The Lithuanian national team is the unstoppable juggernaut of European basketball right now. For the second time this week they took down powerhouse Spain, this time on the Spaniards home turf. The Lithuanians marched into Malaga Thursday and handed Spain a 78-76 defeat behind 15 points apiece from Jonas Valanciunas and Mindaugas Getbuckets ... my bad, I mean Mindaugas Kuzminskas:
7/7 baby! Second victory in a row vs. Spain 78:76. Valanciunas & Kuzminskas 15 pic.twitter.com/fWUJNtDxqd
— Donatas Urbonas (@Urbodo) July 21, 2016
Kuzminskas shot 6-10 on the day, hitting 3 of 4 attempts from beyond the arc. The Kuz certainly enjoys his spot-up threes and transition dunks. Stretch him out to the NBA three-point line, and we've got ourselves a player!
On the other side, Willy Hernangomez scored 8 points (3-6 shooting) and grabbed 4 rebounds backing up Pau Gasol. Willy didn't hold down Valanciunas on defense, but he was a far sight better than Gasol, who for all his craftiness looks to be a complete zero on D at this point in his career. Man am I glad the Knicks didn't sign him!
Let us not forget, however, that these matches are friendlies. Friendship is the goal here. And friendship was in the air in Malaga:
Starting to know my new teammates! Buen tapon @willyhg94:) Carpena, estaba increible.. Gracias!@nyknicks #rio2016 pic.twitter.com/Ojx0XpPZYi
— Mindaugas Kuzminskas (@MKuzminskas) July 21, 2016
Teammates! Good game bro! See you soon! @MKuzminskas #knicks @nyknicks pic.twitter.com/vvuLjObaqB
— Willy Hernangómez (@willyhg94) July 21, 2016
REAL FRIENDSHIP! LET'S GO KNICKS!