Last season was probably the most resounding in the history of the “Lions”.
Debuting as head coach, Tautvydas Sabonis was recognized as coach of the year on the local front, and the London team swept all the titles – triumphing both in the regular season of the British Basketball League and in the playoffs, lifting both trophies.
Read more ESO: electricity still not available to over 200 thousand residents
Every trophy was lifted together with T. Sabonis by several other Lithuanians. These are Martynas Purlys (general director), Vytautas Pliauga (assistant), Gintaras Krapikas (consultant), Domantas Tautkus (physical training coach), Justinas Liaudinskas (commercial director), Karolis Lukošiūnas (basketball player), and Emilis Žibūda (basketball player).
In the European Cup, the London club owned by the Lithuanian company “Tesonet” did not reach the playoffs but is determined to do so this year.
“It should be noted that last year there were four titles on the local front that could be won, and now there is one less because we will not participate in the ‘Trophy’ cup. In the European Cup last season, we wanted more, there is no hiding it. Perhaps the club had not set the goal of necessarily reaching the playoffs, but internally we had such a goal. We did not achieve it. Although the format has changed this year, becoming stricter, every win will gain even greater value, and there are no weak teams in the tournament, but we have assembled and are working to reach the playoffs,” said 65-year-old Gintaras Krapikas to 15min, who for the second consecutive season will assist 34-year-old Tautvydas Sabonis, considered one of the country’s most promising specialists, at the “Lions” club.
During the summer, the “Lions” changed half of their roster, and the two most notable newcomers moved on loan from Kaunas “Žalgiris”.
These are the fans’ favorite Keenan Evans, aiming to return to basketball after three difficult consecutive injuries, and one of the main creators of last season’s fantastic Utena “Juventus” run, Maxwell Lewis.
“I have definitely not heard that ‘Žalgiris’ considers the ‘Lions’ their affiliate. This is a club that is autonomous, functioning separately. Of course, there is help when needed, and ‘Žalgiris’ is always ready to assist. We see that it is also very good for ‘Žalgiris’ itself that there is a London team playing at a slightly lower level to which a talented player can be sent. In Keenan’s case – not thrown immediately into the EuroLeague fire, but starting from the European Cup, where the level is very high but not EuroLeague. This is very logical, very smart. I think it benefits both clubs,” G. Krapikas told 15min. “Speaking about our summer work, I can say that except for one player who went to Japan, Cameron McGusty, we managed to keep all the players who were needed and contributed. Exactly half of the players remained in the team, six, and if we add the young Emilis Žibūda, who was also slightly in the roster last season, now he officially joined the team, that makes seven. Unfortunately, he is currently injured after a minor ankle cleaning surgery.
We acquired half new players, I think the roster was purposeful, and if I may say so, also modern. We saw last season that when the main point guard got injured, we lacked a player who could help with ball handling. This year we have more such people, and other players, like Maxwell Lewis, although playing a slightly higher position, can also help handle the ball. We have strengthened logically and smartly, we will see what it brings when the official games start.”
On the 15min portal – an in-depth conversation with G. Krapikas – about Keenan Evans’ belief in returning to his former level, Maxwell Lewis’ potential, Tautvydas Sabonis’ motivational speeches and prospects to reach the coaching elite, friendly matches with the “Portland Trail Blazers”, the buzz around Kaunas “Žalgiris”, probably the strongest roster in history, and the pain regarding the national team.
Read more Parliamentary elections are taking place in Kazakhstan
