2023 Lithuanian NT

[Straight forward]

Hepcat, so you didn't watch a single freakin' game of Zalgiris as usual. And just randomly shooting into darkness again. You shouldn't do that.

I'll clear things up regarding best defenders in the country. Butkevicius is the most complete thus the best defender overall. Meaning he covers 1-4 positions better than anyone. Second most complete and likely second best one is Sedekerskis who can guard 1-5 positions generally at pretty high level, but he's not so sticky and makes more misreads in team defence compared to Butkevicius. But when it comes to guarding true agile skilled guards 1-2 positions then D. Giedraitis is the best in the country. He's the stickiest, most agile and flexible, highest IQ, most consistent with it. Dimsa and Normantas cover more positions with their D presence, like 1-3, because of their better size, which give them the edge in terms of completeness, but they are slightly inferior at guarding pure guards in comparison with Giedraitis.

[Dreamcatcher]

Turns out, it was clear long time ago, that Sabonis won't play. He promised to come next time according to Maksvytis. So why was all that speculation...

Taiwan thing is interesting indeed. What team Asians wanted to play with? Somehow i don't think that complete nonames - it's what they were promised.

[Straight forward]

Can we beat Greece with Giannis, but without Sloukas, Calathes, Dorsey? (Giannis is doubtful, so just hypothetically ATM)

[Shawshank]

in 2020s basketball best defenders is those who can defend multiple positions well.When basketball goes posiontless more and more

Dimsa was choosen over Giedraitis way more in 2023 euroleague.That shows coach sees Dimsa being better at defence in way more matchups



With Giannis Greece is big favourite in any foreigner basketball fans eyes


Their candidate list is huge in size and they will have best euroleagues defender Walkup. I have a feeling he gonna make Jokubaitis life very difficult,because he knows well from zalgiris what he likes to do.


They can play at SF position euroleague players like 2m04 Papanikolaou of SF-PF 2m06 Papapetrou

NT will miss Butkevicius alot in this matchup.He would be very important player


This will be critical,deciding tournament game and everyone knows that even if they dont say that loud in media.

I would put all eggs according to game vs Greece. Rosters 10-12th players desicions,game plan,preparation of physical players running shape that peaking would exactly happen for that week game versus Greece.

[Shawshank]

Turns out, it was clear long time ago, that Sabonis won't play. He promised to come next time according to Maksvytis. So why was all that speculation...

Taiwan thing is interesting indeed. What team Asians wanted to play with? Somehow i don't think that complete nonames - it's what they were promised.

Thats what Balciunas does,i dont believe a single word he is saying in media

He is lieing not only in media,but to Taiwan federation people too

[Shawshank]

USA 12 nba players
Australia have 10 players who played nba games in 2023 season in their NT camp
Spain have 5 players
France have 4 players in final roster (France final roster failed to make 3-4 nba kids they have)
Germany have 4 players (without Kleber )


Those NT won medals in last 5 years in fiba


How Lithuania with 1 nba player should beat them in 2023 ? No suprise we are loosing every time we playing those NTs in last 5-6 years.


Even nba superstar leaded NTs like Slovenia or Greece have problems beating NTs with 4-5 nba players.

I dont even talk about Serbia or Canada and bunch of other average but very dangerous NTs. Fiba competion is loaded big time



For 2020s LTU NTs making top 8 i would call successfull tournament

[Straight forward]

The good thing is that most Greek players are bad shooters, aside youngster of Baskonia. I think if Giannis in, we have to risk on shooting and just close the paint with some sort of zone defense. Offensively it will be hard cause Greece seems to have good defenders basically in all positions. If Giannis out, I think JV can dominate Papagiannis inside. Also I think we can attack at position 2 (Brazdeikis) if smaller guys as Larentzakis or inexperienced youngester Rogkavopoulos playing there. A lot will depend how Jokubaitis will run the team. Walkup or not, he has to be a problem for Greek defense one way or another. I think Lithuania can be a better shooting team with Sirvydis, Kuzminskas, Bendzius, Dimsa and specially if Jokiubaitis and Brazdeikis will have decent shooting tournaments. For Greece losing Sloukas and Dorsey will hit to their % or let's say they won't be better than 34% as they been in EB 22.

[Straight forward]

Good talk on NT. Finally the podcast without a single crazy remark or idea. It's rarity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuMCc7U0dN0&ab_channel=O%2CDangau%21

They named top 12 that I see too, but I principally exclude Kariniauskas cause I think he simply is not sufficient for NT level. I think he will screw and will make more harm than good. I would go with Dimsa, Margiris, D. Giedraitis as Jokubaitis' back-ups at 1. Kariniauskas will basically joing Markevicius, Prekevicius, Mazutis, Zemaitis club if he will be taken, just as he did in 2016, IMO. But unfortunately he has the red carpet basically just because he's the only nominal PG.

PS: The only thing where I think Purlys missing a bit in this video is how he treated Marciulionis. IMO, he will look pretty refreshing against Jordan in those 2 games at least in terms of physicality, D, burst. I actually think that next season in LKL Marciulionis and Kariniauskas would be in exact same tier if Marciulionis not better. Marciulionis won't be trusted or taken, but predict that he will show some sparkles and glimpses of what's coming soon on constant basis.

[Hepcat]

Hepcat, so you didn't watch a single freakin' game of Zalgiris as usual. And just randomly shooting into darkness again. You shouldn't do that.

Neither my presence nor vocal encouragement in front of the TV would change anything let alone my opinion. At the end of the day I still let the numbers do the talking.

[Straight forward]

Jordan supposed to be so weak? Reserve NT sweeps them big time 107:69. Sirvydis drops 16pts in 16min. Marciulionis with 6as and 9pts.

[Hepcat]

These players had the best numbers in the first friendly against Jordan:

PLAYER	MINUTES	EFF
Deividas Sirvydis	15:37	17
Danielius Lavrinovičius	21:30	21
Laurynas Beliauskas	19:26	18
Augustas Marčiulionis	19:23	17
Ignas Sargiūnas	22:38	19
Matas Jogėla	16:20	13

[Shawshank]

3 games with this level opponent? wow new federation puts high standarts

Balciunas attention is to who sell LTU NT name .Their basketball level not important its all about how much their federations willing to pay

Wouldnt be suprised that next summer ltu nt gonna be send to do preparation in China or Singapore high economics,have money

[R1ou]

LTU should have a good chance to make it to the quarters. Greece is weak after all these absenses and none of this other opposition looks harmful for you guys. Serbia or Italy in 1/4 would be the real test.

[Straight forward]

The latest buzz around Serbian NT is that Jokic, Micic and Kalinic are all out. That most likely removes Serbia from medal contention (even though the draw is still favorable) and puts Canada as clear second best team in the tournament. If they beat France I think they can go all the way.

Things brewing. If the quotation above turns out to be true and Giannis is out for Greece we will have legitimate chance to get semis and snatch Olympic ticket. If Giannis coming, Greece is still big favorite, IMO.

[Dirtyh]

Things brewing. If the quotation above turns out to be true and Giannis is out for Greece we will have legitimate chance to get semis and snatch Olympic ticket. If Giannis coming, Greece is still big favorite, IMO.

You sure have change but if Giannis and Jokic are both out, I'd bet my money on Germany or Italy for the other ticket. Spain is obviously going all the way.