2023 Lithuanian NT

[Toruko]

I've seen some, I think he's a good prospect and will be very solid piece for Greece, even one of the keys long term, but ATM he's not there how you put it "will you have an answer for him".

Oh I think he is there and will be one of the key players in the WC.

[Straight forward]

Oh I think he is there and will be one of the key players in the WC.

Well, let's see. I admit I don't know his actual level, but I still think he's a bit less than a main guy for Greece.

[Toruko]

Well, let's see. I admit I don't know his actual level, but I still think he's a bit less than a main guy for Greece.

Without Sloukas he is without a doubt the first option in the offense. There is nobody that can be compared to him in the Greek team. Youll surely have the upper hand under the rim with JV in case Giannis is out but the backcourt of Greece is still stronger. Actually a Nikos type guy is what you need in the LTU NT. It will be interesting at least if not Mexico manages to kick you out.

[Straight forward]

Without Sloukas he is without a doubt the first option in the offense. There is nobody that can be compared to him in the Greek team. Youll surely have the upper hand under the rim with JV in case Giannis is out but the backcourt of Greece is still stronger. Actually a Nikos type guy is what you need in the LTU NT. It will be interesting at least if not Mexico manages to kick you out.

Dude, you're making so many pre-matured and unproven claims and projections that it's completely out of hand. How Nikos is more proven than Calathes of Dorsey or say Thomas Walkup? Come on, man. Second of all, both Dorsey and Walkup can't play together. So there's Calathes + Dorsey/Walkup, I agree that Greece has still probably better backcourt, but Nikos should have an amazing tournament to prove he's better than Jokubaitis or Brazdeikis. ATM this claim is completely idiotic, no offense. You have a terrific decision maker and one of the highest IQ guard in whole Europe in Jokubaitis who have been playing at the highest level for 2 seasons in Europe and finished the season with something like 13pts, 4as taking down Real, and you claim that borderline drafty, unproven in any higher European leagues, Nikos is better...Come on, man Brazdeikis dropped 25pts in EL this season. When Nikos will at least play in EL, we'll talk. I smell another "Biberovic is the best EL prospect and main candidate of Rising Star in 2021/2022" from your side. While I do think Nikos can be pretty good in WC, you're completely lost the context. The same Brazdeikis dropped 17pts against Spain in EB and now he's 1 year better.

Where will he play next season BTW?

[Toruko]

Dude, you're making so many pre-matured and unproven claims and projections that it's completely out of hand. How Nikos is more proven than Calathes of Dorsey or say Thomas Walkup? Come on, man. Second of all, both Dorsey and Walkup can't play together. So there's Calathes + Dorsey/Walkup, I agree that Greece has still probably better backcourt, but Nikos should have an amazing tournament to prove he's better than Jokubaitis or Brazdeikis. ATM this claim is completely idiotic, no offense. You have a terrific decision maker and one of the highest IQ guard in whole Europe in Jokubaitis who have been playing at the highest level for 2 seasons in Europe and finished the season with something like 13pts, 4as taking down Real, and you claim that borderline drafty, unproven in any higher European leagues, Nikos is better...Come on, man Brazdeikis dropped 25pts in EL this season. When Nikos will at least play in EL, we'll talk. I smell another "Biberovic is the best EL prospect and main candidate of Rising Star in 2021/2022" from your side. While I do think Nikos can be pretty good in WC, you're completely lost the context. The same Brazdeikis dropped 17pts against Spain in EB and now he's 1 year better.

Where will he play next season BTW?

You got the wrong idea. Itoudis have some problems with Dorsey in FB so we can expect Walkup to be in and despite of the value of Walkup he is not a scorer and neither Calathes is so who remains is Rogkavopoulos. I watched every game of him in the Turkish BSL which is btw a very strong league and he was great, he has the whole package. Very underrated passer, knows how to speed up or down when getting to the rim and he can create his score from nearly every point and he kills it as a spot up shooter. And in addition he is a tremendous offensive rebounder. Defensively not very good I have to admit but he will have the same value as Brazdeikis has for you.

