Slovenian NT 2015

[Joško Poljak Fan]

Udrih is out for Slovenia due to ankle injury, that probably means his NT career is over, unless we somehow manage get to 2016 Olympics. Goran Dragič will decide upon playing untill 16th of June. Without those two, expectations will be much lower and we are becoming dangerously thin on PG with only Klobučar that is basicaly more of a SG, bunch of oldies as Joksimovič, Lakovič and youngsters as Nikolič, Rebec that aren't yet ready for that level.

[Mindozas]

Slovenian NT 2015

Udrih is out for Slovenia due to ankle injury, that probably means his NT career is over, unless we somehow manage get to 2016 Olympics. Goran Dragič will decide upon playing untill 16th of June. Without those two, expectations will be much lower and we are becoming dangerously thin on PG with only Klobučar that is basicaly more of a SG, bunch of oldies as Joksimovič, Lakovič and youngsters as Nikolič, Rebec that aren't yet ready for that level.

Is it serious injury or just another excuse from Beno? Really feel sad for Slovenia, such great generation and never had the best roster possible

[slice me nice]

Udrih is out for Slovenia due to ankle injury, that probably means his NT career is over, unless we somehow manage get to 2016 Olympics. Goran Dragič will decide upon playing untill 16th of June. Without those two, expectations will be much lower and we are becoming dangerously thin on PG with only Klobučar that is basicaly more of a SG, bunch of oldies as Joksimovič, Lakovič and youngsters as Nikolič, Rebec that aren't yet ready for that level.

I don't know if Nikolic can play in this level but Rebec is obviously a great talent. He can manage to play in this level. The injury of Udrih is a chance for him to take more minutes on court.

I would definitely trust this guy if I would be Zdovc. From what I see in recent U 20 championship, this guy is the heated one and sometimes his mental problems preclude his efficiency. But still he was the one of the most talented guy. A complete guard who can shoot and pass the ball. Give him a try. I am his guarantor.

[Joško Poljak Fan]

Is it serious injury or just another excuse from Beno? Really feel sad for Slovenia, such great generation and never had the best roster possible

It's not an excuse this time. On previous occasions his ex-wife dictated where she wanted to go for holidays and that kind of didn't go well wth the NT schedule. He made some mistakes in the past, people that know him say he's aware of that, that means he's human, as far as I am concerned no hard feelings He mentioned beforehand he might have to take an ankle surgery offseason as he constantly had issues with it this season.

Too bad though, as anyone that has watched Grizzlies in the playoffs in the past 2 seasons could see the reason why he is one of the rare non-star euro guards that managed to stay in NBA for almost a decade now. He'd be a great counter-balance for that half court game we've struggled so much with in the past 2-3 tournaments.


@slice me nice; the fact is Zdovc isn't really a fan of unpredictable players that aren't 100% under control all of the time, that's the reason he (as well as Zvezda's Radonjić) don't like Blažič as well. As far as Rebec goes, I might've mentioned him too fast as some people claim his knee is completely ruined and rehabilitation questionable. Big loss if it's true, as I really adore the way Rebec is able to play as well.

edit as mentioned in Serbian 2015 NT thread, feel free to create other NT threads, it's time to spark eurobasket up

[Mindozas]

It's not an excuse this time. On previous occasions his ex-wife dictated where she wanted to go for holidays and that kind of didn't go well wth the NT schedule. He made some mistakes in the past, people that know him say he's aware of that, that means he's human, as far as I am concerned no hard feelings He mentioned beforehand he might have to take an ankle surgery offseason as he constantly had issues with it this season.

Atleast it's good to read that it's not an excuse this time Anyway, this news made me quite sad, cause Slovenia always have been among my favorite teams besides LT

[soulis79]

The last time Udrih played for Slovenia was at WC 2006. He is a good player, he made a solid season with Memphis but Slovenia can't miss a player who had never played(except 2006) in Fiba tournaments.

Zdovc is a good coach and he will build a competitive team for Eurobasket.

