Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Croatian NT for Olympic 2008.

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Croatian NT for Olympic 2008.

    since I'm the only regular croat here I will have to do it myself..
    anyway, "winning" sixt place on this years EC was our biggest success since 1995.
    but the sixt place isn't important, what is important is the fact that we won our place for the olympic qualifying tournament which will be held in 2008. prior to OG start in Beijing..
    our biggest problem before EC was that our guys eventhough talented and spread around europe didn't play enough minutes for their clubs and were (are) simply inexperienced..
    I will try to follow our players and their playing time and effect during the year which will give me a better look on Repeša's choice of 12 players for the qualifying tournament...

    this was our team on EC:

    Roko Leni Ukic
    before EC: "played" in Barcelona where he was their third option for PG position.. didn't play much
    after EC: currently on loan to Roma where he is coached by our NT coach Jasmin Repeša
    he is teams first option at PG position and is playing very well so far. he is leading asistent of euroleague so far with 8 asists per game


    Davor Kus:
    before EC: go-to star in Cibona, but EC was his first big competition with NT
    after EC: currently plays for Unicaja, and he is doing very well so far. he is playing a lot and he is doing great so far.. he is averaging 29 minutes per game in ACB league and 24 minutes per game in euroleague where he is their best player so far with the average index of 19.5

    Marko Popovic:
    before EC: Žalgiris, he is one of our rare players who played an important role in his team.. but the injury kind of distracted him
    after EC: continued with Žalgiris, he is playing well so far although he is coming in from the bench..

    Marin Rozic:
    before EC: Cibona
    after EC: Cibona, he still isn't showing all of his potential under new coach..

    Nikola Prkacin:
    before EC: Efes Pilsen
    after EC: Dynamo Moscow, in Dynamo he has a a similar role he had in Efes.. he isn't capable of playing 25-30 minutes anymore so he is coming in from the bench. and in his 15 minutes per game he is averaging 9 points and 5 rebounds which is quite ok

    Marko Tomas:
    before EC: Real Madrid, sitting on the bench for most of the time
    after EC: loaned to Fuenlabrada where he is playing a lot and is their top scorer for now

    Zoran Planinic:
    before EC: Tau Ceramica, had a great start into the season and was one of the euroleague's leaders in asists and in rankings but then came few injuries and a new coach Maljkovic who never used him as much as Perasovic did.
    after: still in Tau Ceramica under new coach, he is still a bit streaky still not near his form from the beginning of the last years euroleague season

    Mario Stojic:
    before EC: he saved Menorca from being relegated
    after EC: he is still not where he was last year, but the entire team isn't there yet

    Damir Markota:
    before EC: our only NBA player, but he was NBA player only on paper since he was mostly sitting on bench
    after EC: signed for Spartak St. Petersburg and he is playing a lot there. 29 minutes per game, 10 points, 2.6 asists and 4.5 rebounds per game which is quite ok since he is still adapting to their style..

    Marko Banic:
    before EC: Bilbao
    after EC: Bilbao, but this season he is their top player so far in terms of average index.. and his playing time improved rapidly

    Mario Kasun:
    before EC: Barcelona
    after EC: Barcelona, his position is unchanged, playing only 10 minutes per game and he is coming in from the bench

    Stanko Barac:
    before EC: Siroki Brijeg, he was their top player all season long
    after EC: he signed for Tau but they didn't want him this year so they loaned him. first they "loaned" him to Roma, Olimpija, Cibona but finally he end up in Pamesa where he is still adapting..
    he had his best game yesterday against Gran canaria with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 2 asists in 22 minutes which is quite ok

    later on this week I will add other NT candidates..
    my goal is to follow all of them during the season..
    "Heja, heja Cibosi, hrabri kao vukovi,

    heja, heja cibosi, vodite nas k pobjedi. "

  • #2
    Croatia was realy good in EC and surely one of the strongest teams in competition, the place doesn't shows their quality as well as Slovenia's. It realy big lose for you that Vujcic decided to get old And what about Giricek? Is there any chances to see him fighting for olimpics? Thhat would be a great mix of leaders and talanted players.

    btw, it's a good idea. Maybe i will steal this for Lith NT.
    LTU NT will snatch Eurobasket 2029 title with this roster:

