Giedraitis speaks on his future, Baskonia's season, Spahija and Aito / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Aitor Arrizabalaga/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Aitor Arrizabalaga/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Rokas Giedraitis signed a three-year contract with Bitci Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz back in 2020. After a stunning season at Berlin, the Lithuanian forward made a step up in his career.

Rokas Giedraitis

MIN:28.75PTS:11.14 (52.96%)REB:3.24As:1.34ST:1BL:0.1TO:0.97GM:29ProfileEuroLeague2021/2022

Giedraitis sat down with El Correo to talk about how he has seen the season so far, his future, and some differences between Neven Spahija and his former coach Aito Garcia Reneses.

"Well, obviously, this season has not been good. There have been too many ups and downs every single month," began Giedraitis. "We changed coaches, and now we have a different style of practicing and playing. But the ups and downs have not gone. Now we seem to be going up."

After a struggling season in the EuroLeague and the disappointment of not qualifying for the Spanish Copa del Rey, Baskonia's goal is clear now.

"We want to reach the best possible position for the ACB League Playoffs, avoiding Barcelona and Real Madrid in the first round. There are still many games left, and we will try it," admitted Rokas.

Baskonia fired Dusko Ivanovic back in November, bringing back the experienced Neven Spahija.

"For me, they are both good coaches, very different from each other. Dusko loves to work on every detail, what the rest of the teams do, he studies every move to the millimeter.

Spahija has a more NBA style. He leaves us freedom in drills and attacking systems. He thinks more about statistics, percentages, improving certain shooting actions, and other things," confessed Giedraitis.

"They both have given me a lot. I really appreciate it. For me, Aito was very important. He is a legend, a master of European basketball. He helped me a lot to grow my confidence. He is a special coach, who always gives you something new every day," revealed Rokas.

Asked about himself, Giedraitis did not hesitate to be sincere.

"In some games, I'm happy with my performance, in other games, I'm not. I would give myself a seven out of ten. I think I have to do better," he assured. "They asked me to play more without the ball. With Dusko, I had more usage, sometimes I played pick and rolls with the centers, but that's normal."

"Each coach has his own way. I'm not upset about having fewer possessions if the team works the way it is now", pointed out Giedraitis, who is averaging 11.2 points this season.

Regarding his future, the 29-year-old forward recognized he would like to stay another season with Baskonia.

"I'm under contract here. I'm happy, my family too, we like the city, we like the food, we like the club, which is very professional. There are many people who help the players. I also notice that the fans love me, so I don't need anything else. I want to stay here," he concluded.

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