Slovenian NT [Archive] - InterBasket - International Basketball & Euroleague Forum

Joško Poljak Fan

12-28-2006, 12:03 PM

well eventhough this generation had loads of talent and people working in basketball through the Europe continously claimed Slovenia is a medal contender I can't see any medal, and nevermind the allways smart slovenian like mentality, few teams we had should at least manage to eliminate Latvia or Israel.
Even in Belgrade the whole picture might be completely different without the fans, eventhough they showed some of the best games as a NT there and we got eliminated by Germany, nevermind they got the silver I still think any of the players on our NT roster back than could be considered as german 2nd option....
So I don't think it's that wrong to give a chance to some younger players and players that didn't get a chance...

C: Nesterovič, Rizvič/Pavič/Begič?
PF: Smodiš, Lorbek, Slokar, Golemac?
SF: Maravič, Jagodnik?
SG: Vujačič, S. Udrih, Joksimovič?
PG: B. Udrih, Lakovič, Dragič?

That NT wouldn't be bad- actually we've seen many NT's achieving more than our with less talented roster than this one, so if those players would like to retire, I wouldn't really care, at least the roles would be clear in such NT: Rasho, Beno and Smodiš as the key players (and imho all posses enough quality for it), the rest as a role players and that's it...

I wasn't happy with Belgrade so if the changes would start happening, I'm all for it, the change of generations might even be beneficial... as long as Pipan won't overeacting and invite Preldžić, Vidmar, Klobučar in the NT, I want U20 EC gold:cool: :D

Pija_Olimp

12-28-2006, 01:31 PM

Matiz,
you are a model for modesty. Add Čebular to the team, he cannot be so unlucky twice in a row... I hope!

KONSTANTINE

12-28-2006, 02:08 PM

I' Ve Read Many Interviews From Greek Nt Players And When Asked Whats The Secret Of The Success Of This Team They Said , Most Of Us Are Friends Who Play In Different Clubs And We Can't Wait To Be Together With The National Even If That Means We Miss Vacation In Caribean Or...

rikhardur

12-28-2006, 02:19 PM

To me it's always irritating when players in general have that attitude. I think they don't really get that by playing for the NT and at international tournaments they show their skills to a wider audience and can become targets for bigger clubs and earn a reputation. The Slovenian NT could have been a medal contender for every tournament they participated in if it weren't always for the lame excuses of some players not to play. Nachbar and Brezec are classic cases, I mean, they want to rest from what? The best thing they could do was indeed take part in the NT, show their game and in return get more minutes and recognition in the NBA. And Milič is the whole symbol of the present Slovenian basketball, how can he think of not participating? There is a world of positive things in playing at international tournaments, I can't see how they don't see them.

boki

12-28-2006, 04:12 PM

C: Nesterovič, Rizvič/Pavič/Begič?
PF: Smodiš, Lorbek, Slokar, Golemac?
SF: Maravič, Jagodnik?
SG: Vujačič, S. Udrih, Joksimovič?
PG: B. Udrih, Lakovič, Dragič?

My opinion:
1. I don't expect Nesterovic will play if the team won't be competitive.
2. Smodis is allways sayin he will play on ECs and WC, but he never does (since 2001), so I don't expect any different next year + reason 1.
3. Maravic? Give me a break. He hasn't done anything since he left Olimpija years ago. Jagodnik is also done after he left Prokom. We have a black hole on 3.
4. Vujacic's contract with Lakers is coming to end this summer, so he wont risk any injury+ he has naturally never liked to play for NT
5. S. Udrih could be a positive thing, but I still have him in memory as a (below)average player from Olimpija.
6. Joksimovic is solid, but not good enough for second round of EC.
7. Beno Udrih. I'm not sure what's gonna be with him. He is playing bad this year (I read in forums, I just saw couple of games this year), he might be traded any moment. I hope he comes back to Europe soon. He is injury prone, but if healthy, I guess he will play.
8. Lakovic. I guess he will play, but you never know.
9. Dragic-I'm not sure he is good enough even for polish guards. He doesn't play much in Spain and he had only few solid games.
10. Rizvic- no way he could play in EC. His defence is good enough (especially his shot blocking ability), but his offence is non existant (he can make only easy layups and no more)
11. Begic- I see potential there, but not good enough for EC yet.
12. Pavic- I guess he could play, but no way we can get anywhere with him as starting C.
13. E. Lorbek is heaving his worst nightmare in Malaga and I'm not sure he can turn his game dramatically allready till the end of the season.

Joško Poljak Fan

12-28-2006, 05:33 PM

1. I don't expect Nesterovic will play if the team won't be competitive.
as a matter of fact you're right, he did mention that he'll play in Spain in case we'll have a high reach team.

2. Smodis is allways sayin he will play on ECs and WC, but he never does (since 2001), so I don't expect any different next year + reason 1.
I think Smodiš had some reasons in the past and will actually play this summer...
I hope that "reason 1" as you mentioned it wouldn't be the case, it's scary just to think about it, I guess we can just stop playing in most of major team sports than.

3. Maravic? Give me a break. He hasn't done anything since he left Olimpija years ago. Jagodnik is also done after he left Prokom. We have a black hole on 3.
Maravič had a decent year in Spain, if he could get back to that shape and stay healthy, I think he can contribute.
I do not really trust in Jagodnik either, and we might have a hole on SF but i'm still trying to stay optimistic.

4. Vujacic's contract with Lakers is coming to end this summer, so he wont risk any injury+ he has naturally never liked to play for NT
sadly, true

7. Beno Udrih. I'm not sure what's gonna be with him. He is playing bad this year (I read in forums, I just saw couple of games this year), he might be traded any moment. I hope he comes back to Europe soon. He is injury prone, but if healthy, I guess he will play.
well, i stopped paying attention to Spurs quite some time ago, but I thought he is doing fine :confused:

10. Rizvic- no way he could play in EC. His defence is good enough (especially his shot blocking ability), but his offence is non existant (he can make only easy layups and no more)
11. Begic- I see potential there, but not good enough for EC yet.
12. Pavic- I guess he could play, but no way we can get anywhere with him as starting C.
13. E. Lorbek is heaving his worst nightmare in Malaga and I'm not sure he can turn his game dramatically allready till the end of the season.
all true

anyway we couldn't achieve anything with loaded roster, so my philosophy turned to 2-3 quality players and the rest as a role players. As prooved through the recent championships team is far more important than having a bunch of stars... and maybee luck will once be on our side;)

boki

12-28-2006, 08:45 PM

well, i stopped paying attention to Spurs quite some time ago, but I thought he is doing fine :confused:

Me to, I just read spurstalk forum from time to time. This is probably the worst forum I have ever seen. Mostly trolls, who are making stupid comments from watching boxcores and have never been on game live. Or they just don't know anything about bball. I'm actually tired of Spurs just because of stupid&spoiled fans. But my interest in NBA really dropped this year. Last season I was downloading many games; this season only a couple.

