Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) 2022-23

[Dreamcatcher]

Well that team went 4:1 against fairly average Zalgiris in LKL final (at that time Pocius and Jankunas were best players of Zalgiris basically). OK, the team was stronger. But we still talk about top 3 clubs of LKL generally, that's what I meant.

El-Amin...I mean the guy who played only in Eurocup except that season in Rytas...Same goes to Newley, Bajramovic. Sorry, I don't see fundamental difference between the team which is lead by El-Amin/Gecevicius and Morris/Kristian Kullamae.

It's not even serious to speak about smth here...Lietkabelis is more or less of the same level of the current Rytas who would do nothing or almost nothing in EL. 2010-11 Rytas was on the edge of top8 in EL. And the current one is badly struggling in CL. What a bad idea to compare Lietkabelis with that EL level Rytas.

[LuDux]

Basically in the World too, more or less:

https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/top-12...ry?id=44826666

Personal opinion from 5 years ago (No israel, EL but no EC, CL or South American club competition)

Based in performances in European cups LKL was #10 before ban of VTB. LKL could be #10 if it's stronger than China Australia Brasil Argentina leagues

[Straight forward]

It's not even serious to speak about smth here...Lietkabelis is more or less of the same level of the current Rytas who would do nothing or almost nothing in EL. 2010-11 Rytas was on the edge of top8 in EL. And the current one is badly struggling in CL. What a bad idea to compare Lietkabelis with that EL level Rytas.

What kind of EL level? I mean your guards are f...El Amin and Gecevicius There's no defense in the backcourt. That TOP 16 was obviously trash. They would stand the last in today's EL. Bjelica is the only guy there in the roster who was EL level player at that time generally. You're dreaming. That freakin' EL had scrubs as Rytas, Spirou Charleroi, Prokom, Cibona, Cholet and so on. Freakin' Union Olimpia was a strong team that season statistically which says a lot...CSKA was complete trash that season. IMO, we can't even compare that EL with what we have recently. It's trash. Yeah, even Neptunas was in EL once and grabbed some wins, that that make Neptunas EL level club? No at all, just a beginners luck and crappy EL level evidence.

Look at f...Rytas roster. Who was the the player what you would instantly put ahead Morris, Kullamae, Sakic? There's no such player. I mean there's no even such guy as Ch. Eidson, S. Jasikevicius or something like that. That season was trash and super mediocre Zalgiris (which didn't do anything in EL) without a single good foreigner swept that sissy Rytas in the final 4:1. End of the story...

Yeah, freakin top 16 from 24 teams and 16 bottom teams are trash...Tell me about it, dude. That EL aside 4-6 teams was complete trash compared to the rest. Now we have like 15 really competitive teams in EL.

[Dreamcatcher]

What kind of EL level? I mean your guards are f...El Amin and Gecevicius There's no defense in the backcourt. That TOP 16 was obviously trash. They would stand the last in today's EL. Bjelica is the only guy there in the roster who was EL level player at that time generally. You're dreaming. That freakin' EL had scrubs as Rytas, Spirou Charleroi, Prokom, Cibona, Cholet and so on. Freakin' Union Olimpia was a strong team that season statistically which says a lot...CSKA was complete trash that season. IMO, we can't even compare that EL with what we have recently. It's trash. Yeah, even Neptunas was in EL once and grabbed some wins, that that make Neptunas EL level club? No at all, just a beginners luck and crappy EL level evidence.

Look at f...Rytas roster. Who was the the player what you would instantly put ahead Morris, Kullamae, Sakic? There's no such player. I mean there's no even such guy as Ch. Eidson, S. Jasikevicius or something like that. That season was trash and super mediocre Zalgiris (which didn't do anything in EL) without a single good foreigner swept that sissy Rytas in the final 4:1. End of the story...

Yeah, freakin top 16 from 24 teams and 16 bottom teams are trash...Tell me about it, dude. That EL aside 4-6 teams was complete trash compared to the rest. Now we have like 15 really competitive teams in EL.

No, it's trash that you still seriously think that these teams are more or less the same.

Neptunas could win only home games because of a huge effort. But that Rytas could win against strong EL teams not only at home (like against Barca with Rubio, Mickeal, Lorbek), but also in away games against EL champ PAO (Batiste, Diamantidis) or Caja Laboral (Teletovic, Huertas). And you compare it with fucking Lietkabelis where the best players are Kullamae and Lipkevicius. It's madness.

