Ovidijus Galdikas 7'2" Lithuanian big man

[Thorn]

Don't expect miracles.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTev5pSuYLk[/youtube]

I don't expect them, but they can happen.

[ny-n-md]

If the choices are Haddadi or this guy, it's not even close for me. Give me this guy! We're not going to get an incredible player for the 15th spot. Only based on the YouTube video, he looks like he has natural shot blocking instincts. He does appear skinny though, but so was Mutombo. Not comparing their games, just frames. This guy would only play in a pinch (super foul trouble, injuries, or suspensions). Mainly just a practice player and blowout reserve. Can he improve in the right setting? We have a lot of experience and wisdom on this team for him. Also a coach that would push him defensively. I like his potential after saying all of that. 15th man? Sure. Why not?

[egelband]

What about this guy for the D League?

[Jstock12]

He wasn't even invited to Lithuanian national team training camp, so I wouldn't get my hopes too high. Of course, there's always a 'case of Asik' where a not so well-known player in Europe makes it to NBA and thrives.

However, in my opinion he's definitely not good enough to be something else than a 3rd string center or a practice guy as someone mentioned.

[Rasho Brezec]

Asik was a well-known name and a regular contributor on a team that played in Euroleage.

[Jstock12]

Asik was a well-known name and a regular contributor on a team that played in Euroleage.

Still, he was by no means a star in Europe. A good average player.

[Laure]

Galdikas isn't a diamond in the rough. He's just a scrub, even by European standarts.

[Rasho Brezec]

Asik was a well-known name and a regular contributor on a team that played in Euroleage.

Still, he was by no means a star in Europe. A good average player.

There are 5 players in entire Europe you could call stars. Asik was a proven player.

[Jstock12]

Asik was a well-known name and a regular contributor on a team that played in Euroleage.

Still, he was by no means a star in Europe. A good average player.

There are 5 players in entire Europe you could call stars. Asik was a proven player.

He was ok.

[TheToothFairy]

Great motor, I'd love to see him up against some NBA guys

7'2 and 24?????

[Anonimas]

Hello, I'm from Lithuania (Galdikas' native country) and I have some more information about him. The guy seems to be quite talented, has decent mid-range shooting and has perfect height, mobility, agility combination. The only reason he's unknown now is because his life is (or atleast was) a huge failure. He had a sex with ~13 years old girl, which looked quite mature and lied him about her age, telling him that she's 16-17 years old. The girl seems to be a total whore as she was boasting in the media, after becoming the youngest wife in Lithuania, that she had first sex when she was only 10 years old (again with 18+ guy). Galdikas was 18 or 19 at that time and that girl became pregnant... He had a choice: go to jail for having sex with kid or marry her. Of course he has chosen to marry her... And that's when his life became even more complicated. He was a member of Žalgiris-Arvydas Sabonis school for one season (2006-2007) and had all possibilities to move into Žalgiris (Lithuanian league champions, former Euroleague champions) after a few seasons as he was quite perspective big man. However Žalgiris-Arvydas Sabonis school wasn't paying enough for him to fulfill his family needs and that's why he left Žalgiris-Arvydas Sabonis school (despite the fact that he LOVES basketball) and went to factory, later - auto service and worked hard-work for a few years to fed his new family. Then around ~2009 basketball agent Baroga (his current agent) and Klemensas (Lithuanian basketball player, which played in France at that time) noticed him. A 7'2 Lithuanian tower which don't play basketball in a basketball-crazy nation (as he described). However he wasn't ready for professional basketball so Baroga and Klemensas started training him (see videos below). Klemensas took him to France for training and then he joined Vilnius KM-Magnus (third-tier Lithuanian league club) during 2009–2010 season and averaged 21.2 points, 10.9 rebounds. Next season he joined Anykščiai Puntukas (second-tier Lithuanian league club) and averaged 14.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3 blocks. Too bad he had to miss 2011-2012 season due to injuries. Then last season he joined Šiauliai. Too bad they don't gave him enough playing time and he had only decent stats (I think he could had double-double per 25-30 minutes) because Šiauliai had Papa Dia (former Euroleague player). So all in all, I think that if we would delete the part with that girl from his life, he could have been NBA drafted or at least playing for decent Euroleague club and I think he still could make to Lithuania national team after a few years if he will develop as fast as he did so far. The guy seems to be closely talented (shoot blocking, rebounding) and hard-working to Jonas Valančiūnas just don't have enough experience and offensive arsenal like a 24 year old guy, but he's still pretty good at defense now. Previously there also was a guy Eurelijus Žukauskas which started his career when he was 21 year old and developed into a decent Euroleague defensive center and Lithuania national team member. Galdikas has potential to do this too if he will work, I think. I would be very happy if Knicks would give him a chance as a 15th man. If not, well Knicks still helped him to partly recover his reputation and maybe Žalgiris or Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuanian league vice-champions) will give him a second chance. Interesting fact is that Knicks observes him for more than 3 years and even Knicks president visited Šiauliai last season to meet with Galdikas and watch his game play (sadly, he was injured at that time).
Galdikas' training videos with Klemensas (4 years ago):
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCqWMQMS5xc[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGxeuaVCFvg[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIf90OLgc4s[/youtube]
From ~0:25
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNFR536mcJc[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYJnrtDWhnk[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu3bP4fQtuw[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_90v0EbyOw[/youtube]
Keep in mind that he wasn't training or playing basketball for a few years before all this training. He's much better now. And I'm curious why the heck Klemensas was recording Galdikas training (plus naming these youtube videos just "MOVxxxx"? Maybe for Knicks?

