Dragan Sakota says Peja won't play for Serbia Montenegro

[stuart]

Is this much of a surprise?

Peja won't play for Serbia Montenegro, coach says
BELGRADE, Serbia Montenegro -- Defending champion Serbia Montenegro will be without star forward Peja Stojakovic at the 2006 World Championships in Japan this summer, his coach told a newspaper.

Stojakovic, who finished the 2005-06 season with the Indiana Pacers, averaged 18.8 points in the 2002 World Championships for Yugoslavia, which stunned Team USA and went on to defeat Argentina in overtime for the title.

However, the former NBA All-Star has not played internationally the last three summers.

New Serbia Montenegro coach Dragan Sakota said in Novosti, a Belgrade newspaper, that the sharpshooter will not be in Japan.

"He couldn't refuse my call as I didn't call him at all," said Sakota, who also coaches Red Star Belgrade. "The story about his presence in Japan started two months ago when we spoke on the subject.

"But, as I have said, the results are not the priority at this World Championship; working on a new, youthful team is. It will be different for the European Championship in 2007, when we will add some of our big names. That is what I have told Stojakovic."

Stojakovic is not the only big name skipping the event for the perennial power, which has fallen on some uncharacteristic hard times of late. Both NBA forward Zeljko Rebraca and European star forward Dejan Bodiroga also will not be on the roster.

"I am really confused why (Stojakovic) is always the subject of talks here as Rebraca and Bodiroga won't play in Japan, either," Sakota said.

Sakota was tight-lipped on whether the country's other NBA stars such as Marko Jaric, Vladimir Radmanovic and Nenad Krstic would take part.

"I didn't say a word on them, right? That's because we'll have to wait a bit and see if they play in Japan," the coach said. "A full list of the names of the players I want to be in our squad this summer will be sent to the federation shortly and soon after we will announce it officially."

Since its world title in 2002, Serbia Montenegro has not lived up to its billing. It failed to get out of group play in the 2004 Olympics and Eurobasket 2005 despite a roster stacked with stars as it was dragged down by chemistry issues.

However, the Serbs received one of four wild cards into the 24-team World Championships, which begins in August. They are in Group A with Olympic champions Argentina, France, Nigeria, Venezuela and Lebanon.

[carlosGC]

"He couldn't refuse my call as I didn't call him at all," said Sakota, who also coaches Red Star Belgrade. "The story about his presence in Japan started two months ago when we spoke on the subject.

"I am really confused why (Stojakovic) is always the subject of talks here as Rebraca and Bodiroga won't play in Japan, either," Sakota said.

This guy is either lying or insane (maybe both). How can he leave behind Stojakovic and Bodiroga. If this is the case in the end, well I'd have to remove Serbia from the main contender list.
Stojakovic and Bodiroga are in my opinion unique and irreplaceable (remember WC 2002 final).

[Joško Poljak Fan]

If Šakota manages would improve S&M's team-relationships, I'd say S&M is one of rare (maybee 4-5) countries in the world that can leave home their 2-3 best players and still be a contender.
Stojakovič's scoring can be replaced by others, so can be Bodiroga's leadership... of course if Šakota manages to establish a system well-suited for those 8-9 players that will spend majority time on court which since 2002 has failed every time- since he'll try to involve some of younger players, result is in the second place, that imo could lead to more defined roles of key players (Jarič, Radman, Krstič, Rakočevič) which alone have the quality to bring SCG a medal in a good scenario with some luck, and those undefined roles was killing them recently, since all 12 players considered themselves as some superstars and noone was willing to make some neccesarry adjustments for the team or do the dirtywork...

[kestas]

This guy is either lying or insane (maybe both). How can he leave behind Stojakovic and Bodiroga. If this is the case in the end, well I'd have to remove Serbia from the main contender list.
Stojakovic and Bodiroga are in my opinion unique and irreplaceable (remember WC 2002 final).

well, reality is such that to some (me including) it looks as if Serbs will actually stand much better chances without Stojakovic and Bodiroga (and some other vets as well). besides, for LTU the Eurobasket next year is more important than this year's Worlds. I presume it is the same for the Serbs.

[wardjdim]

Well, this is really good news if u want my opinion.
Bodiroga, Rebraca and Tomasevis have anyway retired from International play last summer, while Peja is not really as important to Serbia.
Serbia will need to build around team play and thats the best timing for them. It will al depend on their charesmatic offensive players and on whether the inside youngsters (Milicic, Krstic) will be able to dominate the paint...
I dont know whether Rakocevic will be the best leader to succeed Bodiroga, but it is obvious that he has more upside than most perimeter players there (Vujanic is questionable anyway and Jaric isnt much of an offensive distributor), while they could be the most unlucky team, having Radmanovic hurting their team play, despite im having excellent size, shooting and athleticism for the International game...

[carlosGC]

Stojakovic's scoring can be replaced by others, so can be Bodiroga's leadership...

...Bodiroga, Rebraca and Tomasevis have anyway retired from International play last summer...

Surely you can replace the two players in terms of role in the team. But speaking about clutch, performace, effectiveness in crucial moments, I have some doubts. Of course, this is my judgement and I could be mistaken. OK, I didn't know Bodiroga had retired from the national team.

...which alone have the quality to bring SCG a medal in a good scenario with some luck,...

Yeah, I agree with you on that, considering their past results (2004 Olympics and Eurobasket 2005).

Originally, words from ?akota
"But, as I have said, the results are not the priority at this World Championship; working on a new, youthful team is. It will be different for the European Championship in 2007, when we will add some of our big names.

...besides, for LTU the Eurobasket next year is more important than this year's Worlds...

Comments like that sort sound kinda provocative or annoying(at least to us, who are not part of Europe). Also, when someone says that a regional championship is more important to them than the World Championships, to some it might kinda sound like early excuses in case of fiasco/failure. I know competition in Europe is strong, and it is probably the strongest in the world, and I even consider European basketball is more sound in basis/foundations than bb in US. BUT the World Championship, just due to its name is or should be ranked as the number one basketball event. I would place the Olympics in second place, and after that "your European Championship".

Originally, words from ?akota
"But, as I have said, the results are not the priority at this World Championship; working on a new, youthful team is. It will be different for the European Championship in 2007, when we will add some of our big names.

Also if he (?akota) really meant what he said, it's a disgrace, considering they were given a wild-card. I mean there were other worthy teams (Croatia, Russia, Israel, to name a few) who were undoubtedly going to take the best they have to Japan if they were given a wild-card. Anyway, I wish them luck (actually, not too much considering they're in our group)

And comments like that should worry FIBA also, for they are undervaluing the WC. But perhaps it's their (FIBA) fault too, lets see how many spots were given to Asia, and Africa?. SIX. Let's be realistic, those teams are NOT world-class. I predict that not one team from the mentioned continents will pass the group stage. OK, maybe some team can qualify; at most FOURTH, China (BTW I read @ pickandroll.com.ar that they were training in some airbase in Pekin dressed with combat uniforms. Are they going to war or what? Will this help?) has some remote chances, and perhaps can overperform, like they did in Greece 2004. BTW, i have nothing against those teams or continents (and i know my words are/were not kind, take no offense, it's only my opinion) it's just that they are below average, and I really wish them luck (they'll surely need it) and hope they improve in the future.

Maybe FIBA should reorganize the championships, up to 28 or perhaps 32 teams and give more places for european teams.

[DZK]

CarlosGC...results are not important to Sakota beacuse Serbia needs to build their future around new generation that is coming...the current generation already achieved what was expected of them...now it is time for new kids on the block...such remodeling is essential if you want to have a medal winning team for the EC, WC and Olympics...if you look at Argentina with Ginobili, Scola, Oberto, Herrmann,...this generation that brought great results was molded for years...at today's level of basketball it is impossible to just patch up your national team with few new youngsters and expect you are still the contender for top spots...every national team has to go through transition of making new successful generation...even Argentina will have to, essentialy.

My oppinion is that Sakota chose the right time...domestic EC in 2005 was last competition for the "old" generation in their mandate...probably it was even planned that they would have their last peak playing in front of home crowd...unfortunatley for them it didn't go through.

I respect decision by Sakota to start building new young team...his goal should be to qualify for the Olympics through next EC and be among top contenders for Olympic medals.

