Sep 14, 2010, 10:32 pm
(This post was last modified: Sep 14, 2010, 11:16 pm by straight forward.)
I presume this thread will be long and controversial. The great success in WC 2010 gave a lot of hope and inspiration, but at the same time many questions have appeared. The most important - what Kemzūra is going to do next summer? Will he invite our veterans or will he remain on building new generation? The good thing, he already answered - he's going to try to fill some weak spots with some player if that will be possible. On other hand, Kemzūra mentioned that the season is long and it will depend on the process, players attitudes and so on. So basically, he would like to integrate some experience, but it' important not to ruin team spirit. Well, personally I agree. The result is great, but it's gonna be very difficult to repeat it as the pressure will be on Lithuania's shoulders this time. Basically, Lithuania of 2010 had one great faculty - intense defence and uptempo offense. That was very right choice in most cases (specially against Argentina), but It might be not enough in the future. The improvement is obvious, but I think we still can't play decent half court offense. Every time this team stops running, we stuck in offense. Saying that, I would like to see the nice mixture of our young and experienced players. The season is long and we'll see how it goes, but the illusion in my mind would be like this (express your own):
PG:
Kalnietis (He improved, but his improvement is very much overrated with general impression about the team. The problem with him as PG is that he is not able to contribute in half court offense and he's not really creates. On positive side, he sharply improved his ball handling and shooting skills and he can really run in transition. Having that and his experience in mind It's very unlikely to expect that some other young PG will step in, specially if we'll have Å aras).
Å aras (Yes, that's him. I want him on the team, because we badly need the brains and creativity! His contribution when "run and gun" mechanism is not working would be priceless. The question? Won't he disturb the team spirit? I hope not).
SG:
Pocius (The guy surprisingly stole GeceviÄius' place at the starting lineup after two first games of the tournament. I suppose even KemzÅ«ra didn't expect that, but really fallen in love with his aggressive playing style. He's athletic, very quick, great slasher and even managed to be consistent on perimeter shooting in the tournament. I have no doubt he'll be on the team).
GeceviÄius (The loss of the tournament as some were saying after group stage, but still managed to show his abilities in clumsy 1/8 against China and nailed some great shots against USA. Obviously pretty bad debut for youngest player of the team, but having in mind his potential I think we can expect way better thing in the future.).
KaukÄnas (As much as I would like Seibutis as a person, I have to say he doesn't have a decent potential at the highest level. Saying that, I still think some people writing off KaukÄnas too soon, he had a decent season with Real, scoring 14 points in regular season. Only Mesina's madness because of Barsa forced some opinions that he totally declined. I don't think so)
SF:
MaÄiulis, Jasaitis (Great pair and they complement each other very well)
PF:
Kleiza (No comments needed).
K.LavrinoviÄ, D. Songaila (I think these two are still best players at 4 after Kleiza. We'll see how season goes, but I don't think their contribution would be worse than JankÅ«nas even if I don't mind JankÅ«nas at all. It's just, I still think old fellas are better).
C:
Javtokas, PetraviÄius (D. LavrinoviÄ, J. ValanÄiÅ«nas) (Now this is gonna be the biggest question! If all these will be available, KemzÅ«ra will have a damn headache. Don't ask me how to solve this? Maybe DarjuÅ¡ has good chances for being cut, because he's not pure center. Another thing how good already will be ValanÄiÅ«nas? No idea.)
Some other possible picks:
D. MotiejÅ«nas, Katelynas, Delininkaitis, Kelys, JanaviÄius, JuÅ¡keviÄius, KlimaviÄius, Å ikÅ¡nius, Gailius.
PG:
Kalnietis (He improved, but his improvement is very much overrated with general impression about the team. The problem with him as PG is that he is not able to contribute in half court offense and he's not really creates. On positive side, he sharply improved his ball handling and shooting skills and he can really run in transition. Having that and his experience in mind It's very unlikely to expect that some other young PG will step in, specially if we'll have Å aras).
Å aras (Yes, that's him. I want him on the team, because we badly need the brains and creativity! His contribution when "run and gun" mechanism is not working would be priceless. The question? Won't he disturb the team spirit? I hope not).
SG:
Pocius (The guy surprisingly stole GeceviÄius' place at the starting lineup after two first games of the tournament. I suppose even KemzÅ«ra didn't expect that, but really fallen in love with his aggressive playing style. He's athletic, very quick, great slasher and even managed to be consistent on perimeter shooting in the tournament. I have no doubt he'll be on the team).
GeceviÄius (The loss of the tournament as some were saying after group stage, but still managed to show his abilities in clumsy 1/8 against China and nailed some great shots against USA. Obviously pretty bad debut for youngest player of the team, but having in mind his potential I think we can expect way better thing in the future.).
KaukÄnas (As much as I would like Seibutis as a person, I have to say he doesn't have a decent potential at the highest level. Saying that, I still think some people writing off KaukÄnas too soon, he had a decent season with Real, scoring 14 points in regular season. Only Mesina's madness because of Barsa forced some opinions that he totally declined. I don't think so)
SF:
MaÄiulis, Jasaitis (Great pair and they complement each other very well)
PF:
Kleiza (No comments needed).
K.LavrinoviÄ, D. Songaila (I think these two are still best players at 4 after Kleiza. We'll see how season goes, but I don't think their contribution would be worse than JankÅ«nas even if I don't mind JankÅ«nas at all. It's just, I still think old fellas are better).
C:
Javtokas, PetraviÄius (D. LavrinoviÄ, J. ValanÄiÅ«nas) (Now this is gonna be the biggest question! If all these will be available, KemzÅ«ra will have a damn headache. Don't ask me how to solve this? Maybe DarjuÅ¡ has good chances for being cut, because he's not pure center. Another thing how good already will be ValanÄiÅ«nas? No idea.)
Some other possible picks:
D. MotiejÅ«nas, Katelynas, Delininkaitis, Kelys, JanaviÄius, JuÅ¡keviÄius, KlimaviÄius, Å ikÅ¡nius, Gailius.