[egelband]

thanks for the indepth info. interesting to get more context.

btw, i think the title 'mov' might be autogenerated by the recording device.

[Anonimas]

thanks for the indepth info. interesting to get more context.

btw, i think the title 'mov' might be autogenerated by the recording device.

That's right but what's the point of uploading video to youtube and making it almost impossible to find using search? Sending it to scouts is the only useful thing I can think of.

[brooklynoxy]

As much as the YouTube video impressed me concerning this player's shot-blocking, foot-work and rebounding, how can we know how these skills would translate to the NBA game?

While it is true that we are talking about the Knicks 15th spot on their roster, I have to admit that I am biased towards Grunwald going after a guy like Ivan Johnson who may not be 7'2, but could seriously bolster our interior defense with his inherent toughness and a bit of an 'attitude', which I like ; )

For some reason, I have this obsession with Earl Barron, who does have a bit of an offensive game (which I am not looking for in a reserve 5), but can rebound. My issue with him is that he doesn't seem to be able to stick on an NBA team, and I am unsure as to why? New York signs him, waives him, signs him, etc. I believe he was with Miami last season, as well.

I also like Lou Amundson and while I think Murry is not the positional player we need right now, a young 6'5 PG who received a camp invite, is interesting. For the potential and all of that stuff.

[TheToothFairy]

