Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Lithuanian Point Guards

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Originally posted by Svajunas View Post
    Well we can only wish that this will transition into men basketball. There are a lot of case where physically dominant youth players loose their edge against men.
    I wouldn't say Jakucionis game and success based on his superior physicality. If anything he doesn't even particularly has elite athleticism (for NBA standards) when it comes to first step or lateral quickness, but he has very nice combination of mobility, toughness and feel for the game and he unites all that with tremendous motor and lust for the game. Any prospect can fail, but Jakucionis is tier above prospects as Seskus, Cizauskas, Redikas, the ones who likely benefited from being sturdy and more physically matured. The most positive moment was that playing among older guys last summer for U18, against whom Jakucionis didn't have obvious physical advantage surely, he still managed to be really good.

    The most mind blowing stat is that one year younger Jakucionis was putting up nearly similar numbers as TOP 5 drafty one year older Topic this summer. I wouldn't suggest their upside somewhat similar, but Jakucionis is a real deal. To me it would be a shock if he's not EL guard star at the end of the day.
    LTU NT will snatch Eurobasket 2029 title with this roster:

    Jokubaitis, Marciulionis, Laurencikas
    Indrusaitis, Brazdeikis, Rubstavicius
    Buzelis, Lelevicius
    Murauskas, Sirvydis
    Tubelis, Krivas

    Comment


    • Few things. People don't understand in what luxurious situation Jokubaitis has been last 3 years and even before the Zalgiris stint in EL. Being 23yo he is EL vet already basically with 148 total games and he's not even close his prime yet. He became second youngest EL player to reach 1.500 min with Barca's jerseys. He is in the most luxurious position of all young players in Europe and no-one has been having better career as a young player in EL in long years.



      Marciulionis' FG % remain shaky, but his assists rates in last 5 games increased. 7,2as to 2.8 TOs. He will still need time to polish his game for 1-2 seasons, but he is slowly putting all together. In the highlights I saw some things that really promises good thing. He looks more and more polished in his driving game, got even fancy with some dribbles, moves and finishes. He executed ridiculous behind the leg pass and he has that strong bullet pass which he executes nearly in every possession. That touch can't be taught. You either have it or not and it comes from his dad, that crazy crazy strong grip. He moves basketball like a tennis ball. Still one of most special PG commodities in entire Europe, specially passing and defensing wise. And he seems perfect option for the NT as a back up with his profile. Lithuania will have tremendous scoring power in the near future, and to have a guy who looks to create for others in the first place and play bulldog D is just spot on.

      Watch 2:50 and 3:40:
      #3 AUGUSTAS MARCIULIONIS game highlights Saint Mary's Gaels vs SCB Broncos | SMG | NCAA. Augustas Marciulionis stats: 7 PTS / 2 STL / 10 AST / 2 REB







      LTU NT will snatch Eurobasket 2029 title with this roster:

      Jokubaitis, Marciulionis, Laurencikas
      Indrusaitis, Brazdeikis, Rubstavicius
      Buzelis, Lelevicius
      Murauskas, Sirvydis
      Tubelis, Krivas

      Comment


      • Jakucionis is crazy. He nailed few more threes given a chance in ACB in just 2 minutes. He also grabbed 2rbs, 1as. So, what is he, now 14pts in some 6 minutes with Barca's jerseys. Crazy trajectory so far. Whatever you look at it, not every 17yo could do that, far from it.




        Spanish fans raise an obvious question - who will be better, Jokubaitis or Jakucionis? My gut feeling says it's Jakucionis, but both will be star level EL PGs, IMO. Jakucionis became 5th most young player to suit with Barca.
        Last edited by Straight forward; 01-21-2024, 01:43 PM.
        LTU NT will snatch Eurobasket 2029 title with this roster:

        Jokubaitis, Marciulionis, Laurencikas
        Indrusaitis, Brazdeikis, Rubstavicius
        Buzelis, Lelevicius
        Murauskas, Sirvydis
        Tubelis, Krivas

        Comment


        • Good article on Marciulionis. It's a blessing to read from Bennett, really respected NCAA coach, that Augustas is the stud defensively and he gives him the best opposing players. Recently Marciulionis shut down 2 stars leaving them nearly empty. I read some comments on Twitters, like "Marciulionis should be the most underrated defender in NCAA". I believe he will be the best perimeter defender of LTU, better than Giedraitis, cause Marciulionis is stronger, more physical and more athletic, also has longer hands.

