Ąžuolas Tubelis thread

[madmax]

Tubelis's comparisons to Songaila are kinda baffling to me, as Darius was nowhere near as athletic or explosive as Tubelis is, neither was he a good defender either...he was simply a very skilled post player and shooter in a classic way. I can't recall a single lithuanian player who can be compared to Azuolas and that's how you know that kid is gonna be special for sure

[Dreamcatcher]

I can't recall a single lithuanian player who can be compared to Azuolas and that's how you know that kid is gonna be special for sure

Compared by what? By athletism? Then i'm pretty sure Javtokas was the most athletic prospect in Lith history. Before motorbike crash he was an athletic beast who could tie that high basket record and make an alley oop dunk over Sabonis.

Or overall like a player? I think Kleiza was the most full packaged forward. Young Linas before a knee problems could grab a rebound and make a dunk over Mozgov who was a big center. I can imagine Tubelis doing that only running - that's where he's very good and fairly can be called an exceptional here. I posted such videos when he wasn't discussed here - a big potential for his young age was out there. Kleiza wasn't so fast and exploasive, but he was a very strong bull (also athletic in the young age) and a scoring machine that overall makes him a better prospect. Tubelis has an obvious flaw - he's not a solid shooter.

I thought more about forwards who could be comparable and that's a one you may not know - Jurkunas. He cood fairly been called the best talent of his generation that won youth EC (where also played Jasikevicius, K.Marciulionis, Sestokas). A life thing is that the legend (Jasikevicius) and a good player ( Sestokas) became those who were a bit worse prospects. In Jurkunas' case NCAA was a very bad choice: he was badly used, got injured and gained killos. But even after that he still was athletic and had one good season in Zalgiris averaging 12 pts in EL.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-OixtZ9MPg&t=196s

[Straight forward]

Or overall like a player? I think Kleiza was the most full packaged forward. Young Linas before a knee problems could grab a rebound and make a dunk over Mozgov who was a big center. I can imagine Tubelis doing that only running - that's where he's very good and fairly can be called an exceptional here. I posted such videos when he wasn't discussed here - a big potential for his young age was out there. Kleiza wasn't so fast and exploasive, but he was a very strong bull (also athletic in the young age) and a scoring machine that overall makes him a better prospect. Tubelis has an obvious flaw - he's not a solid shooter.

Dreamcather I remember that you were the one who spotted Tubelis the most here in the first place. All credits to you here. I noticed elite potential in him while he was already 17yo and you fell in love with him a year before me.

IDK if you ranked only ex players, but to me the most complete forward ever is D. Sabonis. Kleiza is the most complete offensive forward. Young Kleiza wasn't slower and less explosive. At these components both were elite for their size (similar weight, but Tubelis is taller). Tubelis has more explosiveness from one feet, Kleiza could leap explosively from both feet mainly. Speaking about the shooting, freshman Kleiza shot the ball 45/34, freshman Tubelis thus far shoots 48/35 (even though we know Kleiza became good shooter and Tubelis will probably never be such). Kleiza off course was more mobile and skilled offensive player, but the biggest deference is their D. Kleiza never was good defender, Tubelis can be elite as I project or close to that. Besides Tubelis is more of a system player, he's a good passer (not great like Domas, but good), and overall higher IQ player than Kleiza. Thus I treat Tubelis as a better prospect. Overall, IMO, he's a more complete player, even though Kleiza was more offensively talented.

I thought more about forwards who could be comparable and that's a one you may not know - Jurkunas. He cood fairly been called the best talent of his generation that won youth EC (where also played Jasikevicius, K.Marciulionis, Sestokas). A life thing is that the legend (Jasikevicius) and a good player ( Sestokas) became those who were a bit worse prospects. In Jurkunas' case NCAA was a very bad choice: he was badly used, got injured and gained killos. But even after that he still was athletic and had one good season in Zalgiris averaging 12 pts in EL.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-OixtZ9MPg&t=196s

Jurkunas, IMO, is a bad example. Maybe aesthetically we can see some resembles, but Jurkunas wasn't even nearly tough and athletic as Tubelis. He was more of finesse forward, similar to Karnisovas, Kukoc, Bjelica and so on. He was crafty, skilled and great shooter for a big.

[Straight forward]

To me from Lithuanians Kleiza is still the best comparison. Mobile, athletic, super tough forwards with some unique offensive skills. But it's not perfect comparison and I can't find a good piece from NBA as well. Something between Z-Bo, Zion W (poor man's obviously ) and Bogut? That what comes to my mind.

[Mindozas]

Mindozas, maybe not exactly in the game against Lithuania, but that Russia kept red hot Spain with 59pts in the final. That's super incredible. I thought Kirilenko, Khriapa, Holden were in great shape. When you have 2 spiders like Kirilenko, Khriapa who with their agile and long libs can reach any spot of the court, this makes huge difference. IMO, that Russian team was more of defensive team and also played smart offense.