Hello, I'm from Lithuania (Galdikas' native country) and I have some more information about him. The guy seems to be quite talented, has decent mid-range shooting and has perfect height, mobility, agility combination. The only reason he's unknown now is because his life is (or atleast was) a huge failure. He had a sex with ~13 years old girl, which looked quite mature and lied him about her age, telling him that she's 16-17 years old girl seems to be a total whore as she was boasting in the media, after becoming the youngest wife in Lithuania, that she had first sex when she was only 10 years old (again with 18+ guy). Galdikas was 18 or 19 at that time and that girl became pregnant... He had a choice: go to jail for having sex with kid or marry her. Of course he has chosen to marry her... And that's when his life became even more complicated. He was a member of Žalgiris-Arvydas Sabonis school for one season (2006-2007) and had all possibilities to move into Žalgiris (Lithuanian league champions, former Euroleague champions) after a few seasons as he was quite perspective big man. However Žalgiris-Arvydas Sabonis school wasn't paying enough for him to fulfill his family needs and that's why he left Žalgiris-Arvydas Sabonis school (despite the fact that he LOVES basketball) and went to factory, later - auto service and worked hard-work for a few years to fed his new family. Then around ~2009 basketball agent Baroga (his current agent) and Klemensas (Lithuanian basketball player, which played in France at that time) noticed him. A 7'2 Lithuanian tower which don't play basketball in a basketball-crazy nation (as he described). However he wasn't ready for professional basketball so Baroga and Klemensas started training him (see videos below). Klemensas took him to France for training and then he joined Vilnius KM-Magnus (third-tier Lithuanian league club) during 2009–2010 season and averaged 21.2 points, 10.9 rebounds. Next season he joined Anykščiai Puntukas (second-tier Lithuanian league club) and averaged 14.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3 blocks. Too bad he had to miss 2011-2012 season due to injuries. Then last season he joined Šiauliai. Too bad they don't gave him enough playing time and he had only decent stats (I think he could had double-double per 25-30 minutes) because Šiauliai had Papa Dia (former Euroleague player). So all in all, I think that if we would delete the part with that girl from his life, he could have been NBA drafted or at least playing for decent Euroleague club and I think he still could make to Lithuania national team after a few years if he will develop as fast as he did so far. The guy seems to be closely talented (shoot blocking, rebounding) and hard-working to Jonas Valančiūnas just don't have enough experience and offensive arsenal like a 24 year old guy, but he's still pretty good at defense now. Previously there also was a guy Eurelijus Žukauskas which started his career when he was 21 year old and developed into a decent Euroleague defensive center and Lithuania national team member. Galdikas has potential to do this too if he will work, I think. I would be very happy if Knicks would give him a chance as a 15th man. If not, well Knicks still helped him to partly recover his reputation and maybe Žalgiris or Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuanian league vice-champions) will give him a second chance. Interesting fact is that Knicks observes him for more than 3 years and even Knicks president visited Šiauliai last season to meet with Galdikas and watch his game play (sadly, he was injured at that time).
Galdikas' training videos with Klemensas (4 years ago):
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCqWMQMS5xc[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGxeuaVCFvg[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIf90OLgc4s[/youtube]
From ~0:25
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNFR536mcJc[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYJnrtDWhnk[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu3bP4fQtuw[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_90v0EbyOw[/youtube]
Keep in mind that he wasn't training or playing basketball for a few years before all this training. He's much better now. And I'm curious why the heck Klemensas was recording Galdikas training (plus naming these youtube videos just "MOVxxxx"? Maybe for Knicks?

Wow, what a great write up..

I've seen enough to offer him the 15th spot

He defends and blocks shots

[Anonimas]

As much as the YouTube video impressed me concerning this player's shot-blocking, foot-work and rebounding, how can we know how these skills would translate to the NBA game?

While it is true that we are talking about the Knicks 15th spot on their roster, I have to admit that I am biased towards Grunwald going after a guy like Ivan Johnson who may not be 7'2, but could seriously bolster our interior defense with his inherent toughness and a bit of an 'attitude', which I like ; )

For some reason, I have this obsession with Earl Barron, who does have a bit of an offensive game (which I am not looking for in a reserve 5), but can rebound. My issue with him is that he doesn't seem to be able to stick on an NBA team, and I am unsure as to why? New York signs him, waives him, signs him, etc. I believe he was with Miami last season, as well.

I also like Lou Amundson and while I think Murry is not the positional player we need right now, a young 6'5 PG who received a camp invite, is interesting. For the potential and all of that stuff.

I think Knicks are mainly choosing from Bobby Brown, Sean May, D.J. White, Lester Hudson and Galdikas (five-man workout) for the 15th spot. From this list I think Ovidijus Galdikas and Bobby Brown are considered the most. Bobby Brown was a star in Euroleague due his decent ability to play 1x1 and when Euroleague is more team-basketball than 1x1 he looked some kind special there, however since NBA is a home of 1x1, it wouldn't be that easy for him and by the way Knicks have Melo, Bargnani, J.R. Smith so what's the point of adding another scorer (his defense is poor)?

I know nothing about Hudson or D.J. White, but Sean May is a scrub (at least here, in Europe). He's fat, slow, small and sucked in Euroleague. That's why he played for some random Paris club last season and after all he's 29 year old already.

I saw rumors about Haddadi but since he's probably the best Asian basketball player at the moment (Iran won FIBA Asia tournament recently; Haddadi was named finals MVP after scoring 29 points and grabbing 16 rebounds), I don't think he will want to be 15th man in the team and sign a low salary contract.

[TheToothFairy]

As much as the YouTube video impressed me concerning this player's shot-blocking, foot-work and rebounding, how can we know how these skills would translate to the NBA game?

