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It's time to take a closer look to the new roster of "Lietuvos Rytas", having in mind Euroleague's qualification tournament is very near.



PG

Aleksandr Rasič

Tyrese Rice

Paulius Dambrauskas

SG

Renaldas Seibutis

Steponas Babrauskas

Simas Buterlevičius

Dovydas Redikas

SF

Brad Newley

Artūras Jomantas

PF

Lawrence Roberts

Mindaugas Katelynas

Vilmantas Dilys

C

Jonas Valančiūnas

Predrag Samardžiski



Coach:Aleksandr Džikič



Pretty young and interesting team. After last year they improved PF and centers position. Samardziski will be way better than Nalga. Katelynas and Roberts can be a tough defenders while Dilys has offensive talent (not sure how he will deal with the level though). SF position would be decent if Jomantas would finally wake up and prepares for the season. SG, IMO, is weaker, as Gecevičius is probably better player than Seibutis, but I like the guy and if Babrauskas wouldn't have such horrible season as the last one things could be pretty OK. Who knows maybe Buterlevicius will step up or maybe even Redikas. PG seems to be solid as I think Rasic will be better this season and Rice seems to be a good scorer from these first 6 preparation games.



Can't say anything about Džikič though.

I was told Rytas is after Pero Antic.

[quote name='Black Urum' timestamp='1316472513' post='34476']

I was told Rytas is after Pero Antic.

[/quote]



That would be a good add, probably would be a mental leaders first of all and a good player off course.

[quote name='TeoTheGreek13' timestamp='1316476833' post='34485']

Taking into account Buducnost's level I think Lietuvos is going to have an easy first round in the qualification tournament!! <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thup.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':thup:' />



Then, though, you'll match up with one team out of Cibona and Cholet Basket(probably that will be Cibona!).

I think you got some great individuals like Rice, Valanciunas, Roberts and Rasic that can lead the team!! <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thup.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':thup:' /> You also got Newley who's a capable shooter and scorer <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thup.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':thup:' /> , you got Samardziski that along with Jonas creates a great duo in center position!! Predrag is a tall guy that knows how to control his body, he's a good inside scorer and he can rebound!! <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thup.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':thup:' /> Seibutis can also help in scoring and in defense!



Even though I've never heard of the other guys, I think that almost everyone will have his role in the team and everyone will help! <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

In my opinion, you need an above average shooting guard to lead or to help in a big way the team in scoring! <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



I wish you luck but I can't say I want to see you in Euroleague because that means you have to eliminate PAOK!!! <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/bag.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

If PAOK doesn't make it, I wish Lietuvos to be the team that qualifies! <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[/quote]



Nice post TeoTheGreek13! I agree with your comments, just would add that Jomantas used to be a good player, specially in defence. Seibutis should be the key in this team, he should fill Gecevičius' spot. Katelynas is basically NT material so I expect good things from him as well. I agree Rytas might lack offensive talent from the backourt so a lot will depend how Rice will look here because Rasič is unstable in scoring. All in all, I'm happy with the roster.



And by the way, the team's name is "Lietuvos Rytas", if you want shorter version say it "Rytas", but never "Lietuvos" <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[quote name='straight forward' timestamp='1316477833' post='34487']

Nice post TeoTheGreek13! I agree with your comments, just would add that Jomantas used to be a good player, specially in defence. Seibutis should be the key in this team, he should fill Gecevičius' spot. Katelynas is basically NT material so I expect good things from him as well. I agree Rytas might lack offensive talent from the backourt so a lot will depend how Rice will look here because Rasič is unstable in scoring. All in all, I'm happy with the roster.



And by the way, the team's name is "Lietuvos Rytas", if you want shorter version say it "Rytas", but never "Lietuvos" <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[/quote]

Ok, I didn't know that!!! <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/baby.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

As I recall it means Lithuanian Dawn, wright? <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Or maybe I've dreamed about it <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

It means Lithuanian morning and is the name of the main daily newspaper is Lithuania.



This is a good but not great team. They should have a fair chance to win the qual A spot. Antic would be a good fit for the team. He is a similar but better version of what Kenan brought in the past.



If Rytas is trying to duplicate the FYROM National team in Vilnius I sure wouldn't mind McCalebb. <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

Rasič our for 5 weeks. Very bad news. Proabably Dambrauskas will get a chance.

Terrible timing. His injury is a major setback in Rytas' quest for Euroleague qualification.

^just heard that on the news. Good signing. He'll help Rytas make a run at the Euroleague.

I don't think he has contract with Rytas. Never was a fan of him. Not a bad player though.

[quote name='TeoTheGreek13' timestamp='1316788281' post='34731']

What happened with Khalid El-Amin?? <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



Did Rytas released him because of his injury?! <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



He is a great player! <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thup.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':thup:' />

[/quote]



He had a pretty serious leg injury at the end of last season. He is no longer with Lietuvos Rytas and I am not sure where he currently is playing. It's possible that he still hasn't recovered from his injury and without a team.

Well, Rytas heading to Eurocup unfortunately. On the bright side, here they will probably go to the top 8 tournament so maybe that's not the worst scenario as Rytas would had very serious time qualifying to top 16 in Euroleague. Well, at least there will be Khimki, so Valančiūnas will have someone to play against <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



Few notes on the team:



Rice is good offensive player and will be a good complement for "passing first" Rasič. However, he's not playing any pick and roll (bad news for Rytas' bigs and Jonas first of all) and not the best team player generally. Rasič hopefully will cover these weak spots of Rice with European basketball things. Jeretin should go.



Seibutis is good, even better than I expected, if he'll continue this way it's gonna be good season at the higher level for him. I don't know what it takes to kick out loser Babrauskas out of the team. There had to be Buterlevičius.



Jomantas finally in a good defensive shape again and that's already good news. Newley out of shape, but probably will be useful just as last year.



Both Roberts and Katelynas look good in my account and I think both, specially Roberts, were not 100% in shape in this tournament. Katelynas should improve his defence though, players catching him with the first step too often. Both are athletic guys, that's good.



Jonas looked a little bit out of shape compared with NT period, both technically and physically. Plus, he hadn't too much love from the point guards and refs in this tournament. Not a single pick and roll situation if I'm not wrong. However, he's already way tougher and better defender compared with the start of last season. After having a little brake and rest, I expect him to fill the 5 for the biggest part. Samardinski is off course improvement compared to Nalga, but I'm not impressed by this slow and lazy big. Pure rebounder, pretty soft body, too slow and not too much individually. I would like to see him with limited minutes and being a deep back up for Jonas.



Not the best thing to happen, but now I want Eurocup (literally) <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[quote name='straight forward' timestamp='1317579233' post='35163']

Well, Rytas heading to Eurocup unfortunately. On the bright side, here they will probably go to the top 8 tournament so maybe that's not the worst scenario as Rytas would had very serious time qualifying to top 16 in Euroleague. Well, at least there will be Khimki, so Valančiūnas will have someone to play against <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[/quote]

Well, considering that Rytas wouldn't make it even on Euroleague's playoffs and that money, for winning a game, for qualifying a round etc. are extremely few, it was good for you to play in Eurocup because you got some great chances of winning it!!! <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thup.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':thup:' /> <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



I think you'd like that too!!! <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

I would have rather seen Rytas playing in the Euroleague even though they wouldn't have made it far. For me the best storyline for Rytas this season is going to be the development of Valanciunas. Jonas would have been much better off banging up against Euroleague caliber bigs even if Rytas lost the games.



From a confidence/momentum factor the Eurocup is much better suited for Rytas this season. They will be contenders.