at least Georgia is ok team. What about France that lost to Finland? Slovenia also barely beat Poland. Group games anyway dont matter much.
You obviously know the team better than I do. Didn't consider them dependent on D-Mo, especially with Valanciunas in play, whose style fits better here than in the NBA.
Still pretty strong. My favorites after Spain. I also like the fighting Greeks. They always play their hearts out.
Oohh this Markkanen kid looks legit. I was waiting to the second game to see if the 1st one was just a fluke. Usually i hate the Dirk comparisons but the Bulls might just got a way with a steal that would make Mini regret the Butler trade. Highlights from the first 2 games of the 19 years old kid:
Massive choke job by ze Germans. Up 10 with 6 minutes to go, only four points the rest of the game. Some things never change...
Ye Schroder 0-4 from behind the arc after being 58% from 3 in the first 2 games. My boy Markkanen with another huge game for Finland. 27 points, 9 rebounds and clutch shots all over the place. This kid is special.
Italy and Germany provided some of the shittiest Basketball I have ever seen. Also no minutes for Hartenstein, who could've helped with his size.
So smooth, I wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't a all-star in 2-3 years. Well...especially in the East I suppose lol. And I hate to make the Dirk comparison just because he's European, but his game really does seem to mimic his, his turn around isn't as unorthodox I suppose.
Man its tough. I try not to get too excited cause its European basketball. Very slow and the 3 line is closer, but I love this kid's game. I thought he wasnt able to create his own shots after seeing him in College. Just looked like a bigger Ryan Anderson. But this guy can ball. I think he will surprise a lot of people in this league.
Damn this Lithuania-Germany game wouldn't be close if Lithuania wasn't self-destructing with these stupid and lazy mistakes. Both DMo and Hartenstein playing well. Hartenstein's statline so far: 12 minutes, 10 points (5/7 FG), 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block
This game man... Every time instead of closing the game out Lithuania just willingly allows Germany to get back into it.
Lithuania's win was never in real danger, our guys shot bricks all game long and had no answer to Valanciunas. Still happy with Hartenstein's performance, immediately made an impact although our coach rarely plays him. Expected this loss, but second place in this group is still more than I thought this team would achieve.
I'm just annoyed because this game clearly showed that Lithuania has a very small chance of going deep in the playoffs if they continue to play like this. Too inconsistent. They don't seem to have that killer mindset to close out games, they get too relaxed after being up 15 points. I was impressed with Hartenstein too. He showed a nice knack for the ball in this game getting those seemingly random/lucky rebounds. I like that hook shot as well.