    Jokubaitis, Marciulionis, Laurencikas
    Indrusaitis, Brazdeikis, Rubstavicius
    Buzelis, Lelevicius
    Murauskas, Sirvydis
    Tubelis, Krivas

    Comment


    • #3
      talent is not questionable there, I agree with your observation that players as Ukić, Tomas, Markota should benefit a lot with more playing time in their clubs. But still, looks as if some clubs in europe are going in the direction some NBA teams have gone to with general manager doing one thing buying players which coach disagrees with, in case of ACB that's buying young Ukić, Tomas probably just in case if they really develope into something special, while of course their coach can't afford to develope them due to obligatory results and since fans aren't as patient with foreign talents as with their home grown... Bogdanović obviously took the same path, partly Barać as well, meaning this playing time trouble will go on... simmilar as with some slovenian players, just that we didn't tasted that out to the extent Croatia has so far. Serbia tasted that even less due to their strong bball manager lobby. But still it's hurting players poll a lot, some NT's would be sealed to a wheelchair if their talents would be treated the way croatian were in the recent era.

      I think with Vujčić playing and those young guys making progress croatian NT should do more than just fine... but I still miss a Mamić type SF I mean Tomas is good, but Mamič still brought a lot more less visible effects to the table nevermind he was constantly injured.

      and one more thing, leave Giriček out for good... no need for more tasteless shot selection, Popović occasionaly provides enough of that already...
      Originally posted by Jon_Koncak
      That's funny shit.I cant believe there are sports fans thinking like it.It's like Federer losing to random Japanese player in round 1 of French Open but tournament director stepping in and saying "hey it was a fluke win who wants to watch a random Japanese guy in next round,Federer qualifies"

      Comment


      • #4
        and one more thing, leave Giriček out for good... no need for more tasteless shot selection,

        I would disagree;

        Giricek, Planinic, Kasun, Vujcic, and Mamic

        made the best starting five combo in Euro 2005, but felt that the team was a little thin, sub-wise. Croatia lost a heartbreaking quarter-final to Spain, but who knows how far the team would of gone if it was a round robin sort of tournement like in 2007, instead of the elimination format. They should of been invited to the Worlds. Lets hope that justice is served this time and they make it to the Olympics. But for that they need their best players. it's a shame to leave Giricek out, he's proved to be a valuable asset to the Utah Jazz.

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by Straight forward
          Croatia was realy good in EC and surely one of the strongest teams in competition, the place doesn't shows their quality as well as Slovenia's. It realy big lose for you that Vujcic decided to get old And what about Giricek? Is there any chances to see him fighting for olimpics? Thhat would be a great mix of leaders and talanted players.
          like I've said, our main problem was lack of concentration and experience in important games for most of those players..
          I'm quite sure we won't see Gira or Vujo in croatian NT ever again..
          honestly, I don't think we need them..
          no one can guarantee us that with them in the team we would win a OG spot..
          we surely didn't do that when they were actually around..

          Originally posted by Straight forward
          btw, it's a good idea. Maybe i will steal this for Lith NT.
          be my guest,,,




          Originally posted by Matiz
          talent is not questionable there, I agree with your observation that players as Ukić, Tomas, Markota should benefit a lot with more playing time in their clubs. But still, looks as if some clubs in europe are going in the direction some NBA teams have gone to with general manager doing one thing buying players which coach disagrees with, in case of ACB that's buying young Ukić, Tomas probably just in case if they really develope into something special, while of course their coach can't afford to develope them due to obligatory results and since fans aren't as patient with foreign talents as with their home grown... Bogdanović obviously took the same path, partly Barać as well, meaning this playing time trouble will go on... simmilar as with some slovenian players, just that we didn't tasted that out to the extent Croatia has so far. Serbia tasted that even less due to their strong bball manager lobby. But still it's hurting players poll a lot, some NT's would be sealed to a wheelchair if their talents would be treated the way croatian were in the recent era.
          well, rich clubs are doing that simply because they can afford it..
          they can afford to buy 10 young prospects and wait for them.. and even if 7 of them will fail to reach their potential they won't lose much 'cause they practicly got them for free or for some ridicoulously small sums..
          in old yugoslavia it was forbidden for young players to leave so soon..
          now they are leaving even before they' get out of puberty..


