Ąžuolas Tubelis thread

[Straight forward]

Too little data thus far, but intriguing start for Tubelis. So far drastically improves his field goals %, scores 16.5pts in just 18.5min. That's 35,7pts PER 40. Hopefully, he'll be unleashed here and there for really big games.

Here's coach's word:

Lloyd on Azuolas Tubelis’ performance Friday: “I’ve challenged Zu all year on being more physical, playing better defense. He’s checking all those boxes, and I think he could be the best running big man in the country. If you notice, he’s running the floor and (Koloko) is trailing him. That’s because Zu is so fast, and I think if he is playing against other fours, he has an advantage.”

https://www.azdesertswarm.com/basketball/2021/11/12/22779628/tommy-lloyd-christian-koloko-azuolas-tubelis-said-arizona-wildcats-pac-12-recap-reaction

[Straight forward]

Look how Zu (not the best nick name, but what the heck, it's short) runs the floor. I want more of this dynamics in the NT. Rebound and run, look for easy points. Our set turtle offense makes us so predictable:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfNwhIzWVAY&ab_channel=TremendousUpside

[Straight forward]

Tubelis minutes reduced 3 minutes compared to last season. However, scoring and assisting numbers increased. He slowly polishes his post moves as well:

https://twitter.com/ArizonaMBB/status/1464768657666367490

[Toruko]

Tubelis minutes reduced 3 minutes compared to last season. However, scoring and assisting numbers increased. He slowly polishes his post moves as well:

https://twitter.com/ArizonaMBB/statu...68657666367490

Yeah the trend develops to a scoring based interior player but his 3 point percentage looks still horrible and his free throw percentage is also bad. At this point it is really doubtful that hell be able to shoot. This wont raise his draft stock at all and it is really doubtful if he can fill out a role in the NBA but with his numbers he should be still able to get drafted mid or late second round.

I really dont know what role he is filling out but he was a passable passer, expected a bit more than 2,3 assist per 26 minutes.

[Straight forward]

Yeah the trend develops to a scoring based interior player but his 3 point percentage looks still horrible and his free throw percentage is also bad. At this point it is really doubtful that hell be able to shoot. This wont raise his draft stock at all and it is really doubtful if he can fill out a role in the NBA but with his numbers he should be still able to get drafted mid or late second round.

I really dont know what role he is filling out but he was a passable passer, expected a bit more than 2,3 assist per 26 minutes.

Currently I see him as running 5. As Lloyd said, he should be best running center in the country. IMO, his sturdiness and agility for 5 should be interesting for some NBA teams who could have solid 2 ways center of the bench. Fits well for uptempo NBA.

As NT goes, he will be extremely useful at 5 when JV will retire or one of our NBA studs will be absent.

Look at that, that's beauty:

https://twitter.com/ArizonaMBB/status/1470086800559411205

[Straight forward]

Via https://evanmiya.com/ Tubelis is 3rd at MVP race in NCAA. And one of the most impactful players in the league:

https://twitter.com/evanmiya/status/1470068391788650505

[Straight forward]

Well, Tubelis dominates NCAA. Interesting if Maksvytis will invite him to the camp. Would love to see him playing in EL this season.

https://twitter.com/ArizonaMBB/status/1472368400479391744

[LuDux]

I say we riot if Maskvytis doesn't take him to NT after what he did to California Baptist Lancers

[Straight forward]

I say we riot if Maskvytis doesn't take him to NT after what he did to California Baptist Lancers

Oh, no, LuDux will have another Olympic circle to goalkeeping for his ex Neptunas' idol. It's all about to keep Maksvytis' tunic clean. That's the ultimate goal of Lithuanian basketball.

"Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain."

[LuDux]

Oh, no, LuDux will have another Olympic circle to goalkeeping for his ex Neptunas' idol. It's all about to keep Maksvytis' tunic clean. That's the ultimate goal of Lithuanian basketball.

"Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain."

M upside down is W and I don't believe it's accident that sentence "WTF is wrong with ugly face of Maskvytis?" starts with W. Who was idiot who decided that man, probably, with such face should be coaching Tomas Dimsa, emotional leader of NT?

[Straight forward]

M upside down is W and I don't believe it's accident that sentence "WTF is wrong with ugly face of Maskvytis?" starts with W. Who was idiot who decided that man, probably, with such face should be coaching Tomas Dimsa, emotional leader of NT?

I didn't say ugly face, it said chubby face flushed with spots. Maybe I didn't need to say that, but at the heat of the moment not all emotions are controllable. Saying that Maksvytis is not the most charismatic coach or that he is 3 tiers below as a coach (club career wise) than actual A NT level is a lie? (which I will continue to call "the crisis of Lithuanian coaches")

I say that it's not a lie, and I wish Maksvytis luck, but for such NT as Lithuania someone as Kazlauskas, Jasikevicius should be in charge. And even those guys would receive (actually both already did, one as NT and Zalgiris coach, other as Zalgiris coach) all freakin' criticism about many things (sometimes reasonably, sometimes not). So your idol Maksvytis will get it no matter how much you love him inevitably. Deal with it. If you are about to fight with this, you're fighting with windmills.

So when Maksvytis absolutely randomly decides that Cizauskas has to be in the NT (and probably the best forward this season Radzevicius is not needed), people won't just nod their heads. I didn't and many didn't. Live with that.

[Straight forward]

The presence inside won't stop with JV and Sabonis. Tubelis is really hard to handle inside. He's bigger than most guys, and he's more agile than biggest guys, IMO. He runs the floor well, he passes the ball pretty well. He's like a little less versatile version of Sabonis with better defence, Would that make sense? His defence is probably that X factor in comparison with JV/Domas. With Tubelis at 5 we might have legit defence. Besides, Blazevic and Krivas will also be ballers. So 5 position is very safe and very solid long term. I's fair to say that it's the most solid and trustworthy position, with 29yo JV, 25 Sabonis, 19 Tubelis, 28 Gudaitis, 20 Blazevic, 17 Krivas. No problem at all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeHEVdUaZyA&ab_channel=TremendousUpside

[Straight forward]

This:

https://twitter.com/ArizonaMBB/status/1472758317306945537

[Straight forward]

Tubelis with 32pts career high. Wildcats is a crazy team this season:

https://twitter.com/CBB_Europe/status/1482643811469778945

[Toruko]

+He really runs the floor very very well
+Very solid handling in nearly full speed
+nice touch from around the rim.
-too one dimensional
- bad ft shooter