Lithuanian League (LKL) 2011/2012

[auris1]

http://www.bcalytus.lt/uploads/Image/LKL_logo_svg.png
2011-2012

[auris1]

The latest update regarding the LKL -after federation meeting it was decided that the number of the teams for the next season will be 12,so the appeal by Alytus team to prolong the stay in LKL was dismissed by the virtue of them coming last in regular season.But...if Naglys team will not find suitable solution for the home court games,Alytus will displace them in LKL.

My personal view is that Naglis should wait and see if can they built arena that meets requirements,and only then be reactivated in LKL. Unfortunately for them it means them needing to win NKL again and winning the play-off with last LKL team.For me ,i do not see for the team without home support being successfully or worthy LKL status.

The biggest news( and saddest) although should be dismantlement of Perlas team and them selling the license to Pasvalys. Perlas had good thing going on,much more exciting and useful for Lithuanian basketball than Kaunas/Atletas/Skaisciai whatever they were called put all together.
Which brings me nicely to the finish - Kaunas has been bought by Romanov from Barstys(i am not sure if it is official yet or it ever will be),which perhaps would make them officially Zalgiris's farm club
So no more free rides for Rudupys or siauliai i guess.
That would make them very strong contenders for bronze medals straight away,no less.

[auris1]

Another interesting development with Sakalai -
there was some commotion and power struggle between shareholders/part owners of the club,which resulted departure of one mr Guoga,our saviour for NT in the world 2010 championships(he was the one who paid "blood" money).
So Mr Guoga left the club with immediate effect,followed by the comments of his nemesis and survival - mr Kiausas -
who said that Guoga did not pay all the monies he promised (only 350000 litas out of 500000 promised),which is not bad in any case,and that he was not aware of guogas' plans for Sakalai to play for free in lrytas arena in the next season and get most of the Perlas players.
What mr Kiausas has to offer is some mysterious 2 backers who would invest more money in the club than Guoga would and some not very convincing arguments that Sakalai would prosper at some point(i assume just survive) in the next season.
Now,the most interesting part is where he says that there are only 2 people in lith basketball fedaration (or LKL) who can speak their mind freely - him and Romanov,which probably put all the dots on i.
Now,i am big fan of romanov supporting ZAlgiris,and no more less about him having second team with Kaunas.
But this goes a bit too far for my liking.

now here is my personal opinion -
Regarding Guoga - he is very good poker player,and as well as owner of the betting company,which very well concludes to the fact that he gambled with money by paying entry fee for NT team and got so much more than his initial investment by becoming household name etc.
Regarding romanov - he should stop there and now .
Two teams are enough.

[dxjayrock2008]

http://www.eurobasket.com/images/leagueslogos/Lithuania.gif Siauliai land Cam Long - Jul 16, 2011 (by Eurobasket News)

Siauliai brought in another rookie player. They agreed on terms of contract with Cam Long (http://www.eurobasket.com/player.asp?Cntry=USA&PlayerID=136816) (193-G-88). The 22-year-old guard has just graduated from George Mason University. Cam Long (http://www.eurobasket.com/player.asp?Cntry=USA&PlayerID=136816) tallied 15.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game in his senior season. Cam Long (http://www.eurobasket.com/player.asp?Cntry=USA&PlayerID=136816) made it into All-CAA 1st Team. The guard was also named into NABC Division I All-District 10 1st Team for the second season in a row. The guard participated at Pre-NBA Draft Portsmouth Invitational Tournament. Cam Long (http://www.eurobasket.com/player.asp?Cntry=USA&PlayerID=136816) posted 12.5 points, 4.5 boards, 1.5 steals and 1.0 assist per game there.

[sagenas]

It was clear some days ago about that. I don't know, people says he was close to be drafted, may be he will be another star here like Low was some time before. And right now in PG-SG positions Šiauliai has Broadus, Long and Gvezdauskas...looks sick trio. Also it would be cool if Šiauliai could get one more SF (they want Kuzminskas or Bendžius..but I think Rytas could loan Šikšnius with possibility to play in VTB or Kulvietis..nevertheless, at least one of them will be loaned to Rūdupis to play in EuroCup). :) If Šiauliai can qualify for VTB, then it would be big step for the team.

[auris1]

So it is official -
Alytus is out,and Naglis remains in LKL due to finding suitable arena in Klaipeda(not the big one).
And Neptunas is nowhere near coming into agreement of playing in the new arena too due to the high cost.
So basically we will have two +5000 arenas with no basketball at all.
I wonder for how long Smokie
http://www.smokie.co.uk/Dates.asp
can keep alive them both.I guess,not for long.(just one date)
So,in the end,
Living next door to big arena
Who the fuck plays in big arena ?
Alice?
Lets hope it will not last for another 24 years

[Afraid]

Could anyone tell what's the full rooster of Siauliai right now, at least who has contracts from last year. For me their new signings looks really not bad. If those like sarakauskas and zukauskas stays, it would be quite attractive team to watch:) if Rudupis and Juventus can stay on the same level this year, and Neptunas gets a little stronger, it seems like quite interesting season awaits

[Mindozas]

Could anyone tell what's the full rooster of Siauliai right now, at least who has contracts from last year. For me their new signings looks really not bad. If those like sarakauskas and zukauskas stays, it would be quite attractive team to watch:) if Rudupis and Juventus can stay on the same level this year, and Neptunas gets a little stronger, it seems like quite interesting season awaits

If I'm not wrong:

PG: Broadus, Prekevicius
SG: Long, Gvezdauskas, Stanionis
SF: Zukauskas, Ruzgas
PF: Sarakauskas, Vasylius
C: Bowles, Gumenyuk

Don't know if Zukauskas and Liutych are stayin', heard the latter might join Minsk-2006
Edit: so we could add Zukauskas to the list then.

[LuDux]

If I'm not wrong:

PG: Broadus, Prekevicius
SG: Long, Gvezdauskas, Stanionis
SF: Ruzgas
PF: Sarakauskas, Vasylius
C: Bowles, Gumenyuk

Don't know if Zukauskas and Liutych are stayed, heard the latter might join Minsk-2006

Zukauskas stays

Interestingly they have only 1 real PG and 2-3 combo guards

[Afraid]

If I'm not wrong:

PG: Broadus, Prekevicius
SG: Long, Gvezdauskas, Stanionis
SF: Zukauskas, Ruzgas
PF: Sarakauskas, Vasylius
C: Bowles, Gumenyuk

Don't know if Zukauskas and Liutych are stayin', heard the latter might join Minsk-2006
Edit: so we could add Zukauskas to the list then.

As I remember, Klimavicius, or Sireika said, that Long is going to play as PG in the team, but sure that having these 3 guards someone will take a SG spot at times, maybe all of them. Also i believe that Sarakauskas should be better in PF spot, even though he played C last year. To sum up everything, squad looks really nice, and balanced, looking forward to VTB qualification games :)

[Mindozas]

As I remember, Klimavicius, or Sireika said, that Long is going to play as PG in the team, but sure that having these 3 guards someone will take a SG spot at times, maybe all of them. Also i believe that Sarakauskas should be better in PF spot, even though he played C last year. To sum up everything, squad looks really nice, and balanced, looking forward to VTB qualification games :)

If my memory ain't letting me down, Sarakauskas played as PF with Weaver on the court, who played as a C ;) Now instead of Weaver, Siauliai will have Bowles.
Overall, I agree with you, nice squad, but I kinda doubt it'll be enough to qualify to regular VTB season. "Krasnye Krylya" building strong squad, probably is a lock for one of the remaining 2 places, while Dnipro, Anwil will be the teams to beat. So far Enisey wasn't too active in market, so no idea what kind of team they'll bring, but Russians are Russians...

[sagenas]

Other VTB qualification teams are really beatable. Apart strong foreigners those teams have no good local players while home court advantage may help Šiauliai, too. As it's easily seen, Šiauliai has many 3-point shooters: Ruzgas, Gvezdauskas, Prekevičius, Long, Žukauskas is good at it, too...Šarakauskas and Vasylius can make a 3-pointers. Should be offensive minded team as usual.

Right now Šiauliai has contracts with these players but some of them will be loaned:

C: Bowles, Gumenyuk, Ramašauskas
PF: Šarakauskas, Vasylius, Jucikas
SF: Ruzgas, Žukauskas, Liutych
SG: Long, Gvezdauskas, Stanionis(?)
PG: Broadus, Prekevičius, Artamonov

Still questionable thing with Stanionis...in some reports it wasn't said he will stay in the team but he had contract...not clear about this.

Žukauskas may have some minutes as PF, Artamonov and Ramašauskas should be loaned for sure.

Jucikas showed really good results in NKL last season and 4 front-line players aren't enough so he may be taken but I'm not sure about this, no official information about this yet.

While Liutych showed he can play in LKL already and my conclusion is he could be 5th foreigner because latest two signings are Lithuanians so then no problem with foreigner limit.

