Kazys Maksvytis case for Coach of the Year award / News - Basketnews.com

URBONUS podcast trio Donatas Urbonas, Rytis Vysniauskas, and Augustas Suliauskas discuss why Kazys Maksvytis could become a serious contender for the EuroLeague Coach of the Year award if Zalgiris make the playoffs.

Credit: Erikas Ovčarenko/BNS Credit Erikas Ovčarenko/BNS

In the recent URBONUS podcast, the BasketNews trio of Donatas Urbonas, Rytis Vysniauskas, and Augustas Suliauskas discussed whether Zalgiris Kaunas head coach Kazys Maksvytis should be in a conversation for the EuroLeague Coach of the Year award.

Points this season

46%76,3Points made:76,3Accuracy:45,9%Place in standings:16Record max:95Record min:60Best scorer:Keenan EvansTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Even though Olympiacos Piraeus tactician Georgios Bartzokas is seen as a favorite to claim this honor for the second year in a row, Maksvytis also has his case.

During his first year with Zalgiris, Maksvytis made the Lithuanian team a serious contender for the playoffs spot, boasting one of the best records at home with 12 home wins.

"If Zalgiris make the playoffs, I think the Coach of the Year conversation should start with Georgios Bartzokas and Kazys Maksvytis," Urbonas argued. "Bartzokas, for sure, for potentially winning the first seed. If they win one more game, they'll clinch the no. 1 seed."

"The job Bartzokas did in the last two years is huge," Urbonas continued.

"Even though they were great last year, we didn't see them coming at the top, thinking they still lack something. Other teams improved their rosters a lot, and [it seemed that] for Olympiacos, it won't be enough. However, they became one of the most attractive and complete teams, deserving no. 1 seed."

Georgios BartzokasCredit REUTERS - Scanpix

However, Urbonas argued that Zalgiris achievement of reaching the playoffs might be even more impressive.

"But when you look at other coaches, other teams, and situations, I think it should be Kazys Maksvytis," Urbonas said. "Last year, Zalgiris were [at the] dead bottom. Maksvytis took over the team with eight new players. Talent-wise, we can all agree they're really limited with the bottom three budget in the EuroLeague."

"They lost their best player [Keenan Evans] in December," Vysniauskas concurred.

Zalgiris Kaunas / Schedule

Zalgiris Kaunas AS Monaco79-70 Zalgiris Kaunas Valencia Basket95-74 Zalgiris Kaunas Maccabi Playtika Tel AvivThu17:00

"Probably, many of us ruled them [Zalgiris] out of this playoffs conversation," Urbonas continued. "They lost a potential MVP candidate for the rest of the season. And yet, they're still in this mix, still fighting for playoffs. So, what Maksvytis did is something great."

Urbonas also emphasized Maksvytis' man-management, naming his ability to unite teams on several occasions.

"He is a great glue guy who can unite those teams, and that's what he did with Zalgiris," he added.

"He brings the best out of every player," Vysniauskas continued. "That's what impresses me the most. Some of these players on the rosters… Honestly, before the season, you would have doubts whether they are EuroLeague material."

"But all of them had some games where they delivered. Like, you take all these roles players like [Tomas] Dimsa, [Laurynas] Birutis, even [Karolis] Lukosiunas in the last game against Valencia."

"Arnas Butkevicius is playing like a guy who could fit on any EuroLeague team," Suliauskas chipped in.

"Somehow, Kazys Maksvytis brings the best out of every player," Vysniauskas continued.

"Everybody plays their role almost perfectly. Yes, they have some better nights, some worse nights. As I said, they are not a very talented team, therefore, you cannot always count on them to make and create shots. For example, they dropped two games against Panathinaikos."

Vysniauskas also shared an interesting theory that if Zalgiris eventually make the playoffs, they will do it from a higher than no. 8 seed.

"My prediction for Zalgiris is that if they make the playoffs, and I'm not really betting on that, but if they do, they are not going to be the 8th seed," Vysniauskas argued. "To make the playoffs, they need to win both games, and if they win both games, they get an advantage over Maccabi, and they already have an advantage over Fenerbahce."

Zalgiris KaunasCredit Erikas Ovčarenko/BNS

"Let's say Baskonia don't win both of their games, Zalgiris would be ahead of them as well. So, basically, if they make the playoffs with 19 wins, they are probably not going to be the 8th seed. They could be higher.

On the last day, Maccabi will face Real Madrid at home. Yes, Maccabi at home can beat anybody, but who knows? Maybe Madrid will take this game seriously because they want to be a higher seed.

We already know Fenerbahce's situation. If they lose the Istanbul derby, and even if they beat Zvezda, they will make the Top 8, but Zalgiris have an advantage over them. In my opinion, if the Lithuanian team wins both games, they'll finish higher than 8th. But honestly, I don't think they will win both games," Vysniauskas concluded.

Watch the full URBONUS podcast below:

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