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Aug 26, 2011, 2:04 pm
[quote name='Vilius' timestamp='1314215075' post='32941']
Slovenia is humiliating us in Ljubljana at the moment (33-52). Since it's a half time I thought I'd share my thoughts on the NT so far this summer.
The first things that comes to my mind is EuroBasket 2009. There are just too many similarities between how the team of 2009 and current plays and tho whole preparation period.
In 2009 we saw "highly questionable" player selection, extremely stubborn coach with his "magical schemes", terrible play and total fiasco.
Now this year. Motiejunas, Gecevicius and Seibutis were cut to shock everyone. Later the fans kind of accepted this decision, it even started to make sense (remember Mazutis, anyone?). Again, the coach declares he wants the team to play fast on both ends of the court (remember Butautas' words?) even though the team got older. Coincidentally, we see the opposite game on the court - very slow game, lots of turnover and literally no defense. Players appear to be confused, although there are glimpses of "real basketball". The team struggles to score (usually no more than 75 points) yet it concedes more. All games against good teams are hopeless, except the win against Spain which, again, makes everyone think that this team can achieve something big. Everyone hopes to see the team starting to play in the next game but instead of constant improvement we see the team play the same way if not worse. But these just friendly games, right? Just like in 2009? Once the real things starts the team will play differently? As simple as that. We are horrible for one month but we'll be good as soon as EuroBasket starts? Could be. What does the history say about that? No way!
Now, I'm not implying that we will have another EuroBasket 2009 but it's hard not to see the obvious similarities. So far this team has showed nothing to convince me that they can fulfill at least lowest expectations.
Oh, also we had good big men in 2009. Actually the whole game was supposed to revolve around them too. Not mentioning crowd support which in 2009 was also supposed to give the team a boost...
There so many things (mainly negative such as extremely poor rebounding despite having so many 'quality big men') about this team, I'm not sure I want to talk about them.
This team doesn't deserve to be in the second round and I wouldn't be extremely shocked if they don't make it there.
[/quote]
Let's face it. Outside Lithuania, you're pretty vulnerable. Home crowd will be your only advance against stronger opponents. If you take advantage of it, you'll go far, maybe finals
Slovenia is humiliating us in Ljubljana at the moment (33-52). Since it's a half time I thought I'd share my thoughts on the NT so far this summer.
The first things that comes to my mind is EuroBasket 2009. There are just too many similarities between how the team of 2009 and current plays and tho whole preparation period.
In 2009 we saw "highly questionable" player selection, extremely stubborn coach with his "magical schemes", terrible play and total fiasco.
Now this year. Motiejunas, Gecevicius and Seibutis were cut to shock everyone. Later the fans kind of accepted this decision, it even started to make sense (remember Mazutis, anyone?). Again, the coach declares he wants the team to play fast on both ends of the court (remember Butautas' words?) even though the team got older. Coincidentally, we see the opposite game on the court - very slow game, lots of turnover and literally no defense. Players appear to be confused, although there are glimpses of "real basketball". The team struggles to score (usually no more than 75 points) yet it concedes more. All games against good teams are hopeless, except the win against Spain which, again, makes everyone think that this team can achieve something big. Everyone hopes to see the team starting to play in the next game but instead of constant improvement we see the team play the same way if not worse. But these just friendly games, right? Just like in 2009? Once the real things starts the team will play differently? As simple as that. We are horrible for one month but we'll be good as soon as EuroBasket starts? Could be. What does the history say about that? No way!
Now, I'm not implying that we will have another EuroBasket 2009 but it's hard not to see the obvious similarities. So far this team has showed nothing to convince me that they can fulfill at least lowest expectations.
Oh, also we had good big men in 2009. Actually the whole game was supposed to revolve around them too. Not mentioning crowd support which in 2009 was also supposed to give the team a boost...
There so many things (mainly negative such as extremely poor rebounding despite having so many 'quality big men') about this team, I'm not sure I want to talk about them.
This team doesn't deserve to be in the second round and I wouldn't be extremely shocked if they don't make it there.
[/quote]
Let's face it. Outside Lithuania, you're pretty vulnerable. Home crowd will be your only advance against stronger opponents. If you take advantage of it, you'll go far, maybe finals