[auris1]

I do not know about VTB,but Siauliai are nicely set for LKL,that's for sure, not so much by improving the team,but by keeping the core of the squad and replacing other players with similar value ones (more or less).
Pity though that the other teams(apart from Zalgiris and lrytas) who were on the par with them last season will have to start all over again (maybe apart from utena) by waiting untill last moment to arrange (and pray ) for charity loans and wait untill last minute in player's market till they sign ,someone desperate, cheaply.That is very unfortunate reality

[sagenas]

I do not know about VTB,but Siauliai are nicely set for LKL,that's for sure, not so much by improving the team,but by keeping the core of the squad and replacing other players with similar value ones (more or less).
Pity though that the other teams(apart from Zalgiris and lrytas) who were on the par with them last season will have to start all over again (maybe apart from utena) by waiting untill last moment to arrange (and pray ) for charity loans and wait untill last minute in player's market till they sign ,someone desperate, cheaply.That is very unfortunate reality

Juventus has only few players...I would say Neptūnas - they have core of the team already.

[LuDux]

Juventus has only few players...I would say Neptūnas - they have core of the team already.

Neptūnas is 3 forwards away from functional roster
Bonner, Galdikas
?, Brunins
?, ?
Mazeika, Runkauskas
Dainys, Stasys

I don't think Kaunas has problems with the lack of players

[Afraid]

And maybe any of you knows what Pasvalys is building? I read owner's interview somewhere that they are planing not only to pick a squad that can go to playoffs, but also be high enough not to meet Rytas or Zalgiris. But somehow i missed all their moves in market.

Also, what's happening with techasas, maybe anyone from Panevezys knows something more than Krepsinis.net? I feel pity for such a team, they looked good last season, also people came back to arena, and they were successfully selling season tickets, how comes this team is so consistent at being inconsistent..

[auris1]

Also, what's happening with techasas, maybe anyone from Panevezys knows something more than Krepsinis.net?
What else do you need to know?
If anything,this was the best article explaining current situation in to the Lithuanian club basketball for ages.After the very decent season the team is totally in ruins again,with no sponsors or any players to sign in sight.
Selling few hundred season tickets 100 litas a piece can hardly make any difference.

[Afraid]

What else do you need to know?
If anything,this was the best article explaining current situation in to the Lithuanian club basketball for ages.After the very decent season the team is totally in ruins again,with no sponsors or any players to sign in sight.
Selling few hundred season tickets 100 litas a piece can hardly make any difference.

My thought was that maybe anyone knows something about whether someone is ready to lend a hand for the club.
Well, if they will manage to survive, i hope that this at least strengthens their growing fan base, for what is the most serious reason to survive

[LuDux]

KK Rudupis (Prienai) signed SG Gintaras Kadziulis, PG Aidas Viskontas, are negotiating with PG Andrius Mazutis and will loan PF Povilas Butkevicius from Zalgiris for 2nd season

[auris1]

KK Rudupis (Prienai) signed SG Gintaras Kadziulis, PG Aidas Viskontas, are negotiating with PG Andrius Mazutis and will loan PF Povilas Butkevicius from Zalgiris for 23nd season
what?
Maybe you meant that Rudupys will get to loan Butkevicius from Zalgiris for the second season in the row?

[LuDux]

what?
Maybe you meant that Rudupys will get to loan Butkevicius from Zalgiris for the second season in the row?

Sorry about that, on my keyboard '2' is right besides '3'

[sagenas]

Rūdupis looks to be gathering quite good players as for them.

According to some unofficial news, they signed A.Urbutis who played last few seasons in Cantu. Urbutis can play SF/PF positions, is known as good defender. :)

Also there were some rumors about them signing A.Mažutis but I don't think he fits to be the main point guard in EuroCup level, I would even consider Viskontas as better player right now.


Neptūnas signs one player after another and with roster they have I'd say they must take BBL Challenge Cup for sure. I hope they will add two more front-line players, not one. Especially IMO they need C but they already have two so PF who can play C would suit. Last year it was easily seen that they have problems against stronger Cs so they need to strengthen their front-line for sure, especially knowing that the main player Vasylius left for Šiauliai.

And latest rumors say that they signed Valeika and Ruikis, also Danys was officially signed. I hope Valeika will be 3rd PF ar at the worst case 2nd because Neptūnas needs someone better right now.

Considering these rumors are true, they have something like this:

C: Bonner, Galdikas
PF: ?, *Bruninš, Valeika
SF: Ruikis, Danys, Kumpys, Maželis
SG: Mažeika, Runkauskas, Žurna
PG: Dainys, Stašys, Girdžiūnas

*May be Bruninš will play as SF but I doubt somehow. In any case, front-line will be the weakness of this team, I think.

Underlined players may be loaned...at least Maželis will be for sure.

[auris1]

Neptūnas .....with roster they have I'd say they must take BBL Challenge Cup for sure.
Well,i am not sure what it says about the level of BBL CC,but i think that they have mediocre team for LKL-

C: Bonner, Galdikas
PF: ?, *Bruninš, Valeika
SF: Ruikis, Danys, Kumpys, Maželis
SG: Mažeika, Runkauskas, Žurna
PG: Dainys, Stašys, Girdžiūnas
I would not give them anything higher than 6-7th place after regular season.Looking at the roster they seem to be lacking ambition.All safe,no doubt,but when you consider that they could be playing in new arena, lack of star players look obvious.

Rudupys on the other hand seems to be building the team slowly,step by step,but bringing more quality and once again,getting "hungry" for success players.I am not sure,that they can repeat the last season,but certainly they are using same recipe.

And Panevezis apparently signed G.Leonavicius as a head coach again- the guy deserves some sort of medal for his loyalty for the team.Even in his heyday he was ready to play for higher level team(statyba at the time),yet chose to stay with his home team.I can only hope that Panevezys will stay in LKL in some sort of shape,albeit not a contender for semis,but still...

[sagenas]

Well,i am not sure what it says about the level of BBL CC,but i think that they have mediocre team for LKL-

I would not give them anything higher than 6-7th place after regular season.Looking at the roster they seem to be lacking ambition.All safe,no doubt,but when you consider that they could be playing in new arena, lack of star players look obvious.

Rudupys on the other hand seems to be building the team slowly,step by step,but bringing more quality and once again,getting "hungry" for success players.I am not sure,that they can repeat the last season,but certainly they are using same recipe.

And Panevezis apparently signed G.Leonavicius as a head coach again- the guy deserves some sort of medal for his loyalty for the team.Even in his heyday he was ready to play for higher level team(statyba at the time),yet chose to stay with his home team.I can only hope that Panevezys will stay in LKL in some sort of shape,albeit not a contender for semis,but still...

1) SG-SF rotation of Neptūnas should be among the best in LKL, their problem is front-line players...but I hope they'll sign good PF...

2) About what stars are you talking about with roster like that? Ruikis, Mažeika, Runkauskas...someone will step up.

3) Neptūnas is doing a great job, dealing with everything step by step...remember what was some seasons ago...back there they wanted only to survive and stay in LKL while right now they have ambitions, from amateurish management they developed to more serious organization, they may play in new arena, they're increasing budget with every year coming (according to their plan, in 12-13 season budget should be even higher than this year).

4) LKL level should be high, and to be among top teams is good. Watch Šiauliai (full roster, good names, preparing for VTB qualification) and Rūdupis (still in progress but good names, too and preparing for EuroCup), also Kaunas can have a good team with many names of Žalgiris youngsters..

5) Leonavičius didn't sign for Techasas....that was trick by their owner Gaudiešius who wanted just to promote his work in eyes of city authorities.

[auris1]

2) About what stars are you talking about with roster like that? Ruikis, Mažeika, Runkauskas...someone will step up.
They are established players,well capable of scoring 20 points each per game - but, in my book, coming a little short of being a star attraction.


3) Neptūnas is doing a great job, dealing with everything step by step...remember what was some seasons ago...back there they wanted only to survive and stay in LKL while right now they have ambitions, from amateurish management they developed to more serious organization, they may play in new arena, they're increasing budget with every year coming (according to their plan, in 12-13 season budget should be even higher than this year).

totally agree,and that's why i said that they are playing it safe,not over stretching the budget,and sticking to the plan(and not many teams have it )
.Not sure what you meant about 12-13 seasons.
Like from now on?I am not holding my breath for that long,mate)))



4) LKL level should be high, and to be among top teams is good. Watch Šiauliai (full roster, good names, preparing for VTB qualification) and Rūdupis (still in progress but good names, too and preparing for EuroCup), also Kaunas can have a good team with many names of Žalgiris youngsters..
Man,did you start drinking?
My point was that LKL level is hight,especially of mid tier teams getting their act together.That is why i mentioned BBl challenge cup,where ,according to you, Neptunas are certain to win.I just compared their chances in LKL,where i personally do not rate them high.Hence...




5) Leonavičius didn't sign for Techasas....that was trick by their owner Gaudiešius who wanted just to promote his work in eyes of city authorities.

I did know that - but i have a feeling that either way Leonavicius will stay in Panevezis

[sagenas]

They are established players,well capable of scoring 20 points each per game - but, in my book, coming a little short of being a star attraction.

May be...but which team of LKL has "star"?




totally agree,and that's why i said that they are playing it safe,not over stretching the budget,and sticking to the plan(and not many teams have it )
.Not sure what you meant about 12-13 seasons.
Like from now on?I am not holding my breath for that long,mate)))

I meant about season of 2012-2013 year. In other words, they made 3-year plan to increase their budget, last year was the first one, right now the second one (and signings show it itself), and in other season which will start in 2012, the budget should be even higher.



