2020 Lithuanian NT: in a chase of Olympic dream

[Straight forward]

Which one does he have? Hopefully something really exotic like Old Prussian or Semigallian.

Which dialect is the standard on Lithuanian TV these days? Do any well known Lithuanian players have distinctive, unusual dialects?

"Aukštaičių" dialect is dominant, mostly found in Kaunas and Vilnius (at least among those who are able to use language properly). Pakenas is talking as typical Panevizys dude. It hurts both my hearing and intelect somehow. Songaila used to speak with sharp "Marijampole" dialect Now, I don't think we have such players. Lukas has some as he's from Silale, even Grigonis (even though he's Kaunas guy, but I guess his parents came to city from rural), Brazdeikis has American dialect, LOL. Usually people get it over once they come to Vilnius or Kaunas, but some Pakenas just can't do it I guess or not trying intentionally (again, I'm nazi at this point, I know that this diversity, pluralism of dialect my be treated as interesting and valuable cultural legacy, but not so much too me, let's keep those in history books )

[Shawshank]

Who was better leader in Lietkabelis Dimsa 2019/2020 or Masiulis 2020/21? for me it isnt even close.

Dimsa is clearly 6 best guard in Lithuania now and he will be cut because of that,but i understand what he is doing in this camp.Injury can happen to one of our 5 guards and Dimsa is in.

Masiulis isnt even 3rd best option at C position after Gudaitis cant be there.

Today semifinal Rytas-Lietkabelis Masiulis 0pts in 20min as offensive player in most important season serries start.For example Echodas 14pts.

How this soft kid both physically and mentally can help our NT at anything in Olympic summer thats beyond my understanding.

If i need to rank 15 players on this on preliminary list no brainer i rank nr.15 G.Masiulis

[Straight forward]

Nah, Dimsa is 7th best guard after Kalnietis, Lekavicius, Jokubaitis, Grigonis, Giedraitis, Kariniauskas. And Beliauskas, Velicka are at the same tier as well (actually both of them having much better seasons).

Masiulis isn't as trashy as he showed tonight in LKL, he was averaging around 13ppg, and 6th most efficient player in the league, but still pretty soft, not mentally strong, doesn't have a go to move, has unexpressed offensive profile. Pretty meh at this point and I think doesn't really deserve to be in Kaunas camp. At this point I think Tubelis deserves it more probably. I can imagine that Tubelis would be in double digits being in Masiulis shoes. Undersized Butkevicius/Radzevicius and trashy defensive player Kitsing at 4 as opposition...meh...While Masiulis couldn't do a thing.

[Shawshank]

I'm talking overall not just offence.

Dimsa for me is best pg-sg defender from all those guards you mentioned.Thats exactly what our NT missing alot.

That's why in my eyes he nr.6 today and favourite to make team in 2022 (after Kalnietis will retire) as 5 th guard , in defenders type role our coach could throw at any pg or sg.

Kariniauskas will have his case sure as main competitor for Dimsa next summer for 5th guard place

All others not for next summer.

[Straight forward]

Dimsa's defence is meh...Rather sturdy, but that's all. He's not overly good at positioning, not super agile, doesn't really love to play D, his natural motor is average at best, essentially he's an offensive player and always was so. Average IQ, rather inconsistent. Actually, in youth tournaments he was dropping 18pts in 20min, coaches didn't play him more cause he was wild. Nor Dimsa is lock down defender, nor his presence would change anything. I doubt he'll ever make NT. Kariniauskas chances are also slim, but probably higher since Kalnietis will retire. However, I project that Velicka may surpass Kariniauskas as more tougher, explosive 2 ways point guard in upcoming season, or in 2 years surely. You simply overrate Dimsa at this point. If there's guys who will change our perimeter defence, that's Marciulionis, Velicka, D. Giedraitis and even Jokubaitis. All have above average motor, elite physical profile for their position as Euros, high IQ. When those will ripe, there will be a change. Dimsa ain't changing nothing and it's like 90% that he will never make senior NT.

[Shawshank]

ps. watched 4min highlights of Rytas-Lietkabelis game.

Zibenas put 1m97 Arnas on 2m07 Masiulis on 1 and 3 querters starts from video highlights.

Thats what happend with poor Gytis today. He couldnt beat on speed and could outmuscle Arnas inside and ended with zero pts .

