to play 30minutes and lets hope they will stay healthy.I dont see anything better again.

 

[Straight forward2]

Krapikas says it's a mental thing. The head is "full" and there's lack of will, desire and so on. It's normal. They will get better.

I would like to say a word about Lekavicius. Te kid lives up to the hype I would say. There's always plenty of youngsters who can come and have one or two good games, he can show promise, but here rarely those who keep it up and produces qualities on the court on the constant basis. Lekavicius remained accountable for all last season, playing surprisingly well for a 20yo in Euroleague, and most importantly he didn't get lost after tough experience with the NT. Usually youngsters hitting the wall after some succesful period or season (that happens to many players even recently like Janavicius, Vasiliauskas, Dimsa, Karinauskas), but it's not the case with Lekavicius. He's delivering! Be it only LKL this season, but he delivers and already beat Vecvagars and Hanlan in the competition for a back-up PG. That's very encouraging thing. I think Krapikas will come to the point where will have to give Lukas more minutes in Euroleague as well because he's playing with great motor, playing tough defence, he can shoot, can leave his opponent with the first step (even quick American guards), he doesn't turn the ball over. He lacks creativity and passing ability, but he stick to the game plan very well for his age. His shooting % in LKL is great, he has many rather polished skills for his age. Some mentioning his height but so far he compensates that with a great fashion even going for some manly offensive rebounds and 50/50 balls. He has pretty good leaping ability, very good legs. Speaking about that, did Kalnietis look that solid at 21yo? After that super chaotic and yet promising performance in 2006 WC while being 20yo, he really hit Zalgiris' bench hard and barely showed too many sparkles for 2 or so years, let alone consistent, solid game. I could even question - did Jasikevičius look that solid as Lekavičius? I remember him turning the ball over a lot and having rusty shot mechanics at that age. I don't want to overhype Lekavicius, but to me he is one of the most promising PGs in years and differently that many youngsters at this age he's able to provide consistency in some of his positive attributes of the game. Not saying that he will make Olympic team or let a lone will have some substantial role there, but we really might be witnessing one of the best PG projects Lithuania ever had.

 

[Shawshank2]

Hopefully you are right this time,not like janavicius/gecevicius examples.But the truth for me is too small and i cant see him 5 years from now playing on the highest level .Dont remember 1m80 white guard to achieve very good level recently in entire europe.Nowadays basketball even Pg have to be atleast 1m93...In order for 1m80 to suxceed he have to be super tallent.He is good young player,but not super tallent.Sorry i dont see big future for Lekavicius.LKL surely,but not anything special on highest level.

 

[Shawshank2]

I am watching rytas game now and doubt kazlauskas will consider any rytas player seriuosly this summer. (maybe kavaliauskas).NOBODY OF THEM CAN PLAY DEFENCE NOBODY ) every game oponenets scoring 100 You dont play defence you dont have place in kazlauskas teams.

 

[Modis2]

Hopefully you are right this time,not like janavicius/gecevicius examples.But the truth for me is too small and i cant see him 5 years from now playing on the highest level .Dont remember 1m80 white guard to achieve very good level recently in entire europe.Nowadays basketball even Pg have to be atleast 1m93...In order for 1m80 to suxceed he have to be super tallent.He is good young player,but not super tallent.Sorry i dont see big future for Lekavicius.LKL surely,but not anything special on highest level.

That's what I was trying to say last time. His height will limit him.

 

[Straight forward2]

Hopefully you are right this time,not like janavicius/gecevicius examples.But the truth for me is too small and i cant see him 5 years from now playing on the highest level .Dont remember 1m80 white guard to achieve very good level recently in entire europe.Nowadays basketball even Pg have to be atleast 1m93...In order for 1m80 to suxceed he have to be super tallent.He is good young player,but not super tallent.Sorry i dont see big future for Lekavicius.LKL surely,but not anything special on highest level.

That's why I used a word "might" I'm not sure about this new trend that PG should be very long (does it really exist? I don't see many examples), I would say it's still about the skill, quickness. You have to have really superior skills at 1 compared to 2 and 3 positions and little guys usually has superior skills in terms of ballhandling, passing, shooting, quickness. If we would look at the best PGs in the world of recent years we would find CP3 with 183cm, Tony Parker 188cm, Kyle Lowry 183 cm was all star starter last season and a bunch of guys 191cm tall in Rose, Curry, Westbroo, Kyrie Irwing. In other words PG position remains pretty much the same in terms of height as it always was. Look how such players as Bo McCalleb were able to make a difference both Euroleague and FIBA games. And there's plenty of little, but athletic Americans in European strong teams. I think what you talking abut is more a new trend in basketball - point forwards as Lebron, Durant, Greak Freak. Not that I'm saying very small PGs as Lukas doesn't have disadvantages, but they also have advantages as very quick feet and hands, great balldandling and so on. If Lukas won't reach high level I'm pretty sure the reason won't be height.

I am watching rytas game now and doubt kazlauskas will consider any rytas player seriuosly this summer. (maybe kavaliauskas).NOBODY OF THEM CAN PLAY DEFENCE NOBODY ) every game oponenets scoring 100 You dont play defence you dont have place in kazlauskas teams.

True. Maybe Janavičius, he's the only who have really solid individual defence skills.

 

[Shawshank2]

That's why I used a word "might" I'm not sure about this new trend that PG should be very long (does it really exist? I don't see many examples), I would say it's still about the skill, quickness. You have to have really superior skills at 1 compared to 2 and 3 positions and little guys usually has superior skills in terms of ballhandling, passing, shooting, quickness. If we would look at the best PGs in the world of recent years we would find CP3 with 183cm, Tony Parker 188cm, Kyle Lowry 183 cm was all star starter last season and a bunch of guys 191cm tall in Rose, Curry, Westbroo, Kyrie Irwing. In other words PG position remains pretty much the same in terms of height as it always was. Look how such players as Bo McCalleb were able to make a difference both Euroleague and FIBA games. And there's plenty of little, but athletic Americans in European strong teams. I think what you talking abut is more a new trend in basketball - point forwards as Lebron, Durant, Greak Freak. Not that I'm saying very small PGs as Lukas doesn't have disadvantages, but they also have advantages as very quick feet and hands, great balldandling and so on. If Lukas won't reach high level I'm pretty sure the reason won't be height.


.

Comon men you can compare afro-americans with white men in guard position.Thats not even fair.They are faster,quicker,jumps alot better and overall way better athletes.So Im repeating my question not afrocamericans,white guys that is under 1m85 and achieve something seriuos in europe basketball in last 20 years.Dont see alot even simple participants in european championship with such height.Lekavicius was the smallest in entire eurobasket for example Campazzo is way more tallented than Lukas,but even he got problems when came to europe and played for Real.Height surely plays his role in basketball

Lakovic,Galis hmm and dont even remember more seriuos players under 1m85 from europe .You have to be super tallent,because you give alot height here to your opponents.Even Parkers 1m88 and 1m80 thats huge diffrence !

Yeah future Pg position players will be tall like Kalnietis,Satoransky,Teodosic I truly see that happening.

 

[Straight forward2]

So you're saying that Lekavičius is as fast and quick as Kalnietis, Teodosic or Saras just that he's small? You simply underrating Lekavicius quickness, he's quick, I don't know why he shouldn't be compared to American guards. If we would go with this logic we would go to an absolute absurd like Marčiulionis and Dragič couldn't compete with black American players in terms of athleticism or quickness. And short black players dominate as PGs, not some long PGs.

Nevertheless there are good short non black players of modern basketball like John Stockton, Marc Price, Jason Williams, Scott Skiles, Galis, Lakovic, José Juan Barea, Gianmarco Pozzecco, Campazzo, Kevin Joseph Pangos, Vlado Ilievski, Lukas Lekavičius, David Stockton. Not to mention players from classical period (can we say that?) as Bob Cousy, Bill Sharman, Bob Davies and plenty of other white short PGs.

It's all about the talent and skill. Not to mention that Lukas surely has athletic tools. Again, I doubt it's going to be height as a problem, it should be skills, IQ, talent if that happens.

 

[Straight forward2]

Loved this system of predicting USA Olympic NT and couldn't resist to make it there with Lith NT barring injuries (http://www.aol.com/article/2015/08/04/predicting-the-2016-u-s-mens-olympic-basketball-team/21218020/)

Point Guard locks: Mantas Kalnietis

One and only position which is traditionally highly uncompetitive. Lithuania barely had any-one to play 1 after Chomičius retirement in 90's, had only one but great Šaras in 00's and now it's basically only one Kalnietis. There's some backups surely, but no high quality competition.

Possibilities Lukas Lekavičius, Žygimantas Janavičius, Adas Juškevičius

Could be none of these guys, but if Kazlauskas will go with another nominal PG, I would see Lekavičius as the best option because both Rytas' guards doesn't look better. Very simple logic.

Long-shots Lukas Lekavičius, Arnas Velicka

Unfortunately I don't see anyone as some real long-shots after Lukas, but Velicka showed some leadership for U16 roster so maybe deserves to be mentioned. Really mediocre fields all around when we talk about PGs.