Man,did you start drinking?
My point was that LKL level is hight,especially of mid tier teams getting their act together.That is why i mentioned BBl challenge cup,where ,according to you, Neptunas are certain to win.I just compared their chances in LKL,where i personally do not rate them high.Hence...

Ha ha, IMO, LKL teams in past years developed by all means and Neptūnas is doing well...right now knowing that charm of Klaipėda I'd bet they should be competitive. Coach Juodis with team full of youngsters managed to grab 5th place in LKL regular season few years ago, I believe he can do something with this material, too. Especially because this team should play fast-paced offensive ball with many 3-point shots. If they'll play in new arena, home court advantage in first season may be something, too (new arena attracts people without any doubts). These times you just can't know, rosters don't mean everything and everything can happen. Last season they played in semi-final of BBL Challenge Cup where lost against Juventus, this year they have bigger depth, Juventus and Kaunas are promoted to Elite division - way free to win.



I did know that - but i have a feeling that either way Leonavicius will stay in Panevezis

I have the same feeling. Even last year it was very similar when media spread rumors about Leonavičius signing with Nevėžis but he ended up in Techasas. :)

[auris1]

May be...but which team of LKL has "star"?
Apart from Zalgiris and Lrytas?
Look,i am talking here about LKL.



I meant about season of 2012-2013 year. In other words, they made 3-year plan to increase their budget, last year was the first one, right now the second one (and signings show it itself), and in other season which will start in 2012, the budget should be even higher.
you are treating my post as if i was against Neptunas or you personally.
Neither is the case.
I only admire O.Kurauskas,where he applied some business management rules for the team's development.And kudos for him for sticking for them.I did read that interview and i remembered that when posting.


If they'll play in new arena, home court advantage in first season may be something, too (new arena attracts people without any doubts). These times you just can't know, rosters don't mean everything and everything can happen.
Now,you are bluffing here.
I call you,and we will see it at the end of the season.

[sagenas]

Apart from Zalgiris and Lrytas?
Look,i am talking here about LKL.

I'm saying that none of LKL teams except Rytas and Žalgiris have someone to attempt every crucial shot and to make it, to be the leader. Closest to this is Ruikis of Neptūnas.



you are treating my post as if i was against Neptunas or you personally.
Neither is the case.
I only admire O.Kurauskas,where he applied some business management rules for the team's development.And kudos for him for sticking for them.I did read that interview and i remembered that when posting.

No, I don't. Just I consider Neptūnas as serious team in terms of LKL level while you don't think they can put up a fight to other teams.



Now,you are bluffing here.
I call you,and we will see it at the end of the season.

Yeah, I am. I expect big things from them, I wish them to succeed. :)

P.s. Juventus signed Maceina for one more season. Good for them.

[auris1]

I'm saying that none of LKL teams except Rytas and Žalgiris have someone to attempt every crucial shot and to make it, to be the leader. Closest to this is Ruikis of Neptūnas.
What?
And it happens how often?
Once or twice a season(out of 50 odd games),let alone making winning shot?
And i am sure Mazeika would disagree.

[sagenas]

What?
And it happens how often?
Once or twice a season(out of 50 odd games),let alone making winning shot?
And i am sure Mazeika would disagree.

Not only to make game-winning shots but to lead the team, to be someone better than others...Ruikis is close to this, just look games of last year how he nailed one triple after another while Mažeika was struggling.

[sagenas]

Yeah, it's a minimum budged right now those 600 000 LTL. It means that if even team has great infrastructure (I mean basketball school, second team, and main team), those 0.6kk Litas doesn't help them to sign a long term deal with main prospects from the school, and those are signed by Zalgiris or Rytas. Some when with great youngsters Rytas became a serious team, and buying everything and all around they do not allow other teams to grow and at least from time to time make a serious opponent for those two powerhouses. The only way out of this is a good uncle with a moneybag I guess..

Rare team works with it right. Right now I see big plus for Neptūnas - they did a great job in past years, Šiauliai invested in youth - has contracts with Liutych, Aramonov, Ramašauskas. The problem is that those prospects want to become big very soon and that's their mistake. With others teams signing them it would increase LKL overall level.

I really hope right now, when we have more good arenas and everyone is so hyped about coming EuroBasket we can get more use of it - if EuroBasket goes well (including we getting medals), then it could boost our basketball even more - bussiness men may want to invest in our basketball teams, LKL games may attract even more people...especially with new arenas which attract it themselves and some teams sell season tickets very cheaply. I'm glad to see teams right now working more on all this stuff while some time ago only ~5 teams of league have had guaranteed budget, others just wanted to survive.




////

Interesting that new signing of Nevėžis - Russell Hicks was invited to Lakers training camp last year. :)

[Afraid]

Rare team works with it right. Right now I see big plus for Neptūnas - they did a great job in past years, Šiauliai invested in youth - has contracts with Liutych, Aramonov, Ramašauskas. The problem is that those prospects want to become big very soon and that's their mistake. With others teams signing them it would increase LKL overall level.

I really hope right now, when we have more good arenas and everyone is so hyped about coming EuroBasket we can get more use of it - if EuroBasket goes well (including we getting medals), then it could boost our basketball even more - bussiness men may want to invest in our basketball teams, LKL games may attract even more people...especially with new arenas which attract it themselves and some teams sell season tickets very cheaply. I'm glad to see teams right now working more on all this stuff while some time ago only ~5 teams of league have had guaranteed budget, others just wanted to survive.




////

Interesting that new signing of Nevėžis - Russell Hicks was invited to Lakers training camp last year. :)

This would really make something, especially if people would become hungry for basketball games in arenas, not on TV. Because some time ago, and probably up till last year, I kept noticing that none is interested in LKL, everybody likes Euroleague, Eurocup, and grand final, but LKL itself was not attractive, and what would be interested in our national league if not us? But recent success of Rudupis, and stronger Juventus and other teams like Neptunas cleaning up their yards, and maybe upcoming European Championship, increased interest in league a bit. Hope this goes only up from now on!

And what concerns business men, and investing in basketball, I have this theory of my own. I believe that there are quite a number of those, who would love to invest money into basketball, but when you think, probably most of them are basketball lovers, because promotion would not pay of if it is on some mediocre LKL team's jersey. And basketball lovers are mostly fans of Zalgiris, and maybe Rytas, which sees that their team is already sponsored well. No one wants to take a team on their shoulders and help them make it to the top if they are not fans of this team. Maybe a stupid theory, but it is the way I see it. And this still leaves some hope to see a third strong team in LKL somewhen;)

[sagenas]

This would really make something, especially if people would become hungry for basketball games in arenas, not on TV. Because some time ago, and probably up till last year, I kept noticing that none is interested in LKL, everybody likes Euroleague, Eurocup, and grand final, but LKL itself was not attractive, and what would be interested in our national league if not us? But recent success of Rudupis, and stronger Juventus and other teams like Neptunas cleaning up their yards, and maybe upcoming European Championship, increased interest in league a bit. Hope this goes only up from now on!

And what concerns business men, and investing in basketball, I have this theory of my own. I believe that there are quite a number of those, who would love to invest money into basketball, but when you think, probably most of them are basketball lovers, because promotion would not pay of if it is on some mediocre LKL team's jersey. And basketball lovers are mostly fans of Zalgiris, and maybe Rytas, which sees that their team is already sponsored well. No one wants to take a team on their shoulders and help them make it to the top if they are not fans of this team. Maybe a stupid theory, but it is the way I see it. And this still leaves some hope to see a third strong team in LKL somewhen;)

Agree. Right now I really hope Šiauliai will qualify for VTB league - players could have a very big chance to develop in that tournament. I can imagine Šiauliai playing against CSKA and I really believe they could may a few surprises because Šiauliai is very well shooting team. Besides that Rūdupis plays in the EuroCup so much more quality games for Lithuania - many players will have their chance to develop, to get experience of playing against tough opponents and I wish someday to see Rytas and Žalgiris both having A licence of Euroleague, 3rd place winner in qualification of Euroleague and 4th place winner directly in EuroCup because that would boost our basketball even more. If this year Rūdupis could manage to show good results in Europe, then that should attract more attention from media, sponsors, fans.

Oh, one more thing..I find it really strange that teams from small cities/towns do a great job (Juventus, Rūdupis....Naglis is building gym also Pieno Žvaigždės has big goals) while teams from bigger cities can't match that. Who will play in Alytus arena? No one...and that is terrible.

[Afraid]

Agree. Right now I really hope Šiauliai will qualify for VTB league - players could have a very big chance to develop in that tournament. I can imagine Šiauliai playing against CSKA and I really believe they could may a few surprises because Šiauliai is very well shooting team. Besides that Rūdupis plays in the EuroCup so much more quality games for Lithuania - many players will have their chance to develop, to get experience of playing against tough opponents and I wish someday to see Rytas and Žalgiris both having A licence of Euroleague, 3rd place winner in qualification of Euroleague and 4th place winner directly in EuroCup because that would boost our basketball even more. If this year Rūdupis could manage to show good results in Europe, then that should attract more attention from media, sponsors, fans.

Oh, one more thing..I find it really strange that teams from small cities/towns do a great job (Juventus, Rūdupis....Naglis is building gym also Pieno Žvaigždės has big goals) while teams from bigger cities can't match that. Who will play in Alytus arena? No one...and that is terrible.