[LuDux]

Some of the best Masiulis games were at C
https://www.lkl.lt/rungtynes/9564#mbt:73-400$t&0=1
https://www.lkl.lt/rungtynes/5840#mbt:73-400$t&0=1

[Shawshank]

Dimsa's defence is meh...Rather sturdy, but that's all. He's not overly good at positioning, not super agile, doesn't really love to play D, his natural motor is average at best, essentially he's an offensive player and always was so. Average IQ, rather inconsistent. Actually, in youth tournaments he was dropping 18pts in 20min, coaches didn't play him more cause he was wild. Nor Dimsa is lock down defender, nor his presence would change anything. I doubt he'll ever make NT. Kariniauskas chances are also slim, but probably higher since Kalnietis will retire. However, I project that Velicka may surpass Kariniauskas as more tougher, explosive 2 ways point guard in upcoming season, or in 2 years surely. You simply overrate Dimsa at this point. If there's guys who will change our perimeter defence, that's Marciulionis, Velicka, D. Giedraitis and even Jokubaitis. All have above average motor, elite physical profile for their position as Euros, high IQ. When those will ripe, there will be a change. Dimsa ain't changing nothing and it's like 90% that he will never make senior NT.

Dimsa is making NT for sure and very soon.

He is Grigonis bros and now their generation taking over in NT.

Until those your kids will mature to play defence against best men players next Olympics will come. Im searching for guards that can play defence in 2022 and 2023.

[Straight forward]

Dimsa is making NT for sure and very soon.

He is Grigonis bros and now their generation taking over in NT.

Until those your kids will mature to play defence against best men players next Olympics will come. Im searching for guards that can play defence in 2022 and 2023.

Some story, bruh...Same scheme?

Neither they are mine, neither they will come as one generation. 2021 NT will be lead by 25yo Sabonis, 29yo Valanciunas and 27yo Grigonis. There's no one generation in the NT. Even Rooney with Sabas needed support from super youngster and super vet.

Yeah, Dimsa will make a difference for you against best NTs in the world...

[Shawshank]

you should check word generation meaning Bro because same generation is not just called people who is born in same year.

Generations changes every 5-6 years.Same as both Sabonis and Valanciunas is same generation,same mindset people .

Like Kurtinaitis,Chomicius,Sabonis,Marciulionis was from same too with 4 years diffrence.

I see only one kid u-22 making NT as i predicted, i dont see your kindergarden team in 15prelimin list.

You were telling same stories about same kids 2 years ago and i repeating u once again before they turned 22-23 no point even discussing unless they are generational tallents those all timers.

Please dont put me again your u-21 team players as some kind help to NT in upcomming 2 years.

Go "lithuania tallents" topic and predict ltu rise in 2025.But please stop smoking and imagine how 21-22 kids will lead our NT next summer in guard positions.

[Dreamcatcher]

If you mention Masiulis's zero performance today, how about Jokubaitis's -8 EFF against Juventus? And this guy is strongly rumoured to Barca. In any other strong NT he wouldn't be a lock.

[Hepcat]

With respect to Rokas Jokubaitis I hesitate to draw any conclusions from one game.

Nonetheless I'm very much concerned that Coach Maskoliūnas has in effect turned Jokubaitis into a lock by not inviting any competitors for that third PG slot. I was hoping to see Arnas Velička plus some seasoned veteran, e.g. Žygimantas Janavičius, against whom the young fellows could be assessed but for whatever reason Maskoliūnas didn't ask for my advice. Now if Jokubaitis sucks in camp, the only option is to take Tomas Dimša and pray that Marius Grigonis still knows something about playing PG if he's called upon to do so in the crunch. Not good.

[Mindozas]

I hope that at the end of the day not connections ,but fair judmements will decide who represent our NT.

No way Masiulis is top 15 player in ltu right now,but he maded best 15 players NT camp just saying

I just don't get where it comes from? Is Maskoliunas known for such actions? Is Masiulis-The Father known for that? Why to make up stories? It's national team heading to the most important tournament in 5 years, not some highschool local competition where connections happens. These conspiracies are just crazy as fck

And btw, not top15 players have to make the roster, there are positions in basketball, you know Masiulis obviously made it cause he is 4/5 capable of shooting. That's his advantage over all these Geben, Echodas and etc. We have Domas and JV in the paint, but some stretching might be needed. Anyway, Masiulis is still complete reserve, his only chance to make it to NT is probably vs Bendzius

With respect to Rokas Jokubaitis I hesitate to draw any conclusions from one game.

Nonetheless I'm very much concerned that Coach Maskoliūnas has in effect turned Jokubaitis into a lock by not inviting any competitors for that third PG slot. I was hoping to see Arnas Velička plus some seasoned veteran, e.g. Žygimantas Janavičius, against whom the young fellows could be assessed but for whatever reason Maskoliūnas didn't ask for my advice. Now if Jokubaitis sucks in camp, the only option is to take Tomas Dimša and pray that Marius Grigonis still knows something about playing PG if he's called upon to do so in the crunch. Not good.