Shooting guard locks: Reinaldas Seibutis

Possibilities Arturas Milaknis, Martynas Pocius, Simas Jasaitis, Marius Grigonis, Deividas Gailius, Adas Juškevičius

Milaknis is almost a lock I think because he's having pretty consistent season with Unics and he delivered with NT when he had a chance. Having many good post players it's a good idea to have shooters. Pocius seem to be dead as a player, but if he can still recover he stays in radar, but highly unlikely as it seems now. Jasaitis can be invited if he will keep playing well as he does now, yet his real level is still questionable these days because his club is pretty weak. I doubt Kazlauskas will go with Gailius cause he doesn't seem to be any better this season and he didn't find time for him in Eurobasket anyway. I doubt he will select Juškevičius because he is lost and already last summer he lost competition with the same Gailius. Grigonis is playing at the same level as last season, but his team is much stronger this year so he might be in the camp, but I doubt he'll be invited because his defence isn't his best value. I think Jasaitis could be most serious boost for 2 position if he's in shape. Rokas Giedraitis can shoot and can score, but i don't think he can play defence at 2 at the moment, so I will mention as possibility at 3.

Long- shots

Martynas Varnas, Edvinas Šeškus

Small Forward locks Jonas Mačiulis, Mindaugas Kuzminskas

No question here. Kuzminskas is really playing great so far and let's hope Mačiulis will be similar to his Eurobasket's self Probably one of the strongest positions in the whole tournament.

Possibilites Rokas Giedraitis.

He's growing as a player and Kazlauskas likes him, but he still needs one or two steps to get tough enough.

Long-shots Tadas Sedekerskis

And with this name might start whole new generation, he might be next franchise player of Lithuanian NT. He not only had 21pts, 8,4 rebounds, 4,6 assists stat line in U16, but differently than say Kleiza is very intelligent all around player. He almost made all tournament team in U18 while being younger.

Power Forward locks Donatas Motiejunas, Paulius Jankunas

One can be great if healthy, other is very solid. Those 2 alone can fill this position and we still have other solid options.

Possibilities Domantas Sabonis, Linas Kleiza, Darjus Lavrinovic

Kleiza stil out so it's hard to comment on his current situation, Darjus is playing well, but he's not getting any younger and Sabonis is rocking. The latter has the most chances to make the team, IMO, because he's the only one surely ready from these 3. At the best case scenario I would love to see some what reborn Kleiza, but it's unlikely, IMO.

Long- Shots Domantas Sabonis

Center locks: Jonas Valančiūnas

Possibilities Antanas Kavaliauskas, Artūras Gudaitis, Robertas Javtokas

It will be competition, but I hardly want to see Javtokas as a back-up. We can't play 4 against 5 offensively. Kazlauskas should throw D-MO or Jankūnas as back-ups if that is needed.

Long- Shots Laurynas Birutis

 

[Shawshank2]

So you're saying that Lekavičius is as fast and quick as Kalnietis, Teodosic or Saras just that he's small? You simply underrating Lekavicius quickness, he's quick, I don't know why he shouldn't be compared to American guards. If we would go with this logic we would go to an absolute absurd like Marčiulionis and Dragič couldn't compete with black American players in terms of athleticism or quickness. And short black players dominate as PGs, not some long PGs.

Nevertheless there are good short non black players of modern basketball like John Stockton, Marc Price, Jason Williams, Scott Skiles, Galis, Lakovic, José Juan Barea, Gianmarco Pozzecco, Campazzo, Kevin Joseph Pangos, Vlado Ilievski, Lukas Lekavičius, David Stockton. Not to mention players from classical period (can we say that?) as Bob Cousy, Bill Sharman, Bob Davies and plenty of other white short PGs.

It's all about the talent and skill. Not to mention that Lukas surely has athletic tools. Again, I doubt it's going to be height as a problem, it should be skills, IQ, talent if that happens.

Im not saying that kalnietis and teodosic is fast as Lukas.Im saying that they are tall and they do no need to be as fast as afroamericans,because they have other advantages over 1m85 players.In order for Lukas to be high quality euro player he will have to be as fast as athletic as those afroamericans.And he is not ! he looks like teenager in front of those euroleague ballers right now.

Comon you are taking parker,dragic,marciulionis that was best of best of european guards and THEY WERE/ARE SUPER TALLENTS,so they were able to hold their own against best nba guards.But all of them is way bigger than Lekavicius.Like 80% of european guards that goes to nba sit on the end of the bench and comes home after 2-3 season.Those afroamericans guards are just to good and too fast to compete with them even for 1m90-95 european guards. So about 5good examples in last 20 years from european guards in nba just prooves the point,that those afroamericans is way more gifted as athletes.

Ofcourse small afroamericans will dominate world Pg position, because as i said they have huge advantage from nature .But my point was best white european guards will be bigger and we can see first examples.You can see now more and more close to 2metres players can do everything on basketball coaurt.And those bigger guards have their own advantages over those fast,quick small afroamericans.YOU WONT BEAT AFROAMERICANS IN SPEED GAME.The way to hold your own is take advantage that you are bigger than they, atleast here you have some chances doing that againts them.Lukas is even smaller than those afroamericans...I just dont see that happening.