PHILIPeurobasket

12-29-2006, 06:11 AM

There is only one paradox :D Ales Pipan sign today contract with Anwil. Now Pipan will be work with the best Polish player Andrzej Pluta, so he will be know all his moves ... If you didnt remember Poland is in one group with Slovenia ... :D

Funny situation ...

boki

12-29-2006, 04:39 PM

I'm sure Pipan will save something only for our NT. :D And Lakovic will take care of Pluta ;)

PHILIPeurobasket

12-29-2006, 07:33 PM

I'm sure Pipan will save something only for our NT. :D And Lakovic will take care of Pluta ;)

Maybe yes, maybe not ... we will see that :rolleyes:

Markoishvili

12-29-2006, 11:38 PM

I don`t know how the hell Slovenians are gonna keep up with fuckin Andrzej Pluta, he is unstoppable...believe me when i say it, when he goes to the store for a 6-pack he is unstoppable, nothing can stop him to buy those pretty Heineken`s, that`s the reason he is so big and long....he is just damn freakin monster, the guy can dunk with his feet on the ground.

PHILIPeurobasket

12-30-2006, 05:00 AM

elaj

01-13-2007, 11:44 AM

boki

01-13-2007, 10:03 PM

Rasho Nesterovič confirmed that he will play for Slovenian NT at EP in Spain. :)

Marko Tušek also said he is available to the NT in the summer if they'll call him.

I hope Nachbar and Bečirovič change their mind... SG and SF look bad.

I was quite surprised, when I read Nesterovic's blog on KZS webpage. I don't remember Nesterovic ever speaking so positive about NT. I don't know what to think now. It's funny how he overhypes some young players that should replace the tired stars. I think he forgot that those young stars from Slovan can't get a freakin' win even in NLB, and Slokar is benchworming the whole year, I won't even talk about Capin... Really I don't know what to think.

Joško Poljak Fan

01-14-2007, 08:33 AM

I was quite surprised, when I read Nesterovic's blog on KZS webpage. I don't remember Nesterovic ever speaking so positive about NT. I don't know what to think now. It's funny how he overhypes some young players that should replace the tired stars. I think he forgot that those young stars from Slovan can't get a freakin' win even in NLB, and Slokar is benchworming the whole year, I won't even talk about Capin... Really I don't know what to think.
some other NT's are doing it this way exposing young talent in their NT's way before they are actually ready- Italy (Bellinelli, i'm sure Datome will be next), Spain (Rudy, Rubio) and looks like the system is working... i still don't think it'll happen to us...
afterall after selecting Dragič in front of more experienced Joksimovič last year might mean Nebojša won't want to play this year at all...

boki

01-14-2007, 09:29 AM

Joško Poljak Fan

01-14-2007, 11:32 AM

Regarding status of Beno Udrih in SA: http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57676

Must say I have never seen so many retarded "fans" on any forum. That's even worse than having 100 Terminators on forum. Matiz and Elaj will know, what I'm talking about :D
well, trade him... or even better, Beno get back to europe

It's not worth bothering with NBA forums, US fans on average have a low bball education (sadly this can also be claimed for a lot of US players) as well, while noone is even bothering to try to understand the european way of playing- it all ends up with cliches.
That's how person like Antoine Walker even achieves a star status, or people wonder how in the world can Trajan Langdon be a better choice than Dion Glover or Tamar Slay gets replaced by some anonimous NCAAer... or Pau Gasol being considered just one of the better players in the league, while he is probably one of the best players overall...

imagine if in CSKA Holden, Anderson and Langdon would have the permition for anything, wouldn't be cooperating and just been throwing the ball anytime they wanted to with Papa, Smodiš, Vanterpool just creating for them, waiting for some trash oppurtunities, with 2nd lineup playing actual "NBA trash time-like"... they'd end up with 3-4... maybee 5 victories in the whole season...
it's not that Udrih is some great player, but for an european it's useless to play in a NBA system, so hopefully they'll all get back to europe one day.

as for those fans... it's the internet, comenting by hiding over some nickname is a lot different than claiming that live where you'd assume just by appearance 95% of those wouldn't even know how to make a left layup, and it would end up you realising you were wrong and actually 98% had no idea how to execute the basic (basics of the basics of the basic basics) bball drill correctly.
that's why don't bother;)

ziv

01-14-2007, 08:54 PM

dragic is doing fine lately (which is better than excpected...). lorbek on his first game back in italy was great. i'm quite surprised matiz didn't mention zupan as a possibilty (or did i just miss it?).
i support becirovic having a rest this summer. the guy had no summer-off for 3 years now as i recall and he espcially needs to get some rest and not to run down his body (again).
on the beno issue - i too support him coming back to europe (nachbar first...) i hope planinic, kasun and welsch examples will push them to do so. there's money in europe (at least in some teams) and there's quality. sitting on the bench and playing a minor role is just not it for this caliber of players. both of them can get over 1mio euro from one of the teams in europe - that's high enough incentive to return imo...

Joško Poljak Fan

01-15-2007, 02:12 PM

both of them can get over 1mio euro from one of the teams in europe - that's high enough incentive to return imo...
they won't be getting that much more money in NBA anyway(considering that together with taxes 1 mio € equals 2.5 mio $) with their next contract (eventhough te salary cup is rising lately :mad: ). Hopefully their goal is not neccesarily breaking into the first lineup of an NBA team, or in Nachbar's case winning a championship...

As for Zupan, I think he is the kind of player that needs to take a step at the time... after 2-3 years of playing time in euroleague than he'll be damn usefull to NT as well...

boki

01-17-2007, 06:33 PM

Smodis just injured his back again vs Zalgiris. He was screaming in pain. No mather that EC is still far away, I don't think he will play for NT with his chronical back problems. Looks like even summer rest doesn't help his bad back.

Buducnost PG

01-17-2007, 06:34 PM

boki

01-17-2007, 07:35 PM

Difficlut injury? Do you think he will be out for a longer period?:o

Can't really tell. He was playing to basket with back against Jankunas. He blew him away with his strength and made easy basket. But then he started screaming for a moment and he left the game. I don't know in what condition was his back before the game. Last game in russian league he played only 10 minutes (btw he scored 16 points), so maybe he got injury there. I don't really know, I guess tommorow the media will tell more.

Joško Poljak Fan

06-01-2007, 03:04 PM

guards:
Sani Bečirovič (Panathinaikos)
Aleksander Ćapin (Varese)
Goran Dragić (Tau Ceramica)
Nebojša Joksimovič (Hemofarm)
Jaka Lakovič (Barcelona)
Domen Lorbek (Union Olimpija)
Beno Udrih (San Antonio Spurs)
Samo Udrih (Granada)
Saša Vujačič (LA Lakers)

SF's::
Saša Dončić (Helios)
Goran Jagodnik (Anwill)
Marko Maravič (BC Kijev)
Boštjan Nachbar (New Jersey Nets)

PF/C's:
Dragiša Drobnjak (Turow)
Goran Jurak (Climamio)
Erazem Lorbek (Roma)
Rašo Nesterović (Toronto Raptors)
Smiljan Pavič (Helios)
Hasan Rizvić (Bosna)
Uroš Slokar (Toronto Raptors)
Matjaž Smodiš (CSKA)
Marko Tušek (Unicaja Malaga)
Željko Zagorac (Ural Great)
Miha Zupan (Union Olimpija)

Brezec and Milič are out, now we can wait to see who else among Vujačič, Nachbar, Sani, Smodiš will cancel their participation.

as far as I am concerned if vujačič cancels it this time, there is no need at all to call him up when he won't be able to earn a spot on the roster in NBA either.