Last but not least, The people that understand the game of bb can make unproven claims. But I never compared Brazdeikis or Jokubaitis with him. I just said the backcourt of Greece is still better.

[Toruko]

And one more word about Rokas Jokubaitis. I expect him to make the next step and lead his team but his main job will be to utilize the whole team especially JV. Even though he can score off the dribble his main weapon the the pick and roll initiation. I dont expect him to score great numbers. He is just not the type of guy.

Instead JV will again work his butt off and will be beasting around the rims. He will be by far the highest scorer in the LTU NT.

[Straight forward]

You got the wrong idea. Itoudis have some problems with Dorsey in FB so we can expect Walkup to be in and despite of the value of Walkup he is not a scorer and neither Calathes is so who remains is Rogkavopoulos. I watched every game of him in the Turkish BSL which is btw a very strong league and he was great, he has the whole package. Very underrated passer, knows how to speed up or down when getting to the rim and he can create his score from nearly every point and he kills it as a spot up shooter. And in addition he is a tremendous offensive rebounder. Defensively not very good I have to admit but he will have the same value as Brazdeikis has for you.

Last but not least, The people that understand the game of bb can make unproven claims. But I never compared Brazdeikis or Jokubaitis with him. I just said the backcourt of Greece is still better.

OK, let's see. EB will still be next level. With all respect to Turkish League, it's not EL which is whole different animal. I'm looking forward to see how good Nikos will be, but I would be concerned with the lack of highest level BB experience. Jokubaitis already is like a vet, he seen shit with Zalgiris, he seen absolutely highest level with Barca and NT. Brazdeikis also already has NBA, NT and Zalgiris (EL PO experience).

As for Greece, I'm not sure how Calatches (will he be there?) and Walkup fits + if Nikos (I expect him to be streaky and fairly inconsistent during WC) is their best option at 2 it sound pretty problematic. You can comfortably risk on Calathes, Walkup shooting and try lock Nikos down (I also wonder if Kalaitzakis bros already can provide something). Greece can't risk on Jokubaitis shooting generally. Not they can on Brazdeikis. Maybe they will, but it's Jokubaitis I think will have a pretty good shooting tournament already and Brazdeikis while streaky, can shoot too.

It will be interesting game surely.

[Straight forward]

And one more word about Rokas Jokubaitis. I expect him to make the next step and lead his team but his main job will be to utilize the whole team especially JV. Even though he can score off the dribble his main weapon the the pick and roll initiation. I dont expect him to score great numbers. He is just not the type of guy.

Instead JV will again work his butt off and will be beasting around the rims. He will be by far the highest scorer in the LTU NT.

I think overall Jokubaitis will have incomparably more freedom compared to 2022. His minutes will increase to nearly 30mpg now, since Lekavicius and Grigonis out. No proper back-ups. I think we are talking about 11-13 shots per game knowing that he will be forced to do something out of nothing in broken possessions too. JV more or less will remain himself being 15-17ppg, 10rbs per 26-28pmg kinda guy, maybe even exceeding this with couple points. I doubt he's gonna take much more than his usual 10-11 shots per game. Brazdeikis was taking most shots with 10.3 and it's not going to be any lesser most likely since Grigonis out. These 3 should be main contributors offensively, but overall Lithuania usually have a lot of contributors. Kuzminskas, Sedekerskis, Motiejunas, Dimsa will add too. On other hand, I do believe that now NT will depend very heavily on how JV, Jokubaitis, Brazdeikis will play. I think Jokubaitis will be 12-14ppg, 5-7apg, 4rbs per 28-32mpg. And I expect Iggy to be 13-14ppg kinda per 22-26mpg with hopefully higher FG 38.7% that he had in EB.

[Shawshank]

World of basketball is scared to death LTU big 3 Valanciunas,Jokubaitis,Brazdeikis

All 3 are bad defenders and all 3 suspect shooters (that teams can risk on)


If this trio will play big minutes together this team is built to fail simply because of defence.

Forget offence,they will allow so much points that their scoring averages of 16+13+13pts will not make no impact at all



If NT 2023 will suprise everybody and somehow will make top 8 my feeling it will be because coach will have balls to go with less proven defensive minded players in critical moments

[R1ou]

OK, let's see. EB will still be next level. With all respect to Turkish League, it's not EL which is whole different animal. I'm looking forward to see how good Nikos will be, but I would be concerned with the lack of highest level BB experience. Jokubaitis already is like a vet, he seen shit with Zalgiris, he seen absolutely highest level with Barca and NT. Brazdeikis also already has NBA, NT and Zalgiris (EL PO experience).

As for Greece, I'm not sure how Calatches (will he be there?) and Walkup fits + if Nikos (I expect him to be streaky and fairly inconsistent during WC) is their best option at 2 it sound pretty problematic. You can comfortably risk on Calathes, Walkup shooting and try lock Nikos down (I also wonder if Kalaitzakis bros already can provide something). Greece can't risk on Jokubaitis shooting generally. Not they can on Brazdeikis. Maybe they will, but it's Jokubaitis I think will have a pretty good shooting tournament already and Brazdeikis while streaky, can shoot too.

It will be interesting game surely.

If anything I'd let Jokubaitis shoot the ball all night and if I'd lose this way then let it be. It's the safest risk you take against LTU, i'd do it without hesitation.

[Serbian_Layup]

If anything I'd let Jokubaitis shoot the ball all night and if I'd lose this way then let it be. It's the safest risk you take against LTU, i'd do it without hesitation.

Jokubaitis is the only guard who can create on that team, considering their injury woes, which means the game plan vs Lithuania is to press Jokubaitis real hard from the start. Besides him I'm not sure if there are good enough guards who can feed Valanciunas or make timely entry passes in the post. Basically, you don't have to worry about anybody else in terms of playmaking, creation and if you lock Jokubaitis, that offense is not going to be pretty because their big men will also be cut off from the game. Big physical defenders on him and let him feel real contact basketball and see how he reacts.

[Shawshank]

Yeah opponents most likely gonna put their best defender on Jokubaitis trying to cut him off from team.

Walkup would be nr 1 option for this job

Is Walkup is preparing to play for Greece? or that passport just for better contract and not being counted as foreigner?

[Straight forward]

If anything I'd let Jokubaitis shoot the ball all night and if I'd lose this way then let it be. It's the safest risk you take against LTU, i'd do it without hesitation.

Probably logical to test him, but have in mind he's 44.7% EL career from downtown. While Calathes 29.5%, Walkup 34.9%. Jokubaitis will be shooting the lights out and will have some +20 points games in WC while playing around 30min. But Greece definitely have bodies to throw at him, specially if Walkup's available.

[Straight forward]

Jokubaitis is the only guard who can create on that team, considering their injury woes, which means the game plan vs Lithuania is to press Jokubaitis real hard from the start. Besides him I'm not sure if there are good enough guards who can feed Valanciunas or make timely entry passes in the post. Basically, you don't have to worry about anybody else in terms of playmaking, creation and if you lock Jokubaitis, that offense is not going to be pretty because their big men will also be cut off from the game. Big physical defenders on him and let him feel real contact basketball and see how he reacts.

Generally true, but big emphasis on Jokubaitis should open up things for Brazdeikis and likely Dimsa who seems pretty determined these days. Obviously we lack more high level creators and facilitators in the perimeter though, hard to argue.

[Serbian_Layup]

I think Dimsa's value is more on defense than offense. I don't see how he can help offensively except trying to hit open jumpers. I'm not that high on Brazdeikis, teams usually gamble on that kind of player with questionable decision making and poor efficiency to try to beat them. Lithuania is hit hard with injuries, they are easy to scout in this roster. A lot of holes to patch up and not too many assets to work with. Slow tempo basketball, crashing boards and grinding on defense is where Lithuania can look for their chances.