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Lithuanian Point Guards

  • Thread starter Thread starter Straight forward2
  • Start date Start date
Lately I was reflecting on the thing that I think Jakucionis is already a better player than Kariniauskas, IMO. All in all, I think it would be fair fight between Marciulionis, Lekavicius, Jakucionis in terms of being a second best PG in the country ATM. I treat Marciulionis as most impactful back up PG in the country, but even now Jakucionis could challenge him, IMO. With Lukas the problem is obvious. He became even worse defensively, even worse passer and he can score now only against weak defenses basically. Against non defense team like Rytas. In EL he already doesn't have enough burst and explosiveness to deal with physicality and speed.

I have no doubt that if you would put Jakucionis in main Barca team for 10-12 minutes, he would be way better than Kariniauskas in the same situation. In my opinion he would trash down him and would score in his face and would leave him with way superior feed work and shiftiness any way he would like.

With that said I understand the decision (for now at least) to keep Jakucionis away from reserve and senior NT. U18 is coming and he will even be late a bit for the camp because of NCAA stuff and all. A lot will depend on how U18 will do. If team will get to U19 WC of 2025 then again, he probably won't be invited to the reserve NT, besides most likely he will be active candidate to drafts. Much like Rubstavicius this summer is working out with NBA teams (warriors next).

But my point is. We basically have generational guard in Jakucionis. He will make instant impact and likely even huge impact for Ilinous right from the scratch and likely will make them one of the best NCAA teams overall in his first year, IMO. The year when 18yo rookies are not playing basically. That won't be the case with Kasparas, IMO.

Today I have that vision when Jakucionis dropping 18-20ppg, 8-12apg, 6-9rpg (25-35eff) in 2025 U19 WC and comes to the senior NT camp as a generational talent, much like JV did in 2011. JV dominated U19 and won the tournament with 33eff per game and he just had to be integrated instantly to the NT. I don't know if Jakucionis can make NT in 2025, but I think he is that special that he would be in the camp as a 19yo next summer. And he would legitimately challenge Marciulionis for the spot. That's my projection.
 
Oh come on! Kasparas Jakucionis had a good but not fantastic U18 tournament last summer but that's all the hard evidence we have to this point.

You have a tendency to automatically accord any young players picked up by ACB or NCAA teams with a badge of quality. But that's just another "maybe" since scouts are far from infallible. There's many a slip twixt cup and lip.

However like you I'm very concerned about the backup PG position this summer. Lukas Lekavičius can still shoot out the lights in any given game but has shortcomings on defence. Meanwhile Vaidas Kariniauskas' play peaked in 2020-21 and whether he can rise to the occasion again this summer is questionable.

:(
 
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Dreamcatcher said:
WTF? What kind of impolite message is this? And how can you claim that? You follow all his messages?
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Or are Svajunas and Straight forward perhaps the same person? Why else would Svajunas respond for Straight forward?

:confused:
 
Dude, Jakcuionis is there. That ability to shoot off the dribble and passing clinics and how strong he can get to the basket. We finally have another big one. It's not even elite Euro piece like Jokubaitis. It's a special specimen. We are talking about a guy who can be better than Jasikevicius. We likely witnessing a guy who can reach the tier of Sarunas Marciulionis or get very close to that. Personally I think no-one yet did. Nore Jasikevicius, nore Macijauskas, nore Siska. Jakucionis is that good that I think he might actually be legitimate NBA guard and have a successful career. Other than Marciulionis, we never had any other guards having legitimate NBA career which is pretty sad. Kasparas might change that.

https://x.com/TheIlliniFN/status/1807130777760719189
 
Well I certainly hope he shines but I'll restrain my enthusiasm until we see a lot more hard data.

:confused:
 
Velicka left Rytas. I think more or less it can be claimed that one of the most interesting Lith youth champs performers won't be a very good player on senior level. It turned out that those who claimed Velicka was the second Cizauskas were right.
 
