Lithuania NT 2012

[skangles]

Since the thread of Olympics already gets pretty hot, let's discuss Lithuania's future as well.

My position is very simple- we have to go with new generation. We have to say thank you for Šaras, Kaukė—nas, Songaila, Brothers, Petravičius and probably Delininkaitis unless he'll have a very good season or great shape at the right moment. All players, except Kaukė—nas and healthy Kšistof are far from their best. Another thing, even if Kaukė—nas is till good, obviously veterans destroyed the thing that 2010 team had. Call it unity, solidarity, fighting spirit - but this summer the team looked old and lacking the sparkle. I already mentioned Įaras issue - the guy can't control him self and to be just a role player. He can't be a leader any more and he can';t be a role player. If Kemzura is staying as a head coach (and he obviously is), he should not invite Šaras to the team as we saw what happened.

The picture of new generation is pretty clear in my account except back up PG off course:

PG: Kalnietis, X*
SG: Pocius, Gecevičius, Seibutis
SF: Mačiulis, Jasaitis
PF: Kleiza, Jankūnas, Motiejūnas
C: Valančiūnas, Javtokas

X* : Hopefully it's some young face like Vasiliauskas, Ȍižauskas, Janavičius or any other.

The bad thing, I'm not sure Kemzura has any guts to say good buy to old generation and to continue with the thing which started in 2010.

Yes, looks good. I thik that Motiejunas should be in a battle with K. Lavrinovic and Petravicius (assuming he gets back to health). I'll take the best performing player out of those three. Motiejunas is young but if he is not performing better than K. Lavrinovic or Petravicius why should he get the nod? I can't blame this summer's failure on either Lavrinovic or Petravicius but considering Kemzura barely used Lavrinovic it probably won't matter if Motiejunas takes his roster spot.

Saras is another story. He played really well for his age and Lithuania has very limited options. The play that knocked Lithuania out of the tournament was Songaila's horrible pass to Saras which FYROM intercepted. Lithuania had the game won and Songaila decided to throw a cross court pass to Saras rather than just hold onto the ball. It was poor decision making and the pass was bad. I don't fault Saras on that play, do you?

Kalnietis bailed Lithuania out at the end against Slovenia and hopefully this will help solidify his position as a clutch PG for late game situations.

Lithuania as a whole was extremely sloppy with the ball throughout Eurobasket and the turnovers were unacceptable. Saras led the team (3.0 per game) but I don't think that we can give guys like Valanciunas (2.6), Pocius (1.7) and Kalnietis (2.1) a free pass either.

I don't mind if Kemzura brings Saras because even Saras at 3 turnovers a game is still likely a better net positive to relieve Kalnietis than any other option that Lithuania has available. Kemzura does need to get better control over the team and when players take unnecessary risk that gives the ball away in a close game then they need to sit down immediately (this also needs to hold for Kalnietis, Pocius and Valanciunas).