 

[Straight forward2]

Very good week for Lith BB:

-Žalgiris produced huge win against Barsa, Kalnietis was great with 16pts, 7 assists, Jankunas with 17pts and finally Pocius coming alive with 12pts, 3 assists (his footwork and overall intensity looked better I thought).
- Motiejunas is playing again! 11pts in 15 minutes and Rockets announcers say Captain hook is back It still take tame for him, but damn I'm happy to see him finally good to play.
- Kuzminskas continuing to shine in Euroleague, averaging 14,4pts per game.
- D. Sabonis really putting up good numbers in in NCAA. In last 4 games he's averaging 15,3 pts, 12 rebounds.
- M. Grigonis continues to play well in ACB. 15pts in last game. His team is winning this season and he's not overdoing at all and yet still avergaing 10pts in 24 minutes, shoots 48% threes and 53% from 2. I think he's really at least borderline player of NT at the moment.

Nice to see how season developing now, expect nice top16 from Zalgiris and happy to see all the best players playing except JV who's coming back soon.

 

[Hepcat2]

Who thinks its time to jump of these veterans backs and let the younger generation like Giedraitis Gudaitis Grigonis take on more responsibility.

Unfortunately the three Gs have been little more than non-entities on Rytas' roster this year.

 

[Straight forward2]

Unfortunately the three Gs have been little more than non-entities on Rytas' roster this year.

Three Gs? Grigonis is not Rytas' player and Giedraitis is playing well, one of few positives of horrible season in Rytas team.

 

[Svajunas2]

Three Gs? Grigonis is not Rytas' player and Giedraitis is playing well, one of few positives of horrible season in Rytas team.

I havent been following much of rytas latetly but I think Giedraitis has hit a wall now...atleast when you look at his stats.

 

[Straight forward2]

I havent been following much of rytas latetly but I think Giedraitis has hit a wall now...atleast when you look at his stats.

He's fine, Rytas is not Siauliai, he shares minutes with Gailius, Lukauskis, not playing that much, but his offence still good, three point shot is money at least in LKL and he was best scorer statistically for the most time, maybe still is. In Eurocup he's inconsisten, but than again all Rytas team is a mess. He should work on his defence and ballhandling skills, should be OK. But for examle Ulanovas is really cooking lately and at the very moment he's better player than Giedraitis, IMO. In the perspective I see Kuzminskas, Giedraitis, Ulanovas and Sedekerskis fighting for 3 position. Very deep position going to be after few years.

 

[Modis2]

In the perspective I see Kuzminskas, Giedraitis, Ulanovas and Sedekerskis fighting for 3 position. Very deep position going to be after few years.

You also forgot M.Grigonis ...Sedekerskis fighting for the 3 position after few years will still be probably to early for him.. I see Sedekerskis as our new Kleiza or even better after four or five years.. Draft express says positive things about him stating he is a Clear-cut NBA talent. He is the most I am gonna try to follow, would like to see him In NCAA next season.

 

[Straight forward2]

You also forgot M.Grigonis ...Sederskis fighting for the 3 position after few years will still be probably to early for him.. I see Sederskis as our new Kleiza or even better after four or five years.. Draft express says positive things about him stating he is a Clear-cut NBA talent. He is the most I am gonna try to follow, would like to see him In NCAA next season.

You might be right, but I hope Grigonis (if he'll pan out to that level) will play more at 2 in NT. As for Sedekerskis, hope he's not reading this forum, I think might be better than Kleiza. His upside because of complete skillset and IQ is huge. Kleiza was athletic, strong dude with good scoring insticts, but Sedekerskis can not only score, he has great passing abilities, ball handling ability, patience, IQ, craftiness. I don't like his playing time in Second Spanish division so far, but I have little doubt he'll dominate next summer again. I would actually hope he would play with U18 under his age, but in U19 WC he should be big as well.

 

[Svajunas2]

You might be right, but I hope Grigonis (if he'll pan out to that level) will play more at 2 in NT. As for Sedekerskis, hope he's not reading this forum, I think might be better than Kleiza. His upside because of complete skillset and IQ is huge. Kleiza was athletic, strong dude with good scoring insticts, but Sedekerskis can not only score, he has great passing abilities, ball handling ability, patience, IQ, craftiness. I don't like his playing time in Second Spanish division so far, but I have little doubt he'll dominate next summer again. I would actually hope he would play with U18 under his age, but in U19 WC he should be big as well.

i mean he is playing in spain, how do u know so much about the guy? from scouting videos?

 

[Straight forward2]

i mean he is playing in spain, how do u know so much about the guy? from scouting videos?

Last season I watched quite few games by Manresa, some streams where available. This season I watched only one game, it seems he is being used both at 2 and 3.

As for Sedekerskis, I only judge from U-18, U-16 games and some videos from other tournaments.