It seems hard to believe now but there was a time when the American view of European players, with the exception perhaps of Arvydas Sabonis, was that they were mostly interested in three point shooting and not at all able to stand up to the rigors of the NBA.
A 6-5 guard from Lithuania, Maru010diulionis was powerful and brilliant in the open court. Like Sabonis, he was forced to play for the Soviets early in his career. One of the real highlights of basketball history was when the Grateful Dead helped sponsor the newly formed Lithuanian basketball team, which played in tie-dye T-shirts.