Ignas Brazdeikis applauds EuroLeague's Play-In Tournament, opposes Kevin Punter / News - Basketnews.com

Zalgiris star Ignas Brazdeikis cheers EuroLeague's Play-In: "I love it, big fan of that, for sure, because there are 18 teams in the EuroLeague."

Credit: Erikas Ovčarenko/BNS, ABA League j.t.d./Emilija Jovanovic Credit Erikas Ovčarenko/BNS, ABA League j.t.d./Emilija Jovanovic

The 2023-24 EuroLeague campaign is going to have a special flavor to its competitive regular season. With the official introduction of the Play-In Tournament, EuroLeague wants to enhance the opportunity for 18 teams, especially mid-table clubs, to make the leap and playoffs with the last call.

Ignas Brazdeikis

Position:SG, SFAge:24Height:201 cmWeight:98 kgBirth place:Kaunas, LithuaniaProfileNewsStatistics

Zalgiris Kaunas wing Ignas Brazdeikis relishes this addition, borrowed from the NBA.

The 24-year-old, who returned to Lithuania to join the national team for the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2023 after a couple of NBA minicamps in Toronto and Las Vegas, appreciates the idea of having a chance for teams that are closely matched in the standings to compete for a playoff spot.

"I love it!" Brazdeikis shared his excitement. "I love it, big fan of that, for sure, because there are 18 teams in the EuroLeague. Sometimes I feel like teams could be almost tied or very close, so to have that, I think it's a big addition. And I am a big fan of it."

Brazdeikis' observations follow statements made by Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade guard Kevin Punter, who made an opposite evaluation of this addition in the URBONUS podcast.

"I don't like it. We have 34 games. You better figure it out in those 34," the prolific scorer chuckled.

"I'm sorry, but this league is too competitive. The talent from top to bottom is too good to throw in a play-in game," he added.

Punter strongly emphasized that the introduction of the Play-In Tournament in the EuroLeague tends to undermine the tremendous effort and dedication invested by teams during the regular season.

In Punter's view, the Play-In puts stronger teams at a disadvantage, as they have worked hard to secure their positions throughout the demanding regular season.

The one-game format, according to him, gives an edge to potentially weaker teams that might have faced difficulties during the season but could capitalize on specific circumstances to win a single crucial game.

"I don't know if play-in games would significantly prolong the season, but that should be taken into consideration. The season is already long and intense. Players compete fiercely in those 34 games. You better leave it all out there, and we should determine it by the standings," Punter stated.

"I'm sorry to all the basketball junkies, I love you, but figure it out because we have to play. I don't want to play any play-in games," Punter jokingly remarked.

Continuing on Punter and Brazdeikis, the latter named Partizan leader's decision to stay in Belgrade as one of the biggest off-season moves in the EuroLeague. Another one is related to Nikola Mirotic, according to the Lithuanian NT member.

"I think Kevin Punter coming back to Partizan was big for them. I saw [Nikola] Mirotic left Barcelona, not sure where he is going just yet. Those two were probably one of the biggest standouts," Brazdeikis said.

"I don't think there were too many transfers, just from what I have seen, but I think it's still have been a good summer for EuroLeague. I think it [the league] is going to continue to grow," he added.

Ignas Brazdeikis' arrival to Lithuania:

Thank you for reading us! Help us even more.