2024 Lithuanian NT

[Shawshank]

When fan imagines that coach when olympic ticket will be on line will even think putting 2 NT rookies in hostilie 15k envirenment and not euroleague experienced proffesionals i just give up and accept this fan have no clue what he is talking.

[Straight forward]

When fan imagines that coach when olympic ticket will be on line will even think putting 2 NT rookies in hostilie 15k envirenment and not euroleague experienced proffesionals i just give up and accept this fan have no clue what he is talking.

Hey, fan, why wouldn't you stop being pathetic? Aside 1992 when all players were rookies for LTU NT, in 1996 Garastas took Pacesas, Vaisvila as rookies. In 2000 Kazlauskas took Siska and Giedraitis, in 2004 Javtokas, 2008 Prekevicius, Petravicius, 2012 Kavaliauskas, 2016 Kariniauskas, Grigonis. Aside Petravicius no-one had real EL experience (Kariniauskas previously had, but he was taken from second Greek League).

I would suggest to leave this forum. You're always lost and unfortunately can't realize how pathetic you are. Don't make a fool of yourself even further. You're really dragging down the whole level of conversation in this forum. Go be pathetic and stupid else where, please.

[Straight forward]

Well, solid, really solid roster for EB qualification. Should be two strong wins. No Rubstavicius unfortunately. To me, Marciulionis and Rubstavicius now most interesting borderliners (well, Tubelis is in). It will be interesting to see how now Sirvydis will feel and provide playing next EL games. Good test for him mentally. He is more talented than players like Ulanovas, R. Giedraitis, but it's a question when he will start showing this. Reaching the highest level is a process.

Overall, I see Sirvydis and Tubelis as top tier prospect from this roster and D. Giedraitis as solid EL material (should be more or less on the same tier with Ulanovas, R. Giedraitis, or maybe Lekavicius, during his EL career, IMO).

I wished Maksvytis had balls to invite K. Jakcucionis as truly young player. Anytime I see Kariniauskas figure I'm almost instantly depressed. Even if it's only qualification. Such level players should be galaxies away from NT level and this dude already played in Olympics 2016 and WC 2023. It's a shame and travesty. I'm really happy that in next 15 years such figures will have 0 chances to make NT and it will be a proper level NT. I sincerely believe Bickauskis and Janavicius are both still better players than soft slow ass useless Kariniauskas.

https://twitter.com/ltu_basketball/status/1755183596782981361

[Straight forward]

I want Rubstavicius in the main camp 2024. Impressive consistency. Goes to the cup easily, you can feel that length, skill and athleticism. And he shoots 50% threes. He totally must be invited. 13pts this time, legit 5-9 FGs:

https://twitter.com/NBLNextStars/status/1755850282465124594

[Straight forward]

Yup, that third picture. Maksvytis not only met Domas, JV, but also Buzelis. It's the key for NT to lock him for next Olympic cycle. I don't mind not seeing Buzelis playing for 2025 in EB as it will be his first NBA off season, but I want Matas 100% in 2027 WC and to contend there. To go after medals as objective and reachable goal. NT should have time to do things like that:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3NR5BmtNYx/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=25d9e63c-e675-4e40-afd1-08549cd344d1&img_index=3

[zalias]

maksvytis mentioned buzelis could join the natiional team this year, but i really dont see how that would benefit anyone. he's struggling in G league, which kind of an indication that he's still very raw and wouldnt make much of a difference for lithuania just yet. a lot of his flaws got exposed this season with ignite, he should spend this summer in the gym lifting weights instead of wasting his time on lithuania's bench

[Straight forward]

maksvytis mentioned buzelis could join the natiional team this year, but i really dont see how that would benefit anyone. he's struggling in G league, which kind of an indication that he's still very raw and wouldnt make much of a difference for lithuania just yet. a lot of his flaws got exposed this season with ignite, he should spend this summer in the gym lifting weights instead of wasting his time on lithuania's bench

FOA, it's great news that Buzelis' side sends positive message via NT. It's easy to say "we're in if possible" when they know they are 98% out, but it could be much worse, like answers - I haven't decided on my NT path yet or I will play somewhere in the future maybe. Buzelis met Maksvytis without any BS and let him know his plans to play for the NT are serious long term and that's the most important message he could send.

So he won't be there this summer, unless some NT friendly team would draft him and would say, yeah, go, FIBA experience won't hurt. Again, I see super small chance, nearly non existant. But you look at Buzelis campaign in G League too gloomy. While he slightly underdo offensively, he exceeded defensively. And he still shows that tremendous offensive potential. I think he could be brilliant options to have him for 5-10 minutes and you can easily throw him at 2-4 any minute. He wouldn't hurt at all. Defensively he's ready to be impactful and offensively, specially in the open court, he can already be deadly in some stretches, like here:

https://twitter.com/NoCeilingsNBA/status/1757247465827475540

I also think that there's minimal chances to see him next summer cause first NBA off season is usually dedicated to individual workouts in most cases. I would love him to see in 2024 or 2025, but I see him in 2027 realistically.

Now, it's good that all players says YES so far. It means we'll have a strong NT. Bad news that Knick Donte DIVincenzo might play for Italy. Terrific sharp shooter, solid NBA player. But I hope with A team we can win qualification nevertheless.

