Utena’s “Uniclub Bet-Juventus” team was shaken by changes just a few days ago, when Vytautas Buzas was replaced at the helm of the club Kęstutis Kemzūra.
The Lithuanian, who took on the role of a fireman, already had his first match in the King’s Mindaugas Cup. It is true that the Ute team lost 89:93 to “Nevėžiu-Optibet” of Kėdainiai.
“The role of that firefighter is not very easy. On the other hand, if you want to work, there will be no other situation in the middle of the season. When you take over a team from scratch, it won’t be any other way. I will try somehow”, K. Kemzūra smiled.
He had also become a firefighter in the ranks of Vilnius “Wolves Twinsbet”, where he arrived much later – in the spring. Now an experienced specialist can at least be happy that there is more time for changes. And the team needs them – especially in defense.
“I think what we have is people who have bodies and athleticism and speed. Sometimes those childish mistakes are inexplicable to me. I don’t know. At such a level, they shouldn’t exist, but they do,” said K. Kemzūra about Uniclub Bet-Juventus’ defensive potential.
Krepsinis.net – a conversation with a specialist about new challenges, possible changes and problems in the Utena club.
– Looking for the best of the worst: maybe it’s a little easier to come to the team when it’s still mid-November – more time for changes than it would be in February or March, when the end of the season is on the nose?
– That’s right, this is a fact. Somehow, I hope that the FIBA ”window” will also provide time, it will be possible to adjust something more.
– This is not the first time you take over the team during the season, the last time it was the same in Vilnius. What have you learned from past experiences?
– You live and learn. Sometimes it was more successful, sometimes less, each team has its own specifics. You try to figure out what you can add and change, and you work. There are no miracles. I believe in consistent work. And then the result either comes or it doesn’t (Laughs).
– The defensive shortcomings of “Uniclub Bet-Juventus” were trumpeted, probably before the start of the season. You talked about it after your debut match. How big are these problems?
– We will fix it, I believe that we can improve it with individual efforts, system and discipline. But there are things you can’t change. There are people with their own quality, pluses and minuses, you can’t change much here. Another thing is that for strangeness, it is not enough to show or tell. You need to work on some skill, synchronization, and that takes time and training, and now we’ve worked on it a bit, but you can’t bend the bat because you’re playing again right here.
You need to maneuver. What if you drive the team, but they don’t have time to assimilate, it will be fatigue, not a qualitative change. That would be even worse. And here you need to play matches and somehow manage to win.
– In general, do you see defensive potential in this composition of the Utena team?
– I think we have it, there are people who have bodies, and athleticism, and speed. Sometimes those childish mistakes are inexplicable to me. I don’t know. At this level, they shouldn’t exist, but they do.
– Eimantas Skersis said that he was bringing you to Utena as an authority, which was perhaps lacking. Do you feel that your name has meaning for the players?ę?
– You don’t have to ask me. I focus on what I want to do, I don’t know whether authority or not. I said I would demand and want it. Nothing personal, just professional stuff. Everyone needs sacrifice, work in defense, energy, intensity.
I will try to teach certain things, and if the players are not willing or able, then we will see other things, how they solve. No one considers it planted. If you don’t want to do it, you either sit on the bench or look for another team if you’re unhappy. There is no compulsion, but I think everyone has fun when they win. And in order to win, you have to do something better than your competitors.
– So far, do you see players willingly accepting new information?
– During those few training sessions, the men were enthusiastic. You can’t press a button here, change the program – it won’t happen.
– You decided to keep Vytautas Buzas in the coaching staff. Why and can it be of any help in the early stages of your integration?
“I think it will help.” I didn’t mind that. I said what my demands were, Vytautas thought and decided to stay. So far so good.
– How long will you maintain what the previous strategist created in Utena?
– There is no time for revolutions. I try to make minimal corrections. We changed the defense in the pick-and-roll. You want to narrow down the options a bit at the beginning, so that the team focuses on aggressiveness. Step by step. You cannot build everything at once, the house does not rise immediately – you cannot start from the roof, you need to start from the foundation.
– Names such as Karolis Lukošiūnas, Gediminas Orelikas, Laurynas Beliauskas seemed to be popular Lithuanian signings during the summer, from which much was expected. K. Lukošiūnas is hampered by an injury, but in general, how much more useful can the Lithuanians be during the course of the season?
– They are famous, but like everyone, they have strengths and weaknesses. Everyone can contribute to better team and individual defense. There are things in common. And in attack we will try to exploit what they do best. There were some problems in the attack, we will fix them, but they were not so big. Another thing, we don’t punish when necessary. This is also our reserve.
– When can we expect the return of K. Lukošiūnas and do you believe that he can still have a breakthrough year in the ranks of Uniclub Bet-Juventus?
– We don’t have that many training sessions, he needs them to prepare for the rhythm of the game. He started to move around but didn’t have much contact training. Neither I feel confident, nor he, in wanting to throw a person into the fire. First of all, he has to be healthy, with confidence, and then we will look at the breakthrough. A lot of concentration on Karol. So far, other players are in better form. We have a game, then a “window”, he will have to be ready, and when he gets minutes, we will see according to the situation.
– Do you have the opportunity to make changes in the composition of the team: maybe sign something, or maybe fire?
– The possibilities are that the budget is practically exhausted, bloated with all these things. Even if it were possible, it is difficult to do something. But there are always opportunities. If you see that something is not working, you need – you need to look for ways. We do not rule out the possibility. It will be difficult, but there are many components to it: what the market can offer, how we will negotiate if a new player takes the place of someone.