PG: Lakovič, B. Udrih

SG: Bečirovič (hopefully), S. Udrih, Joksimovič
if Sani cancels we should go with Dragič who along with Udrih and Joksimovič isn't as unreliable defensively

SF: Maravič, D. Lorbek
still not too keen on the thought of Jagodnik in NT... but prefer him over Dončič few 10 times...

PF: Smodiš, Tušek, Slokar

C: Nesterovič, E. Lorbek

far from the best possible, but still a decent (nothing more) NT...

boki

06-01-2007, 09:47 PM

Buducnost PG

06-01-2007, 10:07 PM

I think Vujacic, Nachbar and Smodis (first two for sure) will cancel NT again. I think Becirovic will play if Pipan gives him permission to join the preparations a bit later. My predicted roster:

PG: Lakovic, Udrih, Dragic
SG: Becirovic, Joksimovic
SF: Jagodnik, Maravic (god help us)
PF: Tusek, Slokar
C: Nesterovic, Lorbek

The NT we could have :rolleyes:
PG: Lakovic, Udrih
SG: Becirovic, Vujacic, Ozbolt
SG: Nachbar, Milic
PF: Smodis, Lorbek
C: Brezec, Nesterovic

What is wrong in Slovenia? For years always some of the best players will not play for the NT. I am understand some players when they play 5-6 years in the NT in the row and will have a rest. We must see it also so, that some of the players have a tournament with the NT every year. And perhaps it would be better to play the EC all 4 years and not all 2 years.

Joško Poljak Fan

06-04-2007, 03:35 PM

don't know what exactly is going on, no one says it directly only sth. like our federation will have to sort out quite some things regarding NT(I think Sani said that somewhere in his blog (http://sanijev.blog.siol.net/)).

Nachbar now confirmed he won't play in Spain, but he kind of was always there, so I can understand his point of view. He has the last year of his contract and would like to be prepared as good as possible to get a decent new one, he'll be back in next seasons though.
I think the situation is the same with Brezec, while Milič and Ožbolt have injuries to take care of...

Smodiš is the key, with him this NT can be much more competitive than without him...

theblackswans

06-06-2007, 02:47 AM

I think Slovenian national team is really BOSNIAN national team...

Sani Becirovic, Salih Nuhanovic, Hasan Rizvic, Mensud Julevic, Sanel Bajramlic, Emir Preldzic, Mirza Begic and Aleksander Capin et all.

Slovenian team has always been long on talent short on teamwork. I love the guy who said US fans have low bball iq. Have you ever gone to a european match? Most fans are also idiots in europe just like the usa. Don't be a punk and embarrass yourself.

Such crap. Also crap talk about US players, different game.

NBA basketball is the best in the world, not even close! You can compare the worst teams in the NBA to euro teams...

But if they played NBA rules in international competition with NBA refs... Your teams would get smashed like your armies did against the Axis forces in WWII and I think you all would surrender faster than the FRENCH!

Bonjour ladies!

don't know what exactly is going on, no one says it directly only sth. like our federation will have to sort out quite some things regarding NT(I think Sani said that somewhere in his blog (http://sanijev.blog.siol.net/)).

Nachbar now confirmed he won't play in Spain, but he kind of was always there, so I can understand his point of view. He has the last year of his contract and would like to be prepared as good as possible to get a decent new one, he'll be back in next seasons though.
I think the situation is the same with Brezec, while Milič and Ožbolt have injuries to take care of...

Smodiš is the key, with him this NT can be much more competitive than without him...

elaj

06-06-2007, 08:51 AM

I think Slovenian national team is really BOSNIAN national team...

Sani Becirovic, Salih Nuhanovic, Hasan Rizvic, Mensud Julevic, Sanel Bajramlic, Emir Preldzic, Mirza Begic and Aleksander Capin et all.
Ask Sani how he feels, is he Bosnian or Slovenian, he will give you his answer. Once again Sani Bečirovič is born and raised in Slovenia to Bosnian father (coach of Helios Domžale) and Slovenian mother.

Hasan Rizvič never played in NT, only in youth team, Salih Nuhanović is out of the question, Mensud Julević same, Sanel Bajramlič is born and raised in Slovenia by Bosnian parents and he will also probably never play for Slovenian NT.

While if I know correctly Ćapin is Bosnian Serb with Slovenian passport and is the only one who played for NT as naturalised player. Mirza Begić is same case as Hasan Rizvić, but with more potential.

At least Slovenian federation isn't that stupid as Bosnian which refused to call Preldžić, Begić, Rizvić to their squad. :rolleyes:

Slovenian team has always been long on talent short on teamwork. I love the guy who said US fans have low bball iq. Have you ever gone to a european match? Most fans are also idiots in europe just like the usa. Don't be a punk and embarrass yourself.

Such crap. Also crap talk about US players, different game.
We have been to more european matches you ever will be. ;) I won't even comment your last sentence, I kind of rest my case here.

But if they played NBA rules in international competition with NBA refs... Your teams would get smashed like your armies did against the Axis forces in WWII and I think you all would surrender faster than the FRENCH!
Probably, but guess what... we are playing with our rules. :D

boki

06-06-2007, 09:03 AM

In today's Ekipa Smodis said he met with Pipan yesterday but didn't make any decision yet. Today he will meet Pipan once again and he will make final decision. I guess Smodis demanded some things and Pipan took a day to think if he will accept those demands. Like Matiz said, Smodis is the key. If he won't play, we won't be competitive at all.

Joško Poljak Fan

06-06-2007, 11:08 AM

regarding fans low bball IQ, i was saying it regarding the forums i used to read... from my perspective most of those know as much about bball as I do about baseball...

Probably, but guess what... we are playing with our rules. :D
actually it's a bit funny, but the whole world plays with the same rules... :D
and why exactly should we even take into consideration the rules changed in order to sell more jerseys.... beyond my IQ, sorry ;)

Joško Poljak Fan

06-07-2007, 02:56 PM

What is wrong in Slovenia? For years always some of the best players will not play for the NT. I am understand some players when they play 5-6 years in the NT in the row and will have a rest. We must see it also so, that some of the players have a tournament with the NT every year. And perhaps it would be better to play the EC all 4 years and not all 2 years.
also... I managed to actually find this interview (http://www.mladina.si/tednik/200539/clanek/slo-intervju--aleksandar_micic/index.print.html-l2) with bball federation president Šešok in mladina newspaper...
I hope you won't be mad if I don't translate this part, I think you'll understand it anyway:

V zadnjih letih se je pojavil problem, ko klubi ne pustijo svojih igralcev igrati v reprezentanci. Matjažu Smodišu, Ivici Jurkoviću, lani Urošu Slokarju klubi niso dovolili nastopati za reprezentanco. Kaj ste storili, da bi naši reprezentanti vseeno lahko nastopali? Kaj sploh lahko storite kot predsednik košarkarske zveze?