You're right, that Russia was of course more defensive minded unit, under strict Blatt system, but that final... it was always a feeling that it was Spain who choked not Russia who won it. Pretty much usual Spain in domestic champ with big failure, like in 2014, like in 1992. Even that final they started like champions already getting big lead, but then stopped and wasted it all, I don't know why and how, never watched that game second time. For Russia simply everything went into their favor in these PO games - vs France and Parker's FT, vs more tired Lithuania, vs choked Spain. It simply felt that this way, cause the same Spain or us in that tournament were simply better teams. Anyway, in 2008 it was pay back time, when Russia didn't even qualified out of Olympic group, when defense didn't work nor against us, nor Argentina, Australia or Croatia. Anyway, I guess we are getting out of topic with it

Yeah, I generally agree with Tubelis' role, it's just that I expect even more at both ends of the floor than Songaila had been providing.

I hope he will, but at the same time there was always a feeling regarding Songaila that he was underrated and in shadow of that great backcourt we had. He gave more than just stats numbers. Even in his last year with NT, in OQT vs Puerto Rico, his stats shows nothing impressive, but in these limited minutes he played he did major job vs PJ Ramos and co, which basically guaranteed us Olympic ticket. I still believe that if Songaila wouldn't be injured before 2008, we would've beaten Spain in semis, we lacked him badly in that game with OG rookie Kleiza choking and rest of frontcourt being in fouls trouble. We lacked calm, smart big like him.

Going back to Tubelis, I think there's no point to look for some comparisons, cause it's hard to find proper one. Let him go his way

[Straight forward]

Another strong game 17/7. It's six games to go till the end of the season...It sucks Arisona screwed their chances to play in March Madness. IMO, Tubelis already pretty much deserved an invitation to Kaunas camp. He's tough, smart and he's balling. I still treat his chances to make NT rather carefully, but he should hustle around in the camp already, IMO. It's good that he shows signs of improvement in his shooting, both long jumper and threes (37%).

https://twitter.com/APlayersProgram/status/1357500709550186497

[Mindozas]

Another strong game 17/7. It's six games to go till the end of the season...It sucks Arisona screwed their chances to play in March Madness. IMO, Tubelis already pretty much deserved an invitation to Kaunas camp. He's tough, smart and he's balling. I still treat his chances to make NT rather carefully, but he should hustle around in the camp already, IMO. It's good that he shows signs of improvement in his shooting, both long jumper and threes (37%).

https://twitter.com/APlayersProgram/...00709550186497

I think I read somewhere that Arizona decided not to participate in March Madness this season what so ever due to some scandal some time ago, some kind of fair play or smth like that

[Straight forward]

I think I read somewhere that Arizona decided not to participate in March Madness this season what so ever due to some scandal some time ago, some kind of fair play or smth like that

Yeah, they screwed with the rules of players' acquisition regulations or something like that and so they were banned from March Madness this season. For Tubelis it sucks, it's the big stage when all scouts looking at each player very precisely.

[Straight forward]

Good streak for Tubelis. 18pts game. Here's demonstrating his athleticism (visually to me he's a bit too big, IMO, becoming a fat ass would be his big mistake):

https://twitter.com/APlayersProgram/status/1358239120078692352

https://twitter.com/CBBonFOX/status/1358247103957356544

[Straight forward]

Finishing the season strong, 20pts last night. I share his 18pts game highlights. I didn't expect that he would shoot threes like this, 40% now (18.2% last season in Lith second division). Hope it's not a fluke, released 30 threes in 21 game, that's shooting alright. FTs also improved, 70% now and only 55.6% last season. If his shooting improvement is sustainable, he's on the right track to have a solid NBA career:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o60uPoZbm5A

[Straight forward]

And here's 20pts game. It's crazy to see how he stretches the floor like it's his regular day in office The only thing that I have with his other wise terrific fresh man season: don't get a gram bigger! Actually, lose couple of kilos and get more ripped to be more explosive athletically. That's the only concern I have with him this season (and maybe improving his 2pts percentage a little bit as well):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zztx_DPN_zE

[Straight forward]

Here's a good example where Tubelis' and Songaila's comparison is not sufficient. Songaila couldn't run and steam like that. I wish Tubelis would sustain this trait rather then becoming big beefy bruiser down low:

https://twitter.com/APlayersProgram/status/1360056443089559553?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1360056443089559553%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.15min.lt%2F24sek%2Fnaujiena%2Feuropa%2Fncaa-is-vietu-visus-pakeles-a-tubelio-ispuolis-874-1454906

[Hepcat]

Actually Ąžuolas Tubelis already looks heavy compared to how he looked in Lithuania:





Less time at McDonalds and more time doing cardio might be in order. Or maybe less time hoisting beer mugs and more time hoisting dumbbells.

And I hate those T-shirts Tubelis and other NCAA players are allowed to wear under their jerseys.

[Straight forward]

I hate those T-shirts Tubelis and other NCAA players are allowed to wear under their jerseys.

Most important insight of the Tubelis' budding story obviously

[Hepcat]

Most important insight of the Tubelis' budding story obviously

I didn't realize we had to limit our comments to "important" insights on this board. Doing so would swiftly bring the level of posting here down to zero.