The new coach of Lithuanian NT

[TalkBasket]

Since the resignation Antanas Sireika Lithuanian Basketball Federation is looking for a new national team coach. Eurobasket 2007 starts next September and new coach needs to be appointed as soon as possible. LKF (Lithuanian Basketball Federation) president Vladas Garastas (legendary coach of Lithuanian NT) has already set the targets for the new coach. A new coach is expected to win a medal in European Championship and to bring all the best players back to the NT because may of them refused to play in the WC because of Sireika.



There are for names applying for the job. The new coach will be named on 26-27 of November. So the candidates are Ramunas Butautas who won WC with Lithuanian youth team. Former NT player Rimas Kurtinaitis who was in charge of U-20. Former Lietuvos Rytas coach Sarunas Sakalauskas, Benetton Treviso assistant coach Kestutis Kemzura and current Sireika assistant at Unics Valdemaras Chomicius.



In my opinion the best choice would be Butautas. He has already won WC with youth team and I think he is very talented coach.

[Al Bundy]

My vote goes to Butautas <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[Andrius]

Butautas seems to be a popular choice, and considering he's done very well with the youth he would be my choice, too.

[TalkBasket]

Rimas Kurtinaitis decided not to participate. He didn't send his program for NT till the deadline. I don't think he had good chances though. I suspect that he might become a new coach of Zalgiris (hopefully not).

[TalkBasket]

The new coach should be announced tomorrow. Federation decided to reject Valdemaras Chomicius application. He doesn't have enough experience is behind other candidates in this criteria. So it is Ramunas Butautas, Sarunas Sakalauskas and Kestutis Kemzura left now.

[TalkBasket]

[center][/center]

As expected Ramunas Butautas was ellected a new coach of Lithuanian NT. He was the favourite right from the start. It is very interesting whom will he choose as his assistants. He said he'll have 2 or 3 of them. Butautas was asked to make the list of NT candidates in two weeks time. If he could bring our best players back it would be great. The team is expected to win medals in Eurobasket 2007 and it is a huge pressure for the coach. Butautas is very self confident and I hope he will bring great success to the team. Discuss.

[TalkBasket]

Butautas was asked by Lithuanian Basketball Federation to make preliminary list of players for NT and the list was announced today.



First Team: Šarūnas Jasikevičius, Ramūnas Šiškauskas, Arvydas Macijauskas, Rimantas Kaukėnas, Donatas Slanina, Vidas Ginevičius, Simas Jasaitis, Paulius Jankūnas, Darjušas Lavrinovičius, Kšyštofas Lavrinovičius, Linas Kleiza, Darius Songaila, Robertas Javtokas, Žydrūnas Ilgauskas.



Reserve Team: Tomas Delininkaitis, Mantas Kalnietis, Marius Prekevičius, Rolandas Alijevas, Vytenis Jasikevičius, Steponas Babrauskas, Renaldas Seibutis, Jonas Mačiulis, Michailas Anisimovas, Povilas Čukinas, Antanas Kavaliauskas bei Martynas Andriuškevičius.



It is almost the best possible team. Almost because in my opinion Saulius Štombergas would be better than Slanina and I'd place Jonas Mačiulis instead Jankūnas. Mačiulis is having a great season and he is fast. He would be a big support.

The best is that this time possibility of finally getting Ilgauskas to play is real as never before. If he plays then we will definitely have the best front line in Europe.

I am surprised that Ginevičius is still being considered for NT <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thudown.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':thudown:' /> Kalnietis or even V. Jasikevičius could be better even if they are young.

Everything looks very exciting so far.

[TalkBasket]

Candidates for NT list was officially confirmed. Ramunas Bautautas is confident that we will see all the best players playing for NT. It would really be our "Dream Team". Your comments please.



Žydrūnas Ilgauskas (Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA)

Simas Jasaitis (Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Israel)

Šarūnas Jasikevičius (Golden State Warriors, NBA)

Robertas Javtokas (Panathinaikos, Greece)

Ramūnas Šiškauskas (Panathinaikos, Greece)

Rimantas Kaukėnas (Montepaschi Siena, Italy)

Linas Kleiza (Denver Nuggets, NBA)

Darjušas Lavrinovičius (Uniks Kazan, Russia)

Kšištofas Lavrinovičius (Uniks Kazan, Russia)

Arvydas Macijauskas (Olympiakos Pireaus, Greece)

Donatas Slanina (Prokom Trefl Sopot, Poland)

Darius Songaila (Washington Wizards, NBA).

[Andrius]

Wow, if everyone on the list plays, it would be great. Especially since Ilgauskas has never played for us. And Macijauskas has said that he'd probably never play again. And Jasikevicius who was too busy in the NBA.



So overall, these seem like some good news.



<img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />