2024 Lithuanian NT

[Straight forward]

To certain extent you are right. Main impact comes from the core, but bench players make certain impact too. You overemphasizing small rotation teams which is one way of winning, but you forgetting that Spain has been the most dominant NT in modern FIBA and they had funny depth and they used it. In some tournaments they had like 7-8 elite perimeter players. Like 6 elite guards who could be the keys in other NTs. And guess what, they were winning everything everywhere. So it only shows what you want to have in the perfect scenario. Or take USA, who take 12 nearly equal players to Olympics and any of them gives something to the final result. Literally. Because every piece is that good. Even in 5 minutes of action they provide benefit. Kariniauskas in 2023 wasn't 5min. player. He was legitimate backup who got 12min.against Serbia. I simply state why I don't want Kariniauskas in the roster. I need my bench pieces ready to give me something against real deal opponents. Be it 5 or 15 minutes. Kariniauskas can't do it against elite teams. You mention Germany, but you overlook how quality are their secondary pieces as Bonga ot Maodo Lo. That's what you want to have next Schroder and Franz, backing them up. I don't question that LTU lacks talent in the core ATM. It's too obvious too mention. That will change soon however. But you also should be looking at proper bench pieces. If a player can't give you anything against elite teams, I don't take him. And Kariniauskas is proper example of that.

[Shawshank]

Jasikevicius,Macijauskas,Siskauskas,Stombergas in 2003 won to Praskevicius,Gustas gold medals .They would do same thing with Karinaiuskas and Maldunas too or any other role players.


Doesnt matter who is DNP at end of the bench in playoofs games if your best top 7 players is better than opponents top 7.


Kariniauskas got 12 min and not 5min because he played well in multiple games what you dont get here? Coach rotation is affected by how players performs in that tournaments too.If he would sucked he would play like Zemaitis in 2022 2-3minutes or DNP. Simple reality.

Im not saying NT should bring Kariniauskas back for 2024 im saying stop telling lies Kariniauskas was bad in 2023. No he was solid ,he helped way more than most lkl guards did in the past.



IF NT top 7 players lacks tallent compared to opoponenst top 7 players.Bench players isnt winning such pressure games when opponnets best players will play from 25-35 minutes in playoofs.


Germany 10-12th players Kramer,Hollatz,Giffey stats in 3 playoofs games: 0pts,DNP,DNP, DNP,DNP,DNP,0pts,DNP,0pts

That trio played 5 minutes combined and combined scored 0pts in playoofs games vs Latvia,Usa,Serbia.


Thats why im saying its fantasies that 10-12th players willl help you in elimination games vs elite teams. Its all about top 7-8 players.


Want LTU NT to win ? Improve top 7-8 players levels ! and not try to improve players who will get DNP at the end of the bench.

[Straight forward]

You didn't entirely got my point. I didn't say that Kariniauskas as a player played bad in 2023. He did what he can and maybe even slightly exceeded, just because of that USA game alone. I'm saying that as LTU NT we're in trouble if we are forced to have such level players as Kariniauskas for PG backups. That's 2 very different things. It doesn't matter whenever Kariniauskas as a player met his own capabilities in WC, what matters is that even when he does it's not enough for the NT needs.

What you say about 10-12 players is generally true, but you're missing the point that there should be PG back up one way or another. I'm concerned how Maksvytis will solve this issue. You have to have in mind that Siska was able to provide very quality minutes when Saras was resting at 1 in 00's. It's not like Sereika didn't need a back PGs, he just used Siskauskas for that. ATM we don't have such player. Even Grigonis is not as good and versatile as Siska was with the ball. In 2022 Maksvytis still used Lekavicius as a back-up and he had a good game against Spain and we were close to get where we want. But even when Lekavicius already had worst +/- in the team and this means he struggled defensively a lot already in 2022. In 2024 Lekavicius no is even worse. He might still be taken and maybe he can get away with at least decent tournament. Maybe. Let's hope for that if it's Lukas who goes to Olympics. Another candidate is still Kariniauskas who Maksvytis likes, but emphasize that it's not solution. It doesn't lead you anywhere. I'm not even question Maksvytis decision to play him 12 minutes against Serbia, I simply that it's irrational to expect Kainiauskas to provide against disciplined, prepared, well coached Euro elite teams. It's impossible, Kariniauskas can't do it. It's the same as to ask that Ulanovas would play like prime Kleiza played. It's impossible, it's 2 different levels. Kariniauskas may still be taken by Maksvytis knowing Maksvytis taste and that would be another mistake. For my tastes I would try to use Grigonis at 1 for 8-10 minutes if Marciulionis is not ready to play make already. Dimsa and Giedraitis simply doesn't have expressed facilitation game, they are too limited as primarily ballhandlers and facilitators for any possible unit.

My point is. NT always had to solve back-up PG issue. In Saras era, Siska helped. In Kalnietis era, Seibutis helped. In 2022 Jokubaitis/Lekavicius was a decent duet. Now I'm concerned that Maskvytis will blew this again with mediocrity and utopian attempt to win with players who can't do that. Only potentially solid answers to me seems to be Marciulionis (if he happens to be ready to give quality 10 minutes) or playing Grigonis for 10min at 1. That's my opinion anyway. I believe Lekavicius/Kariniauskas/Dimsa/D. Giedraits are not sufficient to play at 1. They can't bring what NT needs.

Whatever the 7-9 men core, you need a solid solution for back-up PG. It's inevitable and that's the most nuanced and complex and most impactful position of basketball.

[Shawshank]

Kariniauskas not just overplay his capabilities he over did like 50% of NT backups of last 20 years.

I judge his play not to his level,but compare to other LTU NT backups of last 20 years what they shown in those very emotional fiba games.


NT Pg solution was always put Sg from eruoleague levels in game that matters.

Or Siskauskas in 2000s or Seibutis in 2010s .I suggest doing same thing Dimsa/Giedraitis in 2020s


LTU is too small tallent pool to have 2 good PG at same time thats what LTU basketball history says of last 30 years.

The best we can hope to get 1-2 years when aging old floor general meets with upcomming floor general for few tournaments.


NT want to have 2 good pg at same ? i see only one option do like others doing:

Jokubaitis + naturalise skilled euroleague american its only way to have 2 world class pg that they would be at peak of their powers at similiar time.


With Evans tough shot making in playoofs game from his 1 vs 1 his individual level NT instantly would become stronger by 8-10pts as team.



But if we wanna stay stubborn still soviet mindset nation and ignore what way bigger tallents pools is doing and beating us because of that... ok lets try lkl level guards as pg backups like we are doing last 20 summers and hope miracle will happen maybe this summer

[Straight forward]

Kariniauskas not just overplay his capabilities he over did like 50% of NT backups of last 20 years.

I judge his play not to his level,but compare to other LTU NT backups of last 20 years what they shown in those very emotional fiba games.

Many of those back-up PGs never had real chance to show themselves, like playing 15mpg. So we don't know how they would had done given a chance.

To me D. Giedraitis and specially Dimsa doesn't have it. D. Giedraitis can reach Seibutis level offensively and I think he will later, but Dimsa is not as good as prime Seibutis even now. I think only Grigonis at 1 can be somewhat sufficient.

Last 30 years LTU couldn't provide 2 elite PGs playing together, but now things changed. Jakucionis and Jokubaitis will be elite, and Marciulionis will be elite or close to that as well.

[Shawshank]

Bad backups didnt get minutes because every time coach put them at star of tournement they looked like crap and scared to do anything.

With Kariniauskas or Juskevicius case you could see no fear in their eyes,they just played and earn minutes with every game.


Kariniauskas 2023 or Juskevicius 2014 helped more than some euroleague guards did in past tournaments playing those backup 10-14minutes...Thats what i dont get why u putting Kariniauskas name when he was like Juskevicius one of few good examples of lkl guards that helped NT not just was DNP.

Wanna make fun of bad NT backups from lkl levels write Mazutis or Prekeveicius or Vasiliauskas or Zemaitis names.



Dimsa is playing some backup PG role in euroleague for 2 seasons and even finished some games at PG. That you dont see him as 8min Pg backup in extreme situations in short 2 weeks NT tournament its your problem,i see and zalgiris coaches also not just see but plays him there from time to time.

Seibutis had way less experience playing PG in clubs compare to how much Dimsa had last 2 seasons. And not in some lkl but in euroleague


I dont think its fluke that Dimsa got 25min most than any other player in NT window game.

Those who will play most minute in 2 games few months before olympic summer starts, its clear indicator who is the closest ones to making main team in coaches eyes.

[Shawshank]

Ulanovas+Dimsa=30pts

remaining players =29pts

Only big that was kinda ok was Tubelis


about all others players cant say nothing positive. I will just repeat dont wanna see neither Lukas,neither R.Giedraitis in olympic team.

Dimsa+D.Giedraitis >>> Lukas+R.Giedraitis as 4th and 5th guards and its not even close what is better fit near Sabonis and Valaciunas


score 59pts in 2024 its pathetic team performance

[Straight forward]

Oh dear...we have a problem...and the problem's name is Maksvytis.