          Makvsytis must invite Marciulionis to the main camp and Jakucionis to the reserve NT if that's not overlaps with U18 campaign.

          The numbers tell only part of the story, but they are impressive: Over these past 12 games, he is averaging 12.4 points, 5.8 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 1.6 steals and shooting 38 percent from the 3-point arc.

          “And, he takes the best guard every game,” Bennett said, alluding to the fact that Marciulionis took the lead in limiting Santa Clara’s Adama-Alpha Bal and San Francisco’s Marcus Williams to a combined 2-for-17 shooting and six points in decisive road victories the past two Saturdays. “Most people don’t measure defense. He’s a stud there.”​


          Augustas Marciulionis has started to become the point guard Saint Mary’s needs. And the Gaels are evolving into the team they believed they could be.
          LTU NT will snatch Eurobasket 2029 title with this roster:

          Jokubaitis, Marciulionis, Laurencikas
          Indrusaitis, Brazdeikis, Rubstavicius
          Buzelis, Lelevicius
          Murauskas, Sirvydis
          Tubelis, Krivas

          Comment


          • Marciulionis better and better. I'm starting to like his body again after looking a bit too overweight and heavy for 2 seasons. Now he resembles his dad the most ever. He added muscles, but brought back previous athleticism and agility and now he really loves to finish with the contact, also he coasting the courts as quick as he did being 17-18yo pretty much while being a muscular big PG. I'm really positive about our PG section now. While last 2 seasons there still were some doubts, no I'm 100% certain Marciulionis will reach EL level. Zalgiris, IMO, won't sleep on his and try to take him, but I wouldn't mind Rytas giving him serious minutes at first:

            LTU NT will snatch Eurobasket 2029 title with this roster:

            Jokubaitis, Marciulionis, Laurencikas
            Indrusaitis, Brazdeikis, Rubstavicius
            Buzelis, Lelevicius
            Murauskas, Sirvydis
            Tubelis, Krivas

            Comment


            • I was reflecting Turkish Ustun a bit and did some research and I realized that Jakucionis last year did something special. As a 17yo he unleashed the hell in terms of numbers. 17yo Topic was 8.6eff kinda guy as 17yo in ANGT, A. Marciulionis 14eff, Jokubaitis 12.1eff, Nunez 15,4eff, Ustun 9.3eff. Jakucionis exploded with 23eff. This is totally crazy, specially knowing that his team was stronger than all prospect's that I mentioned previously, it was stacked Barca. Off course, before becoming absolutely vet about this, we should remember that 17yo Velicka had 19eff in ANGT as 17yo. But Velicka was a beast in Youth basketball, he really was and played for weaker team. Stronger and more athletic than any other Euro guard at this level. Unfortunately he can't bring that to PRO level exactly. And also Topic made an incredible leap in one or so year and from 8,6eff kinda guy as 17yo in ANGT he later exploded to become top 10 NBA draft pick material. So it's all about how things translates to PRO.

              However, Jakucionis did something amazing, he really dominated for a great team. This might be the most dominant 17yo guard performance in ANGT in many years. No wonder last year in U18 EC he nearly had Topic efficiency while being one year younger. I'm looking forward how he will do in ANGT this year, can he dominate even more. And his first steps with PRO Barca team is bit surreal. All good signs.

              There's also 15yo Doncic who had 20eff in ANGT, won the tournament and became MVP. So sometimes it's a good indication what's coming pretty directly.

