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If mods will decide this thread is excessive, be it, but I'm about to compare Jasikevicius with Jokubaitis (I already compared Velicka with Kalnietis who both had quite few similar traits as 19yo) here and I think we'll have plenty of talk about our point guard and various discussions, comparisons, time's cross selection and so on, so it would be nice to have all the light to this topic in this thread. At the end, the progression of Marciulionis, Jokubaitis, Velicka will be the key how far Lith BB can elevate in 20's most likely.
I'll start with the thesis, that Jokubaitis resembles Jasikevicius by a lot of traits and that Jokubaitis is a better prospect than Jasikevicius was. That doesn't mean Jokubaitis will achieve as much as Jasikevicius, but here's why Jokubaitis is a better prospect. FOA, both stands at 1.93 m, both should have pretty similar size (rather beefy guards let's say), both had high level of court intelligence and competitive spirit, both possessed smart and effective pick and roll plays, great court vision and passing instincts, both had very good mid-range game, both showed the potential to be a reliable 3-point shooters (Saras eventually became terrific shooter). So offensively I see pretty similar profile with some nuances, like Saras probably was a better shooter and Jokubaitis more physical and more diverse driver. Now what makes Jokubaitis better prospect overall. Jokubaitis is much better defender than Jasikevicius. FOA, he has above average defensive motor overall while Saras always despised D and never showed enough pride on it, had low defensive motor. Then, Jokubaitis provides toughness and (despite rather bad lateral quickness, just as Saras') provides fluid and timely feet work and underrated quick hands. So if Saras very often was a black hole defensively and Maccabi always had to switch to zone playing with Saras, Jokubaitis will be from very decent to solid defender. That makes Jokubaitis better prospect overall. Where Jasikevicius exceeded, was his super energetic fighting spirit, great swagger and champions mentality. I'm not sure Jokubaitis (or anyone) can match that, but objectively Jokubaitis is a better prospect.
Now here fun article on why Jasikevicius never made it in the NBA. Personally, I think he could have much better chances if he went straight to the NBA after NCAA and he played in this era when pick and roll game dominates in the NBA much more than in 00's. He never had proper p'n'r partner and his bad lateral quickness forced him to struggle offensively and too look miserable defensively often. I found perfect article on it, quoting best parts and giving the link:
Sarunas' biggest problem in the NBA is how incredibly poor his lateral quickness is, to the point that isolating his man against him is almost a guaranteed two points for the other team.
In European basketball the three-point line is shorter, meaning there is less spacing, meaning you don't have to travel as far to match up with the open man. Thus it's easier for your teammates to rotate into the paint to help when your man blows by you. He still hurts the Lithuanians big time even internationally with his terrible defense. Maccabi Tel Aviv played a matchup zone almost exclusively when Saras stepped on the floor, and even though they had two fantastic perimeter defenders next to him in Anthony Parker and Tal Burstein, they still had one of the worst defenses in Europe (but also the very best offense).
Zone doesn't work as well in the NBA as it does as Europe, again, because of spacing issues. I would like to see more coaches try to use it as a gimmick for a few minutes at a time, but it's not a long-term solution for most NBA teams.
I'll start with the thesis, that Jokubaitis resembles Jasikevicius by a lot of traits and that Jokubaitis is a better prospect than Jasikevicius was. That doesn't mean Jokubaitis will achieve as much as Jasikevicius, but here's why Jokubaitis is a better prospect. FOA, both stands at 1.93 m, both should have pretty similar size (rather beefy guards let's say), both had high level of court intelligence and competitive spirit, both possessed smart and effective pick and roll plays, great court vision and passing instincts, both had very good mid-range game, both showed the potential to be a reliable 3-point shooters (Saras eventually became terrific shooter). So offensively I see pretty similar profile with some nuances, like Saras probably was a better shooter and Jokubaitis more physical and more diverse driver. Now what makes Jokubaitis better prospect overall. Jokubaitis is much better defender than Jasikevicius. FOA, he has above average defensive motor overall while Saras always despised D and never showed enough pride on it, had low defensive motor. Then, Jokubaitis provides toughness and (despite rather bad lateral quickness, just as Saras') provides fluid and timely feet work and underrated quick hands. So if Saras very often was a black hole defensively and Maccabi always had to switch to zone playing with Saras, Jokubaitis will be from very decent to solid defender. That makes Jokubaitis better prospect overall. Where Jasikevicius exceeded, was his super energetic fighting spirit, great swagger and champions mentality. I'm not sure Jokubaitis (or anyone) can match that, but objectively Jokubaitis is a better prospect.
Now here fun article on why Jasikevicius never made it in the NBA. Personally, I think he could have much better chances if he went straight to the NBA after NCAA and he played in this era when pick and roll game dominates in the NBA much more than in 00's. He never had proper p'n'r partner and his bad lateral quickness forced him to struggle offensively and too look miserable defensively often. I found perfect article on it, quoting best parts and giving the link:
Sarunas' biggest problem in the NBA is how incredibly poor his lateral quickness is, to the point that isolating his man against him is almost a guaranteed two points for the other team.
In European basketball the three-point line is shorter, meaning there is less spacing, meaning you don't have to travel as far to match up with the open man. Thus it's easier for your teammates to rotate into the paint to help when your man blows by you. He still hurts the Lithuanians big time even internationally with his terrible defense. Maccabi Tel Aviv played a matchup zone almost exclusively when Saras stepped on the floor, and even though they had two fantastic perimeter defenders next to him in Anthony Parker and Tal Burstein, they still had one of the worst defenses in Europe (but also the very best offense).
Zone doesn't work as well in the NBA as it does as Europe, again, because of spacing issues. I would like to see more coaches try to use it as a gimmick for a few minutes at a time, but it's not a long-term solution for most NBA teams.
Rytas was sweeping Siauliai for the whole second half, but Augustas got only couple of minutes at the end of the game. I already seen maybe four games, including clutch performance against Cbet. Looks nicely. His strong, agile and long limbs will be a horror flick for opponents very soon at both ends of the floor, once he will ripe a little bit more. Moves the ball as a vet. Goes hard with wide and strong drives absorbing the contact. Waiting to see longer stretches once Eurocup will start and Kairys will start to manage the load of Jackson and Gaudelock in LKL.
You take players' qualities, especially weaknesses in senior career like it was absolutely the same back in their teens days and try to compare them with current youngster. That's hardly a way to go to make a fair judgment. I get that there's no way we had a chance to watch and fairly judge young Jasikevicius till he showed up in NT in 1997 being already 21yo, but then there's no point to add him to conversation and comparisons 
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