“We think, but we also understand that the opponent was different… As a coach, many things were unsatisfactory – we want to be disciplined, solid, and stick to our rules both in defense and offense,” said T. Masiulis.
Kaunas “Žalgiris” friendly match against Wroclaw “Śląsk” in London
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– We are trying to play more one-on-one. It was the same yesterday when at a crucial moment we started playing one-on-one.
Today in the second half, I think it was very clear that once we started moving the ball – it became much easier for everyone to score points. And everyone was satisfied.”
VIDEO: T. Masiulis: “We are looking for situations”
T. Masiulis: “We are looking for situations”
“We are still looking for those situations (on the court). There were moments when two of us were centering… Both JV and Ąžuolas are centering… We need to clarify how we want to play. Then maybe the ball doesn’t move because we want to bring it (under the basket). On the other hand, we have a big advantage under the basket and we need to deliver the ball there.
Many misunderstandings. Because of them – and those mistakes, the ball stopped. We have some thoughts about how we want to proceed,” continued T. Masiulis.
– We are trying to find (Jonas Valančiūnas). Maybe sometimes too primitively… Maybe we need to come up with different situations? And then look for him under the basket? Today the opponent placed 3–4 people against him, then it was just necessary to pass (the ball) correctly and find a free man.”
“We definitely found those free men. Maybe those shots didn’t fall a bit… The most important thing is that those decisions are correct,” emphasized the head coach of “Žalgiris,” when asked if the new Kaunas guards find it hardest to adapt to his requirements.
– Probably. You need to ask them. I want to play the way we imagine, how we play. We talk. It’s not the first season when players imagine one way, we want another, but everyone has to play in the same style, as we want. My goal as a coach is to do just that, while making everyone happy. It’s not easy, but we have to convince them that playing the way we want increases our chances of winning somewhat.”
Despite the overwhelming victory, “Žalgiris” again struggled in this game attacking from afar – they made 20% three-pointers (7/35).
“So far, I don’t pay much attention to that. We definitely know we can score. We focus more on defense, mistakes made. As I always say, we want to stay in the game with our defense.
And those shots will fall one day, and not the next, but we create them… Maybe it’s time to start looking at offense too? I don’t know, most of the shots are really good. We show those we don’t want to take, but I repeat, most of our shots are good. We just miss, and I have no problems with that,” explained T. Masiulis.
Marekas Blaževičius, injured in training before the match with “Paris,” and Nigelas Williams-Goss, who was given rest by the coaches, did not play in this game.
We remind that this was a friendly four-team tournament in London, which Sabenas Lee also missed due to injury.
The Kaunas team took 3rd place as yesterday, in the tournament semifinal, they suffered a dramatic defeat against the EuroLeague club “Paris” (82:83).
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Masiulis after the first “Žalgiris” loss: “We lacked cool heads at the end”
This was the only “Žalgiris” loss in this preparation phase. Before that, Kaunas defeated Riga “Zelli” (Latvia) 97:85, won against Utena “Juventus” 82:77, and crushed Baku “Sabah” (Azerbaijan) 112:78.
For “Žalgiris,” these were the last friendly matches in this preparation phase. T. Masiulis’ charges will start next week – on September 17 – in the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL) away game against “Gargždai.”
In the EuroLeague, “Žalgiris” will play their first new season game on September 24, also away against Belgrade “Crvena zvezda” (Serbia).