I also love the fact that Maksvytis will be handling reserve NT himself this time. Maybe for the first time he won't miss on the talent and won't waste it. It means he will have a very close look on Marciulionis and in previous interview he even mentioned he would like to see what's Jakucionis about. Maksvytis should monitor Marciulionis closely. If he will do that, he will see that this guy has to be in the NT already.

PS: seeing this D. Giedraitis stretch, I have zero doubts he has to be taken instead of Dimsa. We need his elite defence. Aside Walkup and Grant, he is probably top 3 in El already in terms of perimeter D.

Jokubaitis, Marciulionis
Grigonis, Brazdeikis, D. Giedraitis
Butkevicius, Sirvydis/Kuzminskas
Sedekerskis, Ulanovas
Sabonis, Valanciunas, Tubelis


That would be my Olympic 2024 roster.

I don't see a place for R. Giedraitis, Dimsa, Bendzius. I don't need Giedraitis when I have Grigonis, Brazdeikis, Sirvydis/Kuzminskas. All are better offensively in the NT. I don't need Dimsa when D. Giedraitis makes such strides in EL and is elite perimeter defender. Bendzius is nice at 4 as stretch 4, but he sucks defensively compared to say Ulanovas at 4 and is one trick pony compared to Sedekerskis, Ulanovas, Tubelis. Simply no place for Eurocup level talents as Bendzius, Dimsa if all pieces are available. This roster would have all EL upside essentially. And if Marciulionis doesn't make it, take good old Lekavicius.

[Straight forward]

I liked this time how Maksvytis answered to "eternal" issue of NT, how to use Domas and JV. He remained diplomatic, but I also got between the lines that he's unleashing Sabonis. Reporter asked if JV won't be more adapt to play next Sabonis since he play next Zion, and Kazys answered "Jonas, yes, but Domas no. Domas is used to play in his own position". Duh...maybe finally Kazys will figure out finally that Sabonis must get 28mmpg in the CENTER position. He should get more shots that JV (probably should take the most shots in the time, or second after Jokubaitis/Grigonis) finally, get more rebounds, be second or first in assists. Sabonis has to step up and make the team better.

[Straight forward]

Sneaked in to compare R. Giedraitis 2022 and Sirvydis 2023:

Giedraitis 3ppg, 14.7mpg, 36.8% FG, 16.7% threes (2/12)

Sirvydis 4.9ppg, 10.1mpg, 39.4% FG, 32% threes (8/25)

Giedraitis was even worse in 2019 WC. He looked dreadful in both 2019 and 2022 and I don't understand why people still treat him seriously. Sirvydis in his debut was already better than prime Giedraitis ever was for the NT. I think case is closed comparing these two. Purlys says 2 NBA teams are interested in Sirvydis. I hope and expect him to stay in Europe. But he has to play. He should go to some ALBA and fight for some 20-25mpg in EL, IMO.

[Shawshank]

Rokas Giedraitis is having better euroleague season of 20+games streach in 2023/2024 than Jokubaitis than Brazdeikis than Dimsa/Giedraitis

Thats why he is treated like seriuos player .That he failed to be decent 14min role player in NT comming cold of the bench doesnt mean he is trash and his play in euroleague shows that


Im not a fan of R.Giedraitis neither of Sirvydis they are same to me.They cant defend even lkl level players and must play 28min to be in shooting rhythm and teams where they play alot and put stats are loosing teams usually


I would take Dimsa and D.Giedraitis instead of both of them.Zalgiris tandem scores less but i believe they play winning basketball as role players.

They would help in defence more in those 10-12min role players spot than holes in defence and pure shooters comming cold of the bench. Dimsa/D/Giedraitis shown they can make wide open 3pointers in euroleague + defensively is miles better compared to those 2 shooters.


2022 R.Giedraitis lost competion for minutes to Grigonis and Brazdeikis
2023 Sirvydis lost competion for minutes to Dimsa and Normantas

Im not so sure R.Giedraitis would have lost competion to both Dimsa and Normantas if he would play in 2023 like Sirvydis clearly did. We will see in window games who is who very soon when all 4 of them will be in same team

[Shawshank]

R.Giedraitis was leading scorer with 17pts in serbian cup final in beating Partizan.vs Obradovic prepared defence

How player can be good in euroleague,be so good in tottaly hostile crazy envirentment in Belgrad and look like scared pussycat with NT jersey i dont get it ?

Tallent and elite shooting abiltiies is clearly there

[zalias]

lithuania has been playing slow, clumsy basketball for a very long time now and giedraitis is the complete opposite of that

[Shawshank]

I will watch closely Dimsa,R.Giedraitis,Sirvydis,Normantas in this window games

Which of them will look the best being on same team


Jokubaitis,Grigonis,Brazdeikis will eat 75% guards minutes in 2024 + backup PG will be choosen too

From that kvartet only Dimsa have experience playing PG position and will have some chances make team as backup PG.


But mostly those 4 guards is fighting for 1 backup SG place. In this week window action that kvarted will have more chances,more minutes to show themselfs to NT coaches than in summer.

In summer super fast prep of 2 weeks where coaches will be more interested to integrade main guards Jokubaitis, Grigonis,Brazdeikis into a team than check backups abilities.

[Hepcat]

Without Laurynas Birutis today's Team Lietuva is undersized and very weak at Center.

[Toruko]

Without Laurynas Birutis today's Team Lietuva is undersized and very weak at Center.

Where have you been?