While it is true that we are talking about the Knicks 15th spot on their roster, I have to admit that I am biased towards Grunwald going after a guy like Ivan Johnson who may not be 7'2, but could seriously bolster our interior defense with his inherent toughness and a bit of an 'attitude', which I like ; )

For some reason, I have this obsession with Earl Barron, who does have a bit of an offensive game (which I am not looking for in a reserve 5), but can rebound. My issue with him is that he doesn't seem to be able to stick on an NBA team, and I am unsure as to why? New York signs him, waives him, signs him, etc. I believe he was with Miami last season, as well.

I also like Lou Amundson and while I think Murry is not the positional player we need right now, a young 6'5 PG who received a camp invite, is interesting. For the potential and all of that stuff.

I think Knicks are mainly choosing from Bobby Brown, Sean May, D.J. White, Lester Hudson and Galdikas (five-man workout) for the 15th spot. From this list I think Ovidijus Galdikas and Bobby Brown are considered the most. Bobby Brown was a star in Euroleague due his decent ability to play 1x1 and when Euroleague is more team-basketball than 1x1 he looked some kind special there, however since NBA is a home of 1x1, it wouldn't be that easy for him and by the way Knicks have Melo, Bargnani, J.R. Smith so what's the point of adding another scorer (his defense is poor)?

I know nothing about Hudson or D.J. White, but Sean May is a scrub (at least here, in Europe). He's fat, slow, small and sucked in Euroleague. That's why he played for some random Paris club last season and after all he's 29 year old already.

I saw rumors about Haddadi but since he's probably the best Asian basketball player at the moment (Iran won FIBA Asia tournament recently; Haddadi was named finals MVP after scoring 29 points and grabbing 16 rebounds), I don't think he will want to be 15th man in the team and sign a low salary contract.

We already signed Udri, Brown can't be an option

[Anonimas]

We already signed Udri, Brown can't be an option

Woops... Haven't noticed that.

[Pharmcat]

why sign this guy when you could get hadidi (sp?) who has nba experience

[moocow007]

I think Knicks are mainly choosing from Bobby Brown, Sean May, D.J. White, Lester Hudson and Galdikas (five-man workout) for the 15th spot. From this list I think Ovidijus Galdikas and Bobby Brown are considered the most.

Don't see that happening at all. The Knicks no doubt needed an influx of youth and athleticism from last season geriatric crew but realize they already have added 3 young guys who have played a combined 63 games in the NBA. They will also have Shumpert back fully healthy to provide youthful energy and athleticism. They are, at the end of the day, still a team trying to win now. Cannot see them going with yet another unproven player...not at all.

Bobby Brown was a star in Euroleague due his decent ability to play 1x1 and when Euroleague is more team-basketball than 1x1 he looked some kind special there, however since NBA is a home of 1x1, it wouldn't be that easy for him and by the way Knicks have Melo, Bargnani, J.R. Smith so what's the point of adding another scorer (his defense is poor)?

Brown may have been an option had they not signed Beno Udrih. But with Udrih on board they really have no need for Brown...who will be 29 years old this season. Brown's ability to score against European defenders likely wouldn't translate against NBA defenses.

I know nothing about Hudson or D.J. White, but Sean May is a scrub (at least here, in Europe). He's fat, slow, small and sucked in Euroleague. That's why he played for some random Paris club last season and after all he's 29 year old already.

Hudson is an inefficient volume shooter that really doesn't anything else well enough to warrant any real minutes with any real team. Other than a week of hot play, he's otherwise been a fringe NBA player at best. DJ White has a solid post game and can rebound the ball ok but his defense is limited and he's not shown the greatest grasp of a lot of intricate team play.

I saw rumors about Haddadi but since he's probably the best Asian basketball player at the moment (Iran won FIBA Asia tournament recently; Haddadi was named finals MVP after scoring 29 points and grabbing 16 rebounds), I don't think he will want to be 15th man in the team and sign a low salary contract.

He's unsigned right now and no team is really knocking his door down. He's averaged 2.2ppg and 2.5rpg on 46% shooting from the field for his career in the NBA. That's a 3rd string C. 3rd string C's sign for the vet minimum.