The VTB is maybe one of the main things that can help this league. Euroleague has that stupid licensing, and plus, if you want to play in euroleague, you must have 10 000 seats arena, which, let us be honest, will not be built for quite some time anywhere in Lithuania. Even 3000 seats, that is required in Eurocup, is too problematic for LKL teams from smaller towns, as Utena, Prienai and so on. And i don't see any point participating in competition, if you don't play in YOUR HOME arena... and here comes VTB. I actually don't know if there is that limit, and is it going to be in the future, but I haven't heard of it. So if a team like Juventus would reach 3rd place in LKL, and would want to go somewhere higher, but couldn't because they don't have arena, there is alternative - VTB. Hope that Siauliai will make it to the VTB, maybe that would attract more sponsors for the club, and help to bring back fans to arena, which is half empty on casual LKL games.

[sagenas]

The VTB is maybe one of the main things that can help this league. Euroleague has that stupid licensing, and plus, if you want to play in euroleague, you must have 10 000 seats arena, which, let us be honest, will not be built for quite some time anywhere in Lithuania. Even 3000 seats, that is required in Eurocup, is too problematic for LKL teams from smaller towns, as Utena, Prienai and so on. And i don't see any point participating in competition, if you don't play in YOUR HOME arena... and here comes VTB. I actually don't know if there is that limit, and is it going to be in the future, but I haven't heard of it. So if a team like Juventus would reach 3rd place in LKL, and would want to go somewhere higher, but couldn't because they don't have arena, there is alternative - VTB. Hope that Siauliai will make it to the VTB, maybe that would attract more sponsors for the club, and help to bring back fans to arena, which is half empty on casual LKL games.

There's always possibility to expand arena...Rūdupis should play in their home arena (some older photos: http://www.kvitrina.com/skyrius-1105.php).

As I know, 10 000 seats is required from only those teams which have A licence. Right now 5 000 seats is enough but after 2012/2013 season it should be changed.

However, I don't know about VTB..

[auris1]

The VTB is maybe one of the main things that can help this league. Euroleague has that stupid licensing, and plus, if you want to play in euroleague, you must have 10 000 seats arena, which, let us be honest, will not be built for quite some time anywhere in Lithuania. Even 3000 seats, that is required in Eurocup, is too problematic for LKL teams from smaller towns, as Utena, Prienai and so on. And i don't see any point participating in competition, if you don't play in YOUR HOME arena... and here comes VTB. I actually don't know if there is that limit, and is it going to be in the future, but I haven't heard of it. So if a team like Juventus would reach 3rd place in LKL, and would want to go somewhere higher, but couldn't because they don't have arena, there is alternative - VTB. Hope that Siauliai will make it to the VTB, maybe that would attract more sponsors for the club, and help to bring back fans to arena, which is half empty on casual LKL games.
Regarding arenas - i think we are sorted for another 70 years regarding big ones,if they are built to last like Hale.
Vilnius and Kaunas are sorted for euroleague requirements,with KLaipeda,Siauliai,Panevezys and Alytus are comfortable as well with over 5000 seats each.So the problem is not the arenas,but the teams in them towns unable to get budgets.
Unfortunately for the teams like utena , prienai or nevezis,just purely from logistic point of view, they have no future to expand to the level required .Their success in recent years were due to others failing .I know it sounds harsh,but to attract investments and attendance you need to be in the right location.
http://lt.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C4%85ra%C5%A1as:Lietuvos_miestai_pagal_gyventoju s
So even when you compare Utena and prienai on that list,the difference is huge -10 and 35.
Regarding Prienai then - how likely are they to repeat the results from last season this upcoming year?LIkely,because they have been farming Zalgiris players and giving chances to others as well,all due to good management policies and a bit of luck.Can they expand or go one better?NO way.Full stop.Even if they build new local arena,they are what they are -city with population of 10000 plus.

[sagenas]

Regarding arenas - i think we are sorted for another 70 years regarding big ones,if they are built to last like Hale.
Vilnius and Kaunas are sorted for euroleague requirements,with KLaipeda,Siauliai,Panevezys and Alytus are comfortable as well with over 5000 seats each.So the problem is not the arenas,but the teams in them towns unable to get budgets.
Unfortunately for the teams like utena , prienai or nevezis,just purely from logistic point of view, they have no future to expand to the level required .Their success in recent years were due to others failing .I know it sounds harsh,but to attract investments and attendance you need to be in the right location.
http://lt.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C4%85ra%C5%A1as:Lietuvos_miestai_pagal_gyventoju s
So even when you compare Utena and prienai on that list,the difference is huge -10 and 35.
Regarding Prienai then - how likely are they to repeat the results from last season this upcoming year?LIkely,because they have been farming Zalgiris players and giving chances to others as well,all due to good management policies and a bit of luck.Can they expand or go one better?NO way.Full stop.Even if they build new local arena,they are what they are -city with population of 10000 plus.

With time, cities can get bigger.

[auris1]

Originally Posted by Afraid
Yeah, it's a minimum budged right now those 600 000 LTL. It means that if even team has great infrastructure (I mean basketball school, second team, and main team), those 0.6kk Litas doesn't help them to sign a long term deal with main prospects from the school, and those are signed by Zalgiris or Rytas. Some when with great youngsters Rytas became a serious team, and buying everything and all around they do not allow other teams to grow and at least from time to time make a serious opponent for those two powerhouses.
this is very very controversial issue.
And maybe it calls for some debate too.
First at all,not all teams can afford basketball schools nor neither they should have them,if we are talking about youngsters from the age of 5 or so.They should be funded by government,locally or by private investments(charities maybe),but this burden should not be just on the shoulders of the clubs,when most of them can not guarantee sustainability of their main teams.
But as soon as a player starts professional carrier(as young as 16 even),all this debate starts.
Who owns who ,how much and for how long etc.
IN a perfect scenario(like Valanciunas) the guy from small town is noticed,gets signed for secondary team in Vilnius,after that gets to play for the main,gets signed for NBA,plays for national team.Perfect.All this accomplished by the age of 19.
But what happens if you are not Valanciunas?
And lets be honest,99,999 percent of them are not.
So i say lets go for a free market rules.If there is demand or you are in demand,let things go to a natural cause.
Lets not burden ourselves with some rules of how things should be,because it never works.
Here i meant Zalgiris and Lrytas signing best of our talents.Some say,that they are not given enough of opportunities,that they are being dumped on the benches and chucked away when they do not progress.Guilty as charged.
Or is it better for them to go and study in the USA instead.We had very few success stories(Jasikevicius,Songaila,Pocius,Kleiza) and so much more failures.Remember the last one - Puikis?(i hope i spelled his name right) from our gold winning generation of VAlanciunas?
Just last year he was elected for MVP 5 of the tournament alongside with VAlanciunas,this year ,in U19?Just a shadow.
So maybe they should go and play on europe straight away,if in demand?Ask MAzeika or Alijevas,but maybe Motiejunas would say otherwise.
The saddest part is where players decide to play locally for not so good teams and never make that breakthrough to another level.
I do not know what it is the best thing to do,but surely,if you are good enough,all of them things can work for you.

[auris1]

With time, cities can get bigger.
Or smaller,for that matter of fact.
And if anything,the tendency is for young people to leave smaller towns for bigger cities

[sagenas]

this is very very controversial issue.
And maybe it calls for some debate too.
First at all,not all teams can afford basketball schools nor neither they should have them,if we are talking about youngsters from the age of 5 or so.They should be funded by government,locally or by private investments(charities maybe),but this burden should not be just on the shoulders of the clubs,when most of them can not guarantee sustainability of their main teams.
But as soon as a player starts professional carrier(as young as 16 even),all this debate starts.
Who owns who ,how much and for how long etc.
IN a perfect scenario(like Valanciunas) the guy from small town is noticed,gets signed for secondary team in Vilnius,after that gets to play for the main,gets signed for NBA,plays for national team.Perfect.All this accomplished by the age of 19.
But what happens if you are not Valanciunas?
And lets be honest,99,999 percent of them are not.
So i say lets go for a free market rules.If there is demand or you are in demand,let things go to a natural cause.
Lets not burden ourselves with some rules of how things should be,because it never works.
Here i meant Zalgiris and Lrytas signing best of our talents.Some say,that they are not given enough of opportunities,that they are being dumped on the benches and chucked away when they do not progress.Guilty as charged.
Or is it better for them to go and study in the USA instead.We had very few success stories(Jasikevicius,Songaila,Pocius,Kleiza) and so much more failures.Remember the last one - Puikis?(i hope i spelled his name right) from our gold winning generation of VAlanciunas?
Just last year he was elected for MVP 5 of the tournament alongside with VAlanciunas,this year ,in U19?Just a shadow.
So maybe they should go and play on europe straight away,if in demand?Ask MAzeika or Alijevas,but maybe Motiejunas would say otherwise.
The saddest part is where players decide to play locally for not so good teams and never make that breakthrough to another level.
I do not know what it is the best thing to do,but surely,if you are good enough,all of them things can work for you.

Bullshit. Pukis didn't play in university yet and he won't. He got injured and started to play basketball after pause of half an year in national team and with tournament going on you should have seen his recovery. He did better and better, I'd bet he can do as good as he did in U-18 and he's young.

