Originally posted by Mindozas
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Lithuanian NT 2017
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Tallent wise overall 00s was best times for us.We played best basketball in that decade.In 90s we had two superstars, without any doubt 2 of top5 european players back than was on our team.Now in 10s we have good solid team that plays hard and competes, but not a single one game changer player.Still our team perform well in playoffs , tradition and pride of lithuanian basketball is still there.
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Originally posted by Mindozas View PostMaybe it might sound a bit sacrilegiously, bearing in mind our results, but even without all the talent we missed, we could achieve more
00's could achieve so much more, but here's the thing - we were realistically contending in almost (with exception of 2001, whatever happened there...) all tournaments when stars showed up since 2000. We were second best team in 2000 OG (which is huge and IMO best Olympics for Lithuania of all time), champs of 2003, played as the best or second best team till semis in 2004 OG, dominated 2007 EB till Šaras got minor injury, nearly sneaking into the final of 2008 OG. Some heart breaking losses, but it was close losses and we were legit contenders.
And here's the truth, we have never realistically contended in 10's so far. Not even in 2013 and 2015. When you get swept in the final, you can't say you were legit contender.LTU NT will snatch Eurobasket 2029 title with this roster:
Jokubaitis, Marciulionis, Laurencikas
Indrusaitis, Brazdeikis, Rubstavicius
Buzelis, Lelevicius
Murauskas, Sirvydis
Tubelis, Krivas
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Originally posted by Straight forward View PostYou have a point here. When I picked that 00's all roster I had a bit of a doubt about Slanina and for some folks this is not so much of a name, but he was nailing 16,6 ppg for Žalgiris in 2001/2 season. Show me now Lithuanian guard who could do that? I pretty much doubt any of our current SGs would be able to do that, even given 30 minutes at below average Euroleague's club. And yet Slanina was basically a bench warmer for 00's NTs.
Originally posted by Straight forward View Post00's could achieve so much more, but here's the thing - we were realistically contending in almost (with exception of 2001, whatever happened there...) all tournaments when stars showed up since 2000. We were second best team in 2000 OG (which is huge and IMO best Olympics for Lithuania of all time), champs of 2003, played as the best or second best team till semis in 2004 OG, dominated 2007 EB till Šaras got minor injury, nearly sneaking into the final of 2008 OG. Some heart breaking losses, but it was close losses and we were legit contenders.
And here's the truth, we have never realistically contended in 10's so far. Not even in 2013 and 2015. When you get swept in the final, you can't say you were legit contender.
Then in 2001 we were seen as contenders and we were, afterall we were Olympic medalists, but federation made some freaking dumb moves in preparations, some key players like Saras were totally out of shape, Stombergas got injured and we fucked up. The worst came after, when after huge avalanche of critics Kazlauskas resigned. Maybe it should've happened after such tournament, some heads must fall, while Kazlauskas was always too sensitive regarding critics, but federation could've been smarter, give him some time, especially when they were responsible here too. Anyway, what happened happened.
Good that till 2003 we managed to clean our heads, had good qualifiers. Still, we were discussing with friends lot of times, what would've happened if that first game vs Latvia in 2003 would've been lost... especially remembering that lucky Macas' triple in the end of OT, when ball hit the side of the board... Who knows
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I dont think that game in 2000 versus Italy and very close lose was even a suprise that we lost. Before that game Italy was the favorites to win that game,not us without Sabonis and Karnisovas.Dont forget Italy was 1999 eurobasket champions,i believe that game was the key,when our younger team saw,that if they lost only by 1 point to european champions,they can play and from that point their game just become better and better.Same happend in 2010 after game versus Spain.Young teams needs to find a believe,when you are not sure how good you are.Similiar thing happend in 2013 vs Bosnia.Teams in those tournaments needs such type games,that test you and your team stability,after such games you fall apart or entire team gets united.For example in 2016 after game versus Spain we fell apart,in 2013 that game united the team and everybody came together.
I have said it before we lithuanians play better when we are underdogs.People forget that before 2000 and 2010 tournaments we were surely underdogs and in even 2003 to some degree too.Back in 2003 nobody knew how well can play Macijauskas and Siskauskas on highest level.In 1999,2001,2004,2011 we were one of main favorites and things didnt went well.
