Congratulations to Slovenia for the win. I think in the end they were more focused on the job and had a more even approach to the game and that's why they got the result.
Ukić said it the best in his interview when he said it was typical Croatian basketball story and that whenever the game is even we lose. We simply don't have the mental power to overcome setbacks during the game. It doesn't matter if it's missing some shots, coming up against more intensive defence, if we think the referee made a mistake or foul trouble to some players - the players with strong mentality can still win.
Slovenia is objectively better than us, if both teams are at full strength I think they're actually much better than us, but we were still in a position to win if we could keep cool or have some guys make good decisions. We don't have that and we don't have a coach who knows how to maximise the positive side while covering the negatives.
We always lose these kind of games with 5-6 minutes of poor play and then all the basics let us down (free throw shooting for example). It happens year after year and will only change when we get some guys into the ntaional team who have no connection with this loser mentality that plagues our basketball.
-
I think it was a close game as it almost always is...also I think EVERY win over a team from ex YU is a big win. (Mark my words it is not far from having all 6 former republics in the Eurobasket!!! and against them - it WILL NOT be easy) I agree with Picek about Tomas ...and his 3 pointer vs Spain is my favorite shot of Croatians ever! I also agree with Pohani about coaches and hate Sagadin's way of getting the hot players out at their peaks (this was always killing!!! me). Sadly every team needs a star to get to the very top IMO. This star must have the full authority (Jordan-like) to take the Final shot or layup (or dunk - Nachbar* hint hint hint...)
Personally I also think that that talent itself doesn't make this star or leader...it's the mental toughness (US-way) and a 100% convinced head that you'll make the shot. Normally talented player can practice the shot up to the limit. One needs big tough games and a bit of luck to cross the barrier of the first success that can give him the "proof" that he IS the one.
(MJ, Magic, Theo, Drazen, Ex yu team from my times...
Bottom line: when both teams get (develop) one (or few) of these players - then and only then the time will come to reach for the medals.
Croatia is a good team and Roko and Marko Tomas still have time. But not that much left...
As for Slo...We need ALL of our players playing and then we will see. I am sure that Beno demanded that "star role" that was refused by the ...?
But finally that was a coach's decision and he'll have to live with it. Personally I'll go the other way. We have all seen Beno play in Japan, right...esp the last game he was the only one against Turkey with a calm hand and a huge desire to win...
clearly with a winner's head.
Now we play with what we play with...let's see how it goes first
FLeave a comment:
-
my wiev of basketball is difrentOriginally posted by elaj View Post
Check out the boxscore how our coach (even if he had a huge mistake with playing zone defense in first half) used his players evenly... while minutes on Croatian side doesn't make any sense... at least to me and my basketball view.
i hate frickin coaches who rotate players like crazy (repesa or scariolo) and destroyed evrey good thing in game. evrey team has to have leaders and creators who play lot of min and role players who are rotated to bring intesity. togh we do miss unogh talent for that and joke is very limited coach, but with coach like perasovic who has same strategy (but does it better) and with 2-3 talented players more we would be better than any crazy rotating team, even ones who have more talent but uses ugliest ay of playing basketball, especially when rules change and when talent will have more efect on game
Leave a comment:
-
Ukič can score 50 points in a game if he wants to, but I'm still dissapointed the way he developed in the last 7-8 years, I had big hopes for him... while watching him today all I was thinking was, would Ivan Tomas develope differently without all those bugging injuries all at the wrong time in his career.
Croatia would need a pointguard he was once promising to develope into.
Ukič is a streetballer and even worse, spend on bench most of his most precious years regarding basketball development, I still believe that's extremely underestimated factor for guards.
Nice game, but still reminds me on all the limitations of our NT.
when it comes to the fact none of these two teams will get to medal, that's extremely likely...
but man, it's still basketball we're talking about... I still remember numerous occasions, when I'd be willing to bet my right hand on Italy or Germany not getting through the group stage... or quarterfinals... let alone semi's... and they got medals
Leave a comment:
-
First really 'entertaining' game in istanbul - Croatian big guys got into foul trouble early and that cost them in the end...
