2023 Lithuanian NT

[Toruko]

Now it's weak of course. But how Grigonis (in good shape) Jokubaitis, Brazdeikis, Ulanovas (playing well for Lithuanian team, not Turkish one), Butkevicius (very good defender), Kuzminskas (had many good games in NT) backourt would be weak?

It obviously depends on what you expect. My expectation is the quality required for winning a medal and these four guys are not good enough. Jokubaitis has surely potential but right now he is a 15 minutes bench guy with weak perimeter defense. Grigonis, Ulanovas or Butkevicius are mostly one sided guys who lack a certain quality which is needed to win something. Grigonis tried it in Russia with CSKA and had an overall bad season even though he gave some life signs at the end of the season. Ulanovas was a catastrophe in a weak FB team and Butkevicius is a very solid defender but very limited offensively. You cant beat Bogdanovic with Grigonis or Fournier etc.

Butkevicius is the only one who I attest quality in creating for himself but right now he is too sloppy and inefficient.

Kleiza, Siskauskas, Stombergas these were names you could really rely on.

Thats why I called the backcourt weak.

[Straight forward]

I don't think PG lineup will be worse, Jokubaitis will be older, his backup will be worse than Lekavicius on offense but should be better on defense.

No new stars at C and PF, but potentially stronger bench with Sedekerskis Bendzius and possibly someone from reserve replacing/joining Zukauskas. Kuzminskas might even move to more natural SF position which could more or less compensate loss of Grigonis

Grigonis loss is too big to compensate at the moment. He was scorer and facilitator at the same time and the main guy with the ball in 2022. So losing both Grigonis and Lekavicius make huge hit to the backcout. Certain improvement of Jokubaitis and Brazdeikis would be compensation, but not definite. Grigonis loss alone is unmatched at the moment.

I have these as locks:

Jokubaitis, Dimsa
Brazdeikis,
Butkevicius
Sedekerskis, Kuzminskas
Sabonis, Valanciunas

So 8 players core is pretty evident and if these will show up we still have a decent team to at least play decent baskeball. Maksvytis says we gonna fight for medals, and that's what he should say, but we obviously can't do that. FIBA is too competitive, it's not even 2010 when only few teams looked like nearly unbeatable - USA, Spain. People often talk about 2010, but forget that we under performed with B rosters on 1998, 2006 and at the end didn't win anything in 2014, 2019. 2010 is a simple exception. We barely ever won anything with B team other than 2010.

As I said, I would give a third spot for Marciulionis at 1. Obviously Dimsa would be backing up Jokubaitis mainly (or even D. Giedraitis), but that's not sufficient solution. For now we'll go for it, but we should get out of this situation as soon as possible. The only fundamentally sound PG Marciulionis should be integrated for the sake of the future and maybe even some help in WC already.

At 2 probably D. Giedraitis will make it. Normantas having a trashy PO. I'm still not convinced he deserves a spot, but we'll see how he will look in the finals. It's a bit too soon for Rubstavicius, unless he would surprise yet again and make another stride forward in the camp. I have D. Giedraitis as most reliable piece from these three.

At 3 I think it's between Sirvydis and Radzevicius. If Sirvydis looks convincing with reserve NT, I take him cause he's better fit to Sabonis. Butkevicius and Sirvydis would compensate each other.

At 4/5 I would take Tubelis. He could be thrown at either 4 or 5 position if needed. We don't need another havy and predictable C if both Domas and Sabonis in.

My last 4 pieces would be Marciulions, D. Giedraitis, Sirvydis, Tubelis. I go with talent and investment to the future. Maybe if Margiris looks obviously as a lock in the camp I go with him instead of some-one, but if there's no obvious separation in terms of quality I surely pick players who have high upside and have long term upside. That can be the bright side of this summer cause we can only dream about medals. The worst what can happen is like what happened with Zemaitis, Zukauskas last summer.

As I mentioned before, I don't see Velicka in the NT ATM. Too wild, doesn't bring what NT needs. A bit of turnover machine.

PS:

Just a thought (fact) for food: F. Wagner had 32, Fournier 27, L. Brown 28 against Lithuania. The best game for first 2 and second best game for Brown in EB. We usually let the best players to play the best game on us. Only Doncic didn't provide his best this time, but that still was enough to beat us and he had funny game in Kaunas 2021 with 31pts, 13as.

People should think 2 times celebrating the times when we have JV at 5. I literally can't imagine quality D with JV on the court. Also that relates our lack of lock down defensive guards too.

[Straight forward]

Songaila says reserve NT gonna play pretty open basketball, less sets, more freedom for players to make their own (correct) decisions.

Also says he personally wouldn't play Sabonis and Valanciunas together and would look for better spacing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PBySc5hN5g&ab_channel=TV3Televizija

[Straight forward]

Butkevicius is the only one who I attest quality in creating for himself but right now he is too sloppy and inefficient.

Sloppy is the least trait of Brazdeikis 10,3FGA per game in Eurobasket. More than JV, Sabonis, Grigonis.

[Toruko]

Sloppy is the least trait of Brazdeikis 10,3FGA per game in Eurobasket. More than JV, Sabonis, Grigonis.

Sorry I meant Brazdeikis of course.

[LuDux]

Matas Jogela 2022-2023 season highlights HD - YouTube
Arnas Beručka 2022-2023 Season Highlights - YouTube
Danielius Lavrinovicius 2022-2023 season highlights HD - YouTube

[Shawshank]

Sabonis wasnt very active and good president with media objectively,but what was good in his years players had hard time to say im not comming to Sabonis


Seeing that in 2nd summer of new federation like 50% of main 10 players isnt comming i put blame on new federation people.

New federation is interested more to put photo with Buzelis and make big articles in media on their big future plans than have real honest heart to heart talk with todays best ltu players and shut their mouth about those talks.

But they rather praise themselfs and what a fantastic work they doing in media every time Balciunas has a chance


Like i expected federation didnt called those kids before putting their names usual Balciunas media tricks.

And we hearing upset players complains through podcasters that talk with players in personal.


That NT second summer again putting weak preparation schedule in opponnets,because federation want money and searching for teams that will come to play in Lithuania.

Send our NT to acropolis or spain tournaments where they play with strong teams ,referies that will support home team that would be chalenging preparation and I dont give rats ass that federation wont get money for tickets.Im nore interested NT prepare in chalenging atmosphere.


Not this easy schedule with Jordania twice and Finland again twice without Markanen like last summer

[LuDux]

B team will play with Jordan Or so some say

Also Ulanovas is not 100% out "Tikrai komandoje nebus Mariaus Grigonio, Luko Lekavičiaus, Roko Giedraičio. Ir turbūt Edgaro Ulanovo"

[Straight forward]

FOA, it's not 50%. Second of all, I doubt Sabonis could change anything towards Grigonis. Grigonis openly said it's duo to his health. It's completely understandable. Nor Kalnietis, nor Maciulis, nor any other huge patriot of NT had Grigonis' issues. Those issues are very serious. Ulanovas was doing his "thing" under Sabonis too in 2021. Where was Sabonis back then? It's completely out hand. Federation was already there last year and we had our best roster. Even Lekavicius reason is pretty serious. Exactly about that time his wife having baby, that's serious reason, you do want to support your wife and be close at that moment.

So far only Ulanovas and Giedraitis didn't give any reasons and tuned their back. Ulanovas at least has certain injury record which justifies his option and indeed very hard season, but Giedraitis is healthy and athletic and in his prime.

Historically we never had our A team in WC except maybe 2001 (but still no Sabonis, Karnosivas, Ilgauskas) and 2019, but that team was still very limited, bad timing. When your best guard in the tournament is Lekavicius, you have a problem. Saying that something collapsed with this federation is a huge joke Complete ignorance which unfortunately happen too often with shawshank. It's absolute status quo of our BB to have B or B+ team in WC. That's the the case almost all the time. Actually, Balciunas miraculously "bought" WC ticket to 2010 and Lithuania won the only WC medal. So be thankful you little whinny "media trick"

While I agree that federation had to do better job last year with preparation opponents, this time logistically it was really hard to establish super legit preparation. Maksvytis talked about this too.
"It was very difficult to make a preparation plan because at the beginning we didn't know exactly where we would play the group stage. Sometimes it is difficult to leave early and spend time abroad. We will go to Taiwan for a week, acclimatize there, and then go to Manila. We were just trying to optimize everything"

Acclimatize issue was one of the reasons why NT failed in 2001. Very strong NT. With Jasikevicius, Stombergas, Siskauskas, Kaukenas, Timinskas, just after great Olympics 2000. So that's important.

I personally think that it was inevitable and has little to do with federation. Remember last season when Grigonis was sitting injured with CSKA? He was saying that he's not gonna play in Eurobasket. Only war basically changed his decision. Grigonis absence was inevitable sooner or later and that has zero to do with federation I believe. I'm not even sure he will suit for Olympic team. Usually back issues are not getting any better. Macijauskas was doing amazingly a lot to return, but sometimes there's things that you can't fix.

[Straight forward]

For Lithuania only Grigonis decision looks super problematic if you ask me. Lekavicius is important, but not was vital, specially knowing that he's limited in team control, facilitation and defence. Yeah, it's a hit, but the only real hit is Grigonis. Lithuania needs 100% Grigonis to make Olympics and to have a shot to contend with the full roster (assuming Sabonis, Jokubaitis, Grigonis, Brazdeikis, Valanciunas playing very good basketball). I only see Marius as big problem. Others - meh...

We have just a slightly bad timing TBH. Rubstavicius oozing with potential and already is a player as 21yo. Next Olympic summer he will be 22. Likely a bit too soon for him for bigger role, but I think at 23 he will be a beast already. So it might be that Rubstavicius will slip from Lithuania's hands this Olympic cycle. Rubstavicius will be very hardly stoppable offensive force. We potentially speaking about 16-22ppg kinda scorer in FIBA. I doubt Rubstavicius will be ready for big things as 22yo, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if 23yo Rubstavicius was already a pretty much scoring machine in 2025 EB. Once he'll add a little bit more muscle on his frame and will become even more explosive - look out.

[Shawshank]

In 2 years of new federation we heard way too much complains and strange situations comming from players


What happend last summer with Sedekerskis wasnt explained when he refused to come.

Kulboka is obviuosly upset after having good season in uleb and put to team with students and federation wasnt able to make a call?

4 players from top10 declined invitations already and couple more is questionable too


In Sabonis federation max 2 players didnt come,but 50% of players refusing to come never happend

Federation doing very bad job with NT players.


Balciunas seems care and know how to look good in media with all those photos,videos than doing real work with players themselfs

Sabonis federation had very little comunication in media,but 80-85% of players was comming and playing.

[Straight forward]

Well, you should make up your mind whenever federation did a good job hiring Maksvytis or not. I didn't like the idea to allow Maksvytis not to go to fiba windows. That's pretty crazy. OK, we got the ticket, but that was too risky.

It's coaches who make those candidates lists and it's coaches who call players, not Balciunas And not always coaches call everyone before publishing candidates lists, specially when it comes to reserve NT or FIBA windows. It can easily go vise versa, you show what you wanna get and then you talk.

Sedekerskis case has zero to do with federation, only with Maksvytis It was Maksvytis decision to go with guys like Zukauskas in FIBA windows and to keep Sedekerskis on the bench. Balciunas, you know, has quite little to do with that So Sedekerskis felt disappointed and alienated from the NT foreseeing his future (yet another) cut. I do believe both Baskonia guys have the same resentment regarding NT. Sederskis for being cut 2021 and not being trusted in 2022 FIBA windows. Ang Giedraitis for not having bigger roles in 2019, 2021 and 2022. What Balciunas has to do with that? Ask whenever you like all Maksvytis decisions. Including seeing no point to test Sivydis, or giving just few minutes for horribly looking Kulboka. Yes, he looked bad on the court, but were few minutes enough to test him? Later, again, it was coaches decision not to invite Kulboka. Both times it was Kemzura.

Balciunas is not the guy who directly speaks with players. It was always the job of hired coach.

Another thing. If you miss previous federation you should remember glorious move when after Adomaitis NT was left butt naked with Maskoliunas...Terrific job and first ever kick out from Olympics.

[Shawshank]

New federation hired coach that is working with euroleague team .Maksvytis didnt hired himself right?

Coach is good,but he dont have time to all that job behind doors in super busy season.


Its federation job to collect players what head coach needs,communicate with them,feel what is wrong,where are they leaning,try to convince if they have doubts and so on.

Sabonis federation did this job way better than Balciunas federation


I know all those stories,but look at facts.Never so manny diffrent players said no NT.

Its Balciunas federation and when his people doing job badly i will call like it is


Balciunas is praising himself in media how he talks with Buzelis parents but in 2 summers Buzelis isnt seen anywhere with ltu uniform just in media photo



So Balciunas maybe dont talk only with kids parents and maybe for change talk with 10 ltu players and show them some attention ?

Do that media organiser realise that those top 10 players on 80% decides NT results?

or he is too busy to wash more money gotten from tickets and organised events?

[Straight forward]

No, Maksvytis didn't have contract with Zalgiris when hired NT coach. He was working in Perme.. Later federation didn't forbid him to sign with Zalgiris and agreed to go with Kemzura in FIBA windows. That was mistake. I was against that.

Balciunas definitely doesn't construct candidates lists And as I understand he doesn't call players. Songaila was hired for that and he talked with Kulboka. Kulboka BTW didn't say no yet. Again, it's freakin' coaches who control players, talk with them and so on. What can Balciunas talk with them about? How to buy a plane ticket? It's coaches who discuss the vision, role and so on.

So far I see 4 players skipping. Take 2010, there was no Saras, Kaukenas, Songaila, Brothers Lavrinovic and so on. Definitely been worse.

Buzelis is expected more at 2027 WC I would say. Maybe a chance to see him in 2025. Balciunas did more than enough to convince him to represent LTU instead of USA long term.

[Straight forward]

I think you also miss one important thing - this 20s generation is different. There's more counting and caring about careers. What Marciulionis did in 1996 is complete insanity even in 1996, but now it's even absolutely unimaginable. Or like Javtokas played with bad ankles. Current generation won't go for it. Time to realize time's are different, time's changing for the worst in that matter. Balciunas has zero chances to change that. Sabonis BTW too...