Meet new Jakucionis coach. Dude's amazing. I've been seeing some amazing shit with him on twitter.
https://x.com/TheFieldOf68/status/1610834003203964930

Here's what he got to say on Kasparas, seeing off him to the NT:

Kasparas has been off the charts," Underwood said. "You can see his talent. He’s been maybe better than what I thought in terms of some areas of finishing. The size hasn’t bothered him."

https://www.news-gazette.com/newsletter/content/sports/illini_basketball/good-morning-illini-nation-eurobasket-opportunity/article_9dae1f0e-3d9e-11ef-8609-6b681c11ae65.html?utm_campaign=blox&utm_source=fac ebook&utm_medium=social
 
Words won't be enough starting on July 27th. Given the high praise Kasparas Jakucionis has been drawing, we'll need to see some stellar numbers soon as well.

;)
 
Yes I agree. Those are great numbers. I love his assists and steals vs. turnovers ratios! (Although he needs to work on his three point shot.)

I take it that was an U18 club team tournament?

:confused:
 
Hepcat said:
Yes I agree. Those are great numbers. I love his assists and steals vs. turnovers ratios! (Although he needs to work on his three point shot.)

I take it that was an U18 club team tournament?

:confused:
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Euroleague U18
 
And we have Jakucionis at 15 spot. That's the highest projection so far. We literally never had a pure guard projected as lottery in the NBA. Hell, we didn't ever had a guard in first round ever. This 2025 NBA draft is called drastically stronger than 2024, meaning if Jakucionis would be selected 15-18, he basically would be selected higher than Buzelis at 11 in extremely crappy draft. Nothing to take from Buzelis, I think he's the best prospect in that class, but I'm super excited to see Lihuanian guard being that good. That's history. And Jakucionis, Buzelis coming at the right time, being the same age nearly, will be big turn around for our basketball:

15. Kasparas Jakucionis | 6-4 guard | 19 years old | Illinois


Jakucionis is a 6-4 combo guard who has thrived at every single stage of his career with Barcelona’s youth team. He won the MVP of the Zadar region of 2023’s Next Generation Tournament, then followed it with the MVP in the Belgrade section of the tournament this season while also making the overall All-Tournament team. Long one of the best passers in the age group, the Lithuanian playmaker has an innate feel out of ball screens, with the ability to find open teammates from just about any angle. His ball-screen game flows incredibly well off that skill, as he’s displayed the ability to hit 3s out of pull-up situations and drive all the way to the rim, using his strong frame to keep defenders on his hip. He’s an extremely creative guard with good footwork, good handle and high feel for the game. He could stand to tighten his handle a touch if he’s going to play on the ball long-term, but he is a strong dribble-pass-shoot bet. He’ll attend Illinois this year, where I’m expecting him to share a backcourt with Kylan Boswell. Jakucionis is my favorite among the members of Illinois’ loaded freshman class.
​
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/55...ck-draft-cooper-flagg-dylan-harper-prospects/
 
Jokubaitis cooking in the summer league :) Well, sort of. 8pts in 14min is pretty good. I think he's still not on his best shape. It's funny how fast things changing. 2 years ago Jokubaitis was seen as indisputable future starting guard for Lithuania, almost a saviour, and now he's clearly a back-up optiion for way better by all means Jakucionis. And even so Jokubaitis most likely will have to compete with Marciulionis for back up role at some point. I love it. I'm packing all three to the tournaments.

https://x.com/BigKnickEnergy_/status/1812249421205131694
 
Are we just going to ignore the fact that Sabonis played with injury and still say that he was out of shape?
 
Svajunas said:
Are we just going to ignore the fact that Sabonis played with injury and still say that he was out of shape?
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I hear you, dude. Absolutely he was. Both not in top shape and injured. But it doesn't make the outcome less disappointing.

But, dude, this U18 will be fun. Jakucionis is flawless with the ball. And this team will RUN. Contemporary ass basketball. If we beat the crap out of Europe with that basketball again, it will be so sweet:

https://x.com/imLuckyD/status/1814334027224035463
 
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Straight forward said:
But, dude, this U18 will be fun. Jakucionis is flawless with the ball. And this team will RUN. Contemporary ass basketball. If we beat the crap out of Europe with that basketball again, it will be so sweet:
Click to expand...

I don't care how they do it. "Just win baby, just win."

;)
 
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