Tu nekih možnosti žal sploh nimamo. Fiba je organizacija, ki nima vpliva na te klube. Mislim celo, da je šlo za dogovor med trenerjem CSKA Messino, rusko federacijo, grško federacijo in CSKA-jem.

Zakaj pa grška federacija?

Ker je predsednik grške federacije George Vassilakopoulos tudi predsednik evropske Fibe. Ve se, da smo igrali z Grki v isti skupini, in ve se, da je Matjaž Smodiš najboljša četvorka v Evropi. Mislim, da so se zadeve odločale na tej relaciji, ker je zanimivo, da je trener Ettore Messina ruske košarkarje pustil na evropsko prvenstvo, našega Smodiša pa ne. Moram reči, da je to podlo, umazano, ker smo tako ali tako majhni in se potem veliki, kot so Italija, Grčija in Rusija, izživljajo nad nami.
:rolleyes:

Buducnost PG

06-16-2007, 10:14 PM

There could be some truth in that what Zakaj said, but i don´t think that is 100% true. But on the other side i am asking me as he also did, why all russian players of CSKA were allowed to play for Russia and Papaloukas for Greece and only not Smodis. Now we can say that Smodis and Papaloukas are the most important players for CSKA. But why they never say to Papaloukas please stay away from the NT this summer?

But it starts a little bit like in the NBA in europe. Teams wants that players get a rest in the summer and not play for the NT. But at the end the decison has to bring the player and nobody could stop him to play for the NT if he real wants it.

Pija_Olimp

06-18-2007, 06:13 PM

I read an interview with Šešok, the president of the Slovene bball association:
http://www.dnevnik.si/novice/aktualne_teme/zgodba/252179/

Finally somebody said it clearly and loudly:

Pri članih se znova vrstijo odpovedi, o katerih najbrž nimate dobrega mnenja. Bi lahko v negativnem smislu koga izpostavili poimensko?

Za mene je največji negativni primer Saša Vujačič. Fant je s 15 leti odšel v Italijo mimo pravil, saj smo mu izdali dovoljenje, tako imenovani "letter of clearence", zaradi tega, ker so šli starši tja delat. Spustili smo ga v upanju, da se bo kdaj odzval reprezentančnemu vabilu, danes pa nima niti toliko volje, da bi dvignil telefonski aparat. Selektor Pipan ga je namreč klical vsaj 20-krat. To je moralno nesprejemljivo! Poglejmo na primer v Nemčiji primer Dirka Nowitzkega, multimilijonarja, velezvezdnika in najboljšega igralca lige NBA, ki vedno pravi, da se je košarke naučil v Nemčiji in bo zanjo vedno igral. Ali pa Tonyja Parkerja v Franciji...

I think he should be totally ignored from now on, like he never existed. I also suggest him to start looking for another citizenship, maybe the USA's or Serbia, or from where he or his parents originate.

Joško Poljak Fan

06-18-2007, 07:21 PM

Vujačič probably thinks he touched the "god's genitals" by warming the bench with Lakers...

he'll come begging for an NT appearance when he gets fired by them.

Pija_Olimp

06-18-2007, 08:22 PM

he'll come begging for an NT appearance when he gets fired by them.
and I would love to be a president of the KZS at that moment. :D

boki

06-18-2007, 10:07 PM

I know why Vujacic doesn't pick up the phone. I bet he just doesn't know which excuse to tell Pipan this time. I agree with you. He should never get invited again and all media should stop reporting about him like he is slovenian.

elaj

06-19-2007, 02:43 PM

Matjaž Smodiš confirmed that he is going to join the NT for the European Championship 2007. :)

rikhardur

06-19-2007, 03:02 PM

Matjaž Smodiš confirmed that he is going to join the NT for the European Championship 2007. :)
Indeed great news ;)

Joško Poljak Fan

06-19-2007, 03:38 PM

finally, he is one of the best PF's in Europe, no wonder we could use him :rolleyes:

Sani on the other hand said in his blog he'll reconsider if he'll play or not, due to the long schedule.

confirmed, not officially known yet, missing

C: Nesterovič, E. Lorbek, Brezec
PF: Smodiš, Tušek, Slokar, Golemac, Jurak, Zupan?
SF: Maravič, Jagodnik, D. Lorbek, Dončič, Nachbar, Milič
SG:, Bečirovič, Joksimovič, S.Udrih, Ožbolt, Vuja...who?
PG: B. Udrih, Lakovič, Dragič, Čapin

elaj

06-21-2007, 08:14 AM

Marko Maravič declined to join the NT because of his left foot injury. SF position looks terrible.

Joško Poljak Fan

06-21-2007, 08:39 AM

Marko Maravič declined to join the NT because of his left foot injury. SF position looks terrible.
I hope Preldžič would be willing to play in senior NT after the U20. it's better to give Preldžič and Klobučar some experience than wasting the spot with an average players.

looks like 3 guards on court will be a reality... nevermind we're stuck at C/PF, compared to guard positions, while there is no SF anyway :D The only thing i'm sure of is that right now Domen Lorbek just got himself a 100% place on the NT roster.

DZK

06-21-2007, 10:25 AM

I agree about Preldzic...he is far better option for this team than Maravic and Jagodnik in the first place...nothing against Jagodnik but he is a scorer and we have enough of them.

My ideal 12 players would be:
C: Nesterovic, Slokar
PF: Smodis, E.Lorbek, Tusek/Vidmar (depends on motivation of Tusek...Vidmar might be better as he would want to prove more...like Jankunas in Lithuania few years ago)
SF: D.Lorbek, Preldzic
Guards (better to write it this way): Lakovic, B.Udrih, Becirovic, Dragic, Capin/S.Udrih

This would be nice combination of leaders (Nesterovic, Smodis, Becirovic, Lakovic and B.Udrih), "experienced" youngsters (Slokar, E.Lorbek, D.Lorbek and Dragic) and newcomers wanting to prove and learn (Preldzic and Vidmar)...hierarchy would be pretty clear and that is quite important for team spirit and also in the end...result.