          Originally posted by Matiz
          I think with Vujčić playing and those young guys making progress croatian NT should do more than just fine... but I still miss a Mamić type SF I mean Tomas is good, but Mamič still brought a lot more less visible effects to the table nevermind he was constantly injured.

          and one more thing, leave Giriček out for good... no need for more tasteless shot selection, Popović occasionaly provides enough of that already...
          I actually can't wait for Cibona - Maccabi game in january, I would like to have an opportunity to "spit" in Vujcic's face..
          I hope he will never play for our NT again..



          Originally posted by hotjam_2
          and one more thing, leave Giriček out for good... no need for more tasteless shot selection,

          I would disagree;

          Giricek, Planinic, Kasun, Vujcic, and Mamic

          made the best starting five combo in Euro 2005, but felt that the team was a little thin, sub-wise. Croatia lost a heartbreaking quarter-final to Spain, but who knows how far the team would of gone if it was a round robin sort of tournement like in 2007, instead of the elimination format. They should of been invited to the Worlds. Lets hope that justice is served this time and they make it to the Olympics. But for that they need their best players. it's a shame to leave Giricek out, he's proved to be a valuable asset to the Utah Jazz.
          well our 2005. team was one our strongest team in last 10 years..
          but because of some misfortunes we didn't capitalize that with some good result..
          then Repesa took over and some players refused to play for NT so he gathered a kind of young team which will probably reach it's best for the London OG..
          hopefully even before that..
          I just hope Repeša will stick around that long..
          "Heja, heja Cibosi, hrabri kao vukovi,

          heja, heja cibosi, vodite nas k pobjedi. "

          Comment


          • #6
            I hope Croatia will advance to Beijing. I can't imagine Olympic Basketball Tournament without CRO NT. Definaetly one of the 10 Best teams in the world and one of my favourites

            Comment


            • #7
              Is there any chance Bagaric or Zizic would be invited back? Did Prkacin say that he's retired from the NT now? If he is, I'd probably look at Nicevic for the 3rd center (behind Kasun and Barac). From what I've read he's had a good start to the year, both in Turkey and ULEB cup.

              Comment


              • #8
                Based on this article, Repesa will have an 18-player preliminary squad for the olympic qualifier, and that Tomic will be one of them. He also mentioned the 4 that refused an invite to Eurobasket 2007 so they might still be in the mix (even though Vujcic already said he wouldn't go).



                Other than the 12 that were at eurobasket, who else deserves a chance? Living in Canada I don't see lots of game action, but based on stats, I'd say these players at least deserve a look:

                Guards: Vladovic, Simon, Longin
                Forwards: T. Ruzic, Loncar, Perkovic, Bazdaric
                Centers: Nicevic, Stipanovic, Trepalovac

                For anyone who's actually seen them play, do you agree?

                Comment


                • #9
                  Vladović exploded this year, but I wouldn't call him to NT, I suspect him he might be on the same level as healthy Ivan Tomas or Zadar's Stipčević, which is below the NT's needs imo.
                  Same, just to some bigger extent goes for Longin and Simon- nice players, but won't make it big.
                  Baždarić could be used as a role-player... same as Stojić... most of Croats playing in Spanish ACB and actually most of the guys you've mentioned, calling them up or not will mostly depend on coach's vision, injuries and their shape...

                  I definately wouldn't call Tomić and most of all Trepalovac- they've got nothing to offer to their NT- maybee in the long term, but right now it'll be best for both if they just keep on training.

                  ...but at least Croats have nothing to worry about regarding coaching, Repeša knows his job.
                  Originally posted by Jon_Koncak
                  That's funny shit.I cant believe there are sports fans thinking like it.It's like Federer losing to random Japanese player in round 1 of French Open but tournament director stepping in and saying "hey it was a fluke win who wants to watch a random Japanese guy in next round,Federer qualifies"

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by London78

                    Guards: Vladovic, Simon, Longin
                    Forwards: T. Ruzic, Loncar, Perkovic, Bazdaric
                    Centers: Nicevic, Stipanovic, Trepalovac

                    For anyone who's actually seen them play, do you agree?
                    Repeša will make two teams during the preparation and I guess some of those players will be either with first or with second team..
                    Lončar after injury isn't playing like he did before but is still a player I would like too see how will he react in NT..
                    Nicevic deserves his spot in A team especially if Kasun won't be a part of training camp this summer..
                    as for the rest, Simon, Vladovic, and maybe Longin (eventhough I'm not following him in germany) could be a part of preparations with A team but I doubt anyone of them will make the cut..
                    Bazdaric is a special case, we need a shooter and we need it badly but Bazdaric isn't good enough to be the one..
                    but I guess if it comes to that Repeša will have to think twice if he will take Stojic instead of Bazdaric again..
                    eventhough Stojic is more usefull the Bazdaric is supposed to be a shooter while Stojic is more versatile type of the player..
                    however I wouldn't put my hand in fire that either one of them would make a clutch shot..
                    I expect Giricek will be back this summer, he needs to play in order to get a better contract in Europe and I expect he will crawl his way back..
                    "Heja, heja Cibosi, hrabri kao vukovi,

                    heja, heja cibosi, vodite nas k pobjedi. "

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Giricek won't play for Croatia this summer.
                      LTU NT will snatch Eurobasket 2029 title with this roster:

                      Jokubaitis, Marciulionis, Laurencikas
                      Indrusaitis, Brazdeikis, Rubstavicius
                      Buzelis, Lelevicius
                      Murauskas, Sirvydis
                      Tubelis, Krivas

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Maybe a list of possible candidates:

                        I apologize in advance to Picek and all those guys who actually watch many more games mainly of the adriatic league than me , cause they would have a much better view of the situation of each player (i just have seen some videos). So i apologize in advance for all the mistakes and completely erroneus data that could be here: And sorry for the looooong post too

                        POINT GUARDS

                        Z. Planninic - 1.98 - 1982 - TAU - He's doing a realy good season at TAU, i would say that hes right now among the 5-6 best pgs of the league. There shoudnt be any doubt about him going with the NT.
                        R. Ukic - 1.95 - 1984 - Barcelona/Roma - He's doing a great so far in Rome, he should go undoubtly too.
                        M. Popovic - 1.85 - 1982 - Zalgiris - Although he's not doing his best season, he's not playing bad at all neither, and could add his huge quality and his ability of breaking a game (that sometimes is incredibly useful) to the NT.
                        J. Vladovic - 1.87 - 1983 - KK Zagreb - He is doing a great season, and he could be rewarded for that, but he's still a little unexperienced in big competitions, and thats a problem if you are risking a place for the Olimpics. If Repesa finally takes 3 pg's, he could fight for the 3rd spot but is still doubtful.
                        D. Miljkovic - 1.93 - 1980 - Spartak Primorje - He's doing a good season in the difficult russian league. And although imo he lacks sometimes of some important aspects of the direction of a team, he could add some other interesting things to the team.
                        D. Mulaomerovic - 1.94 - 1974 - Cibona - I dont know if he retired from the NT, but watching him last year in ACB and watching the numbers that he's doing till now with Cibona, in some of the above finally cant go with the team, could be an option to consider.
                        I. Tomas - 1.93 - 1981 - Fuenlabrada - (S. Stemberger - 1.95 - 1979 - Siroki ) - He should be the last option here, i many of the above refuse to go or get injured, then he should be considered, in any other case, he shouldnt have a place.


                        SHOOTING GUARDS

                        G. Giricek - 1.97 - 1977 - Phoenix - With him on the team, the nivel of quality and danger of the etam would increase really a lot. If he's healthy and in good shape, he should be one of the references of the team.
                        D. Kus - 1.90 - 1978 - Unicaja - He's doing a pretty good season in Unicaja, with some ups and downs but showing an incredible quality, great shooting and penetrating skills, and even directing the team in some moments (altough he shouldnt do that except in some weird scenarios).
                        M. Bazdaric - 1.97 - 1978 - Menorca - In the last 2 years he has demostrated to be a pure and really good shooter. He cant be the offensive reference of team like Croatia but he could be a truly great backup.
                        K. Simon - 1.97 - 1985 - KK Zagreb - Really skilled guy that is doing a great season. Imo hes a small step behind Bazdaric, but he could be quite useful to the team as a good backup.
                        B. Longin - 1.95 - 1978 - Oldemburg - Good shooter and a really working type of player. Doesnt strand out in any aspect pf the game (maybe a little in the shooting), but he does almost everything correctly, and he's really "coachable".
                        M. Mance - 2.00 - 1978 - Helios - When he's in shape (and motivated) he's a true scorer. But he's too irregular and its quite risky to think how he could behave in a top event with the NT.
                        R. Troha - 1.94 - 1977 - Helios (See I.Tomas' case)