Uniclub Bet-Juventus: A Comedy of Errors & Coach Kęstutis Kemzūra’s New Challenge
Ever had one of those days where you just realize that life is like a basketball game? You go in with high expectations, and before you know it, the ball’s airborne, and you’re ducking to avoid a referee’s whistle. Welcome to the world of Utena’s “Uniclub Bet-Juventus,” where the drama is as thick as the Lithuania winter air and the coaching shuffle has left us all wondering if we should be cheering or rolling our eyes.
In a plot twist fit for a sitcom, the team recently bid adieu to coach Vytautas Buzas and ushered in Kęstutis Kemzūra. Now, if you’re thinking, “What does a fireman know about basketball?” you are not alone! Anyway, enough with the fire jokes—I’m sure Kemzūra’s hoping to extinguish more than just bad performances on the court! He made his debut in the King’s Mindaugas Cup and let’s just say, the results were underwhelming: a nail-biting 89:93 loss to “Nevėžiu-Optibet.” Who knew that putting out fires could be this taxing?
Kemzūra claims he’s ready to work miracles—cue the laughter—but as he put it so charmingly, “there are no miracles.” Apparently, all it takes is a dash of ‘consistent work’ and voilà, the magic happens… or so he hopes! It’s like waiting for your avocado to ripen: you can talk a big game about the perfect guacamole, but timing is everything! Speaking of timing, can we talk about those “childish mistakes”? Oh boy! That sounds like a euphemism for “how to lose gracefully!”
The Defensive Conundrum
Our Alex Reed of honor, Coach Kemzūra, has already pointed to an elephant the size of a basketball court: the team’s defensive woes. “We have bodies, athleticism, and speed,” he enthused. Wonderful! It sounds like a rave party out there—just imagine: bodies flying everywhere, terrible music, and no one knows the dance moves! It’s heartening to know that the coach can spot talent. But if those “childish mistakes” keep cropping up, I’d advise investing in a good therapist for the team. You know, to work through their ‘lack of attention’ issues!
Players or Sloths?
Kemzūra’s questions about player absorption of new strategies echo in my mind like a bad cover of “My Heart Will Go On.” While he observed that players were enthusiastic in practice, I can’t help but wonder—what’s the time limit on enthusiasm? Will they still be jumping up and down come January? Also, let’s not gloss over that he’s keeping Vytautas Buzas on staff—awkward! “Help!” is hardly a glowing tag for a coaching relationship.
The Future: Glimmers of Hope?
Now, let’s sprinkle a little optimism on this otherwise entertaining circus. There appears to be potential under the rubble! Yes, folks, you heard it right—potential! All it takes is a little fine-tuning here and there—like changing a flat tire while driving downhill. As long as Kęstutis can successfully navigate these early waters without capsizing, we might just see a turnaround by the season’s end. Plus, he has his eye on Karolis Lukošiūnas’ return, which could be the fairy godmother this team desperately needs!
Conclusions: A Steep Hill to Climb
In a world where basketball success is measured in points, titles, and sometimes, well, meme-ability, Kemzūra seems to relish the challenge, armed with nothing but a vision and a smirk. As we move forward into this unexpected plot twist, full of coaching changes and games approaching, let’s make a pact: we’ll cheer the triumphs, laugh through the fails, and hope that one day, the Uniclub Bet-Juventus team can turn its fireman’s workload into a championship celebration! After all, if laughter is the best medicine, Utena’s basketball scene just might be the cure for our mundane Monday mornings.
So grab your popcorn; this season’s going to be a wild one! And remember, folks—whether you’re a fan, a player, or merely an amused observer like myself, there’s always something to learn from the court: sometimes, you just have to play your hand and hope the ref isn’t looking.
Can the team successfully integrate new players while managing the challenges posed by coaching transitions?
Glaring fact that Karolis Lukošiūnas is hobbled by an injury. It’s like waiting for a superstar to make their entrance only to find out they’re stuck in traffic!
With names like Gediminas Orelikas and Laurynas Beliauskas in the lineup, expectations are high. However, Kemzūra reminds us that even stars have strengths and weaknesses. The real question is whether they can mesh together or if we’re looking at a potential soap opera unfolding on the court. The stakes are high, and the team’s need for better defense and execution can’t be overstated.
With every strategy tweak, Kemzūra seems focused on a gradual transformation. “Step by step,” he says, as if he’s trying to convince us that we’re not watching a slow-motion train wreck. And yet, can we really expect a “foundational” approach to yield results in what feels like an era of instant gratification?
Kemzūra’s decision to retain Buzas in some capacity indicates an understanding that quick changes might not be the answer. To put it mildly, he seems to be taking the scenic route while the clock is ticking down on the season. He’s cautious yet optimistic, asserting that patience and gradual adjustments will win out over chaos and knee-jerk reactions.
Even as he faces an uphill battle to stabilize Utena’s performance amidst this coaching transition, Kemzūra understands the challenge before him—one that requires savvy planning and a bit of luck. “Can we look forward to a breakthrough season?” one might ask. While stealing a win here and there is important, the approach appears to focus on much more than just the immediate results. He aims to cultivate a winning mentality that will hopefully pay off down the line.
Ultimately, the road ahead remains uncertain, rife with potential for either comedy or triumph (or perhaps a tragicomedy if I’m being honest). Fans of Uniclub Bet-Juventus will have to remain patient as they navigate this intricate dance of strategy, player dynamics, and perhaps a few more unintentional chuckles along the way. After all, as in life (and basketball), sometimes you’ve got to laugh just to stay sane!
