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Lithuanian Basketball Federation (LKF) set the minimal aim for the NT which is semi-final.

[quote name='Vilius' post='15020' date='Mar 17 2009, 08:00 PM']Lithuanian Basketball Federation (LKF) set the minimal aim for the NT which is semi-final.[/quote]

It pretty reasonable and realistic. Liths for the medals.

[quote name='rikhardur' post='15023' date='Mar 18 2009, 07:05 AM']It pretty reasonable and realistic. Liths for the medals.[/quote]



Yeah, but since when Lithuania's goal is 4th place? <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> Maybe, I'm overrating current potential of Lithuania, but It's not the goal for them. I think the final should be the proper goal and bronze medal for the least.

[quote name='straight forward' post='15068' date='Mar 21 2009, 02:25 PM']Yeah, but since when Lithuania's goal is 4th place? <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> Maybe, I'm overrating current potential of Lithuania, but It's not the goal for them. I think the final should be the proper goal and bronze medal for the least.[/quote]

Yes, you're right, Lithuania always (rightfully) aims for the medals.

[quote name='straight forward' post='15068' date='Mar 21 2009, 02:25 PM']Yeah, but since when Lithuania's goal is 4th place? <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> Maybe, I'm overrating current potential of Lithuania, but It's not the goal for them. I think the final should be the proper goal and bronze medal for the least.[/quote]

Read carefully. It doesn't say 4th spot, it says last four. Could be gold, silver, bronze or 4th.

[quote name='Black Urum' post='15070' date='Mar 22 2009, 12:51 AM']Read carefully. It doesn't say 4th spot, it says last four. Could be gold, silver, bronze or 4th.[/quote]



I understand that. My point was that the 4th place is not the one to be happy about. 1-3 could be a proper goal as rikhardur agreed.

[quote name='straight forward' post='15084' date='Mar 22 2009, 09:50 PM']I understand that. My point was that the 4th place is not the one to be happy about. 1-3 could be a proper goal as rikhardur agreed.[/quote]

Why not? Being in the semis is not a big enough achievement? Do you really think that Lithuania is that good to be winning medals every 2 years in the Eurobasket?



It's not as if you are playing with Sabonis and Marculionis anymore. Not even Stombergas and Siskauskas. And wait for another 1-2 years when you will not have a world class PG after Saras' retirement. Unless you think that Ilgauskas will play for your NT (sorry I just rofled a coupled of times just thinking about this <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> ). Especially since all big European powers start their teams with a world class PG... Calderon, Parker, Diamantidis, Planinic etc

That is exactly what Lithuanian fans expect, me either. Specially when the team is expected to be almost the same as last year. The only big loss should be Šiškauskas. In other hand, most likely we'll have Macijauskas this time (I know that you can't trust him lately though), some fresh ear on PG position with M. Kalnietis (he's having a nice season) and a huge competition on SG/SF positions. Some players fall, some players rise. Kauk?nas, brothers Lavrinovic, Javtokas, Kleiza, Jasaitis, Macijauskas (if healthy) all at their peak. We should look only for the highest goals.

Macijauskas at his peak. Now that really cracked me up.

[quote name='Black Urum' post='15139' date='Mar 25 2009, 07:13 PM']Macijauskas at his peak. Now that really cracked me up.[/quote]



He he, I see what you mean! Though I wouldn't be surprised if you will change your mind this summer already. Anyway, if he's healthy he's a dominant offensive player. Remember last season- he was MVP of Euroleague till these injuries.

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qHF45SGGWI"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qHF45SGGWI[/url]

[quote name='straight forward' post='15140' date='Mar 25 2009, 07:26 PM']He he, I see what you mean! Though I wouldn't be surprised if you will change your mind this summer already. Anyway, if he's healthy he's a dominant offensive player. Remember last season- he was MVP of Euroleague till these injuries.

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qHF45SGGWI"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qHF45SGGWI[/url][/quote]

I know man, I'm just being humorous most of the times. I know Macijauskas, I've watched him up close plenty of times and I may be not a basketball genius but it was enough to establish that this is a world class player.