                        SMALL FOWARDS

                        M. Tomas - 2.01 - 1985 - Fuenlabrada/Real Madrid - With the increase in the minutes played, he has got so much better, he's the main offensive weapon of Fuenlabrada, and one of the main reasons whay they are avoiding the relegation. Statistically, he is right now among the 3/4 best sf of ACB. No doubt he should go.
                        M. Stojic - 1.98 - 1980 - Menorca - More or less the same case as Tomas but in a lower scale. He has demonstrated to be more than capable of being a threat int he middle/long distance shots, but he has demostrated to be a great defender too. Imo he can do almost everything and do it more then decently. Every team likes to have a guy like him in the roster.
                        M. Rozic - 2.01 - 1983 - Cibona - He is doing a good season in the adriatic league. but on a harder competition as Euroleague he has shown himself more weaker and irregular. But its not a big deal, he has shown a huge potential but he just needs more experience, and if he continues progressing, he can become someone really important in Europe. Still i think there are better options in his position.
                        M. Dundovic - 2.00 - 1977 - KK Zagreb . He's an all-around player, a good scorer but not a great one, he's a decent defender and he helps a lot in the rebounding aspect. He quite experienced too, ut im not really sure that he has the necesssary skills to be in a so demanding NT as the croatian is.
                        I. Josipovic - 2.05 - 1975 - Kolossos . He's doing a decet season in Greece and could add some experience and good points in the NT.
                        D. Rudez - 2.03 - 1986 - Split - He seems like a really good prospect but it is probably too early for him to go with the NT.


                        POWER FOWARDS

                        M. Banic - 204 - 1984 - Bilbao - He has progressed a lot and he's still progressing, if he's motivated, he can make really a lot of damage in the paint and in the 3-4m shots. Imo only an injury could stop him from joining the team.
                        D. Markota - 2.09 - 1985 - Zalgiris - His numbers on Zalgiris proof that he's adjusting quite fast to the european style. He can be a true threat from almost all positions. A big guy that can really shoot 3pointers (apart from
                        other things), all teams need a guy like him in a team.
                        K. Loncar - 2.10 - 1983 - Lokomotive Rostov - He's not doing his best season, but i think tht he has already proved that he can do some good things with some confidence. He should be among the finalists for a spot.
                        J. Perkovic - 2.03 - 1980 - Oldemburg - Hard worker and defender that can add some good points too. A quite solid player that could earn a spot thanks to his good season.
                        T. Ruzic - 208 - 1979 - Kepez - He is doing a great season in the turkish league in a small team. You cannot give him the responsability of a team, but as a 3rd pf, he really knows what can he do and what he cant (and imo thats quite important) and is quite experienced. Anyway imo hes at least a couple of steps behind the 3 first.
                        S. Modric - 2.07 - 1979 - Slovan - (see I. Tomas case)


