Lithuanian NT 2016 Olympics

[Straight forward]

I thought it's a good idea to have a separate thread already just to bring things which concerns next NT journey. Quite a few rumours and issues already spreading around and I will add couple of mine:

-Kazlauskas said he's not sure he's returning next year and most people were surprised about it (even federation), but Spokas and Sabonis saying that they have a 4 years deal and maybe it was just emotions at the top the cake. Kazlauskas is expected to come back after holidays.

-Lithuania already has an official proposal from USA NT for preparation game (got right after Lithuania made finals of Eurobasket), just as Brazil and Argentina. Also federation discussing with Spain. This would be huge and great preparation if you ask me. Playing against USA and Spain is a great way to be prepared for Olympics, specially playing against USA which is always an event.

-Speculating about the roster, Gintautas Regina thinks Gudaitis might seriously compete for the spot at 5 with Javtokas, Kavaliauskas. Sabonis will have to fight for a spot if both D-Mo and Kleiza would return. Rutenis Paulauskas thinks that Lithuania has one of the best defensive systems among NTs at the moment. I would add that Jasaitis might be another candidate to the NT again. He obviously improved his condition and playing well in Italy. Time will tell, but he's only 33yo and if he can get back in shape he can surely compete with Milaknis, Kazlauskas would favour his defensive abilities.

[Mindozas]

It was about time to open a thread. Season, before the most exciting tournament, is starting, so we'll have a lot to discuss about I guess Rutenis Paulauskas is right, what Kazlauskas did with this team defensivelly was really amazing. I mean more about the improvement and system, cause still not all players are somekind of defensive specialists, so can't bring everything what was planned into the court, so we aren't fluent there, but atleast there's a system, team effort, defense, so even not bein' the most talented team offensivelly, we still can aim high enough.
Regarding roster, it's too early to tell, the core is clear, but regarding others there're still lot of doubts, nonetheless it'll be interesting to see/follow how the season will go for all of them, since most of them changed clubs, cameback from injuries, tries to recover and etc, even some as Jasaitis tries to bounce back and knowing that Kazlauskas likes him, he can get a chance for sure.
Regarding friendlies, it's already clear that Australia will be our opponent, most probably they'll have short camp in Lithuania again. To face USA would be great, no matter if they'll be our rivals in group stage or not. Always great experience and chance to test ourselves.
Now looking forward to OQT and Olympics draw

[Shawshank]

PG Kalnietis
SG Seibutis,Pocius
SF Maciulis,Kuzminskas
PF Motiejunas,Jankunas
C Valanciunas

this is our main team for Olympics 2016 that i see kazlauskas rotating in important games.Plus 4 role players,that wont see much playing time.

this 3 can be more that role players:

Kleiza - totally unknown ,wouldnt be too suprising to read that he is retiring.
Darjus ( Javtokas too) will be 36 next year...
Jasaitis- he still should have 1-2 years left in him,we will see how he gonna do in italian league.

But all of them are very questionable.

Good solid team,that in good day can make problems to everybody.

[Modis]

PG Kalnietis
SG Seibutis,Pocius
SF Maciulis,Kuzminskas
PF Motiejunas,Jankunas
C Valanciunas

this is our main team for Olympics 2016 that i see kazlauskas rotating in important games.Plus 4 role players,that wont see much playing time.

this 3 can be more that role players:

Kleiza - totally unknown ,wouldnt be too suprising to read that he is retiring.
Darjus ( Javtokas too) will be 36 next year...
Jasaitis- he still should have 1-2 years left in him,we will see how he gonna do in italian league.

But all of them are very questionable.

Good solid team,that in good day can make problems to everybody.

Yes very early to predict team Lietuva. But lets just say all of these players had a good season season. My choice would be

C: J.Valanciunas D.Lavrinovičius
PF: D.Motiejunas P.Jankunas D.Sabonis
SF: J.Mačiulis M.Kuzminskas S.Jasaitis '' If Kleiza looks good and healthy then Kleiza .
SG: R.Seibutis M.Pocius
PG: M.Kalnietis L.Lekavičius

[Straight forward]

I always love to construct my fantasy team, my best desired team instead of predicting who Kazlauskas will take (BTW, I wasn't much wrong last time while including both Lekavičius and Sabonis to the team). At the moment I would be thrilled to see such team in Olympics:

Valanciunas, Gudaitis*
Motiejunas, Kleiza*, Sabonis*
Maciulis, Kuzminskas
Seibutis, Pocius, Milaknis
Kalnietis, Lekavicius

* Means that Gudaitis in the next summer already stronger than Kavaliauskas (I believe Javtokas won't be drafted any more, just as Darjus if D-MO and Kleiza will come), Kleiza improves his physical condition, Sabonis climbs all over Jankunas (or anyone after D-MO) to rip off his head if needed to prove he deserves a spot (I hope sooner than latter, the guy has massive upside).