              Also let's see what 17yo Buika will provide now in ANGT.
              Last edited by Straight forward; 01-28-2024, 04:00 PM.
              LTU NT will snatch Eurobasket 2029 title with this roster:

              Jokubaitis, Marciulionis, Laurencikas
              Indrusaitis, Brazdeikis, Rubstavicius
              Buzelis, Lelevicius
              Murauskas, Sirvydis
              Tubelis, Krivas

              Comment


              • Jakucionis looks good.

                Comment


                • I'm telling you, Marciulionis is getting all together. That's the most agile and explosive Augustas I've seen so far. I think one day we might even comeback to Jokubaitis vs Marciulionis debate, which was the main sparkle of this thread. I really like how his athleticism slowly ripen and how he resembles his dad more and more with that more and more polished left hand finishes. Super intrigued about the fellow:

                  LTU NT will snatch Eurobasket 2029 title with this roster:

                  Jokubaitis, Marciulionis, Laurencikas
                  Indrusaitis, Brazdeikis, Rubstavicius
                  Buzelis, Lelevicius
                  Murauskas, Sirvydis
                  Tubelis, Krivas

                  Comment


                  • Explicit highlights of Marciulionis career high game. He really has dominant first step to his left and he beats guards and bigger dudes with it. But he has to work more on his right slashing as well. I think 80% of his drives are left one, even when you know it, it's not easy to stop, but at PRO he needs to mix it more. I like how he drives to his right and then shifts to his left for a finish, that's skill and a great feet work. His cooking things down there in the paint when he gets there. Compared to the start of the season he is already on next level. He is sharper more precise and more on attack mode compared to what we seen in reserve NT:

                    #3 AUGUSTAS MARCIULIONIS game highlights Saint Mary's Gaels vs Loyola Marymount Lions | SMG | NCAA. Augustas Marciulionis stats: 25 PTS / 1 STL / 7 AST / 1 REB
                    LTU NT will snatch Eurobasket 2029 title with this roster:

                    Jokubaitis, Marciulionis, Laurencikas
                    Indrusaitis, Brazdeikis, Rubstavicius
                    Buzelis, Lelevicius
                    Murauskas, Sirvydis
                    Tubelis, Krivas

                    Comment


                    • Originally posted by Straight forward View Post
                      Explicit highlights of Marciulionis career high game. He really has dominant first step to his left and he beats guards and bigger dudes with it. But he has to work more on his right slashing as well. I think 80% of his drives are left one, even when you know it, it's not easy to stop, but at PRO he needs to mix it more. I like how he drives to his right and then shifts to his left for a finish, that's skill and a great feet work. His cooking things down there in the paint when he gets there. Compared to the start of the season he is already on next level. He is sharper more precise and more on attack mode compared to what we seen in reserve NT:

                      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAnK...limeBasketball
                      And what exactly makes you hyped about him? He didnt attempt a single shot. The defense of the team was horrible. Its abviously that nobody of the opponents players will play even FCL level basketball. If you look at his face its pretty clear to me that the kid has confidence issues.

                      Comment


                      • i dont think his first step is dominant enough to overshadow his non existant 3p shooting

                        Comment


                        • Originally posted by Toruko View Post

                          And what exactly makes you hyped about him? He didnt attempt a single shot. The defense of the team was horrible. Its abviously that nobody of the opponents players will play even FCL level basketball. If you look at his face its pretty clear to me that the kid has confidence issues.
                          What do you mean? He took 18 shots in that game and 10 FTs. He'll be a solid baller, you know that you can trust me Most importantly he's a beast defensively and fundamentally sound PG offensively. He doesn't need to be monster scorer to be legit, but he will be better scorer than people realize.


                          Originally posted by zalias View Post
                          i dont think his first step is dominant enough to overshadow his non existant 3p shooting
                          He's ain't Iverson, CP3, Rose, Wall, I. Thomas, Nash, Irving, Russ (fastest guards ever), that's right. But he has enough of explosiveness to get where he wants to get, enough of athleticism and that unique combination of toughness and mobility. When he gets inside you won't push him away from his paths easily and he has nice brakes and accelerator to manipulate defenses inside. He will be very good finishing with contact.