[Straight forward]

That's just single out games. I didn't say Rytas was not stronger. What I'm saying that it's not teams from completely different tiers. You are wrong thinking some El-Amin is much better than Jamel Morrris (17ppg in Eurocup) or that Gecevicius is better than Kullamae (who us much more physical player and better defender). Sure that Rytas was deeper and better, but it was still just a solid Eurocup level club, that's all. You don't freakin' stay in EL for serious action with freakin' Eurocup materials as El-Amin, Gecevicius, Bajramovic and so on. They had no-core for real EL roster. JV was too young, Jasaitis past his prime. Solid Eurocup team, nothing more. Lietkabelis is just one step behind. Add some Milko Bjelica to current Liekabelis and you have basically the same rosters quality wise.

Liekabelis is more or less on the same tier as last season and last season Lietkabelis was sweeping Partizan in some games. That doesn't impress me much. 2010/2011 didn't have EL roster, period. Otherwise they wouldn't had been so hopeless against mediocre Zalgiris in the final.

[Dreamcatcher]

If for you being able to win against EL champ in away game or to play equally against f4 team Siena (and that wasn't all) doesn't mean much then i can't do anything. And Rytas wasn't just a solid Eurocup team. At that days Rytas every season was good enough to be Eurocup contender. At that year's Eurocup season Rytas could easily win against any team except Unics. In the final there was Cajasol who ended 11th in ACB. Unicaja and Caja Laboral were highier and Rytas won against them at that EL season. And even against ACB champ Barca too. LKL finals at the end of the season were bad, but it doesn't change that Rytas was strong that season.

And yes, it's different level in comparison with Lietkabelis. I put an eye closely on its roster and i would say it's close to trash if we speak about smth serious. Griciunas isn't a replacement for Gagic. You didn't like Serbian pg last year but Peno is barely better. I would say there are only 6 players who can play: Kullamae, Morris, Lipkevicius, Maldunas, Murauskas, Sakic. G.Vasiliauskas who isn't a basketball player averages 8 min. You seriously think that this team could win against any strong EL team? Its a level of Eurocup mediocre team at best and there are a lot to do in LKL like to escape with a win in Jonava like yesterday...I would say that Vajnauskas jr. in his brief appearance in Panevezys did a great job bringing Canak who has been doing as much as it possible with this team so far.

[Straight forward]

If for you being able to win against EL champ in away game or to play equally against f4 team Siena (and that wasn't all) doesn't mean much then i can't do anything. And Rytas wasn't just a solid Eurocup team. At that days Rytas every season was good enough to be Eurocup contender. At that year's Eurocup season Rytas could easily win against any team except Unics. In the final there was Cajasol who ended 11th in ACB. Unicaja and Caja Laboral were highier and Rytas won against them at that EL season. And even against ACB champ Barca too. LKL finals at the end of the season were bad, but it doesn't change that Rytas was strong that season.

And yes, it's different level in comparison with Lietkabelis. I put an eye closely on its roster and i would say it's close to trash if we speak about smth serious. Griciunas isn't a replacement for Gagic. You didn't like Serbian pg last year but Peno is barely better. I would say there are only 6 players who can play: Kullamae, Morris, Lipkevicius, Maldunas, Murauskas, Sakic. G.Vasiliauskas who isn't a player averages 8 min. You seriously think that this team could win against any strong EL team? Its a level of Eurocup mediocre team and there are a lot to do in LKL like to escape with a win in Jonava like yesterday...I would say that Vajnauskas jr. in his brief appearance in Panevezys did a great job bringing Canak who has been doing as much as it possible with this team so far.

Peno still has potential to play better. He's a strong defender and pretty good decision maker, recently had few good games so I hope he can do better. Peno and Goloman are disappointments thus far. If to add them (and there's a chance they still will deliver), you have pretty solid 8 men rotation. Off course, this Liekabelis team is much thinner than Rytas 2010, but that Rytas lacked true EL pieces. Besides, I think we only starting to see what Morris and Kullamae are truly worth.

To me to be a solid EL requires quite a lot. In that 2010 Rytas roster I see only Bjelica as serious EL player at that time. All others were Eurocup material, IMO. It's just my opinion, but again that Zalgiris in the final wasn't very impressive team...Begic as their best center Compare Begic with current Hayes...It's a day and night...

