Lithuania head coach Maksvytis reveals his biggest worry before EuroBasket / News - Basketnews.com

After a home victory against Montenegro in the World Cup 2023 qualifiers, the Lithuanian national team head coach Kazys Maksvytis revealed his biggest worry before the upcoming EuroBasket.

Credit: Irmantas Gelūnas/BNS Credit Irmantas Gelūnas/BNS

After the victory against Montenegro (5-3), the coach of the Lithuanian national team (7-1), Kazys Maksvytis, explained that in the second half, he changed the defensive scheme, which allowed the Lithuanians to gain an advantage.

Domantas Sabonis

Position:PF, CAge:26Height:211 cmWeight:109 kgBirth place:Portland, United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

After saying goodbye to Gytis Masiulis, the head coach of the Lithuanian national team also praised the defense of Arnas Butkevicius.

The Lithuanian national team ended the World Cup qualifying window with another victory in hand, but Kazys Maksvytis revealed after the match that the team still has unfinished homework before the upcoming EuroBasket.

The Lithuanians defeated the Montenegrin national team (90:73) on Saturday evening.

"I am happy about the victory against a strong team," Maksvytis began at the press conference.

"The second half of the game was better than the first. However, I am still satisfied with the victory. We have a very good chance to qualify for the World Cup," Maksvytis added.

The selection window is over, but now a new challenge awaits. The Lithuanian national team will meet Slovenia in the European Championship on September 1.

In the first half, Lithuania didn't build much of an advantage and was leading by just 3 points. When asked about the difference between the two halves of the game, Maksvytis emphasized defense.

"We adjusted the defensive actions somewhat. Arnas [Butkevicius] pressed the ball-handler very well and we slowed down [Kendrick] Perry, who was basically unstoppable in the first half. Thanks to good defense, we gained the advantage," explained the coach.

Maksvytis also revealed what is his biggest worry before the upcoming EuroBasket.

"We tried to play a safer defense at first, but we conceded so many 3-pointers. It was our risk. But what worries me the most is that they had many drives," said Maksvytis.

"Our big player had to switch onto their guard. I can't say that I loved 100% everything that happened today and one of those things was pick-and-roll defense," the coach explained.

"We have to be tougher on defense. It is a bit more difficult for us to play against tall players. These are the things we need to improve in these few days," said Maksvytis.

The head coach also revealed who was the last player to get cut from the national team.

"We thanked Gytis Masiulis. We thought for a long time, but we decided that we will take the players who played more consistently throughout the preparation and who deserved it more," Maksvytis explained his decision.

"Mindaugas Kuzminskas fit in very well after the injury. Martynas Echodas also proved that he can play hard," Maksvytis added.

The coach revealed that the starting five might not be consistent during the tournament as it is now.

"We will take into account the upcoming matchups. If necessary, we will ask that one of our bigs [Sabonis and Valanciunas] does not start. For now, we have a consistent starting five, but it can change from game to game," Maksvytis explained.

Lithuanian star player Domantas Sabonis, who finished the game with 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, answered some questions in the press conference as well.

The Sacramento Kings center emphasized that the team's strength is its depth.

"Every day, a different player could surprise the opponent. We are all ready and play hard on defense. Every player really wants the team to win, so that is amazing," said Sabonis.

Sabonis also compared Maksvytis' coached team to the other Lithuanian national teams he played in before Maksvytis.

"It has more freedom, more clarity about who has to do what. Everyone has a goal. The coach allows me to play my game," Sabonis said.

Lithuanian national team's full roster:

No. Player Team 1 Arnas Butkevicius Zalgiris Kaunas 2 Domantas Sabonis Sacramento Kings 3 Eigirdas Zukauskas BC Wolves 4 Ignas Brazdeikis Zalgiris Kaunas 5 Jonas Valanciunas New Orleans Pelicans 6 Kristupas Zemaitis BC Wolves 7 Lukas Lekavicius Zalgiris Kaunas 8 Marius Grigonis Panathinaikos OPAP Athens 9 Martynas Echodas Rytas Vilnius 10 Mindaugas Kuzminskas Free Agent 11 Rokas Giedraitis Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz 12 Rokas Jokubaitis FC Barcelona Subscribe to BN+ and get access to exclusive content.