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Quote:Ramunas Butautas of Lithuania didn't need to watch a draw to decide what his team's aspirations are heading into the Beijing Games.



The coach of the Baltic giants is just like everyone in that basketball-mad country.



He is optimistic, and he expects to win every time his team runs onto the floor.



"If we go to fight for the medals, we need to beat everyone," Butautas said to the Lietuvos Rytas daily.



Lithuania were on Saturday drawn in Group A with defending champions Argentina, 2007 EuroBasket winners Russia, last year's Asia winners Iran and Oceania giants Australia.



Butautas and Co avoided the United States in the preliminary round.



"It would be great to face the USA as late as possible," he said. "We are not scared of them, but I think they will be the biggest rivals for the gold."



First things first - Lithuania have some games to win against very good opponents in Group A.



"Our rivals in the first round group are strong," he said.



"First, we have to mention Russia and Argentina, but we respect every opponent and will prepare for each one of them 100%."



Russia upset Lithuania in the semi-finals of last year's EuroBasket and then stunned Spain to win gold.



Lithuania beat Greece in the bronze medal game to reach Beijing.



The Lithuanians have reached the semi-finals in each and every Olympic tournament that has taken place since breaking away from the former Soviet Union.



Their most famous attempt at Olympic glory was made at the 2000 Games in Sydney when they almost upset the United States in the semi-finals.



Last-minute mistakes by the Baltic team and a missed shot by Sarunas Jasikevicius at the buzzer prevented the Lithuanians from a shocking upset of the Americans.



The Lithuanians have been on the podium before, though.



They captured bronze medals in 1992, 1996 and 2000, while in their most recent attempt to snatch gold in Athens, they ended up with nothing after falling to the US 104-96 in the battle for third place.



"I am neither scared, nor happy," said Lithuania center Robertas Javtokas after the draw.



"What's most important is what team will we have and how strong the other teams will be. We have plenty of time for our preparations and to play friendly games.



"I don't really care who we will face, even if it's Argentina who won four years ago."

The list of Lithuanian NT candidates

Å ar?nas Jasikevi?ius (Panathinaikos, Greece)

Marius Prekevi?ius (Å iauliai)

Rolandas Alijevas (CSK VVS Samara, Russia)

Mantas Kalnietis (Žalgiris)

Tomas Delininkaitis (Azovmash, Ukraine)

Rimantas Kauk?nas (Montepaschi, Italy)

Arvydas Macijauskas (Olympiakos, Greece)

Ram?nas Šiškauskas (CSKA Moscow, Russia)

Renaldas Seibutis (Olympiakos)

Justas Sinica (Sakalai)

Linas Kleiza (Denver Nuggets, NBA)

Simas Jasaitis (Tau Ceramica, Spain)

Jonas Ma?iulis (Žalgiris)

Art?ras Jomantas (Lietuvos rytas)

Mindaugas Lukauskis (Lietuvos rytas)

Darjušas Lavrinovi?ius (Unics, Russia)

Kšyštofas Lavrinovi?ius (Montepaschi)

Darius Songaila (Washington Wizards, NBA)

Antanas Kavaliauskas (Panionios, Greece)

Paulius Jank?nas (Žalgiris)

Žydr?nas Ilgauskas (Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA)

Robertas Javtokas (Dinamo Moscow, Russia)

Marijonas Petravi?ius (Lietuvos rytas)

Donatas Zavackas (Å iauliai)

Michailas Anisimovas (Lietuvos rytas)

Darjus Lavrinovic could miss Olympics as he needs surgery. Like we didn't have enough of injured players already...



Linas Kleiza has assured that he will play in Beijing after Nuggets lost 0-4 to Lakers in the playoffs first round.

Rimantas Kauk?nas returned to the court and helped Montepaschi win the first semi-final game against Armani Jeans Milano. That's great news. He should get closer to his best shape during semi's and final (Y)

yeah but Montepaschi are not really to see him play in olympics :/. but mdp is nothing ;D so he is gonna play, bigger worries about ilgas <!-- s -->[img]{SMILIES_PATH}/sad.gif[/img]<!-- s -->

That's not good. But as you said I don't think they will stop Kauk?nas from playing in Beijing.



As for Ilgauskas, NBA decided not to help Lithuanian Basketball Federation in negotiations with the Cavs. They took neutral position. Ilgauskas himself said that it will be clear in one month period wether he'll play or not.

Arvydas Macijauskas is now officially out <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.talkbasket.net/content/view/194/1/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">[url="http://www.talkbasket.net/content/view/194/1/"]http://www.talkbasket.net/content/view/194/1/[/url]</a><!-- m -->



We don't have many great guards and especially not like Macas. He was absent in Eurobasket 2007 so NT is adjusting to playing without him.

Arturas Milaknis (Zalgiris) and Steponas Babrauskas (Lietuvos rytas) included to replace Arturas Jomantas and Renaldas Seibutis.

Finally good news from Cleveland! <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.talkbasket.net/content/view/214/1/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">[url="http://www.talkbasket.net/content/view/214/1/"]http://www.talkbasket.net/content/view/214/1/[/url]</a><!-- m -->



If it all goes well we would only miss Macijauskas.



With Ilgauskas, Lavrinovic brothers and Javtokas we could have the best front line in the Olympics.

Today Lithuanian news sites report that Cavs are still saying no nad promise to do everything to not let Ilgauskas play in Beijing <!-- s:thudown: -->[img]{SMILIES_PATH}/thudown.gif[/img]<!-- s:thudown: --> After all this time he spent playing for them, they don't let him to play for his country. Ilgauskas is expected to ignore Cavaliers objections if there is no legal right for them to do so. Lithuanian Basketball Federation is working on that with the help of FIBA. Ilgauskas should be free to play once NBA gives him a permission. In that case Cavs couldn't do anything.



The end of this story should come next week.

This is getting ridicilous. Ilgauskas planned to return to Lithuania this week. He had plain tickets but Cavs insisted to test his health. Ilgauskas couldn't refuse this because it is mentioned in his contract with the club. He will be tested on Wednesday and Thursday.

NBA teams are being unfair to other national teams. Why they don't stop James, Kobe, Carmelo and other americans form playing for their NT.

We can stop talking about Ilgauskas <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.talkbasket.net/news/the-end-of-ilgauskas-drama.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">[url="http://www.talkbasket.net/news/the-end-"]http://www.talkbasket.net/news/the-end-[/url] ... drama.html</a><!-- m -->

[quote name='"Vilius":1xx39zi5']We can stop talking about Ilgauskas <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.talkbasket.net/news/the-end-of-ilgauskas-drama.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">[url="http://www.talkbasket.net/news/the-end-"]http://www.talkbasket.net/news/the-end-[/url] ... drama.html</a><!-- m -->[/quote]

The back problem is bullshit if you ask me <!-- s -->[img]{SMILIES_PATH}/rolleyes.gif[/img]<!-- s -->

Probably. At first it was announced that Cavs decided to test his health all of a sudden. And now it appears that he had back pain and as I understand, he asked for the testing himslef. If he changed his mind himself then it is really disappointing <!-- s:thudown: -->[img]{SMILIES_PATH}/thudown.gif[/img]<!-- s:thudown: -->

[quote name='"Vilius":1gc8ekwa']Probably. At first it was announced that Cavs decided to test his health all of a sudden. And now it appears that he had back pain and as I understand, he asked for the testing himslef. If he changed his mind himself then it is really disappointing <!-- s:thudown: -->[img]{SMILIES_PATH}/thudown.gif[/img]<!-- s:thudown: -->[/quote]

Definitely. Be it the Cavs or him. Well, it was his last chance right?

[quote name='"rikhardur":ag4h64o9']Well, it was his last chance right?[/quote]

Technically he could play any summer while he is not retired. But knowing his past injuries and the fact that he is 33 years old, it is his last chance. Ilgauskas himself admitted that it is his last chance to play. If next Eurobasket was in Lithuania I guess there could be a possibility even if it is a small one.

i think it is only for the best, that big Z is not coming to olympics. I quess liths dont even wanted him so badly, did some nice moves to soften the sins of past years...and that's all. the insurance would have been really too big for their budget. it is also questionable if Ilgauskas would be able integrate into the game of NT smoothly.

[quote name='"GRB":utdkrjww']i think it is only for the best, that big Z is not coming to olympics. I quess liths dont even wanted him so badly, did some nice moves to soften the sins of past years...and that's all. the insurance would have been really too big for their budget. it is also questionable if Ilgauskas would be able integrate into the game of NT smoothly.[/quote]



You are right, we have normal people who wants to play in NT and don't avoids it with silly explanations. People thought that Shawn Bradley is the biggest NBA bi_ch, but I think that ilgas is even worse. his ass is owned by some rich dudes and he dances like hooker on the table. he already sold his soul and thats it.







A little check out about NT...



Centers:



Robertas Javtokas - nice health nice play

Ksystof Lavrinovic - everything ok

Darjus lavrinovic - back injury

Marijonas Petravicius - I am sure all world know that he cant score points from non inside the basket. and that makes him very weak player.

Anisimovas - why I even wrote his name? go receive some blocks, Misha



PFs:



Songaila - is he injured or he became too fat? 6ppg something in weak team NBA is not good result.

Jankunas - he plays very nice, but only in 2005. 3 years in zalgiris made him scaryed coward with no aggresion..



SFs:



Ramunas Siskauskas - best player right now in Europe and he is in perfect health condition.

Linas Kleiza - 50/50 he can be amazing or he just can be like Arturas Milaknis

Simas Jasaitis - ok I am being too sarcastic...

Arturas Jomantas - I am sure nobody will take him to the NT because of his ripped back.

Jonas Maciulis - this guy really can play well, but unfortunatly his IQ is so low..



World Species chart (by intelligence):



Maybe brain transplantation from monkey to Jonas make him a little more intelligent on court and on press conferences. Sure worked for G W Bush.





SGs:



Arvydas Macijauskas - disabled

Renaldas Seibutis - gayest player of NT prospects and he is also injured forever...

Rimantas Kaukenas - I pray God every morning to give health for Rimantas. he is our Hope.



PGs:



Lithuania never ever had good pointguard except Sharas. You think that Chomicius was good? Then Stop drinking LSD. We have only hope Sharas, and I am sure this is his last visit to the NT.



Mantas Kalnietis - because of super Navikauskas and Grigas strategies a young prospect warmed bench for DC. We love DC but we don't even imagine how he ruined our Future.



Zygimantas janavicius - Another prospect and I bet my house that zalgiris will ruin on bench this talent too...



Gustas/Ginevicius - Better put Petravicius to PG..

What about Rolandas Alijevas? I remember him from the University games. He is included in the candidates list and I would choose him as a backup PG to Saras. That is a serious problem that we don't any great PG's except Saras for many years now. Is it because coaches that work with kids are not giving enough attention to this position or what.



I will repeat myself and would say that Stombergas could still help the NT. Despite the fact that he played low level basketball last year. He could still be very dangerous off the bench. But I guess it's pointless to speak about him when we all know that he won't play.

Stombergas is not old, I agree he could help us, but It is his decision and we must respect it. At least he don't create phantom illnesses, and says truth into eyes.



I never saw Alijevas playing, would be glad to see him one day. I also heard he is prospect and lets hope he will advance to the next level until some team extinguish his talent.



What about Martynas Pocius, He was considered big prospect couple years ago and now his stats are very bad <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/profile?playerId=27024" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">[url="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/pr"]http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player/pr[/url] ... erId=27024</a><!-- m -->



Also don't forget we just have Kaukenas and Sharas, we need at least 2 guards. Martynas Gecevi?ius IMO could compensate SG position, Siska and Linas could also play as SG.