                          People don't realize that he made progress in terms of shooting. In his last 13 games, he shoots something like 36% with 3 attempts. What I like, that his form is becoming tighter and more polished. Was Kalnietis shooting was non existant? Kalnietis EL career threes was 30%. Seibutis 31%. Pocius 31%. All these players never exactly treated as a brickers. When Marciulionis shoots 30%, he's a total bricker That's Marciulionis floor (he shoots 30% this season) and I think he will be better. I expect 35% EL career threes from Augustas.

                          There's a lot of stigma and a lot of love/hate vibes around him. Maybe less than it was with Sirvydis, but on the same tier with Domas ( a la "dad pushed him through"). One, Rooney himself is controversial person when it comes to his post career and Augustas is Rytas' product which always striggers LTU rednecks and provincial idiots (not directing to you personally zalias).
                          LTU NT will snatch Eurobasket 2029 title with this roster:

                          Jokubaitis, Marciulionis, Laurencikas
                          Indrusaitis, Brazdeikis, Rubstavicius
                          Buzelis, Lelevicius
                          Murauskas, Sirvydis
                          Tubelis, Krivas

                          Comment


                          • He'll be a solid baller
                            Its even questionable that hell become a Eurocup level player.

                            Comment


                            • Originally posted by Toruko View Post

                              Its even questionable that hell become a Eurocup level player.
                              Nope. You're missing on Marciulionis (underrate him highly, even though you had some stretches when you were positive about him). Just as you missed on Butkus, Kojenec (overrated them badly), you underrated Jokubaitis as top tier EL PG prospect (initially saying that he's not on the tier of such as Bolmaro and I said he is while he still played in Zagiris), you underrated Sirvydis, Sedekerskis. You underrated Tubelis offensive capabilities (and overrated his D, but in this one I also slipped). You slightly overrate Krivas I believe and maybe even slightly Lelevicius (called him probably the best prospect of LTU or most complete, someth like that), I think you a little bit underrated Jakucionis (even though your last reply was positive), you're seem to be spot on with Rubstavicius (even though failed to notice his passing touch), Murauskas and Indrusaitis and probably Buzelis, at some point you underrated Butkevicius defense, but figured it out later, I think you slightly underrated D. Giedraitis offensive abilities, but that's alright cause in EL he's too fragmental yet role wise. And you overrated Brazdeikis, at least a bit (saying he will be elite in EL, while I think he will remain borderline elite or solid, like more of Grigonis tier).

                              Via internationals, you missed on Franz when I said he can facilitate and be good offensively, you disregarded badly Topic (claiming his early bloomer and won't be dominant player at PRO) f.e. just to remember few occasions.

                              Marciulionis has EL upside. Book it.
                              Last edited by Straight forward; 01-31-2024, 11:35 AM.
                              LTU NT will snatch Eurobasket 2029 title with this roster:

                              Jokubaitis, Marciulionis, Laurencikas
                              Indrusaitis, Brazdeikis, Rubstavicius
                              Buzelis, Lelevicius
                              Murauskas, Sirvydis
                              Tubelis, Krivas

                              Comment


                              • When I was writing about most of the guys they were young like 16. I was not wrong, I was spot on. The point is that you need to wait how they develop. Marculionis has no offensive weapons for pro level. His defense might be solid but its not difference making. Tubelis surely can reach a solid level for EL.

                                Lelevicius is indeed one of my LTU talents who I am very high on.

                                My ranking is like
                                Matas Buzelis 5 stars (never watched him but many reliable sources rate him this way)
                                Rubstavicius 4 stars
                                Lelevicius 3 stars
                                Krivas 3 stars
                                Murauskas 3 stars

                                My raking explained

                                5 stars clear NBA first rounder
                                4 stars borderline NBA guy clear EL talent (who can make difference in EL)
                                3 stars good European prospect

                                The older a guy get the more you can be more precise about his ceiling but lets see who is more precise about him.

                                Comment

                                Working...
                                X

                                Debug Information