[Mindozas]

The last time Udrih played for Slovenia was at WC 2006. He is a good player, he made a solid season with Memphis but Slovenia can't miss a player who had never played(except 2006) in Fiba tournaments.

Zdovc is a good coach and he will build a competitive team for Eurobasket.

You can't miss a player, who can improve your team. I bet Udrih could do that for sure

[Joško Poljak Fan]

The last time Udrih played for Slovenia was at WC 2006. He is a good player, he made a solid season with Memphis but Slovenia can't miss a player who had never played(except 2006) in Fiba tournaments.

Zdovc is a good coach and he will build a competitive team for Eurobasket.

Emm. Well, we still do miss him, I can't understand how couldn't we. We miss him all that more because of that

If Goran won't play, even Zdovc will have troubles building a competitive team out of decent, yet nothing in particular special players, even if I personaly believe he is one of the most underated coaches in europe that oly needs a good chance to proove that. And with competitive that for me means competing with just about anybody in the tournament.

Thanks Mindozas missing on both those PGs would surely hurt, but than again relieve the team from all the pressure and than maybee we'd get a chance to surprise in a positive manner once for a change

[Peace]

Slovenija good playing basketball but admin no ban!! please!

Please ADMIN. Delete picture and Warn this user.

Uploading(Linking) this picture is tantamount to child abuse.

[Picek]

It's not an excuse this time. On previous occasions his ex-wife dictated where she wanted to go for holidays and that kind of didn't go well wth the NT schedule. He made some mistakes in the past, people that know him say he's aware of that, that means he's human, as far as I am concerned no hard feelings He mentioned beforehand he might have to take an ankle surgery offseason as he constantly had issues with it this season.

according to the press he sent a text message to Zdovc, informing him about his situation..
good old Beno. screwed things up again..

[Terrorizer]

Too bad though, as anyone that has watched Grizzlies in the playoffs in the past 2 seasons could see the reason why he is one of the rare non-star euro guards that managed to stay in NBA for almost a decade now. He'd be a great counter-balance for that half court game we've struggled so much with in the past 2-3 tournaments.

I don't know why you should feel missing on Udrih. I haven't watched Memphis all that much but he does nothing particularly well and the fact that he stayed in NBA for a decade is almost as indicative of NBA's weirdness (let's put it that way) as painfully over-the-hill Pero Antik being a solid role player for one of the presumably best teams in that league. If I have to point out one of the most obvious example of a completely mediocre European player who thrived in NBA, then Udrih would be one of my first choices As far as I know, he's a prick as a person and always found enough excuses not to play for Slovenian NT since time immemorial. I consider his absence as much more of a blessing than a curse.

By the way, I think that a coach like Zdovc can find a way to build a competitive team out of this not overly impressive but solid core of players. I haven't watched Olimpija that much but from what I've seen both Prepelic and Omic were progressing well this season finding some confidence in the process which was especially surprising for me to see from Klemen.

Also I've seen Ulm more than Olimpija this season and Klobucar surprised me in a positive way. His shot selection wasn't the best and he made some stupid turnovers but overall he felt himself fine as a somewhat unpredictable (for his opponents) combo guard. Previously he often shied away in tense situations and wasn't tough mentally but right now, I guess, he feels himself much more confident. Ulm played a good season showing very effective use of their advantages but with Zdovc I expect Slovenia to be a coachable team also. I think that Jure can find him a decent role in the team as Klobucar is a smart and skilled guy who can do a little bit of everything.

I won't be surprised if Slovenia would be eliminated early but with some luck, I guess, they can have quite a decent run in elimination round if Zdovc would have enough guts to build a team instead of Zoran Dragic, his little bro and some others who play defense and watch what the previous two can do against the opposing team in offense. Quite an unpredictable team to me.