Joško Poljak Fan

06-22-2007, 10:47 AM

C: Radoslav Nesterovič, Erazem Lorbek
PF: Matjaž Smodiš, Uroš Slokar, Gašper Vidmar, Željko Zagorac
SF: Goran Jagodnik, Domen Lorbek, Emir Preldžič
SG: Sani Bečirovič, Samo Udrih, Jaka Klobučar
PG: Jaka Lakovič, Goran Dragič, Aleksandar Čapin

reserves in case of injuries: Sandi Čebular (?), Smiljan Pavič, Hasan Rizvič, Miha Zupan

Beno Udrih won't come... while his brother Samo is waiting for his recovery after the surgery, if it succeds he'll be there (reportedly)

Unlike the previous NT's this one doesn't have half as much depth.
One great lineup, with Erazem Lorbek and Slokar coming off bench along with some youngsters-at least those will be motivated.
Zagorac is undersized, and I don't like Čebular being on the reserves lists either. I'm glad Pipan selected the Slovan's youngsters though I hope they'll be well incorporated into the team, because all 4 (i included Dragič) have the talent to contribute to some extention in a system that would allow them that.

It'll be tough assuming where this team would end up in the end, but even if they won't manage to do something big a refreshment was imho needed and this time I think NT has the chance to come up with a clear hierarchy- something that was badly missing in previous years imho, since now it's clear Rašo, Smodiš, Sani and Lakovič have to carry this team, while in the past I think Pipan had to big of a choice of good (but not great) players and didn't want to favour anyone. That's our chance, I hope they'll manage to use it.

elaj

07-14-2007, 08:39 PM

Sani is said no... I guess Klobučar will be given a chance.

Joško Poljak Fan

07-14-2007, 09:30 PM

but that also means Čapin will be in the squad... which isn't exactly what I was hoping for.

Maybee Pipan would go with 3 SF's and still let Čapin behind. I prefer both Preldžič and Klobučar getting a chance...

Klobučar knows how to put effort in defense, but considering he didn't yet make a name for himself his game is screaming to get called 5 fouls at halftime.

boki

07-15-2007, 10:46 AM

I also hope Klobucar will be our starting SG after Sani declined. Just keep Capin out of the game as much as possible. But I'm really not optimistic at all about eurobasket. I don't think Smodis and Lakovic can carry on the whole team. And these two are only top quality players. Maybe a win against Poland, but no chance against Italy and France. I think Smodis would never accepted the call to NT, if he knew, how poor team will Pipan bring to Spain. I think it's possible Smodis will fake some injury in preparations, so he can escape from this tragicomedy.

elaj

07-17-2007, 04:35 PM

Coach Pipan added Sandi Čebular and Hasan Rizvić to the list. I think he should have called Pavič/Begić instead of Rizvić, but doesn't matter those two for sure won't make it to the final roster.

After Gašper Okorn declined to join NT as coach assistent Pipan chose Miro Alilović (coach of U20 NT) as his second assistent.

elaj

07-22-2007, 07:27 PM

Samo Udrih (CB Granada) couldn't join Slovenian NT today on preparations because of the serious ankle problems. He won't be in the squad for the European Championship.

elaj

07-25-2007, 10:40 AM

Željko Zagorac decided not to join NT because of his new employer Lokomotiv Rostov asked him not to. :rolleyes:

boki

07-25-2007, 10:40 AM

Another new absentee in slovenian NT. Zeljko Zagorac left the NT, because his new club Lokomotiva Rostov demanded so. Now it's very obvious, that Rizvic and Preldzic won't go to Spain. So our NT will look like:

PG: Lakovic, Dragic
SG: Capin, Klobucar, Cebular
SF: Jagodnik, D. Lorbek
PF: Smodis, Slokar
C: Nesterovic, E. Lorbek, Vidmar

Allthough I will rather take Preldzic and left Capin out. Then D. Lorbek would play on SG and Preldzic on SF.

Elaj/Matiz please post links (Sopcast, TVU,...) to Stankovic's cup games if you find any. Thanks.

elaj

07-25-2007, 10:47 AM

Just to let everyone know, Nesterovič, Smodiš, E. Lorbek and Lakovič won't travel to China on Stanković Cup in order to prepare themselfs individually. I guess Pipan could now call Pavič/Zupan into the NT for this Stanković Cup instead of Zagorac.

Elaj/Matiz please post links (Sopcast, TVU,...) to Stankovic's cup games if you find any. Thanks.
I just searched and I discovered here (http://www.sport.gov.mo/web/en/event/stankovic2007/index.php) that Chinese CCTV-5 should broadcast the games. You can get this channel on SopCast (http://sopcast.en.softonic.com/) and also on TVUPlayer (http://www.shareup.com/TVUPlayer-download-47142.html). ;)

Games schedule (already in CET):

Saturday, 28. July 2007 (Guangzhou)

Angola : New Zealand (at 10.00)
China : Venezuela (at 13.00)
Slovenia : NBDL All Star (at 15.00)

Sunday, 29. July 2007 (Guangzhou)

Venezuela : Angola (at 10.00)
China : Slovenia (at 13.00)
New Zealand : NBDL All Star (at 15.00)

Tuesday, 31. July 2007 (Macau)

NBDL All Star : Venezuela (at 10.00)
Angola : China (at 13.30)
Slovenia : New Zealand (at 15.30)

Wednesday, 1. August 2007 (Macau)

NBDL All Star : Angola (at 10.00)
New Zealand : China (at 13.30)
Slovenia : Venezuela (at 15.30)

Thursday, 2. August 2007 (Macau)

Venezuela : New Zealand (at 10.00)
China : NBDL All Star (at 13.30)
Slovenia : Angola (at 15.30)

Joško Poljak Fan

07-25-2007, 11:24 AM

I'd prefer Preldžič coming instead of Čapin as well...

PG: Lakovič 30 minutes/ Dragič 10 min.
SG: Dragič 10 / Klobučar 10 / Lorbek 20
SF: Jagodnik 20 / Lorbek 5 / Preldžič 15
PF/C: Smodiš, Slokar, Nesterovič, Lorbek, Vidmar

sadly things aren't as simple as I've wrote down above, Pipan selecting only 4 guards just to put Emir in, isn't exactly the optimal solution, but I can't see any significant improvement without him (wih Čapin) either.
having Čebular as the 5th guard is just like having only 4 guards (no diss to Sandi but...) as he isn't likely to play any minutes, so if Čapin joins we get a little better depth at PG/SG, but we loose Preldžič at SF, meaning we still have only 6 perimeter players... a complete mess... not to mention what happens if one guard gets injured (potentially Lakovič :D:rolleyes: )

...even Gorenc and Hafnar would be welcome here... not to mention McDonald... let alone Vujačič, Joksimovič, both Udrih's, Ožbolt, Sani... I was a bit dissapointed when Memi let Čebular out of Olimpija, but he isn't a NT material for sure...

Now it'll all depend on Rašo/Smodiš covering up for guard's mistakes in defense... we'll probably see some yet unseen lineups on that championship

boki

07-27-2007, 10:40 PM

I kinda look more into CCTV5 tv schedule and find out that Slovenia: China will be broadcasted live on Sundey (13.00 CET). Slovenia: NBDL (tommorow at 15.00 CET) won't be broadcasted live, but will be delayed on Sunday (9:00am CET). Still don't know about other three games next week.