P.s. there are two guys in NCAA that I expect to become part of Lietuvos Rytas or Žalgiris in upcoming years... - Deividas Dulkys (1 year left) and Gilvydas Biruta (3 years left...and don't let you fool his performance in U-20, that was because of unfortuante circumstainces).

[Afraid]

this is very very controversial issue.
And maybe it calls for some debate too.
First at all,not all teams can afford basketball schools nor neither they should have them,if we are talking about youngsters from the age of 5 or so.They should be funded by government,locally or by private investments(charities maybe),but this burden should not be just on the shoulders of the clubs,when most of them can not guarantee sustainability of their main teams.
But as soon as a player starts professional carrier(as young as 16 even),all this debate starts.
Who owns who ,how much and for how long etc.
IN a perfect scenario(like Valanciunas) the guy from small town is noticed,gets signed for secondary team in Vilnius,after that gets to play for the main,gets signed for NBA,plays for national team.Perfect.All this accomplished by the age of 19.
But what happens if you are not Valanciunas?
And lets be honest,99,999 percent of them are not.
So i say lets go for a free market rules.If there is demand or you are in demand,let things go to a natural cause.
Lets not burden ourselves with some rules of how things should be,because it never works.
Here i meant Zalgiris and Lrytas signing best of our talents.Some say,that they are not given enough of opportunities,that they are being dumped on the benches and chucked away when they do not progress.Guilty as charged.
Or is it better for them to go and study in the USA instead.We had very few success stories(Jasikevicius,Songaila,Pocius,Kleiza) and so much more failures.Remember the last one - Puikis?(i hope i spelled his name right) from our gold winning generation of VAlanciunas?
Just last year he was elected for MVP 5 of the tournament alongside with VAlanciunas,this year ,in U19?Just a shadow.
So maybe they should go and play on europe straight away,if in demand?Ask MAzeika or Alijevas,but maybe Motiejunas would say otherwise.
The saddest part is where players decide to play locally for not so good teams and never make that breakthrough to another level.
I do not know what it is the best thing to do,but surely,if you are good enough,all of them things can work for you.

That's a very fluent idea, maybe full of some lifetime experience. You live life, you run through things, and the perfect conditions settles down inevitably with the time, as those rules which fits better, always stays longer. I'm not familiar a lot with a youngsters system in Spain, but i do believe, that for such a long time the game is being played there, they are already where they want to be. They got talent, talents got teams to play for, teams got leagues to play in, and everything's on a high level. Looks really nice, and this still can be, and is being improved.
Our case. Lithuania played the ball also fairly long enough. We've been used to another order, and after independence we have a lot of things to reorder. Remembering how LKL started, i can say that the league has improved significantly, but we're not there yet, I don't think that this is our ceiling, and this is the best LKL that can be. There IS a lot of space to improve still, so the best system is yet to be found, and maybe then, not only valanciunas's and sabonis's will be able to make a breakthrough to another level. So if you think that we all should be happy with the level we have, cause we are not going to have any better, because we have not enough cities, or our population is too small, for me it's a strange thought. It restricts us, of course there will not be another Real or Olympiacos in Prienai, but there is a huge distance between these clubs, and Prienai could be at least a little closer for sure..
And idea of this debate should not be about Valanciunas level youngsters, even you and me could coach him to something when he's that talented. Debate should be about Pukis' or Redikas' level players. How to make their life and transition to men basketball easier.

[auris1]

Shit,i posted all this stuff without reading ZAlgiris topic,which was combined in a way.Sorry for confusion.
Sagenas wanted to move the topic here,so here i go again

I can bet Žalgiris is trying to destroy Lithuanian basketball :D they have sooooo many players under contract while how many of them has chance to make it to the Žalgiris' roster? ....
Or maybe just Žalgirisi thinks "the most important is to not let our opponents to get him" ? :)
Sooooo totally disagree.
If anything, Romanovas would be doing opposite, don’t you agree? If he wanted to destroy the basketball? Like by not buying Zalgiris and by not spending his goddammit monies?
Most important thing is – players are getting paid, and paid better than anywhere since they signed with the team .What is wrong with that? They still get to train and play basketball e and they get to feed themselves and their families.
So let’s agree that he is making huge investments – and as an investor, he would like to get his money back with some returns. Would he get any profit by failing players intentionally? I do not think so.
Unfortunately, there will be some casualties in a way, there will be players discarded mercilessly.
But just think about Macijauskas and Oly.

[auris1]

My post was very sporadic,mainly to initiate discussion ,but not to make "I know it best" statement.So before you start accusing me,please bear that in your mind.I do not and i never will.


So if you think that we all should be happy with the level we have, cause we are not going to have any better, because we have not enough cities, or our population is too small, for me it's a strange thought.
Hmm man,i think you misconstrued my post altogether.
I was saying totally opposite.
And that is why i was agreeing with Sagenas regarding Klaipeda all the same.
The management .It was the very first time where i read that the team has 3 year plan.Not bloody and shady budget,not a "oh well,we did not get promised money so we pay you never" excuse,nothing like that at all.The team with a plan.
That is why the very shady idea of "lets make a team consisting from just loan players" is more successful than anything else,and people buying it as a model for success is no go for me.
It worked last year.
It will work for this as well.
But it is you who have to ask yourself - who do you prefer playing in europe?

[sagenas]

Shit,i posted all this stuff without reading ZAlgiris topic,which was combined in a way.Sorry for confusion.
Sagenas wanted to move the topic here,so here i go again

Sooooo totally disagree.
If anything, Romanovas would be doing opposite, don’t you agree? If he wanted to destroy the basketball? Like by not buying Zalgiris and by not spending his goddammit monies?
Most important thing is – players are getting paid, and paid better than anywhere since they signed with the team .What is wrong with that? They still get to train and play basketball e and they get to feed themselves and their families.
So let’s agree that he is making huge investments – and as an investor, he would like to get his money back with some returns. Would he get any profit by failing players intentionally? I do not think so.
Unfortunately, there will be some casualties in a way, there will be players discarded mercilessly.
But just think about Macijauskas and Oly.

Man, that was a joke. ;) I mean they signed army of young players and expect some to become really good ones. I understand they want to develop them but they're doing it in the wrong way - player selection should be done more properly not only "oh, this player played for youth national team..Im'a take him, maybe Im'a be lucky".

[auris1]

Bullshit. Pukis didn't play in university yet and he won't. He got injured and started to play basketball after pause of half an year in national team and with tournament going on you should have seen his recovery. He did better and better, I'd bet he can do as good as he did in U-18 and he's young.

P.s. there are two guys in NCAA that I expect to become part of Lietuvos Rytas or Žalgiris in upcoming years... - Deividas Dulkys (1 year left) and Gilvydas Biruta (3 years left...and don't let you fool his performance in U-20, that was because of unfortuante circumstainces).
What is wrong with you man? Why do you have to jump on me like this?
i never said university.
All i said is study.
I have heard about his injury,but ...Fact is he had never been even close to starting five,let alone being a star player.And there is always an excuse for that,right?(BTW,i think that Ulanovas is the one to be our next superstar,out of nothing)
And why do you think he is ready to start professional carrier in europe(if reports are true?)
I personally think he realised he is not made for NBA and saw the gap opening on his playing level in just one year being abroad.

Yeah,i saw Biruta.
And i liked him very much.
He has got like 90 percent of me favouring him,and 10 percent saying he is another Butkevicius or Cepukaitis.But usually my 10 percent are right,unfortunatly

[Afraid]

My post was very sporadic,mainly to initiate discussion ,but not to make "I know it best" statement.So before you start accusing me,please bear that in your mind.I do not and i never will.


Hmm man,i think you misconstrued my post altogether.
I was saying totally opposite.
And that is why i was agreeing with Sagenas regarding Klaipeda all the same.
The management .It was the very first time where i read that the team has 3 year plan.Not bloody and shady budget,not a "oh well,we did not get promised money so we pay you never" excuse,nothing like that at all.The team with a plan.
That is why the very shady idea of "lets make a team consisting from just loan players" is more successful than anything else,and people buying it as a model for success is no go for me.
It worked last year.
It will work for this as well.
But it is you who have to ask yourself - who do you prefer playing in europe?

Well, i didn't try to accuse you of anything, and sorry if it looks like this.
I totally agree with you here, and from my previous posts you should see that i like the way Neptunas is working. So I am not going to ask myself that question;)
As for Prienai, I used this, and I thought you used this too, as example, not as for what they are now and what they did last season. I thought it's just an example of a town, and as it is the smallest town in LKL, it came to my (and i thought yours) mind, as the most convenient example of a small town. That's it.

[sagenas]

What is wrong with you man? Why do you have to jump on me like this?
i never said university.
All i said is study.
I have heard about his injury,but ...Fact is he had never been even close to starting five,let alone being a star player.And there is always an excuse for that,right?(BTW,i think that Ulanovas is the one to be our next superstar,out of nothing)
And why do you think he is ready to start professional carrier in europe(if reports are true?)
I personally think he realised he is not made for NBA and saw the gap opening on his playing level in just one year being abroad.

Yeah,i saw Biruta.
And i liked him very much.
He has got like 90 percent of me favouring him,and 10 percent saying he is another Butkevicius or Cepukaitis.But usually my 10 percent are right,unfortunatly

I'm not jumping or anything just there are some reasonable explanations. Simply like that. Players who go one year before NCAA wants not to study but to prepare for American basketball style so I don't count that as studies (will be interesting to see Aniulis in the NCAA, by the way).

