2023 Lithuanian NT

[Straight forward]

Brazdeikis is without a doubt the most talented LTU backcourt player but he is frighteningly inefficient. He must nail those wide open shots.

I like Butkevicius too but he shouldnt be allowed to shoot at all.

We talk about currently active. Disagree. Jokubaitis is more talented. 21yo Jokubaitis was more efficient in Eurobasket than Iggy for a reason. Love Iggy and I think he can learn a lot of things in upcoming 2-3 years and to be a really nice player in his prime, but he can't learn Jokubaitis IQ, decision making and complete offensive presence. Jokubaitis is an elite decision maker, facilitator (or at least on his way there once he's fully unleashed). Brazdeikis has a bit of everything, but no elite skill. His best thing is observing the contact inside, moving smaller guards out of his way inside. Can that be elite, unstoppable move in EL? Time will tell. But, anyway, Jokubaitis is more complete and more talented.

[Toruko]

We talk about currently active. Disagree. Jokubaitis is more talented. 21yo Jokubaitis was more efficient in Eurobasket than Iggy for a reason. Love Iggy and I think he can learn a lot of things in upcoming 2-3 years and to be a really nice player in his prime, but he can't learn Jokubaitis IQ, decision making and complete offensive presence. Jokubaitis is an elite decision maker, facilitator (or at least on his way there once he's fully unleashed). Brazdeikis has a bit of everything, but no elite skill. His best thing is observing the contact inside, moving smaller guards out of his way inside. Can that be elite, unstoppable move in EL? Time will tell. But, anyway, Jokubaitis is more complete and more talented.

Nope, maybe youll be right in the future (I strongly doubt it) but for now Jokubaitis hasnt half of his offensive capacity. Brazdeikis doesnt need decision making. Its not his job. His job is to finish and to create for himself. Jokubaitis cant create for himself at that level.

[Straight forward]

Nope, maybe youll be right in the future (I strongly doubt it) but for now Jokubaitis hasnt half of his offensive capacity. Brazdeikis doesnt need decision making. Its not his job. His job is to finish and to create for himself. Jokubaitis cant create for himself at that level.

You're in love with more ISO players and Brazdeikis reflects Turkish BB culture better, so I understand your taste But the thing is that if Jokubaitis played for Zalgiris, 22-24mpg he would be putting better numbers than Iggy, at least efficiency wise, but likely he would be scoring nearly as much too. FOA, Jokubaitis is better three point shooter, and has more reliable mid range jimmy. Both are good in transition and as slashers. Iggy has more athleticism and ISO skill, but that doesn't prevail against all package of Jokubaitis. I think people don't realize that Jokubaitis this season would be 10-12ppg, 6apg, 12-15eff kinda guy for Zalgiris as a starting PG.

Jokubaitis in 6 games with +20 minutes this season for Barca is averaging 14eff per game. When unleashed, he's providing even for such club as Barca. In Zalgiris he would be a leading player.

[Straight forward]

I like Butkevicius too but he shouldnt be allowed to shoot at all.

This deserves a spotlight:

https://twitter.com/BasketNews_lt/status/1644070904618528776

[Toruko]

You're in love with more ISO players and Brazdeikis reflects Turkish BB culture better, so I understand your taste But the thing is that if Jokubaitis played for Zalgiris, 22-24mpg he would be putting better numbers than Iggy, at least efficiency wise, but likely he would be scoring nearly as much too. FOA, Jokubaitis is better three point shooter, and has more reliable mid range jimmy. Both are good in transition and as slashers. Iggy has more athleticism and ISO skill, but that doesn't prevail against all package of Jokubaitis. I think people don't realize that Jokubaitis this season would be 10-12ppg, 6apg, 12-15eff kinda guy for Zalgiris as a starting PG.

Jokubaitis in 6 games with +20 minutes this season for Barca is averaging 14eff per game. When unleashed, he's providing even for such club as Barca. In Zalgiris he would be a leading player.

Well, I give you that efficiency point. Efficiency is not Brazdeikis strongest point but we have to differentiate here a bit. Brazdeikis takes these shots because he is overconfident. He takes difficult shots Jokubaitis would never take. I understand it. The description of his role doesnt allow it but he is also not talented enough for taking tough shots. On the other hand the biggest talents are these talented hard workers. Brazdeikis will need 3-4 years to choose correctly but then he will be a difference maker. Jokubaitis will be a team player but never a game finishing guard and yeah I always prefer talent.

[Straight forward]

Well, I give you that efficiency point. Efficiency is not Brazdeikis strongest point but we have to differentiate here a bit. Brazdeikis takes these shots because he is overconfident. He takes difficult shots Jokubaitis would never take. I understand it. The description of his role doesnt allow it but he is also not talented enough for taking tough shots. On the other hand the biggest talents are these talented hard workers. Brazdeikis will need 3-4 years to choose correctly but then he will be a difference maker. Jokubaitis will be a team player but never a game finishing guard and yeah I always prefer talent.

IDK, man. This theory is very slippery. I think you underrate the fact that 20-22yo Jokubaitis already closed many games for Barca. Often literally being the main scorer in the 4th quarter. It was specially evident last season when Calathes had some issues and so on (he was killing Efes with his last minutes 2+1 in both games, clutch performance taking down Real in Spanish Cup and so forth), but even this season he had some games when he took over. That is very very a lot for a guy of his age. I think you underrate Jokubaitis' scoring potential too. While he's not the flashiest player there, he is super effective and knows when and where to be aggressive. He barely takes a single bounce with the ball aimlessly. He will be closing games, he has enough tools for that. I think you're too much in love with the idea that such players as Iggy can go straight for buckets (mainly going inside as it's his best trait), but Jokubaitis has like 4 dimensions/4 options - he can make a dime, he can slash to his left (very hard stoppable), he can facilitate in and out, and he even can start shooting clutch threes while being in his prime (he's 45.7% EL career threes ATM with 63/138) or take a mid range jimmy.