He screwed again. And that repeats every time now it seems. His era turning out to be really ugly now how he handles the team. He underutilized strong 2022 NT (and kicked out Sedas). He was non competitive in the knock out stage in WC 23 (swept and he didn't take a single defensive guard stud in Giedraitis or Marciulionis, laying red carpet to trashy Kariniauskas without competition). Now he screwed in this window. Worst thing is, I can't trust his practices decisions. Obviously he completely lost it with Tubelis. He didn't play him against Poland and it took for him 15min of game against Estonia (when Estonia really took it over) to realize that he's the best big on the team. Meaning his decisions of rotations before the game was shit. He acted like pathetic passport coach. Even that last offensive possession, when he benched Tubelis and took in Olisevicius who committed offensive foul was absolutely ridiculous. Tubelis was one of those who could create something offensively and was dishing the ball nicely as well as crushed the boards (the only one). Maksvytis is really lost and his basketball is very primitive. Offensively he had no other ideas as to post Ulanovas and give players green light in ISO action, but that's all, nothing more. Too primitive. My main concern is Maksvytis. He has really bad players and rotation selection and his offense is too primitive. He has to go. Only individual talent can save us in 2024, Maksvytis is trash and in this window I was watching the same old Neptunas Maksvytis, like he would leaned nothing from EL. There was no single sense of improvement, actually wise versa, it seems that he is demoralized as a coach ATM.

Now Lekavicius is not playable anymore literally. He's high level career is over basically. Maybe Zalgiris will still try to utilize his offense in some stretches against proper match-ups, but that's it, he hurts the team defensively too much and doesn't give offensively enough. He doesn't create anything and his scoring profile declined. R. Giedraitis is more that trash. Something worse. I wouldn't even invite him to the camp. I sincerely take Rubstavicius instead of him and would treat him as 2 times better player that R. Giedraitis. I have no doubt Rubstavicius would give me +10 points in 25minutes, no doubt. Like it's written into the stone. And Giedraitis is lost puppy even against Estonia. Pathetic. He has to be gone all far away from the NT.

Dimsa played a good game when it comes to ISO offense. He delivered, but he couldn't facilitate anything. As a guard with the ball in this team, he really wasn't able to run the offense aside ISO scoring. I'm OK with Dimsa at 2, but at 1 he can't facilitate. His facilitation game is amazingly streaky. It's not that he can't pass at all. In some cases he will dish a nice pass or make a nice read, but then again in most cases he just can't do it. And worst thing he made too much focus mistakes defensively in this game. But, yeah, Dimsa was carrying the team with his ISO game to certain extent, that was nice.

Ulanovas delivered.

Nothing much to comment other than that, except that it was obvious that Maksvytis utilized maybe 50% of Sirvydis who was in a good form now (has to improve defense though). It's obvious he utilized Tubelis maybe to 40%. And that's the problem. Maksvytis has been sucking with the talent.

Couple of words on Tubelis. Defensively he has good timing of blocking. Quick hands. His lateral quickness is questionable, but I seen that he can move when he wants to. He showed that many times in Youth BB and even NCAA, but naturally he has a tendency to be lazy defensively. He needs to change his attitude towards that an one year with elite coach as Jasikevicius, Trinchieri would make him wonders. He needs that. He also needs to improve his post defense and his positioning in pick and roll, he has closer to the guard when he's guarding p'n'r. I believe he can move defensively and he can rebound. Size will be an issue a bit when he will play at 5, but if he will be a good student, he can still improve a lot defensively cause he has lengs, hands and timing as well as some quick leaping, but he has to fix defensive motor and attitude and that should come with experience and specially when will work with a good EL level coach for a season. Offensively he has a lot of tool, just needs to polish them. I specially liked his dishing in this game and that our rebounding game improved instantly with him on the court.

Maksvytis has to go. And if there will be success in 2024 it will be about individual talent. I have Adomaitis as superior coach to Maksvytis. I felt that in 2019 Adomaitis made still pretty limited NT very competitive and he really was going hardcore on teams like France, Australia (absolutely elite teams back then). While Maksvytis I believe wasted the potential of 2022. If I would have to choose between Adomaitis and Maksvytis today, I would go with Adomaitis.

But realistically we need Jasikevicius in the NT.

[Shawshank]

2022 and 2023 fiba gold medal winning coaches managed to win 1 game of 4 in recent window game week.

Judge any coach by 3 days window preparation game its a joke Last 2 fiba tournament winner coaches must be fired by this logic too..All this hate towards Maskvytis remind me alot how hate was going towards Adomaitis by the end.

Adomaitis resigned and said its not worth it . Its affect my own family and im out. Maksvytis will be out after 2024. Whats next? Zibenas? Seskus?

Nice plan we gonna change 2nd and 3rd best lithuanian coaches with 4th or 7th best. Lithuanian fans lives in some kinda blind buble that LTU is still top 4 NT they dont see how strong best fiba team is 2020s and just go easy way puts al the blame on coaches



I blame players way more than coaches for Estonia game. How can estonians outreboud them 29 to 46? this was laziness by players at their best. Its was a brick festival and team which wanted to win way more went for rebounds and won the game.

Jasikevicius is not coaching NT for cents federation is paying compared to his euroleague salary.

In 2021 Sabonis couldnt convince Saras to coach for just Olympic summer. Its seems Saras is not interested to lose his summer vacations traveling around the world to coach backup lkl level guards from bench and get all the blame and hate NT coach is getting

That Saras would agree to coach for multiple summers its fantasy.Best case scenerio maybe he can agree for one summer when he will be without euroleague contract.

[Straight forward]

We should consider Trinchieri. Maybe he wants to go 100per.busy.

[Shawshank]

Trinchieri 100k its 2month salary. Trinchieri contract in zalgiri is 3 times bigger than Maksvytis contract was.

No established euroleague good coach will agree for 100k yearly salary.

Everybody saw how tired and exausted Kazys looked doing both jobs for 2 years..


NT can hire some young uleb foreigner or hire Seskus/Zibenas type.

Hearing Balciunas words about Evans its clear to me what way he will go.


So those who wants to change coach with real euroleague experience, i have bad news next NT coach will have only uleb and lkl experience.

[Straight forward]

I'm all with Balciunas regarding players. It's a red line that should never be crossed. We shouldn't "naturalize" foreigners. It's funny to see how short sighted some people are and how quick they want to cut with their values. So what, to naturalize Evans just to have better chances to win anything? To cut 100 year tradition? And who is Evans? While he would increase out chances substantially, he's not better than USA stats, not better than SGA, not better than Schroder, not better Bogdanovic, not better even Rubio/Brown and so on. Even if he was, I would be against. You can't be hypocrite and comformist. The funniest thing is that after 4 years a Lithuanian fan who will offer to naturalize some guard will be treated mentally insane literally. I'm shocked how people don't realize that. Once Rubstavicius, Marciulionis and specially Jakucionis will arrive and at that time Jokubaitis will be in his prime (not to mention Iggy being in his prime too and some other nice pieces as Indrusaitis, Lelevicius, ect.), no-one will even mention naturalization and will be laughed at if he would. Our guard and wing section will be over the board, we will be cutting very very solid EL players. So I'm not gonna shit on 100 years tradition and the meaning of national team competition just to have better chances to win in 2024 and 2025.

Trinchieri is unlikely off course, but who knows his ambitions. LTU is a growing NT and our chances in 2027 and 2028 will be legit, not like now which are solid at best. IDK, just an idea, maybe some really good foreigner would be free. We already had Spaniard and American on our bench, so to me a coach is still so so, OK decision, specially that we need a push in this department and the tradition is already there.

Jasikevicius also said that maybe in the future he will coach NT. It's just unclear whenever it's 2025 or some 2035. We'll see. It's pity we don't have high level coaches other than him. We had success with mediocre team only when Kazlauskas coached. Kemzura, Adomaitis, Maksvytis choked with it. I treat 2010 a bit better team than just average, we had elite Kleiza who could drop around 22-24ppg (if not that off game against USA), and some athletic role players as Pocius, Kalnietis, Jankunas, Jasaitis, Maciulis. We really needed very good coach for 2017-2023 stretch to win something, but we didn't have. Later our talent will increase and we may win something with bad or mediocre LTU coaching, as Sireika's or Butautas stories show.

[Shawshank]

I dont believe that Slovenia coach or Canadian coach is fiba tactic masters.They both just have top 5 nba guard that coring 30pts in elimination games and solving most problems by themselfs


If coaching would matter so much in fiba somebody would have won medal without real perimeter star. But no coach managed to do that in 2017-2023.


Conclusions is clear. What is deciding factor


Naturalising top 10 euroleague guard is fighting with main problem LTU have and clealry improving perimeter tallent.

Changing one lkl coach to other is just doing nothing in my view .Just have a pipe dream that one day maybe Lithuania will 15pts level nba guard again.

[Shawshank]

Spain,Slovenia,Russia naturalised and not complaining about their won gold medals. 2007-2017-2022

Huge countries like Usa and France fighted for Embiid for a year to naturalise him and not for second even have thoughts about morals.


But we 2,7mln little midget is proudly saying no to naturalisation. Laughable stupidity nobody cares anymore about morals in sport of world

Other federations is trying to put their NT in best position to win and adapting way better to era and thinking of todays world.


Our federation giving NT coaches Audi and ask to win race versus Mclaren

[Dreamcatcher]

We should consider Trinchieri. Maybe he wants to go 100per.busy.

Tell that to your Balciunas who is totally against foreign coaches and who thinks that Zibenas is a good coach. We are stuck with Lith mediocre coaches at the moment.