[Straight forward]

It would be nice if both Krivas and Murauskas played for Lietkabelis this season and we would get a sense who is more ready for PRO. I would still say Murauskas, but Krivas is also impressive. Tonight he dominated and brought a little bit of everything. But to be fair Pieno Zvaigzdes has no frontline. Most points were bunnies. But he's good, really good nevertheless.

D.Giedraitis looks good. Rusty, but even rusty Giedraitis is fundamentally sound guard. It will be very interesting how Dimsa and D. Giedraitis compete with each other once Giedraitis will be 100% ready.

[Dreamcatcher]

That was a good game between Rytas and Lietkabelis. A crazy thing is that the team from Panevezys shoot threes better than free throws - 62,96% (17/27) against 61,29 (19/31). In OT Rytas had more stamina.

Rubstavicius could play more. He scored 14 min in only 16 min and played full 20 min in only 1 game.

[Straight forward]

Rubstavicius could play more. He scored 14 min in only 16 min and played full 20 min in only 1 game.

Lately he's good. Stepping forward.

Murauskas remains very consistent in LKL and contain that crazy shooting numbers.

Here's scouting report on him, pretty spot on with correct conclusion:

Despite the defensive limitations he offers, Murauskas? combination of positional size, shooting ability and productivity at the senior level for his age will certainly grant him some looks from NBA teams as a stretch forward who can add supplemental value with his ball-handling skills.

https://www.si.com/nba/draft/newsfeed/international-spotlight-paulius-murauskas-shooting-potential

[Straight forward]

Rubstavicius starting to be good. He'll be terrific scorer. He'll be drawing tons of fouls, he will hit threes, he will slash the hell out of you. Canak should unleash him more:

[Straight forward]

Gyorgy Goloman is one dumb basketball player...

[Straight forward]

Both Murauskas and Rubstavicius looked good against Zalgiris. Rubstavicius still needs to add some mass which is limiting his finishing under the basket ATM, but he loves contact (differently than Grigonis) and will be very good slasher too. I'm getting higher on Rubstavicius. Likely the best SG since Macijauskas. He won't be as good as Macas, but he basically has an upside of elite EL SG. Our SG position situation is good with Rubstavicius and Indrusaitis.

[Svajunas]

Both Murauskas and Rubstavicius looked good against Zalgiris. Rubstavicius still needs to add some mass which is limiting his finishing under the basket ATM, but he loves contact (differently than Grigonis) and will be very good slasher too. I'm getting higher on Rubstavicius. Likely the best SG since Macijauskas. He won't be as good as Macas, but he basically has an upside of elite EL SG. Our SG position situation is good with Rubstavicius and Indrusaitis.

Well he definetly exceeding most people expectations including mine. Very solid rookie season. Has good touch, speed to drive and as you mentioned he doesnt shy from the contact.
Would also note, that he has a somewhat wide frame for PG, so he shouldn't have any problems adding lean muscle. Lietkabelis has been my favorite LKL teams for a while now, they always have some upcoming lithuanian talents playing there
and the coach trust them.

[Dreamcatcher]

Both Murauskas and Rubstavicius looked good against Zalgiris. Rubstavicius still needs to add some mass which is limiting his finishing under the basket ATM, but he loves contact (differently than Grigonis) and will be very good slasher too. I'm getting higher on Rubstavicius. Likely the best SG since Macijauskas. He won't be as good as Macas, but he basically has an upside of elite EL SG. Our SG position situation is good with Rubstavicius and Indrusaitis.

I like Rubstavicius. Moreover, i told you before that 2002 generation had been wrongly called ''Tubelis and Marciulionis generation'' because Augustas wasn't clearly top2 talent in this generation, but you couldn't agree with that. U20 showed that i was right. This season already showed that Rubstavicius' huge performace hadn't been any fluke. At the moment he looks like better, hotter and IMO more interesting player than Marciulionis.

But he isn't the best sg since Macijauskas. Last season he played in NKL and averaged 10 pts. Seibutis at that age dominated LKL averaging 18 pts in Sakalai. He was so good that he already could make a debut next season in EL without going to Zalgiris or Rytas at first like it always happens. Unfortunately, another year after he got serious back issues that most likely made his career not elite one. But he still was a very good player and one of the best defensive players in Lith basketball. But somehow people forgot/didn't know what a great talent he was. I noticed it many times.