Wouldn't surprise me either if he rocks next season. But he's got a contract with Olympiacos for next season too <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/crazy.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> and if there is a team that 'puts down' Lithuanian players like old horses it is Olympiacos <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/angry.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />



But if Lithuania NT expects from a guy who hasn't played basketball in the past 18 months to lead them in the Eurobasket, they will be disappointed. Frankly, the only guy who can at this moment make the difference for your NT is Saras. None else. Players like Kaukenas are and will always be 2nd category players, we saw this in Siena's last season Final Four and in Olympics in the semi final vs Spain where this guy made a fool of himself with his nerves.

[quote name='Black Urum']But if Lithuania NT expects from a guy who hasn't played basketball in the past 18 months to lead them in the Eurobasket, they will be disappointed. Frankly, the only guy who can at this moment make the difference for your NT is Saras. None else. Players like Kaukenas are and will always be 2nd category players, we saw this in Siena's last season Final Four and in Olympics in the semi final vs Spain where this guy made a fool of himself with his nerves.[/quote]



Kaukenas didn't play in last season final 4 <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> That's why Siena had so shitty semifinal, I guess. And in Olympics he played after a long injury, that was the reason why he wasn't 100%. But that's not the point. The point is that even Jasikevicius while being at the peak never was so big leader as Marciulionis and Sabonis. Lithuanian NT (2007 for example) had about 5-6 leaders. Šiškauskas, Kaukenas, Jasikevicius, Songaila, Kleiza, D. Lavrinovic had about 10 points average. Lithuania is the team which has 10 or 11 players who can make "a difference", including such players like S. Jasaitis and M. Lukauskis. That's why I think Lithuania and Spain are the best European NTs currently.



PS: If you would ask me who is the best Lithuanian player these days- it is R. Šiškauskas. And most likely he will grab third Euroleague title in a row. It's pity he retired from NT.

As hard as you try you will never convince me that players like Kaukenas and Kleiza have the personality and leadership of Saras.



Or that Jasaitis is a player that can 'make the difference'. Maybe in a disco full of chicks he can. In a basketball court with 10 guys he can not.

Kaukenas is a damn good player. He's one of the more underrated players. He doesn't get any attention or hype but he's clearly a very good player. As for Macas what exactly is the problem with him? Is he really hurt or is he just fighting with Olympiacos over money?



It seems like this guy is content with ruining his career for the sake of money, which is just stupid. If he really was healthy he could have just played and he would have earned the money back with another contract in another team. And the fact that Olympiacos owes him the money, yet somehow with all these legal battles he still cannot win in court is a bit suspicious. It makes it seem like he's got something major wrong with him physically.



It's unfortunate really. This guy got screwed in the NBA and now injuries may have ruined his career, or maybe it's just that Olympiacos is screwing him over. Either way a great player is wasting away his career at this point.

Today Butautas announced the roster of second Lithuanian NT. Some of these players will join the camp of the main team:



Guards: Andrius Mažutis (Rygos ASK), Martynas Gecevičius (Vilniaus „Lietuvos rytas“), Reinaldas Seibutis (Bilbao „Iurbentia“), Giedrius Gustas („Kavala"), Mantas Kalnietis (Kauno „Žalgiris“).



Forwards: Tautvydas BarÅ¡tys (Kauno „Aisčiai“), Steponas Babrauskas (Vilniaus „Lietuvos rytas“), Justas Sinica (Vilniaus „Lietuvos rytas“), Mindaugas Katelynas (Milano „Armani Jeans“), Povilas Butkevičius (Kauno „Žalgiris“).



Centers: Martynas AndriuÅ¡kevičius (Alikantės „Lucentum“) ir Michailas Anisimovas (Vilniaus „Lietuvos rytas“).

I'd say Kalnietis should be in the first team after what he did this season. What do you think about the inclusion of Mazutis? Isn't he too old to join the camp where mainly young prospects are invited? It is also good to see Seibutis being called up.



The article also says that Butautas is concerned with Saras and Macas as it is not clear wether they will join the NT.

Quote:Perhaps the best way to measure the strength and depth of any EuroBasket nation is to put the final roster to one side and take a studious look at the list of paper that no top player wants to be on - that dreaded roll call of names that tells us all who will be missing out.



In the lead up to the last EuroBasket tournament in 2007, Marijonas Petravicius was on that dreaded list and agonisingly had to watch Lithuania in action on Spanish soil from the sidelines.



For any player to miss out on a major tournament is disappointing, whatever the reasons and for any Lithuanian player, you always get the sense it must be even more crushing - such is the respect and stature of the national team within their own sporting hierarchy.



As you would expect from a team who made it to the Olympic Games semi-finals last year, that intense battle for places at EuroBasket 2009 shows no sign of slowing down and once again Petravicius is having to cope with the mental and physical challenge of trying to stand out in an impressive gathering as the training camp approaches.



After a stellar season with Lietuvos Rytas and European silverware tucked neatly in the trophy cabinet courtesy of that thrilling Eurocup win over Khimki, the big man and Final Eight MVP could barely have done much more to bolster his prospects and catapult himself into the forefront of any thinking being done by Coach Butautas.



Shrugging off a sluggish start to the last campaign, Petravicius has been like an express train since the turn of the year and his form has been inspirational for Rytas. That in itself could mean a plane ticket to Wroclaw with the 29 year old hoping to be just as instrumental on the International stage and help turn 2007 bronze into 2009 gold.



FIBA Europe: Hi Marijonas. Congratulations on your Eurocup win. Tell us what your feelings were going to Turin and what it meant leaving Turin with a major trophy.



Marijonas Petravicius: Thank you very much for the congratulations on the win. We were very excited going to the Final 8 in Turin. It was not an easy road getting to the Final 8 as a team. All the teams in the Final 8 are very high level, experienced teams, all with the goal of winning the trophy. We knew every game would be very tough. Leaving with the trophy was one of the greatest feelings any athlete could experience. We had to get past three very tough and talented teams to bring that trophy home. I was very proud how much character and integrity our team showed. We believed we could win the trophy from the very beginning and made it happen.



FIBA Europe: You gave a great MVP performance and led the team in Europe to win Eurocup. You also did the same thing five years ago when you were MVP of the FIBA Europe Cup Final Four with Mitteldeutscher BC. How do they compare? Perhaps this one is more special because of the important to Lithuanian basketball?



Marijonas Petravicius: I think every cup you win is the greatest feeling at that time. Eurocup is a higher level cup, but both are appreciated equally. As a team you put all your hard work and heart into winning the championship, no matter what championship it is. A championship is a championship. Always a great thing.I think the only reason this championship was more special is because I am representing my country with this championship.



FIBA Europe: Has it been easier to adjust to life under Rimas Kurtinaitis at Rytas because of working with him for the national team in his role as an Assistant Coach? He's also a bit of a playing legend in Lithuania so he was a bit of a hero for your generation of players growing up?



Marijonas Petravicius: Coach Kurtinaitis is a great head coach. I didn't get the chance to know him as well during National Team as I do now. It has been a very smooth transition with him here as head coach. I remember Kurtinaitis as a young basketball player. He was a great player. I think his experience as a basketball player helps his coaching style and how he relates to his players.



FIBA Europe: There are some difficult decisions for Lietuvos to make in the summer as General Manager Jonas Vainauskas has said it will be likely the club can not keep all of their leaders and stars. What are your plans for next season, do you hope to stay in Vilnius or might your future lie elsewhere in Europe?



Marijonas Petravicius: As of right now, I have been concentrating on finishing this season with the LKL Finals. I would love to stay in Vilnius because it has been a great three years, but we will see what opportunities will come my way.



FIBA Europe: Was there a moment in your career, a kind of breaking point when you finally realised that you had become one of the top centers in Europe?



Marijonas Petravicius: After college, I knew I needed to work hard in order to compete at the highest level in Europe. I believe if I put my heart into it, I can accomplish anything.



FIBA Europe: Tell us about the competition for places in the national team. It is intense and perhaps more intense than any other country at EuroBasket. Even in your position you are battling with players like Lavrinovic and Javotkas for court time and it must be tough at times? You must have been really disappointed to miss the last EuroBasket tournament for example?



Marijonas Petravicius: Being a part of the national team is a huge accomplishment and honour. I love the fact that I have the opportunity to play with such great players on the National Team, let alone all the other international players from other countries. I don't focus on competing with my own teammates for playing time because we all work together to accomplish the same goal and represent our country. I wish I was a part of the last EuroBasket tournament but I was fortunate enough to represent my country in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.



FIBA Europe: How do you assess your own performance and contribution for the national team at the Olympics last year and do you think you have had a good enough season to get into the team for EuroBasket 2009 and play a major role?



Marijonas Petravicius: I think I did my part and gave the coaches what they were looking for as one of the centers in the Olympics. Since we didn't bring home a medal, we can think we should have done better. That's just how athletes think. I will work hard and hope to be a part of the national team for the EuroBasket 2009. It is always an honor to be accepted as a part of the team.



FIBA Europe: Do you think that playing for the national team has helped you become a better player in terms of your mental toughness or playing skills?



Marijonas Petravicius: Definitely! national team prepared me for so many things. It helped me compete harder and gave the experience of playing against some of the best players in the world.



FIBA Europe: As a center, are you disappointed or secretly pleased that some of the big stars like Pau Gasol and Dirk Nowitzki are likely to rest this summer and not travel to Poland?



Marijonas Petravicius: I honestly did not know they weren't playing for their national teams this summer. There are so many other great players we will compete against in Poland.



FIBA Europe: The Lithuania national team has been so close in the last tournaments with a bronze at EuroBasket 2007 and fourth place in the Olympics last year. Can you go one better this time and finally make that jump to maybe the Final of Eurobasket and turn bronze into gold?



Marijonas Petravicius: The number one spot is always on an athletes mind. That is what we live and compete for. We will all do our best in this tournament and see what happens.

Source: [url="http://www.eurobasket2009.org/en/coid_ig8Jyc7kJRE5kKsvxiDx70.articleMode_on.html"]http://www.eurobasket2009.org/en/coid_ig8J...cleMode_on.html[/url]

[quote name='Vilius' post='15845' date='May 19 2009, 04:23 PM']I'd say Kalnietis should be in the first team after what he did this season. What do you think about the inclusion of Mazutis? Isn't he too old to join the camp where mainly young prospects are invited? It is also good to see Seibutis being called up.



The article also says that Butautas is concerned with Saras and Macas as it is not clear wether they will join the NT.[/quote]



Well, they all are candidates for NT team, as well as Kalnietis. I don't know if Kalnietis is better than Gustas, but most likely yes. Mažutis is something like Prekevičius last year- it's just that Butautas likes them <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[quote name='straight forward' post='15847' date='May 19 2009, 05:44 PM']Mažutis is something like Prekevičius last year- it's just that Butautas likes them <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote]

That's for sure. Let's that this time such players will stay in the second team.

I can't understand why Kalnietis isn't called in A team directly. I mean, Lithuania has a problem at the PG as it is and with Jasikevicius situation being unclear and even if he does play how many minutes per game can he stand when he is playing the whole season and averaging less than 20mpg with Panathinaikos?



I'm sorry but Gustas is nowhere near Kalnietis, not at this moment anyway.



I guess both Butautas and Kazlauskas hope that the Greek finals end in 3-0 score, to any team, so their players get an extra 10 days of rest, 10 extremely valuable days, especially for players like Saras, Diamantidis and Papaloukas who have been playing non-stop since 2003.



As for Macijauskas, will Olympiacos even allow him to join the Lithuania NT or will they continue their cold war tactics?