2024 Lithuanian NT

[Straight forward]

Spain,Slovenia,Russia

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

We care. And that's the most important thing. We should be setting the example. We should win with our NT as it always was. And the talent is coming. The problem that some guys are too blind and gave horrible overall view at talent pool. I'm not attacking here you personally.

Countries that won medals in 2023 in Germany, Serbia, Canada, didn't have naturalized players. USA as 4th also didn't have. Latvia was 5th and Lithuania 6th. So first 6 teams didn't have naturalized players. Latvia was very close to take down the champs in 2023, as well as we did in 2022. It's a matter of one or two great guards. We may have one this summer or next one (Jokubaitis). And in 4-5 years, we'll have 3-5 elite guards. So it's really stupid to cry about how we want to sell out and naturalize random American.

[Straight forward]

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.

I will write him a letter. I wrote him regarding Buzelis and he wrote me back. I will express my opinion on next coach.

[Straight forward]

Finally down to earth talk about NT. Like adequate talk. Finally people openly talk about Marciulionis and put him as primarily candidate to back up Jokubaitis. Not only I, but also Augustas U20 coach preached this, and finally some people awake and start talking about this. Better later than never, while realistically Augustas had to be in the NT 2023. I bet my dignity he had provided much tougher punch for Serbian guards contact and stickiness wise. He would have bitten their legs while Normantas, Dimsa and I don't even talk about Kariniauskas were completely harmless in that game. Marciulionis has to be integrated. Maksvytis will unleash his mediocre mentality all over again most likely and will screw it again and will leave NT butt naked with some Lekavicius or Kariniauskas in the knock our stage games. If you don't have defensive coherency starting from 1 position, you are really in very tough situation unless your PG is a master as Doncic. Next to mediocre defensively Jokubaitis, it's a must to have defensively strong back up PG. Not Lukas, not Karinia, nor Zemaitis can provide that. Only Marciulionis.

Second, they finally talked down Rubstavicius. As I said, I think he can stand out more against great teams than completely mediocre pieces as Dimsa, Normantas, R. Giedraitis. But, again, Maksvytis will screw here again, specially if he won't even try Rubstavicius at all. The way Maksvytis handled Tubelis in windows, it's clear he's ready to step onto the same rake as he did in 2022 and 2023. Maksvytis just has the mentality to go mediocre ways as previously plenty of mediocre coaches did. Only guys like Garastas, Kazlauskas and such tier can make bold and spot on decisions which can lift us. Jasikevicius would do it, but he's the only one. I would love to see Purlys prevailing as a coach. His mentality and thinking is different than average, old school, redneck coach which is status quo of LTU coach. He openly says what it has to be said, and very often. He went extremely, radically small with his 2006 gen and won the gold with it. Dude has balls and modern mind. That alone is very valuable cause everything starts from right mentality. If you don't have that, not even tons of knowledge of tactics and experience will help. Maksvytis has wrong mentality and you won't fix it. He will always go with trivial choices and decisions which are the result of mediocre, provincial mentality. Coaches as Maksvytis will never be elite cause their have thinking system which is just too limited and too provincial. That's why I don't want Maksvytis long term. He waists tons of talent, he doesn't see the whole picture, he fails to see what he will need against knock out opponents and I have little hope that will change in 2024, specially the way he handled the window. If he proves me wrong I will say my bad, but the window was horrible. That booing of the crowd was not only about Tubelis. That was the reflection of BB fans towards all Makvytis campaign in the NT. All Sedekerskis cuts, all Cizauskases, Zukauskases and tons of non NT material all over and leaving talent aside. It was the expression of exhaustion. To be honest well deserved.

I praised Balciunas when he was selected, but I have to admit thus far he failed when it comes to the NT. He hired a coach who not only happened to work with Zalgiris (Balciunas blessed that, even if Maksvytis already had a contract with NT), but also skips NT games. Also Balciunas organized poor exhibition opponents in 2022 and partially 2023 as well. Now he also plans to play against NCAA kids in preparation. He hired Maksvytis who fails. Overall bad stretch for Balciunas and when he will be re-elected most likely, they won't have good options for the NT head coach again, if Jasikevicius will say no.

Coaching remains huuuuugggeeeee and by far No.1 problem of LTU NT.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-oJQMFRYtk&list=PLtrMJeIIIKHsUIKQFLsI0_Wk3l0b6LrNR& ab_channel=O%2CDangau%21

[Shawshank]

Ofcourse youth coach will push for youngsters to NT. Thats very predictable one experts opinion,btw that same coach in same interview also named your trashed Kariniauskas as seriuos candidate or u ignore that ?


For me is ridiculous to think that player who played 19-20 kids last 3 years is ready to play in most chalenging position vs best men players of the world in Olympic summer. But its just a fan opinion

Now every site is writting their olympic teams lineups and their prediction is not good for youngsters.

What we saw how Tubelis and SIrvydis is looked by coaches in playing minutes in 2 window games (when top 8 players was missing) ? and those 2 are more advanced versions than Marciulionis.


After seeing that if 1 of trio will make NT 2024 that best case scenerio as 10-12th player.But i give more than 50% neither of them will make it.Because i know history what coaches does in Olympic summer and how everybody comes to camp in olympic summer.

New players comes to NT after Olympic summer its normal cycle and NT rookies have couple years to adapt to fiba emotional games before most important next olympic summer.. Not throw cluesless rookies with zero experience of highest level basketball to Olympic stage where best of best plays



In 2025 Tubelis,Rubstavicius,Marciulionis will be 23,Brazdeikis was 23 in 2022, Sirvydis was 23 in 2023,D.Giedraitis will be 24 in olympic summer.Sedekerskis made as 25 in 2023,but he was ready in 2022 as 24old

Like i said manny times here 19-22 age youngster have to be generational tallent to make top 10 level men NT


Normal process of NT for 90% of best ltu players is ready to help men NT at 23-24 age.Generations is changing but pattern repeats again and again.

Once again same formula repeating with best of 1998-2002 born players.

[Straight forward]

I don't care about the age. My thesis is that Marciulionis already can be more valuable than Lukas and Vaidas. Specially defensively, and defense translates at PRO easier than offense. For non elite NT which we currently are, it's most important to have defensive grip to be competitive against elite NTs. With Marciulionis, D.Giedraitis, Butkevicius there wouldn't had been a sweep against Serbia. The D end thickness would had been there and proper physicality needed for a high level knock out stage.

[Shawshank]

I dont care about your fantasy thesis i go by history and facts


You were pushing every single top born tallent from 1998-2002 to men NT when they were 19-21 ,i repetaed they will not be ready and coach wont take them.

Only one Jokubaitis maded NT and got real minutes early at 21age (He started play in euroleague at 18) from all best 1998-2002 born players.


All other leaders of their age group will make like i said what history shows at round 23-24 age they should be ready.

Your thesis was wrong about 1998-2002 players fantasies they will help men NT at 20-21 ,history analytical numbers were right they should be ready at 23-24 old.

[Shawshank]

vs Serbia Sabonis,Butkevicius,Grigonis,Ulanovas would have helped way more than some cluesless fiba tournament rookies that would get DNP in such type playoofs game


Right now in 2024 in win or go home game i would put these 9 players .In Kazlauskas playoofs style with all in were Jokubaitis plays 35min.

Sabonis,Valanciunas,Sedekerskis,Kuzminskas,Ulanova s,Butkevicius,Brazdeikis,Grigonis,Jokubaitis


Play all minutes only those 9 in playoofs elimination game and if they are not good enough ,its means 2024 LTU basketball right now is not good enough.


On bench i would have Dimsa,D.Giedraitis,Dmo but i would give them DNP with little posibility if forced with some faul trouble to main guards give 1 of them max 4-5 minutes.

[Straight forward]

History shows, history shows...you keep repeating, but missing tons of occasions, like Jasikevicius making the team being 21yo and so on. No-one cares about when one or player made the team. The question is whenever X player can help more than an Y player. I say Marciulionis with his D and passing ability and athleticism is already better player than Lukas and Vaidas. Whenever that is true we can find out even in summer hopefully. |

Maybe Maksvytis will throw Dimsa or Grigonis at 1, we'll see, but most likely he will use a back-up for 10-15 minutes inevitably, just as he did with Kariniauskas against Serbia. He had Dimsa, but he didn't use him as PG in that game. And Kariniauskas didn't give anything.

Dovydas Giedraitis is an absolute must. And Marciulionis, IMO, too. Without them we don't have studs who can truly defend guards. Period.

[Shawshank]

I repeat:

Your thesis was wrong about 1998-2002 players fantasies they will help men NT at 20-21 ,history analytical numbers were right they should be ready at 23-24 old.

Now we are in 2024 and thats what happend with 1998-2002 born best players.


I will not waste time talking about who will be 10-12th players who either way will be DNP in real playoofs games.

[Straight forward]

I repeat:

Your thesis was wrong about 1998-2002 players fantasies they will help men NT at 20-21 ,history analytical numbers were right they should be ready at 23-24 old.

Now we are in 2024 and thats what happend with 1998-2002 born best players.


I will not waste time talking about who will be 10-12th players who either way will be DNP in real playoofs games.

You don't entirely coherent here. Guys like Sirvydis or D. Giedraitis didn't make the NT in 2022 because the competition in their positions were way bigger than competition at 1. Besides, Maksvytis made a terrible move not even trying Sirvydis who later exploded in Summer League. I followed D.Giedraitis in ACB and being 20-21yo he already was one of the best ACB defensive guards literally. He already had it and coach hired him to defend best players. Just saying that healthy Giedraitis could surely help in 2022 stopping some Brown in short stretches. His D was absolutely there. Giedraitis defensively felt comfortable in Euroleague from day 1. Only his offense needed time to adjust, specifically because of his lack of size and athleticism. However, I strongly believe Giedraitis could easily go to Eurobasket 2022 instead of Zemaitis. If coaches doesn't select certain players, that doesn't mean they are right necessary. Coaches make mistakes too and you take it every decision of coaches as some kind of sacred norm

My point is that at 1 we have declining Lekavicius and trash Kariniauskas who has nearly as much TOs as assists in Eurocup and plays soft slow ass D. So exactly in this context, Marciulionis chances to be a back-up is legitimate. Much like with Giedraitis, his defensive presence will transit directly, IMO. And offensively he can move the ball and sharpen up things better than Lekavicius, I'm not even talking about Kariniauskas. Lekavicius still has and edge in terms of scoring I think, but defensively Marciulionis is 2 times better than Lekavicius/Kariniauskas combined together and he's better facilitator. Yes, we don't know if his offensive game will translate now, and I think that's where the camp and exhibition stage should show it, but even only because of his D and physical presence at both ends I would take him.

My point is, we can't win with offense now. We don't have it so great yet. Now we stand a better chance, IMO, if we offer a lot of defense. If teams like Serbia, Canada, Germany will feel that we are soft, they will role all over us cause they have superior offensive upside and talent ATM. If the game will become physical, slower and edgier, we stand a better chance. That's why I want Marciulionis as a backup, that's why I want D. Giedraitis being a lock as the best defender ATM, that's why I want positionless defense of Butkevicius and Sedekerskis (and if Buzelis would come he would offer this too). I do believe that D. Giedraitis will play important role in OG if healthy. I think now even Maksvytis sees that. Even freakin' Maksvytis. It's hard not to see it, when it's a top 5 defensive player of EL. You are way off your mind with age numbers thinking that D. Giedraitis is DNP material in the knock our stage. Rather Dimsa is, I would say, with his extreme inconsistency. Giedraitis D at this point of NT stage, is vital.