We need that somebody test us and only if we survive that test,we become very dangerous and united team.We need that somebody critize us and give us motivation to proove something.We even need fiascos like 2001 and 2009 to next year comeback stronger than ever (2003 and 2010).Its hard to explain,but when you look at your nt team history in tournaments,you can find such behaviuor not once or twice in last 25years.
I always like that before tournament our team is ranked like 6 or 7 or gets lots negative media articles,than i know they gonna come focused and motivated to play.And im always worry when they put as in rankings high and writes lots of good things about our team.Last edited by Shawshank; 04-28-2017, 03:33 PM.
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Originally posted by Hepcat View PostYou fellows are depressing me. Should I give up now?
LTU NT will snatch Eurobasket 2029 title with this roster:
Jokubaitis, Marciulionis, Laurencikas
Indrusaitis, Brazdeikis, Rubstavicius
Buzelis, Lelevicius
Murauskas, Sirvydis
Tubelis, Krivas
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Lithuania will play against Poland, Hungary and one yet unknown NT. The qualification to WC will take place in November. If we will miss all 4 NBA players, it's not going to be an easy task, but hope we would still have a very solid team for such tournament.
Something like this I guess:
Kalnietis, Lekavicius
Grigonis, Seibutis, Milaknis
Maciulis, Ulanovas
Jankunas, Orelikas, Sedekerskis
Gudaitis, Kavaliauskas
PS: Seems like Kristof Lavrinovic wouldn't mind to play for the NT...still. Seems like Adomaitis talked with him about possibility to play in November.LTU NT will snatch Eurobasket 2029 title with this roster:
Jokubaitis, Marciulionis, Laurencikas
Indrusaitis, Brazdeikis, Rubstavicius
Buzelis, Lelevicius
Murauskas, Sirvydis
Tubelis, Krivas
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Originally posted by Straight forward View PostLithuania will play against Poland, Hungary and one yet unknown NT. The qualification to WC will take place in November. If we will miss all 4 NBA players, it's not going to be an easy task, but hope we would still have a very solid team for such tournament.
Something like this I guess:
Kalnietis, Lekavicius
Grigonis, Seibutis, Milaknis
Maciulis, Ulanovas
Jankunas, Orelikas, Sedekerskis
Gudaitis, Kavaliauskas
PS: Seems like Kristof Lavrinovic wouldn't mind to play for the NT...still. Seems like Adomaitis talked with him about possibility to play in November.
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But did euroleague agree to let players play in those calendar window dates? Motiejunas last year said euroleague gonna decide on that in euroleague club managers meeting.Maybe i missed but i didnt read no news regarding euroleague players playing in the middle of the season.
Fiba and euroleague is not friends say the least here.
Nba wont allow to play its already clear, they said even usa gonna play without nba players.
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Originally posted by Shawshank View PostDelininkaitis told the press today that got the call from Adomaitis and they talked about nt.LTU NT will snatch Eurobasket 2029 title with this roster:
Jokubaitis, Marciulionis, Laurencikas
Indrusaitis, Brazdeikis, Rubstavicius
Buzelis, Lelevicius
Murauskas, Sirvydis
Tubelis, Krivas
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D.Motiejunas in newest interview same shit: this summer for him is ale critical.Or he gets long term nba contract or he leaves nba.He was asked what is his plans this summer: he talked only about his camp and no nt.When he was directly asked about nt: he said i want to play , if things went with his contract fast, he will join.Same as always, he will wait long and only than will sign with some euroleague club most likely scenerio.
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Originally posted by Shawshank View PostD.Motiejunas in newest interview same shit: this summer for him is ale critical.Or he gets long term nba contract or he leaves nba.He was asked what is his plans this summer: he talked only about his camp and no nt.When he was directly asked about nt: he said i want to play , if things went with his contract fast, he will join.Same as always, he will wait long and only than will sign with some euroleague club most likely scenerio.LTU NT will snatch Eurobasket 2029 title with this roster:
Jokubaitis, Marciulionis, Laurencikas
Indrusaitis, Brazdeikis, Rubstavicius
Buzelis, Lelevicius
Murauskas, Sirvydis
Tubelis, Krivas
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