Pukis was good and he is still very big prospect in Lithuanian basketball so no need to start the same story, we will see it in the future.

Ulanovas who? What did he do in preparation games, first games of WC and all the season in NKL? Nothing. It's easily seen he needs to improve his ball release and hands' strength, he is big prospect, too, but not as big as Redikas or Čižauskas even. And the same Žalgiris' development system sucks once again - he wasn't bright even in NKL at all but after season he was training with U-19 national team and with time, day by day, he improved his results. So what the f*ck is with Žalgiris' youth development if one of the best U-19's player is playing so absofuckinglutely average in 2nd division of Lithuanian basketball? Redikas, Jakštas, Čižauskas, Butkevičius were already playing in LKL and got nice minutes.

Who is not ready to start pro career at this age? Many players start...just he should select team well, not jump too high as for now.

[auris1]

Man, that was a joke. ;) I mean they signed army of young players and expect some to become really good ones. I understand they want to develop them but they're doing it in the wrong way - player selection should be done more properly not only "oh, this player played for youth national team..Im'a take him, maybe Im'a be lucky".
Sagenas,i am not a gambler or a investment manager,but my logic would say that he is doing exactly the right thing -
invest money in on cheap and many young perspective players,and hope for one good return which can cover his all expenses and make him some profit.
All in all,i think he has got money to invest and more importantly -he can afford to wait.

[sagenas]

Sagenas,i am not a gambler or a investment manager,but my logic would say that he is doing exactly the right thing -
invest money in on cheap and many young perspective players,and hope for one good return which can cover his all expenses and make him some profit.
All in all,i think he has got money to invest and more importantly -he can afford to wait.

He is doing not bad as bussnissmen but he isn't doing good as a team manager.

By the way, those players aren't so cheap, when he pays ~20 young players every month, I don't think sold player could cover that or play as good as one player with salary of those 20.

[auris1]

Well, i didn't try to accuse you of anything, and sorry if it looks like this.
I totally agree with you here, and from my previous posts you should see that i like the way Neptunas is working. So I am not going to ask myself that question;)
As for Prienai, I used this, and I thought you used this too, as example, not as for what they are now and what they did last season. I thought it's just an example of a town, and as it is the smallest town in LKL, it came to my (and i thought yours) mind, as the most convenient example of a small town. That's it.

Jesus,i never said you accused me.
We are just having a discussion.
NO NEED TO BE SORRY.
IN fact,i do not want you to say sorry.
It never works in my favour anyway if somebody agrees with me too.
Lets keep it interesting,that's all.
And i totally agree with most of your posts too,sometimes,somehow and somewhat or not.
But i am not sorry for disagreeing.

[auris1]

He is doing not bad as bussnissmen but he isn't doing good as a team manager.

By the way, those players aren't so cheap, when he pays ~20 young players every month, I don't think sold player could cover that or play as good as one player with salary of those 20.
wake up call-
he is not team manager.
He is an owner.
The team manager does what he tells him to do.Or else.
So what juniors can expect in Zalgiris?.
20 k a year?
30?
euros maybe?
Now,maybe he is in not for the profit,but just to recoup his money.
Or maybe he just wants to soften the blow.
Or maybe it is not his money at all?
fuck knows,but if somebody is getting his pay every week regardless,you just go along

[sagenas]

wake up call-
he is not team manager.
He is an owner.
The team manager does what he tells him to do.Or else.
So what juniors can expect in Zalgiris?.
20 k a year?
30?
euros maybe?
Now,maybe he is in not for the profit,but just to recoup his money.
Or maybe he just wants to soften the blow.
Or maybe it is not his money at all?
fuck knows,but if somebody is getting his pay every week regardless,you just go along

I wouldn't bet. He does a lot of job - player signings, boxing, dancing, coaching, developing. And for him, development is the most imporatant thing. :)

[auris1]

I wouldn't bet. He does a lot of job - player signings, boxing, dancing, coaching, developing. And for him, development is the most imporatant thing. :)
you forgot something - he became world senior basketball champ,even scoring 2 points.
The ball would not go in,so he just paid the basket.
Lovely.
that geezer probably has got more energy than we all put together,and he is filling his " Bucket" list fully.
I can do nothing,but to admire the guy

[sagenas]

you forgot something - he became world senior basketball champ,even scoring 2 points.
The ball would not go in,so he just paid the basket.
Lovely.
that geezer probably has got more energy then we all put together,and he is filling his " Bucket" list fully.
I can do nothing,but to admire the guy


Of course, to put 2 points in senior tournament...really big goal to reach. I would never make it. Ah, too bad...but I had dreams.

[Afraid]

Jesus,i never said you accused me.
We are just having a discussion.
NO NEED TO BE SORRY.
IN fact,i do not want you to say sorry.
It never works in my favour anyway if somebody agrees with me too.
Lets keep it interesting,that's all.
And i totally agree with most of your posts too,sometimes,somehow and somewhat or not.
But i am not sorry for disagreeing.

Jesus, chill out, man..
"sorry" is just a simple word, used very often. You got to separate sometimes when it is out of politeness or one is really sorry..
If you want to keep it interesting, cut this educational crap, please.
Hope "please" is OK with you.

[LuDux]

Neptunas confirmed (http://www.kkneptunas.lt/lt/naujiena/177/) Arturas Valeika and Mantas Ruikis, roster closed. OK, Matt Bonner may join late (could be joke)

5: Bonner, Galdikas
4: Valeika, Brunins
3: Ruikis, Danys, Kumpys, Mazelis
2: Mazeika, Runkauskas, Girdziunas
1: Dainys, Stasys, Zurna
C: Juodis, (TBA soon)

Oh and Mantas Ruikis has new height - 195 cm. His other heights: 194 cm (LKL, basketnews.lt), 196 cm (wikipedia), 197 cm (BBL.net), 198 cm (eastplayers.com, eurobasket.com) and 199 cm (krepsinis.net). Congratulations, Mantas

[sagenas]

Neptunas confirmed (http://www.kkneptunas.lt/lt/naujiena/177/) Arturas Valeika and Mantas Ruikis, roster closed. OK, Matt Bonner may join late (could be joke)

5: Bonner, Galdikas
4: Valeika, Brunins
3: Ruikis, Danys, Kumpys, Mazelis
2: Mazeika, Runkauskas, Girdziunas
1: Dainys, Stasys, Zurna
C: Juodis, (TBA soon)

Oh and Mantas Ruikis has new height - 195 cm. His other heights: 194 cm (LKL, basketnews.lt), 196 cm (wikipedia), 197 cm (BBL.net), 198 cm (eastplayers.com, eurobasket.com) and 199 cm (krepsinis.net). Congratulations, Mantas

I think you should change places of Girdžiūnas and Žurna...

[auris1]

So,...
Stombergas is confirmed as a KAunas second coach.
Great news,if you ask me - i am sure he deserves a chance to try himself in a new capacity.We can always use some fresh blood.
i hope he can stay longer in a team than Macijauskas though.

[sagenas]

So,...
Stombergas is confirmed as a KAunas second coach.
Great news,if you ask me - i am sure he deserves a chance to try himself in a new capacity.We can always use some fresh blood.
i hope he can stay longer in a team than Macijauskas though.

Not Kaunas but Žalgiris-Sabonio mokykla. Last season Priit Vene from Estonia was the head coach of that team in NKL and Štombergas was asistant, right now Vene moves to LKL (Kaunas) and will be assistant coach to Oliver Kostič (former Žalgiris' asisstant coach)...and Štombergas is promoted to head coach there.

[auris1]

Not Kaunas but Žalgiris-Sabonio mokykla. Last season Priit Vene from Estonia was the head coach of that team in NKL and Štombergas was asistant, right now Vene moves to LKL (Kaunas) and will be assistant coach to Oliver Kostič (former Žalgiris' asisstant coach)...and Štombergas is promoted to head coach there.

Is he?
Thanks for the info.
AS always.
And suddenly this article is gone from krepsinis, net
wankers

[sagenas]

Is he?
Thanks for the info.
AS always.
And suddenly this article is gone from krepsinis, net
wankers

Here are normal article http://www.basketnews.lt/news-41559-kosauskas-ir-stombergas-treniruos-zalgirio-dublerius.html

[Hepcat]

So then is Aisčiai Kaunas still in limbo as a club?

:confused:

[auris1]

So then is Aisčiai Kaunas still in limbo as a club?

:confused:
If anything,it is quite opposite.
they are Zalgiris' second team,so all surplus from the team will probably go there.And there will be some left for loans too,which makes sense as it would maximise their playing time.
So expect at least another 3 or 4 LKL teams with with a list provided for rotation purposes.

[Straight forward]

Does Čižauskas still belongs to Žalgiris?

[LuDux]

I think you should change places of Girdžiūnas and Žurna...

They're both are/play as shooting guards, but until Zurna learns to shoot from behind the new 3p line he shouldn't, and with Mazeika and Runkauskas on board he won't

Svyturys Arena became Neptunas home arena at least for next season. SA also became main sponsor of Neptunas

Egidijus Ženevičius should become Juodis's assistant. He was "assistant" coach in u18/u17/u16 NT together with Juodis and worked in S.Marciulionis Basketball Academy

[LuDux]

Sakalai: Evaldas Baniulis stays for 2nd season, Paulius Joneliūnas and Laurynas Samėnas return for 3rd seasons, Rolandas Matulis stays for... 18th season


Nevezis
Russel Hicks(.au), ?Aurimas Adomaitis?(Juventus)
?Marius Valukonis (Techasas)
Vaidotas Peciukas (.cz)
Paulius Beliavicius, Tomas Cerneckis (Techasas)
Chris Lowe (Naglis), ?Ernestas Ežerskis(Techasas), Arturas Lencevicius

[auris1]

Lrytas signs E.Seskus,who will be loaned for another team (probably NKL)
http://u16men.fibaeurope.com/en/cid_z8jOMILgHCsbXTL1wG4sq0.teamID_2135.compID_YUjW-7-FJ,kK9s431Lyr41.season_2011.roundID_8168.playerID_ 90339.html

I guess he is another up coming talent we will be talking for another 3-4 years at least.
I managed to watch him play in u16 championship for at least 3 (or 4 games)(he was absent for the last 2,since lith confirmed their status in division A).
You do not have to take my word for it,but at least for the moment his game is way above 16-17 year old and looking good for the future.
Penetration and good percentage from 3 points ,combined with high basketball IQ(thats the only explanation for him ranking 4th overall in total rebounds i can think of,because he is only 191 cm).
He is not masculine and not that fast, but more Siskauskas type of player.
Well,i do not expect he will be able to keep his numbers in rebounds for long and scoring 20 plus a game,but overall he has ability to be all around player,hence i think was the signing.
And i think he holds the record for being the youngest player to appear in LKL ,but knowing that his dad is the head coach of Rudupys that wouldn't be that surprising

[hustlerlt]

Lrytas signs E.Seskus,who will be loaned for another team (probably NKL)
http://u16men.fibaeurope.com/en/cid_z8jOMILgHCsbXTL1wG4sq0.teamID_2135.compID_YUjW-7-FJ,kK9s431Lyr41.season_2011.roundID_8168.playerID_ 90339.html

I guess he is another up coming talent we will be talking for another 3-4 years at least.
I managed to watch him play in u16 championship for at least 3 (or 4 games)(he was absent for the last 2,since lith confirmed their status in division A).
You do not have to take my word for it,but at least for the moment his game is way above 16-17 year old and looking good for the future.
Penetration and good percentage from 3 points ,combined with high basketball IQ(thats the only explanation for him ranking 4th overall in total rebounds i can think of,because he is only 191 cm).
He is not masculine and not that fast, but more Siskauskas type of player.
Well,i do not expect he will be able to keep his numbers in rebounds for long and scoring 20 plus a game,but overall he has ability to be all around player,hence i think was the signing.
And i think he holds the record for being the youngest player to appear in LKL ,but knowing that his dad is the head coach of Rudupys that wouldn't be that surprising
Yeah I completely agree with you.When I watched a few U16 games,he was the only one that looked like he could grow to a Rytas or Zalgiris level of a player.His driving to the basket ability is very good,can rebound and also shoot the ball.I really doubt that he will become anywhere near the Motiejunas and Valanciunas level,but he looks like he could become a really solid player.

[auris1]

Yeah I completely agree with you.When I watched a few U16 games,he was the only one that looked like he could grow to a Rytas or Zalgiris level of a player.His driving to the basket ability is very good,can rebound and also shoot the ball.I really doubt that he will become anywhere near the Motiejunas and Valanciunas level,but he looks like he could become a really solid player.
btw,what is legal view in Lithuania of a minor signing contract like this?I understand that his family put signatures as well as guardians,but other then that?
Like if he signs 5 year contract and says after he is 18 - i was forced i did not understand etc,basically if he wants to back out,would he be able to do that?
And how do contracts like this work in europe?

[Hepcat]

Kedainiai Nevėžis was a team I could support. Kedainiai Triobet is not.

After the changes that have occurred in the off season, my sentimental favourites in the LKL for the coming season are these:

Rūdupis
Sakalai
Baltai
Neptūnas

:cool:

[auris1]

Kedainiai Nevėžis was a team I could support. Kedainiai Triobet is not.

After the changes that have occurred in the off season, my sentimental favourites in the LKL for the coming season are these:

Rūdupis
Sakalai
Baltai
Neptūnas

:cool:
Very interesting.
I guess last season my sentiment were with Rūdupis,and season before that with Siauliai and Perlas.
This year i hope Klaipeda might play some decent basketball.I will definitely be watching Rūdupis again.Kaunas second team had always been very bland in my opinion in recent years,so i do not hold my breath this time round too

[auris1]

Basketnews.lt had very decent video stream of Sakalai-Siauliai game.
I assume it was their own broadcast,with not a single frame dropped
It was not on the sport24lt website ,but anyway,i was lucky to find it in some comments by accident.I hope they can do more,and i am sure they will

[hustlerlt]

Basketnews.lt had very decent video stream of Sakalai-Siauliai game.
I assume it was their own broadcast,with not a single frame dropped
It was not on the sport24lt website ,but anyway,i was lucky to find it in some comments by accident.I hope they can do more,and i am sure they will
I think basketnews.lt said that they'll be broadcasting the most LKL games this season,which is kind of sad,especially the fact that lrytas.tv almost aren't broadcasting any games from their own team in the LKL.

[auris1]

I think basketnews.lt said that they'll be broadcasting the most LKL games this season,which is kind of sad,especially the fact that lrytas.tv almost aren't broadcasting any games from their own team in the LKL.
Well,if you live in lithuania ,there is one simple solution - just go and watch the game in person.
And i do not want to get a wrath upon me by people saying that they can not afford it and so on.Some people really can not,some people just choose to ignore and prefer to watch it on tv,and be lazy.
I am not here to judge,but like in Utena vs Siauliai game where highlights are to be found i think on BBL website, arena was half empty.
Much more people have season tickets than game was attended.
For me,living abroad,broadcasting makes so much more sense.
I really try to watch as many games as possible,unfortunately due to time zones it is almost impossible unless it is a weekend due to my work commitments

[gazzw87]

Firstly let me apologies incase people have asked these loads of times before, I had a look but couldn't see any info:( My questions would be..

How many games are played per season? What's the attendances like (I can see people are debating about some teams have pretty empty arena's) and also what kind of money do players here make, like say a star guy and a general guy?

All good if people can't be bothered answering, but many thanks if anybody can

thanks

[hustlerlt]

Firstly let me apologies incase people have asked these loads of times before, I had a look but couldn't see any info:( My questions would be..

How many games are played per season? What's the attendances like (I can see people are debating about some teams have pretty empty arena's) and also what kind of money do players here make, like say a star guy and a general guy?

All good if people can't be bothered answering, but many thanks if anybody can

thanks
I can't answer all of the questions,but I'll try.
Last season every team played 24 games,which means that every team played against each other two times.This season in the LKL there are 12 teams instead of 13,so I guess there will probably be played 22 games.Then there's the postseason,to which the top 8 teams go.Teams get divided in pairs by their performance in the season.The 1st place team will play against the 8th place team,2nd place against 7th and so on.Until the finals the series are to 2 wins,but in the finals the series is to 4 wins and for the 3rd place teams play until they get 3 wins.
Now about your question about the arenas.There are a few arenas that draw a lot of attention.Zalgiris is usually playing in front of pretty big crowds,Siauliai has a pretty good fanbase,Rudupis should also be playing in a pretty full arena,because they've opened up a new one and also are a pretty strong team.Rytas also sometimes draws a lot of people to their LKL games,but I don't really on what it all depends.They played a game against Baltai and there were only ~650 people.In another game when they played against Neptunas,there were 1200 spectators.Maybe you could also add Juventus to the list.Still I have to say that only Zalgiris draws a lot of people during their LKL games.Their game against Pieno Zvaigzdes,which isn't a strong team,drew over 7800 people.I'm not talking about games when Rytas is facing Zalgiris of course,but usually there are around 500 people in the stands.Some arenas are bigger than others,so they might seem more empty though.
And about the payment.I can definitely say that there's a big gap between teams salaries from Rytas and Zalgiris.Sometimes you can be the best player on a 3rd place contender,but you'll probably earn less than a player,who's a benchwarmer on one of the two grands.Can't tell you anything about exact ammount of money though,because I'm usually uninterested in it,so sorry about that.
Maybe other people will add something to my post,or make corrections,but I told you as much as I know.

[gazzw87]

hustlerlt thanks for the quick reply and all the info! I imagined that Zalgiris would have a big fanbase and good money that all makes sense! Regarding the number of games at just 22 per season, that is only for the LKL yes? and the teams also play in the Baltic league and Euro tournaments to up the number of games?

My final question would be, what is the rivalry like between Latvian and Lithauania teams, so for instance when VEF and Zalgiris meet?

Thanks for the info!

[hustlerlt]

hustlerlt thanks for the quick reply and all the info! I imagined that Zalgiris would have a big fanbase and good money that all makes sense! Regarding the number of games at just 22 per season, that is only for the LKL yes? and the teams also play in the Baltic league and Euro tournaments to up the number of games?

My final question would be, what is the rivalry like between Latvian and Lithauania teams, so for instance when VEF and Zalgiris meet?

Thanks for the info!
The 22 games are only for the LKL.I think all,or at least most of the LKL clubs are also taking part in the BBL except for Zalgiris and Rytas,who'll only start to play during the playoffs.Zalgiris is playing in the Euroleague and VTB,Rytas is playing in Eurocup and VTB,Rudupis is playing in the Eurocup this year as well.
I really haven't seen any real rivalries between the Latvian and Lithuanian clubs.Only Zalgiris and Rytas has a real rivalry.

[auris1]

I really haven't seen any real rivalries between the Latvian and Lithuanian clubs.Only Zalgiris and Rytas has a real rivalry.
So true - it is only a pity that richie666 ? retired from this forum.

[Straight forward]

It's BBL game, but probably fits better here - interesting end of the game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEvbqeqr4fw

[Afraid]

Hey guys, does anyone know if there's possibility to see Rudupis - Lietuvos rytas last game? I missed this one, and would like to watch it, i think it was broadcasted on Lrytas tv, but cant find even any short clips in youtube or so..? Any torrents maybe?

[rikhardur]

Hey guys, does anyone know if there's possibility to see Rudupis - Lietuvos rytas last game? I missed this one, and would like to watch it, i think it was broadcasted on Lrytas tv, but cant find even any short clips in youtube or so..? Any torrents maybe?
http://rutracker.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3865973
(You need to register)

[Mindozas]

Also you can find it in Lith trackers Linkomanija (check in 5 zona) or torrent.lt. Invite required though. If you'll need one, let me know

[Afraid]

Thanks, i found it in Linkomanija, maybe i'll watch this instead of some happy end christmas movie! :)

[Basket_]

Lietuvos rytas - Žalgiris 72-82 (http://www.lkl.lt/rungtynes/20120107/lietuvos-rytas-zalgiris/)

[Dreamcatcher]

Congrats to Zalgiris. Well deserved win.

I was right some months ago, when i said it had been a good thing for Rytas to loose against Galatasaray. We are surely Eurocup team with a Eurocup level coach this year. Already 0-4 against Euroleague teams this season, and 3 of them are far from being strong...And surely we would be destroyed in that Euroleague death group. But nevermind.

I got very dissapointed by our bigs. Bajramovic and Bjelica were quite bad in defense and sometimes very bad...But they were never or almost never zero in defense like ALL our bigs today. And sometimes they were great remembering wins again Caja Laboral at Spain and so lone...

One word by Samardzinski. Nalga the second.

[Test]

Agree, Rytas is not Euroleague level this year. We lost to such team like zalgiris - this is shame. Watched only couple quarters and for first time can say - referees was not rooting for zalgiris very much this time. Zalgiris definitely deserves victory, played very nice. I like then Romanov accidentally revealed his real thoughts after the game when he told that finally zalgiris is becoming a team (he admitted that win against Rytas is important).

[auris1]

Agree, Rytas is not Euroleague level this year. We lost to such team like zalgiris - this is shame. Watched only couple quarters and for first time can say - referees was not rooting for zalgiris very much this time. Zalgiris definitely deserves victory, played very nice. I like then Romanov accidentally revealed his real thoughts after the game when he told that finally zalgiris is becoming a team (he admitted that win against Rytas is important).
Not sure why you all are downplaying lrytas - is it just to diminish Zalgiris' victory ?
Without being too clinical and anal in analysis - i really enjoyed the game.In the end,there was not much difference in a level of teams,regardless of what some of you think .
Lrytas just choked in the end without being able score,but 3 quarters were lovely to watch for both team's fans.
Plus,Trifinovic knows how to play those local derbies .
Anyway,it is not all doom and gloom.
Plus,Rudupys winnning vs Siauliai - what a team -almost every game i watch they manage to go down to at least 15 points only to come back from impossible .I guess they have lost most important game so far in the season vs greeks in this manner,but hey...Milaknis looks like a decent scorer(not player unfortunately),and if Labuckas will sign plus Bowles leaving Siauliai ,well,rudupys again looks better for 3 place

[hustlerlt]

Not sure why you all are downplaying lrytas - is it just to diminish Zalgiris' victory ?
Without being too clinical and anal in analysis - i really enjoyed the game.In the end,there was not much difference in a level of teams,regardless of what some of you think .
Lrytas just choked in the end without being able score,but 3 quarters were lovely to watch for both team's fans.
Plus,Trifinovic knows how to play those local derbies .
Anyway,it is not all doom and gloom.
Plus,Rudupys winnning vs Siauliai - what a team -almost every game i watch they manage to go down to at least 15 points only to come back from impossible .I guess they have lost most important game so far in the season vs greeks in this manner,but hey...Milaknis looks like a decent scorer(not player unfortunately),and if Labuckas will sign plus Bowles leaving Siauliai ,well,rudupys again looks better for 3 place
Rytas offence was terrible the whole game.They were just shooting three pointers and untill they stopped falling,they had a pretty good chance beating Zalgiris.Rytas defence was pretty good until the last few minutes when Zalgiris hit a few three pointers in a row.Also none of the big men really played on offence.Sure,Javtokas is a pretty good low post defender,but I can't say the same about Rakovic,but yet Rytas didn't try to give the big men the ball to play one on one and therefore they were nonexistant.Except,of course,for Samardziski,who managed to miss while being completely wide open under the basket.Overall a pretty bad game for Rytas.I hope Dzikic will make the team play better the next time these two teams meet.

[hustlerlt]

LKL all star game starting fives have been announced.
Lithuanians:
PG M.Kalnietis (Zalgiris)
SG R.Seibutis (Lietuvos Rytas)
SF M.Kuzminskas (Zalgiris)
PF P.Jankunas (Zalgiris)
C J.Valanciunas (Lietuvos Rytas)
Coach A.Sireika (Siauliai)
Time Team
PG T.Rice (Lietuvos Rytas)
SG M.Popovic (Zalgiris)
SF S.Weems (Zalgiris)
PF R.Nelson (Zalgiris)
C M.Rakovic (Zalgiris)
Coach A.Trifunovic (Zalgiris)
Can someone explain to me what R.Nelson is doing in the starting 5?He barely gets any play time,usually looks pretty bad,but he was selected in front of L.Roberts.This selection makes no sense.

[macleopard13]

LKL all star game starting fives have been announced.
Lithuanians:
PG M.Kalnietis (Zalgiris)
SG R.Seibutis (Lietuvos Rytas)
SF M.Kuzminskas (Zalgiris)
PF P.Jankunas (Zalgiris)
C J.Valanciunas (Lietuvos Rytas)
Coach A.Sireika (Siauliai)
Time Team
PG T.Rice (Lietuvos Rytas)
SG M.Popovic (Zalgiris)
SF S.Weems (Zalgiris)
PF R.Nelson (Zalgiris)
C M.Rakovic (Zalgiris)
Coach A.Trifunovic (Zalgiris)
Can someone explain to me what R.Nelson is doing in the starting 5?He barely gets any play time,usually looks pretty bad,but he was selected in front of L.Roberts.This selection makes no sense.

Zalgiris fans probably had something to do with this. They don't respect Rytas at all. I've read some comments online, and most of them are hateful towards L. Rytas, even when Rytas wins. I hate those people :(.

[hustlerlt]

Zalgiris fans probably had something to do with this. They don't respect Rytas at all. I've read some comments online, and most of them are hateful towards L. Rytas, even when Rytas wins. I hate those people :(.
There are that kind of fans on both sides,but choosing Nelson to the all star game is just retarded.He has only played in 3 games,averages 2 points,2 rebounds.He got almost the same amount of votes as Seibutis and had over a 1000 more than Kuzminskas,who's actually pretty fun to watch in that kind of a game.

[Mindozas]

Maaan, and I was thinking why the hell Roberts played so poor in last couple of games. He probably already knew the decision and I feel so sorry for him 'bout that... It'd be such an honour and such an important recognition for any player to be selected as starting 5 player in such prestigous and entertaining show like LKL All-Stars. Damn those retarted fans :rolleyes:

[sagenas]

Bitching? You know...despite All Star day being awful at best, it's not reason to vote for teams of team you root for (same goes to both sides). If LKL wouldn't be so dumb, they'd make limit for one team to have number of players in the event. This event isn't interesting but stupid voting makes it tragic.

[Mindozas]

As I wrote - the fraud of the millennium, none the less :rolleyes:

[sagenas]

Is it your argument? Strong one.

[Mindozas]

Is it your argument? Strong one.

There's even stronger one - Nelson is out of Zalgiris. There's a god

[sagenas]

That doesn't change anything because selection of players to LKL All Star day is very stupid and people who vote for clearly not deserved players show their stupidity, too.

[Z.A.L.I.A.]

Nothing special, but for those who did not see:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR0T5-9GP_0&feature

Or you can (save some time and) watch only Sonny Weem's dunks:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPX7lZ_CU8U&feature

Highlights:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtfLGbX1epg&feature

[hustlerlt]

Weems was pretty good in this contest.He did one weak dunk(the 3rd one),but the rest were pretty good,especially the free throw line dunk.Too bad that the other contestants were much worse,although I did like Nobles's first dunk.
P.S. Did anyone else noticed how much Roberts was smilling while judging the contest?He almost always looks like he's about to go and beat up someone,but today he looked really happy,which seemed weird to me.

[Migelitas]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50lPiaGRJ1M

Rūdupis - Žalgiris. The end of the 3rd qrt.