2024-05-13 00:05:13
When communicating with LKL.lt, coach Gediminas Petrauskas regretted that his students acquired rhythm and play too late, so it was not enough to qualify for the playoffs. Kėdainiai won 4 of the last 5 matches, losing only to Žalgiris.
“The season was uneven, the beginning is harder, the end is better. Looking at it from the point of view that we assembled a completely new team, we showed rhythm at the end of the season, it’s just a pity that we got that form too late. The rosters we made during the season worked, we just needed time to start playing good, team basketball,” said G.Petrauskas, coach of “Nevėžio-Optibet”.
– Was it very disappointing to see that only one victory separated you from the playoffs?
– Yes, you look forward to the whole season, matches with direct rivals, especially at home. You remember those losses and wonder what if there was that victory. But we also took some where no one expected – against the top teams of the table. You can’t do anything, you need to learn from mistakes and look forward.
– What lessons did you learn from your mistakes – especially in terms of equipment?
– The main thing, although I can’t say it was a mistake, maybe we were hostage to the situation, is that we had to change the whole team. This is very difficult. Except for Marcinkevičius, who was injured for half the season last year, the whole team was new. It turns out that you have to build everything from scratch. When there are at least a few remaining players, they can help integrate, set an example. When changing 11 players, it is natural that you miss some. That’s the lesson: you don’t want to build a team from scratch every time.
– Your contract also ended after this season. Are you talking to Jonas Maciulis about his extension?
– We are talking.
– Looking at how several players revealed themselves in Kėdainiai, there should not be so few changes in the summer either. What is your vision for the next season?
– One of our goals is to keep as many players as possible. The club is making efforts, but logically we understand the increased value of the players and we cannot force them to stay, no matter how good the relationship is. They outgrow their shirts and have to move on.
– Amits Ebo, who joined in the winter, became an important part of Nevėžio-Optibet. It is said that he can get a Lithuanian passport as well, would that help in negotiating to keep it?
– We don’t put too much emphasis on the passport, it’s more a rumor than reality, but there is a possibility to keep it. It’s a question of the market and negotiations, Jonas is working.
– Were you surprised by the passing records of this player, recorded in this “Betsafe-LKL” season?
– The record was surprising, a fact. Knowing how many years he kept. But not his game, I personally remember him from the U16 championship in Lithuania, when I was in charge of the Lithuanian youth national team. Having watched a lot of his footage from this season in Slovakia, we knew what to expect.
It was only a disservice that he had several injuries upon his arrival and was always out of the lineup for 3-4 days. He didn’t get that rhythm.
At the end of the season, he healed his injuries, the work of our physical training coaches and physiotherapists is good, and then we saw the fruits of our work.
We’re happy about the personal stuff, it’s just a shame it didn’t end up in the playoffs.
– Courtney Ramey, Francis Okoro, Sean McNeil, how satisfied were you with the contribution of these legionnaires?
– I was satisfied with their game. All three are freshmen and all three have had the same problem, a lack of stability. Other than that, they had a decent year statistically. It is always difficult for them to adapt when taking on a newcomer, it takes time.
And then it depends on the player himself, how quickly he will catch the information, get used to the league, refereeing, coaches, playing style – everything. This usually takes time, not rehearsing tactics and defense rules.
– By showing the legionnaires such an example as, for example, Artūrs Žagaras, it would encourage them to improve for another year in Kėdainiai?
– This is everyone’s personal matter. For one, that motivation works, while for another, if a higher salary is offered at this time, he will be disappointed.
It also depends on the environment and the advisors the players listen to.
It is individual. Not everyone can say no, not take more money and say they believe they will get even more in a year. It also depends on the offers the players have, the agents don’t share that, it’s hard to decide.
– Zane Waterman played a great year and he himself mentioned that he wants to reach the EuroLeague in the future. Real?
– Gradually, because only Lavrinović went to the Euroleague after Nevėžio-Optibet. He should take one step forward, play in a team playing in an international tournament, and from there he could advance to the EuroLeague.
He has the character for it, he has the talent, now is the age where either he will do it in two years or not.
– This year you were one of the least Lithuanian teams in the league. Are there any chances to reverse that trend?
– We are very much in favor of the Lithuanians, we really have no plans to think about the legionnaires. First of all, we want to keep the existing players, and then, looking at what will be missing, we want Lithuanians who are suitable and whom we would buy. Then we will move on to the legionnaires and see how many are needed.
– What do you think, can Ignas Vaitkus already become the face of Nevėžio-Optibet?
– I think so. He handled the dressing room well, there were no conflicts or arguments, everything was under control. And because of the game, Ignas also had quite a few microtraumas when he played with one or another pain.
– Currently, young Lithuanians are strongly attracted by the NCAA. Does this fact seriously hinder you when you want to bring more Lithuanianness to the team?
– It disturbs, but not only because of the Lithuanians. I won’t lie, last year we wanted 2-3 Lithuanians who chose another team or NCAA. It is difficult for us to take young players.
We see the final four of the NKL, what averages the teams are playing with, there are also not many young people that we could talk to.
We managed to reach an agreement with the “Ryto” organization on the loan of Gedimin Alis, he is the player who has made the most progress in the NKL, this is a great achievement for us.
There is another side: those newcomers who graduate from universities earn a lot of money. To say that they will now come to Kėdainii for less and rise is difficult enough.
A young person gets used to big money and continues to expect it. We will see this summer what that trend is.
– One last thing: the Betsafe-LKL quarterfinals start today. What are your predictions?
– “Žalgiris” 2:0 against Mazeikis and “Rytas” 2:0 against Jonavas. In the other series, 2:1 and I think that the teams with the home advantage – “Wolves” and “Uniclub Casino – Juventus” will win.
2024-05-13 00:05:13