Zalgiris Kaunas – amazing results with low cost roster!
Last night, Zalgiris won the thriller against Baskonia after exchanging leads with the visitors almost every minute. After an excellent first part of the season, the Lithuanian squad is in the mix for a EuroLeague playoff spot. They had many great games this season, including the blowing win over Fenerbahce or the double-round win in Italy against Virtus Bologna and Olimpia Milano. And what is most surprising is that without any stars on the roster.
Seriously, take a look at Zalgiris players. Now, in the absence of the injured Keenan Evans (replaced by Isaiah Taylor injured as well) and Tyler Cavanaugh (who isn’t a Euroleague top player), the rotation is even smaller. They count on many local players like Dimsa, Lekavicius, Birutis and so on, plus Achile Polonara, Kevarrius Hayes and Rolands Smits. Still, none of them is a tough guy on the basketball market. They are not Micic, Mirotic, Larkin, or Hezonja, but decent basketball players. Except for Brazdeikis, Ulanovas, Polonara, Hayes and Smits, the other players of Zalgiris are not even Euroleague level. They would be good players in the Eurocup, but if you are a top Euroleague team you won’t buy them.
And with this low-cost roster, Zalgiris is fighting for a playoff spot and they have a great chance t achieve it. It is simply amazing how the knowledge of good basketball fundamentals, the chemistry, the arena full of fans and the love for the game could propel this team over their opponents, most of them multimillionaire clubs.
The article was written by Gratian Cormos, a Romanian journalist, book writer, life coach and mentor currently living in Barcelona, Spain.
If you are interested in collaborating with his website brainbasketball.net, in order to publish articles, interviews or other features related to basketball, feel free to contact Gratian Cormos by Whatsapp or Telegram at this Spanish number: +34 612414486.
Photo credit: EuroLeague