                        CENTERS

                        N. Vujcic - 2.11 - 1978 - Maccabi - When he's in shape, hes probably the best Center of Europe, capable of doing a triple-double in a good day. His loss is a huge probelm for any team, but as this is not the first time that he
                        refuses to go with the NT, they probably wont notice his absence very much.
                        M. Kasun - 2.13 - 1980 - Barcelona - He has showed just a few drops of his quality. Anyway with the NT he seems to be much more confident and his performances are normally pretty good. If he hadnt renounced, there is no doubt that he shoud have gone with the NT.
                        S. Barac - 2.17 - 1986 - Pamesa/Tau - He has progressed a lot since he arrived in ACB and despite that lately his performances have been a little worse and his defense still has to improve, he has demontrated that in a not so long future he can be a great threat from almost all positions.
                        S. Nicevic - 2.10 - 1976 - Besiktas - Nicevic deserves his spot for sure. He has spent almost the last 4 years doing really good performances in 4 different teams. Its time for him to do the same in the NT.
                        N. Prkacin - 2.08 - 1975 - Panathinaikos - He's a good defender, can add some some good points, a lot of experience and a pretty high bball IQ. If he's in shape he could be a nice backup.
                        A. Tomic - 2.17 - 1987 - KK Zagreb - He's doing a great season and showing everybody whats hes capable of, but i think it could be still a little too early for him as he hasnt the necessary experience in this competitions.
                        If he finally is selected he should be the 4th center, but no more.
                        L. Andric - 2.08 - 1985 - Cibona - He has done a pretty good euroleague and he's doing a good season in the adriatic league. He has still a lot of room for improvement. And his versatility could be really apreciated at the time of selecting the players.
                        B. Sundov - 2.21 - 1980 - Leon - I dont know his exact situation in the NT, but watching him play some minutes with Leon and last year with Alicante, i cant refuse to consider him a candidate, even tough he has many players above him on the list. Hes a huge guy, with some nice movements in the paint, good rebounding skills and a great 3point shot. His irregularity could be the main disadvantage for him.
                        D. Bagaric - 2.17 - 1980 - Upim Bologne - His performances arent impressive, but if some (many) of the other candidates finally cant go, he could be a nice option, as in a good day he can add intimidation, a nice quantity of points&rebounds and a really hard defense.
                        A. Stipanovic - 2.07 - 1986 - Split - A great prospect imo but still too unexperenced to be considered seriously for a spot in the NT.
                        A. Zizic - 2.07 - 1980 - Panathinaikos - Well, he has done a really bad season, but we must not forget that last year he showed some really good things. So although his posibilities of going with the team are minimal, i simply didnt consider fair to exclude him from this list.
                        S. Spralja - 2.06 - 1983 - Siroki - He could be the last resort although i really dont think he has the level to be there.
                        I KISS BASKET

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Straight forward
                          Giricek won't play for Croatia this summer.
                          and Kasun and Vujcic also..
                          about Giricek and Vujcic I'm not dissapointed 'cause many times they have proved how big asholess they are..
                          while Kasun he really did have problems with his heart and with his backbone.. and he stated that he simply needs to get a medical treatment during summer if he wants to play bball in future....
                          "Heja, heja Cibosi, hrabri kao vukovi,

                          heja, heja cibosi, vodite nas k pobjedi. "

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Croatia 2008 NT



                            Jasmin Repesa announced the preliminary list of 18 players who could play for Croatia at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

                            Guards:
                            Zoran Planinic (Tau Ceramica)
                            Marko Popovic (Zalgiris)
                            Roko Ukic (Lottomatica Roma)
                            Davor Kus (Unicaja)
                            Branimir Longin (EWE Baskets Oldenburg)
                            Krunoslav Simon (Zagreb Crobenz)
                            Jakov Vladovic (Zagreb Crobenz)

                            Forwards:
                            Damir Markota (Zalgiris)
                            Marko Tomas (Alta Gestión Fuenlabrada)
                            Marko Banic (iurbentia Bilbao Basket)
                            Marin Rozic (Cibona)
                            Damjan Rudez (Split Croatia osiguranje)
                            Kresimir Loncar (Lokomotiv-Rostov) (also could play center)

                            Centers:
                            Ante Tomic (Zagreb Crobenz)
                            Dalibor Bagaric (Upim Bologna)
                            Stanko Barac (Pamesa Valencia)
                            Nikola Prkacin (Panathinaikos)
                            Sandro Nicevic (Besiktas)

                            People missing from Eurobasket 2007 team: Mario Kasun (taking summer off) and Mario Stojic
                            Last edited by rikhardur; 06-03-2008, 01:49 PM. Reason: Threads merged

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              I don't see why Troha never gets called, he is the best shooter the CRO NT would have and would be good for 10mins and 1 or 2 triples.
                              My homage to The heroes:
                              http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOFlzU14Ivs

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X

                              Debug Information