Been working here in Istanbul for the last few days and posting few photos online after the games.. thought that this might interest guys here as well.
So a link to this games photos : http://basketballviews.com/blog/47-b...ovenia-croatia
hope you enjoy them....Leave a comment:
-
congratulations for first oneOriginally posted by elaj View PostDid we force any three pointers? Half of your shots were forced. I think we forced only one three pointer, and that was a clutch threepointer by Lakovič. Pure inspiration. You played "inspired" through whole game, and look where it got you... Yes, we were down 24 minutes of the game, but how much? We were down by max 7 points, which is controlable result. Still in the game. Starting with second half, we took the game over and won it by organized and disciplined defense and offense.
Ukić after the game blaming reffs for their drop of concentration (what concentration Roko, if you play like a wild savage?)...
don't be mad we try play our game, but we didn't stick to it and were not concetrate on defensive rebounds, were not playing fast and simple etc. but don't be so ofensive, you won and deseved that
Leave a comment:
-
most of them were ofensive, movieng screen or stupid ones like breaking ofensive player move wich like tomic one on nachbar would cose ofensive foul. so most of our fouls were stoped our self.Originally posted by Matjaz View PostLeave a comment:
-
Did we force any three pointers? Half of your shots were forced. I think we forced only one three pointer, and that was a clutch threepointer by Lakovič. Pure inspiration. You played "inspired" through whole game, and look where it got you... Yes, we were down 24 minutes of the game, but how much? We were down by max 7 points, which is controlable result. Still in the game. Starting with second half, we took the game over and won it by organized and disciplined defense and offense.Originally posted by Picek View Postcome on cut the crap..
disclipned and organized?
four attacks in a row shooting threes from all over the court..
and hitting them..
and that is your idea of organization?
if yes, then I agree.. Slovenia showed much more discipline..
you got your first lead in 24 minute and you say you controlled the game?
cut the crap..
deserved win, yes..
but the way you are describing it looks like you were playing like USA..
we were jacking threes but even when we were behind and trying to catch up we still shot less threes in a game then Slovenia..
but that is well organized
Ukić after the game blaming reffs for their drop of concentration (what concentration Roko, if you play like a wild savage?)...
Check out the boxscore how our coach (even if he had a huge mistake with playing zone defense in first half) used his players evenly... while minutes on Croatian side doesn't make any sense... at least to me and my basketball view.Leave a comment:
-
Starting five, no. Some of the starting five, yes. Vujačić never really played for us, and Nesterović is retired from national team for some time now. Other three are really missing, but Smodiš and Udrih were missing last year too, because of injuries, and we still managed to finish 4th in the EC. Still, lacking those players, Slovenia looks pretty decent. Sadly, I have to agree we have no real chance for getting a medal, and last year at the EC we had it all but blew it at the end.Originally posted by maka View PostCroatia +15.
If we dont win today against Slovenia we will never win against them.
Slovenia in Turkey dont have half of his best players - Udrih, Nesterović, Vujačić, Lorbek, Smodiš... Starting five, no?
SO, WE MUST WIN THIS ONE!!!!
Croatia has some very good players, but they don't have the whole team. Ukić is unbelieavble, and Popovič and Tomas are great. Others are decent, but that's not enough to make it to the final stages, I'm afraid. It was fouls and free throws what made you lose today, though. But then there is a question, what would the score be after the first half without those fouls stopping our game ...
It was a really good game to watch, though.Leave a comment:
-
come on cut the crap..Originally posted by elaj View Post
disclipned and organized?
four attacks in a row shooting threes from all over the court..
and hitting them..
and that is your idea of organization?
if yes, then I agree.. Slovenia showed much more discipline..
you got your first lead in 24 minute and you say you controlled the game?
cut the crap..
deserved win, yes..
but the way you are describing it looks like you were playing like USA..
we were jacking threes but even when we were behind and trying to catch up we still shot less threes in a game then Slovenia..
but that is well organized
Leave a comment:
Leave a comment: