Lithuanian Point Guards

[Straight forward]

Jokubaitis debut with Barselona vs ACB team Andorra. I like that I see some steals both Summer League and here. Certain defensive motor is there. I liked that long pass with his off right hand. He needs to add more drives to his right still. ACB will be huge upgrade for him compared to LKL, but I also hope he won't be washing the bench in EL as well. He might wanna learn a lot of things from Calathes other than shooting as well

Highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7wY4HfS5ew

[Straight forward]

I like the intensity of the workout. This fella should have a strong season in Italy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6XVONwydE0&ab_channel=AkinAthletics

[Straight forward]

Velička heating up. In last 2 games, 24 and 24 eff. He's playing around 30min. I will be shocked if he won't be somewhere at the top of Italian leagues stats sheets. Italian league is a bit inferior to French and German leagues and he will have all tools to dominate it seems. A bit said that we won't see him in CL or Eurocup. The guy wants to have guaranteed role, we'll see how this strategy pan out. It shouldn't take too long though. I really see a lot of connections between him and Kaukenas. Both are sort of pro ISO. Both are a little bit inconsistent team game wise (). Kaukenas took his time to really become EL stud (actually it's pretty crazy that he started to play in EL as 28yo and then played there for straight 8 years). Both are muscular, sort of tough guards for Euros, and there's some similarity in their body language and motor, but I hope Velicka will find ways to EL sooner.

[Straight forward]

Velička heating up. In last 2 games, 24 and 24 eff. He's playing around 30min. I will be shocked if he won't be somewhere at the top of Italian leagues stats sheets. Italian league is a bit inferior to French and German leagues and he will have all tools to dominate it seems. A bit said that we won't see him in CL or Eurocup. The guy wants to have guaranteed role, we'll see how this strategy pan out. It shouldn't take too long though. I really see a lot of connections between him and Kaukenas. Both are sort of pro ISO. Both are a little bit inconsistent team game wise (). Kaukenas took his time to really become EL stud (actually it's pretty crazy that he started to play in EL as 28yo and then played there for straight 8 years). Both are muscular, sort of tough guards for Euros, and there's some similarity in their body language and motor, but I hope Velicka will find ways to EL sooner.

Working on those threes. His release is really quick and he has range. Very curious if can continue to improve his %. Last season he made a little step forward:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6c45NQJGAE&ab_channel=LBA

[Shawshank]

Barca meltdown againts Real in spanish cup final. It looked Barsa was controlling game for 3 querters and then real when on their offensive blitz run.

Rokas still not ready mentally to handle pressure in final games same happend vs Slovenia final in summer.

But that normal for young kid next big step for him to play well like he can play in pressure games.

The more final games experience Jokubaitis will get the better for NT.

[Straight forward]

Rokas still not ready mentally to handle pressure in final games same happend vs Slovenia final in summer.

But that normal for young kid next big step for him to play well like he can play in pressure games.

Agreed. Alocen already feels comfortable (both 20yo) in such clashes, he spent entire season with REAL previously, while Rokas obviously was anxious. He'll get there. That's one of the advantages of his choice. These REAL - Barsa clashes in Spain is the biggest stage, just like EL or FIBA knock-out stage. As a 20yo Rokas now already knows what it feels like. The game against Slovenia in Kaunas and this game has been the biggest games so far for him, biggest stage. The earlier he'll through this, the earlier he'll be ready to lead NT and big clubs. Also ACB intensity will force him to get even tougher quickly.

BARSA is in strange situation PG wise. In my opinion Calathes is already too weak a little bit to be No.1 PG of EL champs, he became slower and even more indecisive scoring wise, while Jokubaitis is too raw yet and Laprovittola is too wild (BTW, Saras used Jokubaitis as back-up not Laprovittola in this big game, that's a good sign and appreciation of Jokubaitis good previous performances). Summa summarum, I think Calathes will be the reason why Barsa won't make it again in EL final (most likely). Jokubaitis may grow into main PG in say 2 years, but at that time he'll probably have a role in the NBA. So Barsa doesn't have long term PG answer. Differently than Real, which has more chances to keep Alocen in their roster long term, even though there's still some interest by NBA clubs and he may be drafted in 2022.

[Shawshank]

The main reason Barsa lost euroleague final because Calathes got injury in end of semifinal game and in final couldn't move normally.

Calathes was fantastic in semifinal game and always was fantastic in playoffs for Greece/Pao.He is big game player and always was.

It hard to win final when teams main pg becomes raw 20 old Bolmaro especially going againts best euroleague backourt of last 10 years.

When I see barsas kvartet healthy Calathes,Higgins,Mirotic, Davis on the floor together in my eyes Barca is favourite in every game.

But to win euroleague final four team needs good coaching,stars playing like stars and get some luck in some critical moments vs other euroleague elite teams .

[Toruko]

The main reason Barsa lost euroleague final because Calathes got injury in end of semifinal game and in final couldn't move normally.

Oh, this is really divisive. I would say Barca lost because of its restricted offensive power, bad roster building and bad coaching. Calathes is a good player but he never won something as one of the top 2-3 player. There are some good players who lift you up to a certain point but from that point they drag you down. Calathes is one of them. Heurtel is another one for example.

Barca lost the game because Efes was the better team and if you look at all games between Efes and Barca, Efes has the psychological advantage because Efes won (if I am not mistaken) all the games in the last 2-3 years.

It hard to win final when teams main pg becomes raw 20 old Bolmaro especially going againts best euroleague backourt of last 10 years.

This is correct.

When I see barsas kvartet healthy Calathes,Higgins,Mirotic, Davis on the floor together in my eyes Barca is favourite in every game.