I love Iggy, but to me he's more limited compared to Jokubaitis.

[Shawshank]

Compare Brazdeikis and Jokubaitis skillsets nothing in comon at all.

Its like compare Kalnietis game to Kleiza game.in NT

One plays pikenrool after pikenrool other plays 1 vs 1


In last 5 minutes of close game coaches fears Brazdeikis abilities more . In first 35minutes coaches respect more what Jokubaitis style 10+5+5 player brings.


If LTU NT would have Evans/Taylor type combo scorer they would have been 2-2 in those 4 endings.

Those skilled combo americans creates something from nothing in last minutes . Taylor did that for zalgiris,same maccabi american created good look againts best zalgiris defender too just missed it,but he did everything right



Ball sometimes will go in and sometimes wont but question is did your guard created decent look or not?

If team have such individually skilled guard they will win like 50% like zalgiris 2023 of those endings,if not ...we saw in eurobasket how its ends




Brazdeikis maturity wise is where Kleiza was in 2007-2009, after hitting game winning dagger in 2008 group vs Argentina ,he had horrible semifinal and bronze medal games one week later


Ups and downs ups and downs that Brazdeikis next 2 years story ,but eventually he can become decent game closer (by ltu standarts) around 2025-2028 looking at skills he has

[Toruko]

The question is you are behind 1 point and have the ball for the last 14 seconds. Who you are gonna trust? Normally you give the ball to the most skilled guy and let him play iso and this is surely Brazdeikis for me and not Jokubaitis. I would discus about Grigonis or Brazdeikis but surely not Jokubaitis. You need individual talent if you want to close games thats that easy.

[zalias]

people often seem to ignore the fact that brazdeikis is still young and this is his first season in europe after playing in g league for his entire pro career. he's getting better every game and i guarantee you brazdeikis will be more impactful this summer than jokubaitis. this lithuanian nt desperately needs individually talented players who can create their own shots and iggy is exactly that.

[Straight forward]

Again, it's not an effort to contradistinguish Iggy and Jokubaitis. Both is blessing for the NT. I'm a big fan of both of them. But people also should understand that Jokubaitis is only 22 and he already had very decent showing in Eurobasket as 21yo. I mean, if for Iggy every year makes a big difference now, even more so is for Jokubaitis. 24yo Jokubaitis might be the unquestionable leader in perimeter already in 2025 Eurobasket. I don't know about last possessions shots, but I see Jokubaitis as a higher ceiling player. He has everything to be TOP EL point guard. He'll be in the same tier with Jasikevicius, Teodisic, Calathes and such. That's how I see his upside. Can I say that Iggy will be TOP EL player of his position? There's possibility for that, but I'm not yet sure. Because of still somewhat questionable IQ and so on. He may learn a lot and make huge strides, or he may struggle with that a bit all career long. Just to be clear - when you have a guys like Siskauskas, Karnisovas, Bogdanovic, Stojakovic you do know that they are gonna be elite cause they have absolutely fluid IQ, skill and decision making profiles. Iggy may remain a bit too wild all his career, but at the very least I see him as role player for TOP EL clubs in his prime (Real, Barca and such). But then again, Jokubaitis is already there.

[Shawshank]

Brazdeikis never will be Siskauskas,Karnisovas intelect player.Those were smart players even when they were young.

Brazdeikis mindset and game style is way closer to young Kleiza. Wild,super tallented but always plays on 100miles per hour speed

When players plays on such wild speed he wont see alot of stuff what is happening on the floor and will make mental mistakes.


When Brazdeikis mature and learn when to slow down,when to go 100mile speed he can have 2-3 summers in NT as main leader that coaches gonna give the ball in endings and in difficult situations.

Jokubaitis is floor general,not iso game closer. I see Jokubaitis like Kalnietis 30min controling everything,but when NT need points go to Kleiza.

I can see similiar roles for Jokubaitis,Brazdeikis in 2025-2028.

[Straight forward]

More or less so, but Jokubaitis is better than Kalnietis and Iggy is not as good as Kleiza.

[Toruko]

More or less so, but Jokubaitis is better than Kalnietis and Iggy is not as good as Kleiza.

Depends on which side of the court you are. Kalnietis was a walking TO machine but he is the far better player on the defensive end. Of course Jokubaitis needs to be much better than him on the offensive end but its not the case right now.

[Shawshank]

More or less so, but Jokubaitis is better than Kalnietis and Iggy is not as good as Kleiza.

Im talking about their playing styles

Today neither Jokubaitis or Brazdeikis is as good as peak Kalnietis,Kleiza was.

But their roles stylistically in NT can be similiar to Kalnietis and Kleiza roles in next olympic cycle.

Only defensively in can be problematic like Toruko says with those 2 together.

But where is good news those 2 is same generation players they will be peaking at same time.
.

[Shawshank]

Top 3 guards for 2023-2024 elite NT

Australia Mills,Exum,Thybulle
Spain Rubio,Brown,Abrines
Slovenia Doncic,Prepelic,Blazic
France Fournier,Okobo,Beaubois
Serbia Bogdanovich,Misic,Guduric
Greece Sloukas,Dorsey,Calathes
Germany Schroder,Lo,Reeves

Canada i wont even speculate they can put second best NT if atleast 80% of their best player would come.

Usa is Usa

Couple NT have very good 4th and 5th guards too,but i limited to 3 guards that usually play big minutes in Nt competions


Lithuania Grigonis and todays versions of Jokubaitis,Brazdeikis of which of those backourts ltu trio is better ?