No NBA players mean huge advantage to Lithuania. Doncic is at this point, for 40min do or die game, 60% if not more of Slovenian NT. Everything would be generated through him. Neither Sabonis, JV or both together have even relatively close impact. Second, Valanciunas against Slovenia would be huge liability defensively again. Slovenia will surely try to shoot the lights out and will play multiple pick and rolls every possession. Lithuania is a better defensive team without JV against such team as Slovenia. Sabonis is also not a great defender, but his loss would be felt. He can switch and D and intimidate any defence with his relentless motor and quick decisions which are key in tiny and crowded FIBA courts. No time to wade in the paint's mud as in NBA. However, we have plenty of quality bigs in Gudaitis, Geben, Echodas, Birutis...and even D-Mo, Kairys (both horrid at D, IMO).
Today basketball is guards and wings games. Specially in FIBA, like it's not even close. So I can say this: for 2020 we have such formula:
Grigonis, Lekavicius>Sabonis, Valanciunas
The key will be to have 2 best guards to run the show and to sharpen things up in the crunch time.
Windows were the best indication how NT stops when there's no guard to run the show. NT played best with Jokubaitis running the show, being able put the ball on the floor, facilitate. Our ultimate power will lie on Grigonis and Lekavicius abilities these days. They are only 2 hardcore guards truly ready for real action at the moment + a bit of something what's left from Kalnietis and maybe upcoming Jokubaitis
Today basketball is guards and wings games. Specially in FIBA, like it's not even close. So I can say this: for 2020 we have such formula:
Grigonis, Lekavicius>Sabonis, Valanciunas
The key will be to have 2 best guards to run the show and to sharpen things up in the crunch time.
Windows were the best indication how NT stops when there's no guard to run the show. NT played best with Jokubaitis running the show, being able put the ball on the floor, facilitate. Our ultimate power will lie on Grigonis and Lekavicius abilities these days. They are only 2 hardcore guards truly ready for real action at the moment + a bit of something what's left from Kalnietis and maybe upcoming Jokubaitis
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