[Joško Poljak Fan]

Well, Udrih certanly is no wonder, he has plusses and minuses, however liking NBA or not, you've got to admit playing as a starter at some point, changing teams faster than the underwear and still playing in the league for 10 or 11 seasons now, it does take some noticable quality to achieve that. Not being particulary athletic, white, not a great defender, fits more to european game than NBA, how many players like him are out there playing minutes and producing actually? few to none. I disagree with him staying in the league being more or less a miracle.
Those that have seen Memphis in the playoffs the last two seasons, nevermind Udrih can't and never was able to guard properly a player as Curry, might have a diametricaly different opinion, especially when comparing him to over half of other euro NBAers out there, that will in some cases make the bulk of their respective national teams after sitting out most of the season.

This way we're getting to a really weird point I've been noticing around, where Calathes playing would be big for Greece and his arrival to Europe might reinforce either Pao, Fener or some other top8 club nicely compared to the amusement on how exactly would Slovenian NT miss a player as Udrih

Anyway since he is gone, it doesn't really matter all that much.


Omić and Prepelič are sadly both head cases. Omić is dumb and immature and only the fact players are softer than back in the 90ies is saving him from being regulary beaten up by his teamates, the likes of Gorenc or Smodiš would have destroyed the man, Prepelič whines and lacks the mental attitude. He can be used as an occasional 3 point shooter, but only as a complimentary player, god forbid he gets a more meaningfull role out there. Neither of them seems bad at first sight, with all those stories about them in the background, perception changes fast.

Klobučar surprised me in a positive way as well, however at the world Championship it was obvious he isn't used to play at that level and became a bit more reserved than I'd like him to be.

Realisticaly I think anything higher than 7-8th place would be a positive surprise, while in case Goran doesn't show up top8 would actualy be a very good achievement. That being said, with some of the fans being fired up about their NT's, that doesn't mean I believe Slovenia will be passed lightly or that they'd be some heavy favourites just because of their high hopes/expectations.

[Peace]

https://twitter.com/yugobasket/status/606018781077467136

Head coach Jure Zdovc is considering to add a naturalized player (American) to center position in Slovenian NT. Via @kosarkasi

Bryant Dunston

http://www.kosarka.si/zdovc-bi-luknje-pod-obrocem-reprezentance-zakrpal-z-dunstonom/

https://twitter.com/kosarkasi/status/606030935163850752

Zdovc bi luknje pod obročem reprezentance zakrpal z Dunstonom

[INTEGRAL]

https://twitter.com/yugobasket/statu...18781077467136

Head coach Jure Zdovc is considering to add a naturalized player (American) to center position in Slovenian NT. Via @kosarkasi

Bryant Dunston

http://www.kosarka.si/zdovc-bi-luknje-pod-obrocem-reprezentance-zakrpal-z-dunstonom/

https://twitter.com/kosarkasi/status/606030935163850752

Zdovc bi luknje pod obročem reprezentance zakrpal z Dunstonom

Why not PF? Vidmar and Begic are 2 great defenders. What will Dunston bring something else to Slovenia? To try neutralize different kind of tall is much more logical such as Paul Davis, Randolph

[Joško Poljak Fan]

I'm not sure exactly yet what to think about it. One reporter got that out today, might be true, but than again even by now almost noone yet realised Slovenia once tried to naturalise Brook Lopez (Brooklyn Nets) and It's hard to say how seriously should we take this rumour.

@Integral, Begić is also a naturalised player, leaving only Vidmar and Bolčina (206PF/C 94')+Dimec (211 C, 93') which are both a bit young and most definately not good enough for the level if the naturalisation spot in taken on other position. PF eventhough it's not the strongest spot it can be hidden through stretch 3 pointers by Balažič, Edo Murič occasionaly helping from SF or someone in the lines of Zupan, Slokar, potentialy even Erazem Lorbek that took a year of to get completely healthy (and I've honestly heard nothing about his recovery so far).
It's easier to find some "hidden solution" for PF compared to playing without a good defensive center - the latter is worth almost as much as a quality PG

I'm not exactly fan of naturalising Dunston, as he has absolutely no connection with Slovenia, apart from the fact Olimpija tried to sign him before Olympiakos did, however most people are saying that everybody is doing it and noone cares about the principles anymore. Mirza was at least staying here since a young age, has family here etc.