Its a lineup that can defend but it has two main weak points. Mirotic is a horrible defender who cant defend a shit. Slow legs, bad positioning and no will to defend and Calathes inability to shoot. I mean if he could at least make the open ones with percentage you could respect his shot but Barca is by far not the favorite against EL top teams with this lineup.

[Straight forward]

I would say Barca lost because of its restricted offensive power, bad roster building and bad coaching.

I agree about the first 2 points (BTW, I think Saras tried to add more shooting with Sanli and Lapravittola which makes sense). But how exactly Saras is a bad coach? I mean particularly, what do you mean? Too much attention to set offense, to many emphasizing on precise complex sets or something?

[Toruko]

I agree about the first 2 points (BTW, I think Saras tried to add more shooting with Sanli and Lapravittola which makes sense). But how exactly Saras is a bad coach? I mean particularly, what do you mean? Too much attention to set offense, to many emphasizing on precise complex sets or something?

Well, first, he forced or better said subjugated the whole team into his archaic center-based system. It worked with a small team like Zalgiris where Saras was the star of the team but it wont work in a team like Barca with Stars. When you looked at faces in team Barca nobody was happy but they accepted his leadership. It didnt work out at last. He should have given more freedom to his backcourt. He has been trying ZOC too much but ZOC gave enough freedom to his stars and their decisions. Bogdanovic with Fenerbahce, Diamantidis with PAO etc. My first point: too much control and too old fashioned game style.

Another bad point is roster building but i am not sure to what extend I can blame him. Guys like Westermann was his decision for sure. You cant sign Mirotic for Millions and use Roland Smits as your second guy or cant have 5 Small forwards and use this Argentinian kid, who was fairly overestimated btw, as your bench play maker.

Westermann is a good guy for Zalgiris but not a material for a playoff EL team. He should have said at least something against signings like Pao Gasol etc. Efes had a very bad final game day but Paos inability to run closeouts brought Efes back. This season is also lost if you ask me

[Straight forward]

Well, first, he forced or better said subjugated the whole team into his archaic center-based system. It worked with a small team like Zalgiris where Saras was the star of the team but it wont work in a team like Barca with Stars. When you looked at faces in team Barca nobody was happy but they accepted his leadership. It didnt work out at last. He should have given more freedom to his backcourt. He has been trying ZOC too much but ZOC gave enough freedom to his stars and their decisions. Bogdanovic with Fenerbahce, Diamantidis with PAO etc. My first point: too much control and too old fashioned game style.

To some extent I agree. He emphasizes bigs and precise, sometimes fanatic belief in set offense. On other hand, he's the one who pushes his players to trust their shots. He says you can shoot 3rd or 24th second of possession if that's a good shot. I think he fallen in love with too much control a little bit and goes a bit old school too much (IMO, he still believes too much in bigs generally and works too much with staggers for one dimensional players as Milaknis and Kuric), but on other hand you have to have in mind that he had to adjust to what he found in Barsa. He couldn't sign some Pangos, Micic and to play completely different basketball. When you have Calathes as main PG and there's only 2 guys in the team who can truly shoot (Higgins and Mirotic and the latter struggled in PO, Kuric is catch and shoot nothing more) you have to play different basketball than Efes IMO, he overdoes a little bit with that totalitarian system basketball, but nevertheless he's still a master of reading mismatches, utilizing individuals to their strengths and preparing spot on game plan. He just has to let it go a little bit, and I hope Sanli shooting at 5 will open up things for Barsa. I'm not a believer in Lapravittola, but to add more shooting guards is what Barca also lacked. We'll see.

[Straight forward]

Despite being a little bit off physically and specially mentally in U19 WC, I see everything that is required to be elite PG in A. Marciulionis. He just needs to put everything together. Whenever it happens it's an open question now, but he has all tools potentially:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LofH_fnAP_4&ab_channel=BenjaminRodriguez

[Straight forward]

Another highly ranked PG prospect 15yo Kasparas Jakucionis. Eurohopes rank him at 5th among 2006 generation prospects. I think he stepped a bit on NKL court last season and dominates his age class - MKL u15 23.8pts, 14.5rbs, 9.5as, 38eff. Seems like youngster will start his career in Spain, linked with BC Barselona. Maybe that's the homework of Jasikevicius already.
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Lithuanian media today threw a light on a matter finally. Jasikevicius didn't influence the departure at all (as he is not responsible for youth section), but Jakucionis met him and talked with him. Hood luck for the fellow. Hope he'll have better experience than Velicka (whatever happened there). I think that Spanish school is good for Lithuanians. Grigonis, Sedekerskis, D. Giedraitis all got benefits from Spanish BB school. Many portals wrote about him, but I share the one with broadest interview:

http://www.eurobasket.lt/naujienos/_barselona_isvykes_vienas_perspektyviausiu_sostines_krepsininku_klubas_prieme_siltai_116060/naujiena/116060

[Straight forward]

The rhetorical but reasonable question now could be whenever we are witnessing the best Lithuanian guard ever at this age? Jokubaitis has been fantastic for Barsa this week. Tonight dropped 22pts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOuSxynbMds&ab_channel=TresMasUno

[Straight forward]

Youth level stats not always translate to PRO, but it's interesting to compare assists averages (per all Youth tournaments) of best Lithuanian PG prospects:

Velicka 5.3
Jokubaitis 4,7
Janavicius 4.4
A. Marciulionis 4.2
Kalnietis 3
Lekavicius 2.5

We can't count Jasikevicius as in his early youth tournament assists were not registered.