I hope I didn't make any mistakes, I used google translator on this link:
http://www.tvwu.com/chinatvguide/cctv5-sports.htm

elaj

07-28-2007, 02:06 PM

http://sports.sina.com.cn/bscup_en.html

Here you can watch all the games of Stanković Cup.

Slovenia : NBDL Team 94:86 (73:58, 52:36, 29:25)
Slovenia: Ćapin 21, Preldžić 17, Vidmar 13, Jagodnik 13, Lorbek 11, Dragić 9, Čebular 5, Rizvić 3, Klobučar 2.

Uroš Slokar didn't play because of an injury.

Joško Poljak Fan

07-29-2007, 12:04 PM

top 5 (http://sports.sina.com.cn/k/bn/2007-07-29/00173218.shtml) actions from the game.

that website would be great, if it wasn't for chinese letters :D

elaj

07-29-2007, 12:56 PM

China : Slovenia 76:80 (21:25, 16:21, 18:21, 21:13)
Slovenia: Čebular 9, Preldžić 2, Ćapin 11, Dragić 4, Klobučar 0, Slokar 0, Jagodnik 17, D. Lorbek 10, Rizvić 6, Vidmar 21.

Vidmar and other fellas made fun of poor Yi Jianlian. Yi Jianlian is such a whiner, acts like a star, but plays like an amateur. :D Slovenia led for already +17 points in this game. :rolleyes: The final score really doesn't show the performance of both teams. Slovenia again played without injured Uroš Slokar.

boki

07-29-2007, 01:21 PM

I am so angry, that Olimpija let go Vidmar. He would be a superstar in Olimpija in a year or two. And I can't believe that we lost to this team+Yao on WC. And I must say that Rizvic is totally useless and I really can't figure out why he got called before Pavic. I'm quite surprised with Cebular's play. I think Becirovic maybe made a mistake to let him go. Olimpija should loan him not release him IMO.

Joško Poljak Fan

07-29-2007, 02:47 PM

That were my thoughts exactly... I like Vidmar more everyime I see him and the way it looked like today, If Yi was a lottery pick Vidmar should've been a no.1 :D ... and on the contrary he doesn't have a birth date issues either :D
The dissapointment of Vidmar not being in Olimpija will grow every time we'll see him play...

Agreed on Čebula as well, maybee Memi was relying too much on summer league when most guys were probably out of shape. It's not that Čebular was shineing this game, but he would be usefull in a year or two, eventhough he has some weknesses he'll probably never fix, I don't agree with letting those players go, especially if the team is than not able to bring talents like Preldžič, Klobučar, Dragič and Vidmar...

I have to add that I like the attitude of Jagodnik, he surely doesn't lack motive as Milič, Maravič and Nachbar had an advantage in front of him in NT for the past few years.

But overall it was just a preparation game, i'm surprised our C team (practically :rolleyes: ) did so well at this time, but consequently I am even more surprised how in the world we lost to China at the world championship.

Once again Čapin vs. Preldžič will be a tough choice, but Čapin clearly has an advantage nevermind he won't be able to perform like that vs. top euro PG's...

Straight forward

07-30-2007, 08:21 AM

will Slovenia play in Latvia (August 4- 6) ?

elaj

07-30-2007, 08:23 AM

will Slovenia play in Latvia (August 4- 6) ?
Probably not, because first part of the team comes from China on 4. or even 5. of August and after that as I know they have scheduled a preparation camp in Kranjska Gora (Slovenia).

Preparation program for EC in Spain of team Slovenia:

21.7. - 26.7. - Preparation camp Zreče (Slovenia)

28.7. - 2. 8. - Tournament in China - Stanković Cup (China, Angola, New Zealand, Venezuela and NBDL team)

6.8. - 10.8. - Preparation camp in Kranjska Gora (Slovenia)

10.8. - 12.8. - Tournament in France - Strasbourg (Greece, Serbia and France)

15.8. - 20.8. - Preparation camp in Portorož (Slovenia)

20.8. - 22.8. - Tournament in Greece - Akropilis Cup (Greece, Lithuania and Italy)

24.8. - 30.8. - Preparation camp in Maribor and two games vs. France (one opened and one closed for public) (not confirmed yet) (Slovenia)

1.9. - Departure for EC in Spain (Alicante)

Straight forward

07-30-2007, 10:31 AM

Probably not, because first part of the team comes from China on 4. or even 5. of August and after that as I know they have scheduled a preparation camp in Kranjska Gora (Slovenia).

Preparation program for EC in Spain of team Slovenia:

21.7. - 26.7. - Preparation camp Zreče (Slovenia)

28.7. - 2. 8. - Tournament in China - Stanković Cup (China, Angola, New Zealand, Venezuela and NBDL team)

6.8. - 10.8. - Preparation camp in Kranjska Gora (Slovenia)

10.8. - 12.8. - Tournament in France - Strasbourg (Greece, Serbia and France)

15.8. - 20.8. - Preparation camp in Portorož (Slovenia)

20.8. - 22.8. - Tournament in Greece - Akropilis Cup (Greece, Lithuania and Italy)

24.8. - 30.8. - Preparation camp in Maribor and two games vs. France (one opened and one closed for public) (not confirmed yet) (Slovenia)

1.9. - Departure for EC in Spain (Alicante)

fanx. unhappily. but we will meat in Akropilis Cup

elaj

07-31-2007, 03:46 PM

Slovenia : New Zealand 72:74 (56:50, 32:33, 19:16)

Slovenia was in the lead for most of the game, but in last seconds our young players lost the control and did few stupid mistakes (such as foul one minute to go and than after foul tehnical foul by Dragič :D). I don't want to mention reff's... who cares, it's friendly tournament.

Slovenia : Venezuela 88:68 (68:47, 45:29 ,15:8)
Slovenia: Jagodnik 17, Klobučar 12, Preldžić, Dragić 11, Ćapin, Vidmar, Rizvić 8, D. Lorbek 6, Čebular 4, Slokar 3

Joško Poljak Fan

08-01-2007, 08:01 PM

Slovenia - Venezuela 88:68 (15:8, 30:21, 23:18, 20:21)

Jagodnik 17 +6reb +5steals, Klobučar 12, Preldžič11, Dragič 11, Čašin 8, Vidmar 8, Rizvič 8; Vargas 17, Romero 17, Marriaga 7

nothing to say about the game, Dragič had some nice moves, otherwise boring...
Venezuela lacks on off-bball movement and emphasises too much on 1 on 1.

elaj

08-02-2007, 05:34 PM

Slovenia : Angola 78:51 (64:40, 36:25, 19:10)
Slovenia: Čapin 16, Jagodnik 14, Vidmar 11, Čebular 8, Domen Lorbek 8, Rizvič 8, Preldžič 5, Dragič 5, Klobučar 1, Slokar 2.