This team would be athletic, explosive at 5,4,3 positions, relatively young (but not too young), hardened, mentally prepared for big stage wins.

[Shawshank]

I always love to construct my fantasy team, my best desired team instead of predicting who Kazlauskas will take (BTW, I wasn't much wrong last time while including both Lekavičius and Sabonis to the team). At the moment I would be thrilled to see such team in Olympics:

Valanciunas, Gudaitis*
Motiejunas, Kleiza*, Sabonis*
Maciulis, Kuzminskas
Seibutis, Pocius, Milaknis
Kalnietis, Lekavicius

* Means that Gudaitis in the next summer already stronger than Kavaliauskas (I believe Javtokas won't be drafted any more, just as Darjus if D-MO and Kleiza will come), Kleiza improves his physical condition, Sabonis climbs all over Jankunas (or anyone after D-MO) to rip off his head if needed to prove he deserves a spot (I hope sooner than latter, the guy has massive upside).

This team would be athletic, explosive at 5,4,3 positions, relatively young (but not too young), hardened, mentally prepared for big stage wins.

Yeah you also said that sabonis will be not a role player in eurobasket...Sabonis over Jankunas? Gudaitis over Kavaliauskas/Darjus? no way that will happend unless injuries. Cut 2 proven and experiences players for youngster is realy a fantasy team
Neither Sabonis,neither Lekavicius made any impact in eurobasket 2015 lithuanian result.Sabonis was taken because there was no other options in PF.After his bad performancev in eurobasket Lekavicius will have to prove alot this season...
Jankunas do not need to prove anything.He 100% final roster player .He was really good in eurobasket2015.

Sabonis,Lekavicius,Gudaitis are mentally prepared? seriuosly? Wouldnt suprised if neither of them 3 will make a team next year.

Those youngster time will come from 2017 in qualifications tournament games when they gonna get seriuos roles and minutes,but not in Olympics 2016.

[Svajunas]

Yeah you also said that sabonis will be not a role player in eurobasket...Sabonis over Jankunas? Gudaitis over Kavaliauskas/Darjus? no way that will happend unless injuries. Cut 2 proven and experiences players for youngster is realy a fantasy team
Neither Sabonis,neither Lekavicius made any impact in eurobasket 2015 lithuanian result.Sabonis was taken because there was no other options in PF.After his bad performancev in eurobasket Lekavicius will have to prove alot this season...
Jankunas do not need to prove anything.He 100% final roster player .He was really good in eurobasket2015.

Sabonis,Lekavicius,Gudaitis are mentally prepared? seriuosly? Wouldnt suprised if neither of them 3 will make a team next year.

Those youngster time will come from 2017 in qualifications tournament games when they gonna get seriuos roles and minutes,but not in Olympics 2016.

Stop saying that Lekavicius was bad in EB. If he had played like he had in preparation games media would be calling the next Marciulionis now.
I would call his performance realistic. He didnt harm the team, just that he didint make his shots.

On the other note I would say that there is a pretty big chance we wont see DMO next year. Considering his back, contract issues and Rockets wiew on NT's. So Sabonis could get his chance once again.

The last of the three Gudaitis. I dont see what the whole fuss is about. He is a good prospect and he will probably play for NT one day. But he has miles to go, specialy on defensive end.

[Listas]

Stop saying that Lekavicius was bad in EB. If he had played like he had in preparation games media would be calling the next Marciulionis now.

On the other note I would say that there is a pretty big chance we wont see DMO next year. Considering his back, contract issues and Rockets wiew on NT's. So Sabonis could get his chance once again.

Friendly games are a good indicator of a player's potential, but not his readiness at the moment. We see youngsters beasting in friendlies every year, but actual competitive games are a completely different thing. I'm sure Lekavicius' time will come, but he will not be a serious contributor next year, even if he has a good season this year.
Same goes for Sabonis, I think his massive potential is clear for everyone to see, but 20 year olds don't lead teams to significant victories at any high level competition, be it NBA, Euroleague or National team.
And you must not have seen Marciulionis play, because comparing Lekavicius to him is sacrilege

[Mindozas]

Lekavicius, Janavicius, Juskevicius or anyone else like Vasiliauskas who started well in Vytautas... I doubt anyone of these guys can be contributor when it matters in PG position. In Olympics there won't be an easy games, so in comparison with this years' backline, I'd rather take Pocius instead of Lekavicius and use Seibutis as 2nd PG for some time like usually Kazlauskas does in most important games when Kalnietis is on the bench

Kalnietis/Seibutis
Seibutis/Pocius/Milaknis

IMO it's enough, especially if we'll have some SF/SG guy

[Straight forward]

Shawshank, I said it's a fantasy team. Where did I say Sabonis won't be a role player? Did I say he'll be a key player or leader? You have a tendency to misquote or misinterpret posters writings, but at least you tried to attack my post so I have something to write about NT (thanks for that). Sabonis did OK in Eurobasket when he faced playing time and I thought he could play even more (he already has advantage in rebounding and defensive quickness, flexibility compared to Jankunas), but Jankunas had a solid performance (still too unpredictable to be starting units' option for such team as Lithuania and he was bricking those wide open threes in the final; you never know which Jankunas you'll see given day). To mark 3 young players out of the whole team which I identified as ready to go is another brilliant example of the lack of education (no offence though). I can only say that if there would be D-MO and ready to go Kleiza, Jankunas wouldn't see much of the playing time if any (having in mind how good Kuzminskas looked in the kock-out stage while playing at 4), as well as Kavaliauskas because D-Mo would surely play as a center as well, so at the best case scenario I don't see much of the difference who will be warming the bench and playing a little role - Kavaliauskas/Jankunas or Gudaitis/Sabonis.

[Mindozas]

I don't see much of the difference who will be warming the bench and playing a little role - Kavaliauskas/Jankunas or Gudaitis/Sabonis.

There's difference If you'll have in Olympics on the bench current Gudaitis or Sabonis, in some important game, of course it's almost the same like there's no one on bench at all. Kazlauskas won't trust them in important games, none probably would and in Olympics every game counts. But if you'll have on bench experienced player like Jankunas or even the same Kavaliauskas, who has Olympic experience behind his back, you can always rely on them that they won't come on court with shaking legs and will do what they're asked for. Be it 5mins, be it 10mins or even some 25mins if smth would go wrong with starters, it doesn't matter - they just would do the job. Experience.
On-court stuff aside. Jankunas is important piece of team in lockerrom too, the same like f.e. Javtokas. I don't know if there were written about it smth in our media, but from LKF sources, I know that f.e. Javtokas played big part on keepin' the team together and overcoming that psychological crisis we had in group stage this year. We might not notice it or don't know such things, it doesn't appear in statsheet either, but coaches knows that and values it a lot, teammates too and it's really important. Of course I'm not sayin' that someone should have guaranteed place just cause of that, but it's also a factor which will decide the final roster

[Modis]

I always love to construct my fantasy team, my best desired team instead of predicting who Kazlauskas will take (BTW, I wasn't much wrong last time while including both Lekavičius and Sabonis to the team). At the moment I would be thrilled to see such team in Olympics:

Valanciunas, Gudaitis*
Motiejunas, Kleiza*, Sabonis*
Maciulis, Kuzminskas
Seibutis, Pocius, Milaknis
Kalnietis, Lekavicius

* Means that Gudaitis in the next summer already stronger than Kavaliauskas (I believe Javtokas won't be drafted any more, just as Darjus if D-MO and Kleiza will come), Kleiza improves his physical condition, Sabonis climbs all over Jankunas (or anyone after D-MO) to rip off his head if needed to prove he deserves a spot (I hope sooner than latter, the guy has massive upside).

This team would be athletic, explosive at 5,4,3 positions, relatively young (but not too young), hardened, mentally prepared for big stage wins.

Milaknis looks like a solid three point shooter. But apart from that he is garbage Seibutis and Pocius would be enough at SG. For D.Sabonis, Kazlauskas didn't give him enough time play In Eurobasket. Its really hard to say how he would perform in an even stronger tournament like the Olympics. Although he performed well in friendlies . But so did Lekavicius. Anyways I am hoping all the best Lithuanian players will be called to camp next year and there wont be anyone missing it. Everyone ! All our vets and young talents. Its really good that we got many requests from different strong basketball countries to plays us in friendlies next year That will really show our true selfs. And knowing this is the Olympics everyone will fight for that place. Especially young talents. So it will be even harder next year I think for the Kazlauskas and his staff....I know I keep changing my mind but I think its natural. I do think we need a more experienced team. So here it is. Just some very early predictions.

C: J.Valanciunas D.Lavrinovičius
PF: D.Motiejunas P.Jankunas K.Lavrinovičius
SF: J.Mačiulis M.Kuzminskas S.Jasaitis * If Kleiza looks good and healthy then Kleiza.
SG: R.Seibutis M.Pocius
PG: M.Kalnietis L.Lekavičius * Again with PG its going to be very difficult. But again I think A.Juškevičius should have went to EC.

[Mindozas]

SF: J.Mačiulis M.Kuzminskas S.Jasaitis * If Kleiza looks good and healthy then Kleiza.

Kleiza is not SF anymore. he doesn't play there since 2009 and wouldn't be able to do so efficiently with current state of his knees, moreover as PF, on international scene, he was way more efficient when healthy

[Straight forward]

There's difference If you'll have in Olympics on the bench current Gudaitis or Sabonis, in some important game, of course it's almost the same like there's no one on bench at all. Kazlauskas won't trust them in important games, none probably would and in Olympics every game counts. But if you'll have on bench experienced player like Jankunas or even the same Kavaliauskas, who has Olympic experience behind his back, you can always rely on them that they won't come on court with shaking legs and will do what they're asked for. Be it 5mins, be it 10mins or even some 25mins if smth would go wrong with starters, it doesn't matter - they just would do the job. Experience.
On-court stuff aside. Jankunas is important piece of team in lockerrom too, the same like f.e. Javtokas. I don't know if there were written about it smth in our media, but from LKF sources, I know that f.e. Javtokas played big part on keepin' the team together and overcoming that psychological crisis we had in group stage this year. We might not notice it or don't know such things, it doesn't appear in statsheet either, but coaches knows that and values it a lot, teammates too and it's really important. Of course I'm not sayin' that someone should have guaranteed place just cause of that, but it's also a factor which will decide the final roster

Good point about the locker room. And generally I completely agree and there's so much more chances to see Jankunas and Kavaliauskas in the team than Gudaitis and Sabonis and I'm not questioning that, but I just posted fantasy team and it's not unrealistic, just as I think it's realistic for those youngsters to see playing time in OG (Eurobasket was just as intense if not much with local crowd's pressure). Even if going for veterans is more likely scenario, Gudaitis and Sabonis making NT wouldn't be much of surprise compared to the fact Lekavicius made the team and actually didn't look completely lost out-there (1 year ago he was in NKL and no-one, even I, talked about his chance to make NT).

[Mindozas]

Good point about the locker room. And generally I completely agree and there's so much more chances to see Jankunas and Kavaliauskas in the team than Gudaitis and Sabonis and I'm not questioning that, but I just posted fantasy team and it's not unrealistic, just as I think it's realistic for those youngsters to see playing time in OG (Eurobasket was just as intense if not much with local crowd's pressure). Even if going for veterans is more likely scenario, Gudaitis and Sabonis making NT wouldn't be much of surprise compared to the fact Lekavicius made the team and actually didn't look completely lost out-there (1 year ago he was in NKL and no-one, even I, talked about his chance to make NT).

Agree on Lekavicius, he didn't do miracles, but he didn't hurt the team too. He could take more risk, take more responsibility on his shoulders, take more shots, but he didn't. It's not cause he was afraid or smth, it was just not what Kazlauskas needed from him and he followed instructions in that strickt gameplan Kazlauskas was using during group stage. Anyways, Lekavicius chances of making the team again is higher than Sabonis or Gudaitis, for now. Simply we have not much to choose from in PG position, if Kazlauskas will need that pure 2nd PG at all, while in frontcourt situation is different, we have a lot room for improvement. However, I have nothing against any of Sabonis or Gudaitis making the team, if they'll prove they are better and coach will see them as more usefull than some veterans. I've been always sayin' that in tournaments like this only the best ones should play, no matter the age