[Shawshank]

There is facts player maded or not. Not excuses of why. Please talk with facts not theories.

1 generational tallent maded and got seriuos minutes and others didnt. Exactly what happend before in LTU NT ... You dont learn nothing from history thats why you are bad predictor...


Facts of 1998-2002 born shown you were wrong.Its very difficult to be ready at 20-21 and make top 10 level NT where 80-85% team players is nba/euroleague players


2006 Kleiza 2011 Valanciunas 2016 Sabonis 2021 Jokubaitis

Thats not just made NT but was playing real minutes in top 10 level NT (being 19-21 old age) . Its very rare bread and special tallent kids ltu have such 2-3 players per decade.


For most age youth group leaders it happens at 23-24 age when maturity and body physicality already there. Thats is facts and history of multiple ltu generations

[Straight forward]

There is facts player maded or not. Not excuses on why. Please talk with facts not theories.

1 generational tallent maded and got seriuos minutes and others didnt. Exactly what happend before in LTU NT .. You dont learn nothing from history thats why you are bad predictor.


History and facts shown you were wrong.Its very difficult to be ready at 20-21 and make top 10 level NT where 80-85% team players is nba/euroleague players


2006 Kleiza 2011 Valanciunas 2016 Sabonis 2021 Jokubaitis

Thats not just made NT but was playing real minutes in top 10 level NT (being 19-21 old age) . Its very rare bread and special tallent kids ltu have such 2-3 players per decade.


For most age youth group leaders it happens at 23-24 age when maturity and body physicality already there. Thats is facts and history of multiple ltu generations

I don't question that. This tendency is correct. But you overlook certain role players who makes NT very early because of certain factors. Like the thin position, upside or else what. I don't say that many 20-22yo guys can step up instantly and make GREAT difference. That's rare occasion as you said. But I emphasize that some young players can step in for a little role and give certain benefits because of particular situation and also it's smart to integrate some young talent because of long term vision. (You underrate the importance of investment, you say IDK who takes 11-12th spots, but that's the direct forming of your rotation of next tournaments, it's a long run, next year there's always a tournament and you should think about it). There was plenty of such occasions in LTU history and other NTs.

F.e. Garastas took 20yo Pazdrazdis cause he was real talent, as well Karnisovas. Garastas was looking to the future and expected something from them instantly too (Pazdrazdis happened to screw his career with NCAA choice). In 1997 Kazlauskas took Jasikevicius as 21yo (he wasn't dropping 20ppg in NCAA as Karnisovas did, but Kazlauskas was PRO talent coach, he had boldness to integrate new talent). 22yo Songaila and Siskauskas were integrated, again, bu Kazlauskas in 2000 and he delivered. Nor Jasikevicius, nor Songaila, nor Siskauskas had clear generational upside. They were elite prospects, but not on the tier of Sabonis, Marciulionis, Kleiza, Motiejunas, Valanciunas, Sabonis or now Buzelis (lottery pick material let's say). I would compare Songaila's case with Sedekerskis case. They are similar type of talents more or less, the same tier (or Tubelis). Let's go further. Macijauskas made NT being 23yo, but he was ready for it being 21, 22 years old (thus being 23yo he became instant scoring leader of NT 2003, he was ready earlier). Again, elite prospect, but not generational. Then Jankunas 21yo made an impact to 2005 NT. Solid 11,5eff. Was he generational talent? God, no. Simply elite prospect happened to be in the right place at the right time. In 2006 20yo Kalnietis made an impact for WC team. Pocius could too, but Sireika thought he didn't need one when he had Macijauskas and Delininkaitis at 2. In 2010 22yo Gecevicius made an impact. In 2015 21yo Lekavicius made the team and despite missing shots his motor was felt. In 2016 22yo Kariniauskas and Grigonis made it.

Such guys who made NT being 22yo or younger as Pazdrazdis, Karnisovas, Stombergas, Timinskas, M.Zukauskas, Jasikevicius, Jurkunas, Songaila, Siskauskas, Kaukenas, Javtokas, Jankunas, Kalnietis, Maciulis, Gecevicius, Lekavicius, Kariniauskas, Grigonis, Jokubaitis and others who I don't remember were not generational talents, they simply were either elite or borderline elite prospects (well or simply PGs as in Kariniauskas case or 23yo Gustas in 2003).

The same Jokubaitis is not a generational prospect, simply elite prospect at very needed position so he had open path to the NT. That's why Marciulionis has a great chances to make 2024 as 22yo. If that was Kazlauskas under the wheel last year, Marciulionis most likely already would have played for the NT.

In other words, we have plenty of occasions when 20-22yo make NT and the same Sirvydis could or could not make 2022 NT (or D. Giedraitis). No-one would be shocked. The same way no-one would be shocked if either of Tubelis, Rubstavicius, Marciulionis makes the NT 2024 as elite prospects.

Speaking about generational talents it was A. Sabonis, S. Marciulionis, Ilgauskas, Kleiza, D. Motiejunas, Valanciunas, D. Sabonis and now Buzelis. Those are lottery pick material. Maybe Karnisovas and Macijauskas could be in conversation cause they were putting big numbers early, but globally wise they were not flat out world class players. I'm not even talking about Jasikevicius, Siskauskas for whom it took years to become truly elite in EL.

We have plenty of elite prospects now, more then ever most likely, great stretch, so some of them can or can't make NT early, it goes as no surprise and one generational talent Buzelis. That's how I see the situation.

Players as Jokubaitis, Rubstavicius, Jakucionis, Indrusaitis are of the same tier of Jasikevicius, Siskauskas, Macijauskas.

[Shawshank]

I was talking about players who was taken to NT at 19-22 not because some future,but because they was taken to play and help NT win games that summer


you naming literally all youngster names from 32 years history btw how manny of them were good and helped NT in that first tournament 20% of them?


32x12= 384 players and you naming like 20 players is minority from all players from 32 years history. 20 names in 32 year history is under 1 youngster per fiba tournament u understand that right?

So what age other 90% of NT players were? Now try to name all players who were 23 and older ? it will be like 200+ players

200 players from 23+ age group and around 20 players from 19-22 old age group in 32 years history. Conclusions is clear what NT players building % looked.


Olympic summer is not about some future its about now and taking best of best right now to win tommorows game in San Juan.Not game in 2027.

in 2025 thats where new blood will be brought start building for 2028 olympics.Thats how it always was and should be olympic cycle to next olympic



2023 summer was golden possibility for unproven youngsters because NT literally were missing 50% of best players.

But still only one Sirvydis made from all 20-23 youngsters and even he become our worst guard in 2023 world championship. Everybody Kariniauskas,Dimsa,Normantas played more and coaches them trusted way more.

We saw window games recently how Sirvydis and Tubelis is looked by coaches in games were top 8 players wasnt even there.

You are naive and dint learn nothing from past coaches desicions if you think that in Olympic summer some NT rookies will be brought and ale will have real roles when coaches will have just 2 weeks to prepare for most important tournament in 2021-2024 for NT.

[Straight forward]

Your beloved Kazklauskas braught Siska and Songa to OG as rookies and later rookies Kariniauskas, Grigonis. Did you learn that lesson?

[Shawshank]

Ok and it still was 1-2 youngsters per fiba tournament. When it do or die game Kazlauskas played 7 players,he forgot all his bench players in real games.

Btw both Kariniauskas and Grigonis in 2016 sucked and was unplayable,missed all wide open shots because olympic camera was too bright for rookies.


20 youngsters in 32 years is minority. Under 1 youngster per fiba tournaments that statistic of LTU NT.

In your prediction you are imagine our men NT will be 20-25% builted from such age players and im always laughing and repeating you talking nonsenses because i know history and you dont