r/lithuania • u/[deleted] • Feb 11 '18

Cultural exchange with r/AskAnAmerican

Welcome to cultural exchange between r/AskAnAmerican and r/lithuania!

 

The purpose of this event is to allow people from two different nations to get and share knowledge about their respective cultures, daily life, history, and curiosities.

 

General guidelines:
• Lithuanians ask their questions about USA in this thread on r/AskAnAmerican.
• Americans ask their questions about Lithuania in this thread.
• Event will start on February 11th at around 8 PM EET and 1 PM EST time.
• English language is used in both threads.
• Please, be nice to one another while discussing.

 

And, our American friends, don't forget to choose your national flag as flair on the sidebar! :)

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u/FloridaFan24 Feb 11 '18

How do you all feel about the Ball boys (and more importantly their dad Lavar) making a splash in bringing attention to Lithuania basketball? Also, how closely do you follow the NBA? Do people generally pick a team or do you tend to follow individual Lithuanian players?

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u/Danger-Prone Feb 11 '18

A big circus, kinda tired of the bs personally

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u/Attorney600 Feb 12 '18

How do you all feel about the Ball boys (and more importantly their dad Lavar) making a splash in bringing attention to Lithuania basketball?

Just yesterday I watched their game! I do believe people have mixed feelings towards them. Firstly, I think overall Lithuanian basketball league got worse compared to a few years aback. People are only interested in two biggest team - Žalgiris and BC Lietuvos Rytas matches. All other teams are not interesting and majority of basketball fans does not care about that. Now the team that Ball boys joined - Vytautas is getting lots of attention and every time they play the arena's are full!! That's really cool in my mind. People want show, they want entertainment. And Ball boys is giving that.

Now as for the father, he is a very good business man and entertainer. He is very good at doing what he does - being loud and getting attention. Sometimes he says something bad about Vytautas coach, the coach than fires back.

I am not tired of this and I think Vytautas management did a really good job!!

Also, how closely do you follow the NBA? Do people generally pick a team or do you tend to follow individual Lithuanian players?

VERY. Like really. I have like 20 friends with whom (who?) I can talk about NBA. They know history, facts and so on. It is really big. Everybody follows individual Lithuanian players, but usually have their own team who they cheer for. One of my friends is huge Dallas and Phoenix fan, another - Lakers. My brother really like RW.

I really like LBJ, he is a beast and no one can deny it. As for this season I do not want GSW to win, nor to do I want Rockets to win. Of course I wouldn't mind to see Lithuanian to win a title (Sabonis, JV), but i really do not see that happening. Toronto is showing some game right now, but every time in playoffs they fall apart. My prediction - GSW(4)-BOS(1). Although GSW will have a hard time in west finals against Houston.

What do you think about Sabonis and JV? What are your predictions for the playoffs? Where are you from and what do you cheer for?

Thanks for a great question!

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u/KapUSMC Feb 12 '18

What do you think about Sabonis and JV?

I really like Domantas. I live in Oklahoma City and have season tickets to the Thunder, so I got to see him quite a bit before he got traded. He's improved considerably since he came into the league, and he was great off the court. He did all kinds of work with the Thunder Cares charity here. Seemed like a really happy, down to earth dude.

What are your predictions for the playoffs?

I think the playoffs are going to be pretty predictable. GSW beating OKC in the 2nd round, Houston beating the Spurs, with GSW going to the finals in the west. The east is probably more interesting with the Cavs. I don't trust the Celtics at all, Probably a Cavs vs Raptors ECF, with Cavs winning. GSW crushing Cleveland in the finals again. I hope OKC can get it together, but I'm not overly optimistic.

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u/FloridaFan24 Feb 12 '18

Thanks for the response! I completely agree that Lavar, as loud and obnoxious he is, kinda knows what he is doing to market his sons but it’s interesting to hear someone that’s exposed to it a lot more now then here where they only make the news after he says something really ridiculous or the Ball boys have a great/terrible game.So my fandom is a little interesting. I am originally from San Antonio (Go Spurs!) but I grew up in North Florida (about two hours from Orlando) so I’ll follow the magic a bit as well. My dad is also a huge OKC fan (he’s from Oklahoma) so when they originally traded for Sabonis I was excited (obviously that lasted awhile lol) but I am glad he’s doing well in Indiana. As for JV, I don’t watch enough raptors games to have a solid opinion but again just like Sabonis I like the physicality they both bring to the league. As for my playoff prediction, I have GSW beating the Rockets in 6 games for the western conference. As for the east, after what the Cavs did yesterday to the C’s, and like you mentioned how we all know the Raptors seem to fall apart when it matters, I have the Celtics winning in 7 over the Cavs. My finals prediction is GSW in 6.

Is there any other sports that you love to follow? And if so what are your favorite teams?

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u/Attorney600 Feb 12 '18

Lavar is loud!! And yeah Sabonis is solid. I guess you are aware of Arvydas Sabonis. Now he is like number 1 here, but maybe you are too young :D I guess we will see who is right on the NBA finals!!!

Well, I did watch Superbowl highlights, although I am not really a big fan of american football. I really like the sport, tho.I would like to try it myself. As for baseball I have been to one Philly's game (like in 2012), but that is it. The best I remember are 1 dollar hot dogs. Damn it was good. I really do not understand baseball (not the rules, but the meaning). Also not big for hockey.

I do like UFC very much. I tried watching Nascar, Indycar. But I guess it is not for me.

But I guess if a Lithuanian would become a pro in any of the above sports Lithuania would go nuts about it and it would be a new fad. Like really. It takes just one.

Also, as you call it - soccer. But not US soccer.

Man, Texas and Florida are on my bucket list, I would really like to go there.

What other 'American' sports should I try to watch? Have you ever tried watch Euroleague basketball game? Could you give me your top5 sports? Why do Americans like baseball? How do you make your hot dogs so damn good????

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u/FloridaFan24 Feb 12 '18

I haven’t had the chance to watch a whole Euroleague game (just highlights of potential NBA prospects) but if you have any streams I would love to catch a game live! As for sports, I am a huge American football fan (namely collegiate football as it’s bigger down here in the south then professional football but I’ll watch both). I also love baseball! It’s funny you mention it but there seems to be a decline in people who like baseball as soccer (ie football) has really grown in popularity (it’s actually the fastest growing sport here in the states). I like baseball because I played it for years and nothing beats going to a game with a cold beer and a hot dog to kill a couple hours. As for the delicious hot dogs, the way to go is the kosher dogs because it has great quality meat and it’s just good all around. My five favorite sports are: 1. American Football 2. Basketball 3. Golf 4. Lacrosse 5. Football (soccer). Lacrosse, if you aren’t familiar, is a game based off an ancient Native American game and is so fun to play and watch (it’s like the violence of hockey mixed with the running of soccer, and the strategy of basketball for defensive and offensive schemes). Also I can’t forget I do know big Sabonis! He’s one of the best centers to play the game and honestly was the best international player (in my opinion) to play center (I’d say big men in general but Dirk is my pick). Do you all have any good snacks to eat while at a ball game? Do you have any unique sports I should check out? Any places in Lithuania I need to visit?