Man, do you realize that we'll have two weeks to prepare? ONLY TWO WEEKS. You can't get into camp 6 PGs, play 10 friendlies. Coaches aren't in such position like we usualy were with almost 2 months long preparations and then whole country playing the game "Who will be cut next", they need to guess a bit here and there, they need a player who they know better, who would fit schemes better, who looks better now, plays in higher level maybe. Jokubaitis is natural choice, only compatition for him could've been Kariniauskas, who did well in recent window, but he is injured. Janavicius is done as NT material, actually never was, Velicka is too raw for now, he looked lost in window and failed his test (chance) there

[Straight forward]

I see only one kid u-22 making NT as i predicted, i dont see your kindergarden team in 15prelimin list.

You were telling same stories about same kids 2 years ago and i repeating u once again before they turned 22-23 no point even discussing unless they are generational tallents those all timers.

Please dont put me again your u-21 team players as some kind help to NT in upcomming 2 years.

Go "lithuania tallents" topic and predict ltu rise in 2025.But please stop smoking and imagine how 21-22 kids will lead our NT next summer in guard positions.

The problem with you that you always look at the passport. That's wrong. We will have 20yo Jokubaitis, 22yo Brazdeikis, 23yo Sedekerskis, Masiulis. That's quite a kindergarden you know. Maybe you need glasses to see it? And it's Olympic season. I'm sure new coach may invite much more talented youngsters to longer camp prior 2022 Eurobasket. Objectively looking, 19yo Tubelis could be in the camp already and he wouldn't do no shame for himself, I'm pretty sure. If a player is good, he's good no matter his age. If he's ready to be in the camp, he should be in the camp no matter his age. And as I said many times we had plenty of young new comers in Olympic rosters, let alone other tournaments. Why you have to go against facts, I have no idea.

Whenever some youngsters will be ready it's complete speculation (it can be more or less grounded on expertize and quality projection, but it's speculation and no-one knows for sure), but to say that hey "these guys are now in their prime so they taking over no matter what" is just plain wrong. That's silly evaluation of players duo to their age, nothing more.

In upcoming 2 years (2022, 2023) Tubelis, Sirvydis, Velicka will most likely have their chances to make the team and some others might be in consideration as well. That's pretty much a no-brainer. Whenever it fits your schemes and narratives it's completely irrelevant at this point. And try to read my posts carefully. I know that after 2 years you will be saying that I said that Tubelis, Sirvydis, Velicka are locks for 2023 Eurobasket Respect our conversation here please, let's be precise.

[Straight forward]

Jokubaitis is natural choice, only compatition for him could've been Kariniauskas, who did well in recent window, but he is injured. Janavicius is done as NT material, actually never was, Velicka is too raw for now, he looked lost in window and failed his test (chance) there

That's all correct, but one little detail. FOA, I don' think Velicka had to be invited to Kaunas, the camp too short (no objections here), but when we having the last FIBA window in mind, we should consider that Velicka didn't play in the first game against Czech Rep. and was thrown into the fire right in the do or die game against Denmark (while Kariniauskas already came after a good game against Czech Rep. and his comfort level was at other point), besides Velicka did well in previous FIBA window when at times he looked more convincing than even Kalnietis. I have no doubt current Kariniauskas has an edge against Velicka, but we shouldn't rank the difference solely on that game against Denmark were Kariniauskas looked solidly and Velicka blew it. We don't know if Kariniauskas would sustain consistency if he had played in several windows (as Velicka did), maybe he would be screwing here and there as Velicka did, we have to credit really decent debut of Velicka in first Vilnius' window and we have to compare both players season (both had an impressive ones and it's even hard to say which looked more impressively as Velicka was balling in the higher leagues while Katiniauskas was balling for one of top LKL teams). I conclude, that Kariniauskas has an edge, but, IMO, it's surely not as big as we could think just looking at that Denmark game. Besides, even if we assume that under pressure Kariniauskas is that much better as he was in that game, we still should have in mind senior NT context. In other words, maybe in the group stage and prior crunch time Velicka would be more convincing than Kariniauskas f.e. and maybe Kariniauskas' clutch abilities in senior NT could be irrelevant as some Kalnietis and Grigonis would be finishing games. Besides, I would argue that on status quo environment, Velicka is a better defender than Kariniauskas and still has time to improve more. So, comparison between Kariniauskas and Velicka should withdraw all the complexity, even if I agree that Kariniauskas is better at the given moment.