[carlosGC]

...results are not important to Sakota beacuse Serbia needs to build their future around new generation that is coming...

I know, i've read the article above dude. What I think is that it should have been done way before (building their future around new generation), I mean they should have foreseen it after WC2002.(not just before WC2006)

[wardjdim]

Carlos, for teams like Serbia, it is impossible not to get a wild card, when wild cards are to be given... They are the 2-time World Champions defending their crown. Be real my friend.
Again, I think that realism doesnt hurt and Sakota is taking the right decision. Ok, I am one of those people who consider Bodiroga as a god, but he is 33 now and already retired, as are the rest of the Serbian veterans. Next year onwards, as far as I know, Dejan Milojevic should be playing for his native Montenegro (Matiz/Kristian, correct me guys if I m wrong), so I just don't consider him as a part of their future rosters (Vlado Scepanovic is anyway to old to talk about potential). The bad part is that the team will likely be missing Zarko Cabarkapa and Sasha Pavlovic (again, I need correction in case I m mistaken), younger players with still some upside.
Normally, if Igor Rakocevic/Marko Jaric/Milos Vujanic (if healthy...) are willing to participate and co-operate with their teammates, while being complemented by the younger Vule Avdalovic (he had a really great season) and the overrated, yet nice shooting guard Uros Tripkovic, then their backcourt could be just fine, if not contending.
In the forwards, of course Milojevic will be helping much this year, but not later, while, despite his amazing season, Milan Gurovic is 30 years old. I always disliked Vladimir Radmanovic's bad mentality in the National team, but he is their most important guy. Sure a role player, he has no potential to be a star, but he is veratile and creates mis-matches at any given competition.

Here, if Radmanovic cannot accept or adapt the key role, the Serbians could go in small backcourts and use much Darko Milicic at power forward, while Nenad Krstic can take over the center. Both Nikola Pekovic and Kosta Perovic are young centers and despite Perovic's complete disappointment, it is still possible that they will grow to be decent back-up players for the two frontcourt guys, especially with more playing time for both of them in the Euroleague. Same goes for Vladan Vukosavljevic, a guy who really impressed me in the Uleb Cup this year. He isn't extraordinary, athletic and all-around, but can definitely score and he can offer scoring minutes off the bench in the near future for them. If Nemanja Alexandrov finally enjoys playing time in Red Star and stays healthy, he could show slashes of his talent and skills. Dragan Labovic, Vladimir Dasic and the little older Luka Bogdanovic could ideally complement Nemanja for the years to come at the forward positions, while swingman Milenko Tepic will only get better with such a great rookie season in the Serbian League.

I really don't see any reasons to worry for Serbia, despite all the changes. It is a transition period and it is obvious that with all this success their younger teams and players are enjoying, it will be easy for them to create a future. In 1986, Yugoslavia lost a WC due to Vlade Divac's inexperience and in 1987 their potential stars were still young and finished third in the Eurobasket. But in the 1989-91 period, they managed to create one of the two most beautiful teams that the world hoops ever saw, so no real worries here..

[DZK]

I know, i've read the article above dude. What I think is that it should have been done way before (building their future around new generation), I mean they should have foreseen it after WC2002.(not just before WC2006)

You said it all...they should have done it earlier...but they haven't...so I do not understand why you have problem with Sakota's conclusion that it is time for a change and the result at WC 2006 is not priority?...he took over headcoach position this year...and he is smart enogh to see in what sort of a mess their national team selection is (was)...he is not underestimating the competition at WC 2006, he is just being down to earth about the result their team can achieve if they want long term success.

You should also understand that changes after WC 2002 were probably not possible as they were host for EC 2005 and they had great expectations of becoming european champion in front of homecrowd...you don't take such risk and start transition of national team just 3 years before the most important event in decade...yes, they blew it anyway...but nobody could predict chemistry of the team would be so bad.

[Nikoo]

Same goes for Vladan Vukosavljevic, a guy who really impressed me in the Uleb Cup this year. He isn't extraordinary, athletic and all-around, but can definitely score and he can offer scoring minutes off the bench in the near future for them.

And also he can eat the opponent team

What about one young center from Crvena Zvezda, he played great against Lukoil Akademik. His name was Mishanovitc or something, he can be decend back-up after 3 or 4 years

[carlosGC]

Carlos, for teams like Serbia, it is impossible not to get a wild card, when wild cards are to be given

Really. Then by all means, let's give Serbia a fixed place for all the Championships . To give wildcards was IMO a mistake. It would have been more decent to create an eight-team tournament, where four would qualify, giving a chance to Russia, Croatia, and Israel whom did better at European Championships.

I do not understand why you have problem with Sakota's conclusion that it is time for a change and the result at WC 2006 is not priority

Reconsidering (I really don't want to be more polemic; I sincerely haven't delved to much in the matter and you guys surely are more acquainted with their current players/possible team), I really don't have a problem, hell he can do what he thinks is best. Although, to tell you the truth I was kinda hoping to pay off old scores, I mean we need a rEvEnGe for WC2002. I really wanted to see if Argentina could beat Serbia with Stojakovic, Jaric and the now retired Bodiroga. (the one point victory, with Ginóbili's buzzerbeater wasn't enough, at least not for me, the match didn't determine nothing, I remember even China beat them then). We did loose the most important game, the World Title match. (our team really f*cked up in the end; might have been our victory if Ginóbili hadn't been injured, you know how he "kills of" every important game). As you can see I still lament that loss. Also if Serbia presents a knew/young team, Argentina has all the pressure and much more to loose.

[kestas]

Comments like that sort sound kinda provocative or annoying(at least to us, who are not part of Europe). Also, when someone says that a regional championship is more important to them than the World Championships, to some it might kinda sound like early excuses in case of fiasco/failure. I know competition in Europe is strong, and it is probably the strongest in the world, and I even consider European basketball is more sound in basis/foundations than bb in US. BUT the World Championship, just due to its name is or should be ranked as the number one basketball event. I would place the Olympics in second place, and after that "your European Championship".

no, no, no.. next year's Eurobasket will be a quallification tournament for the Olympic games. shoot me right now, if World Championships are more valuable to the country than Olympic games. enter "Lithuania" in www.google.com/trends and see when the World cares about such a small country like we are (peak C).
in terms of FIBA points they're equal, but in terms of recognition - never. so Lithuania officialy preferes Olympic games to World Championships and the main goal of each cycle is to do well in the Olympic games. the point that these World Championships should be considered a preparation for next years Eurobasket is an official opinion of our basketball federation, voiced numerous times by the president of Federation (as far as I understand everything I've read and heard).

anyways, this does not mean that Lithuania will be going there for anything less than a medal. truth is that Lithuania participated in all Olympic games there were since we regained independance and took 3 bronzes and one fourth place. but in case of World Championships this year in Japan will be only second attempt at this title for us. We have to set priorities - otherwise we will not do good anywhere as our resources are limited. our most basic priority is Olympic basketball tournament for the men.
On the other hand, our basketball is evolving very rapidly, we have two men's National teams, so I think the time will come when Lithuania will start leaving its mark in every tournament there is. this year's Worlds will feature both ladies' and men's teams and hopefully the time will come when both of those teams will be participating and fighting for the medals in the Olympic games as well - I'm sure that's our main goal.

k

[carlosGC]

OK, I know you value more the Olympics than WC.

next year's Eurobasket will be a quallification tournament for the Olympic games

Like you said, next year. And there is time to prepare for next year.
I mean to conform a solid team you need a sustained COHERENT training for 4 or 5 weeks (and of course decent players), or even possibly up to 2-3 months, but NOT more. A team is good because it prepared cleverly for some tournament (and of course you can have stars in a team, like I said before I would have liked a Arg-Serbia rematch with all their stars).

[Srle]

Some candidates for our national team.
Centers:Krstic,Milicic,Ilic,Perovic
PF-Milojevic,Pekovic,Savanovic,Askrabic,Labovic,Erceg
SF-Radmanovic,Bogdanovic,Gurovic
SG-Cvetkovic,Tripkovic,Tepic,Dozet
pg-Avdalovic,Rakocevic,Marinovic,Teodosic

I think our future is bright.We are in the period of struggle but we have alot of young talents.