Slovenia won Stanković cup.

elaj

08-05-2007, 07:48 PM

Pipan made first cut from the squad - Emir Preldžič. The next logical cut would be Rizvič. So from naturalised players Čapin is 99% in the squad for EC (1% if Pipan goes mad or Čapin gets injured).

elaj

08-10-2007, 06:01 PM

First "real" friendly game for Slovenia finnished with a victory against Greeks 65:54. Slovenia was up already in the HT 42:26. Greeks played without main guys - Papaloukas, Tsartsaris and Dikoudis. Both Lorbek's finnished with 10 points, while top scorer for Slovenia was Smodiš with 11 points. Spanoulis scored 15 points for Greeks as their top scorer.

Rasho said few days ago that chemistry in Slovenian team is really, really great for the first time, I just hope they can keep it like this untill Eurobasket.:rolleyes:

ffalkec

08-10-2007, 10:06 PM

This was Greeces first game after hard training, so we'll see tomorow and on Sunday, how good we really are.

Joško Poljak Fan

08-10-2007, 11:24 PM

I keep hoping that clearly set roles in the NT with less talent, might do the job instead of a loaded roster. Greece was missing some players, but playing vs. Diama, Zissis, Spanoulis, Fotsis and Papadopolous ain't no joke.

afterall, lack of talent? Italy affords to play with Gallinari, Belineli and Bargnani as almost go to guys and we don't trust Dragič, Klobučar and Vidmar to be able to play some back up minutes? I think we should, we were playing bad vs. teams with much less talent, now it should be time to turn that around. Talent is far from everything on those competitions and i think our NT should be the one exploiting that this year... hopefully.

ArkadiosV2

08-10-2007, 11:36 PM

Joško Poljak Fan

08-10-2007, 11:44 PM

I watched the game, or at least try to, i left at half time because greece was pathetic. Except Spanoulis the other guys were exchausted by the long season and the hard training. No energy, no speed, no defence, no jumping for rebounds... I think that this old and tired Greek NT really needs Pelekanos' energy and enthusiam.

Btw, didn't Lakovic say he won't play in the Eurobasket?
nothing unussual for this stage of preparations... those games are ussualy not watchable no matter the result, it'll be a whole lot different picture in 1 or 2 weeks ;)

I think Lakovič was in from the very begining. Without him our backcourt would be way too unexperienced for this level...

ffalkec

08-11-2007, 11:19 AM

Anybody knows where to watch todays game slovenia - serbia?

Joško Poljak Fan

08-11-2007, 05:36 PM

Anybody knows where to watch todays game slovenia - serbia?
there aren't no broadcasts on the net. Otherwise I think Sport+ is broadcasting the french games and some greek chanel the greek ones... as far I read in the main forum none of those two chanels are available on the internet.
Some members promised to make torrents though, check up the eurobasket 2007 section ;)

ffalkec

08-11-2007, 05:42 PM

I know about Sport+, I spent a few hours yesterday "fixing" my satelite receiver, so I could watch the french games. But of course, I'd rather watch slovenia than France :(

elaj

08-21-2007, 10:37 PM

Slovenia : Italy 84:81 (69:54, 41:36, 20:19)
Smodiš 13, Nesterović 12; Belinelli 20, Soragna 16

Slovenia : Lithuania 72:87 (53:75, 31:51, 14:24)
Smodiš 16, E. Lorbek 15, Dragić 11; Kaukenas and Javtokas 14, Songaila 12

Slovenia vs. Italy without Lakovič, while they also lost Ćapin in first quarter against Lithuania. They don't know how serious Ćapin's injury is.

Joško Poljak Fan

08-22-2007, 09:17 AM

Any chances for Preldžič to come back to the team in case the injury, was there any word about that when Emir left the team?
If Čapin's injury is serious we would need him desperately.

elaj

08-22-2007, 06:05 PM

Joško Poljak Fan

08-22-2007, 10:00 PM

Greece : Slovenia 80:65 (65:54, 40:41, 16:19)
Spanoulis 16, Papaloukas 14; D. Lorbek 15, Jagodnik 14, Smodiš 11

Anyone saw the game? I heard we played without PG for quite some time because Dragič broke his nose... also Lakovič and Ćapin didn't play.
compared to yesterday this was a poem...
Klobučar did well on PG, although commiting some mistakes that were due to tiredness imo. There was some positive bball movement, unlike yesterday, also some set plays, which really makes me wonder what did Pipan really want to try out yesterday. Tried out Zone in 4th quarter, they don't seem to certain playing it imo.
There were some flaws in the game, but there still is some time and those flaws are nothing compared to what we've seen yesterday. I'll sleep a bit calmer today :cool:

boki

08-22-2007, 10:25 PM

Elaj I don't know if you know this, but in this program myTV you can watch games also in delay. Just click recorded shows and search for a game.

elaj

08-23-2007, 12:39 PM

Elaj I don't know if you know this, but in this program myTV you can watch games also in delay. Just click recorded shows and search for a game.
Thanks.

Thank god Ćapin's injury isn't serious. He will miss next two games against France, but he will be fully fit for the EC. Dragič will play with protection mask.

elaj

08-23-2007, 09:14 PM

Rasho said this for Slovenian press:

Journalist: "If you would have to fortell... which three national teams would you put on winners stage?"
Rasho: "I would bet on Spain, Greece and Slovenia, but not necessarily in this order..." :D

Anyway, he also said if Slovenia doesn't qualify for the Olympics this years Eurobasket will be his last appearance in national team jersey.

Slovenia : France 74:92 (18:23, 19:22, 12:24, 25:23) (http://server1.mbt.lt/sites/kzs/netcasting/)
Slovenia : France 87:90 (19:13, 24:27, 17:22, 27:25) (http://server1.mbt.lt/sites/kzs/index.php/ZnVzZWFjdGlvbj1nYW1lcy5tYWluJmdfaWQ9NA==)

Joško Poljak Fan

09-02-2007, 09:09 AM

good news, bad news article about Slovenia, by Yarone Arbel (http://www.eurobasket2007.org/en/cid_BqypGFJPHy-Nw4lwIAq,v3.pageID_LclWaCOnHmgj8qUzi-PCC3.compID_qMRZdYCZI6EoANOrUf9le2.season_2007.coi d_ntaNf61sJJYC,eXd6v4Vw0.articleMode_on.html)

Today in "Good News, Bad News" we take a look at Slovenia.

With stars like Smodis and Lorbek on the roster and the ability to burn opponents from distance Ales Pipan will have some clay to work with as he looks to mold a EuroBasket surprise.

The Good News:

The return of Smodis- Believe it or not the last time Smodis played with the National Team was in EuroBasket 2001 in Turkey. A lot has happened in his career since then, and now, as maybe the best power forward in Europe, he's here to help his team make it big. Smodis is in debt to his country, and with so many absences he will have to show he can carry the team on his wide, strong and experienced back.

Matjaz Smodis (CSKA)
Matjaz Smodis hopes his success at CSKA Moscow translates well to EuroBasket.
Shooting stars- It's not a big surprise that Slovenia has many players who can hit the outside shoot. Erazem Lorbek, Goran Jagodnik and obviously Smodis are big guys with a long range shot. Lakovic, on a given night can smash any defense from outside and even Capin, coming from a season where he hit 44% from long range in the Italian league, can be dangerous and with all the injuries he's expected to play a much bigger role. Don't let him out of your sight, Capin is a better player then most people give him credit for. Pay attention also to the young guys - Domen Lorbek, the young brother of Erazem who signed in the summer with Estudiantes and is slowly becoming one of the best shooters on the continent. Add to that Jaka Klobucar, another rising shooter, who in a single night, with enough confidence, can nail countless long range shots and the Slovenians are deadly from the perimeter.

Young and eager- As expected for a team with so many young players, coach Pipan shouldn't have a problem with energy, enthusiasm and big egos. The youngsters will provide plenty of the later and little of the former. When you have a team with so much talent that plays with big energy and have so many good shooter, on a given night anything can happen, and that given night could make the difference.

The Bad News:

Looking for balance- All in all the roster is skilled but not very balanced and inexperienced at some positions. There are six inside players: Raso, Smodis, E. Lorbek, Slokar, Jagodnik and Vidmar, and all of them are 4-5s, fighting for two spots and 80 minutes. A little bit too many, but that's what Pipan has, and with that he'll have to play.

Beyond the first five- Half of Pipan's roster is carrying big experience on their back and have played at the highest spots of pro basketball. Smodis, E. Lorbek (despite his age), Raso, Lakovic, Jagodnik and Capin have been around for a few years now, but the other half of the roster is completely fresh. Five players are 1985 to 1987 born, in addition to Uros Slokar who almost didn't play last season with the Raptors and actually, has never played a big role in any team. Bench players play a big role in such long and exhausting tournament. No team can allow a big difference in its ability when the bench players are in charge, if they want to go far. Can the Slovenian kids handle it?

A lack of size- The absence of Nachbar left Slovenia without a real big time small forward. Great inside players, big name in the guards, but nothing intimidating at the three and in a way at the second guard too. Pipan might use this to play with a small line-up that in some situations can cause big problems for an opponent. But that's still a disadvantage on paper. If Pipan can manage to turn their lack of size into an advantage, he'll get all the credit.

hotjam_2

10-31-2007, 11:29 AM

This year's team played extremely well. It's players were full of energy, and great on defence, compared to last year's so called 'star studded' team, but which nevertheless most observers felt gave a 'flat' performance at Worlds.
When Slovania goes into the qualifying tournement next year, they will face a dilema; used the same players from this year? or bring back their more known veterans from last 2007?

From last year's squad(sorry about the mispellings);
Beorivic, Nachbar, Udrich, Brezec, Millic,

who do you think should be allowed back?

who do you think they should replace on the current squad?

Despite being a good sub at center, E Lobeck did'nt have the defensive presence and
I personally would like to see Brezec retrun, and perhaps Udrich for his 3 point accuracy shooting. Beorivic would be the sentimental favorite, but 3 poing guards on one team is too much and he would have to replace Gordan Lagic, who was a phenom defensive player.. So it's a tough call, i'll say Brezec for sure. Otherwise for the rest, your giving up defence for offence

I moved this post to more appropriate topic... *elaj

Joško Poljak Fan

10-31-2007, 01:11 PM

bigger part of the better game were imho more defined roles as predicted, filling up all players possible could dissrupt the chemistry again...

I personaly wouldn't select Brezec into the final roster, I expect young Vidmar to progress again this season, they both aren't any sort of defensive studs, but imho Vidmar should bring more to the table with his rebounding touch and should in a matter of a year or two also bring more in offense, since he should develope into typical "making sth. good out of trash" type of player that doesn't need much ball possesion to make things happen.

Lorbek as you noticed correctly will probably never be any significant defensive presence, but he did seem a bit out of shape and he can bring a lot more on the offensive part, just as he is doing in Roma lately. Slokar is getting some playing time finaly atfer sth. like 5 years now and imo that should be visible the next time with the NT, he probably lacked that badly... they both have an edge with IQ on most of interior players. Nesterovič keeps prooving himself as maybee the best defensive center by fiba rules so i guess he can cover for them in defense, along with Smodiš that is one of the best PF's in europe I'd keep the PF/C position as they were.

Don't know how (and where) Udrih will play (if...) through the season, but I think Goran Dragič in the team shouldn't be discussable, if not for anything else for his future talent and I don't think any of the PG's we've had untill now had the same talent as Goran does, nevermind Beno has an edge on long range shooting, I would never trade that for Dragič's defense.
Obviously Slovenia NT lacked some further guard rotation on PG as well as on SG. Domen Lorbek should represent a nice complementary player, nevermind some players with better individual skills might get left behind, otherwise it depends on the medical condition of Bečirovič and Ožbolt (unlike Bečirovič used to be a tremendous defensive player before the injuries slowed him down).

Joksimovič was left home 2 years ago, in order for Dragič to get a spot in the NT and he is making statements in the media he won't be coming unless having a noticable role (he could have one this summer, but wasn't there, I doubt same chance would appear again for him).
Ironicaly Saša Vujačič didn't even pick up the phone in the summer, while after this season when Lakers won't prolongue his contract he'll be in desperate need for a NT showcase... and he won't get none :cool:

I think Nachbar should fit in, he is a modest guy off the court and I think there shouldn't be much of a chemistry trouble with him on the team...

With Nachbar added on SF and two more guards (Bečirovič/Ožbolt... personaly before Udrih brothers, Joksimovič, Vujačič, Čapin) Slovenia NT should've kept the simmilar core able to incorporate the new players, along with possibility of better, prolongued rotation... I also believe that 84', 86', 87' born players should be given a chance in front of some older players since they've been nearly dominating at the junior stages in europe...

personaly I'd go with:
C: Nesterovič, Vidmar
PF: Smodiš, Slokar, E. Lorbek
SF: Nachbar, Jagodnik/Preldžič
SG: Bečirovič, Ožbolt, D. Lorbek
PG: Lakovič, Dragič

leaving Brezec, B. Udrih, Joksimovič, Vujačič, S. Udrih, Milič, Maravič and some vets as Gorenc, Tušek at home...

elaj

11-03-2007, 02:18 PM

Marko Milič just announced his retirement from the Slovenian National Team. He said he needs more time with his family during the summer and that young players will easily fill his spot. He played in all Slovenian NT selections for more than 15 years. He attended 6 European Championships and one World Championship with senior team.

In my opinion he did a good move. We have talents like Preldžić on SF who is the future of Slovenian NT on SF and Nachbar, while on PF there is just too much competition with players like Smodiš, Slokar, Lorbek, Vidmar and so on.

In my opinion Pipan or who ever will be the coach should select from this pool:

PG: Lakovič, Dragič, B. Udrih, Ćapin
SG: Bečirovič, D. Lorbek, S. Udrih, Joksimovič, Ožbolt, Klobučar
SF: Nachbar, Preldžič, Maravič, Jagodnik
PF: Smodiš, Slokar, E. Lorbek, Jurak, Zupan, Drobnjak, Ž. