It was refreshing to see how confident Jokubaitis is. He and JV are at different level than all other players. Yes, Brazdeikis will be good too, but not as consistent and efficient player. I was laughing at these 4th, 5th spots which went to Ulanovas and Brazdeikis (via kepsinis.net). There's no doubt it's Sabonis/JV/Jokubaitis/Grigonis as the best ballers in the country (and the hierarchy of latter 2 are unclear, but most likely Jokubaitis is already third best baller in the country). We have 3 players who play at the highest level possible at the moment - 2 NBA guys and Barca's Jokubaitis. To be fair, I have a feeling that the next guy who will reach this level will be Rubstavicius (maybe Brazdeikis). Jokubaitis decision making and steamy offense will come on a constant basis and this means our offense will be good enough even without Sabonis, Grigonis, Lekavicius. I even liked his effort defensively, he was active with his hands, tried to lock down Georgia's PGs in some possessions, but obviously their guards are far from being elite. If Jokubaitis is playing around 20min. he's an average defender at the very least and sometimes his motor and effort is a bit underrated. Obviously he'll never be good defender, but his presence will be priceless for Lithuanian basketball in upcoming 11-13 years. We have very good player to start building winning culture for 20s at position 1.
I'm most disappointed with the fact we didn't get a small ball 5. If Tubelis out, we really have no answers. Azuolas athleticism and decent lateral quickness, ability to chase down guards for a block here and there could be a nice option. Maldunas zero athleticism will be useless against serious opponents. Shengellia was eating him alive.
Players as Giedraitis, Normantas, Sirvydis, Sederskis, Bendzius all functioned well as role players. We can add D-Mo and Kuzminskas to this list. Meaning we have very adequate role players who will do their job without any frustration and won't ask the ball. This is good. I have Jokubaitis, Brazdeikis, Valanciunas and even Dimsa as top protagonists of this team and players who will play with the ball the most. I still think Kariniauskas will be a tragedy and a mistake. He will suck balls in most if not all serious games, IMO. But it's refreshing to see that Sirvydis and Sedekerskis add certain creativity, passing culture to the team. Specially Sirvydis. We need those secondary facilitating glimpses since we depend on Jokubaitis so much:
To me the biggest issue is the lack of defensive center. How we will be closing games? With freakin' Maldunas? I understand why Maksvytis desperately waited for Tubelis. We are butt naked in this department and after the season with Zalgiris and last EB, he knows we are in trouble if we play JV, D-Mo down the stretch...Our D will be butt naked.
Heading forward we desperately need defensive 5. Hopefully Tubelis/Krivas can offer something soon. I see Tubelis making 2024 as third center.
I'm most disappointed with the fact we didn't get a small ball 5. If Tubelis out, we really have no answers. Azuolas athleticism and decent lateral quickness, ability to chase down guards for a block here and there could be a nice option. Maldunas zero athleticism will be useless against serious opponents. Shengellia was eating him alive.
Players as Giedraitis, Normantas, Sirvydis, Sederskis, Bendzius all functioned well as role players. We can add D-Mo and Kuzminskas to this list. Meaning we have very adequate role players who will do their job without any frustration and won't ask the ball. This is good. I have Jokubaitis, Brazdeikis, Valanciunas and even Dimsa as top protagonists of this team and players who will play with the ball the most. I still think Kariniauskas will be a tragedy and a mistake. He will suck balls in most if not all serious games, IMO. But it's refreshing to see that Sirvydis and Sedekerskis add certain creativity, passing culture to the team. Specially Sirvydis. We need those secondary facilitating glimpses since we depend on Jokubaitis so much:
To me the biggest issue is the lack of defensive center. How we will be closing games? With freakin' Maldunas? I understand why Maksvytis desperately waited for Tubelis. We are butt naked in this department and after the season with Zalgiris and last EB, he knows we are in trouble if we play JV, D-Mo down the stretch...Our D will be butt naked.
Heading forward we desperately need defensive 5. Hopefully Tubelis/Krivas can offer something soon. I see Tubelis making 2024 as third center.
Comment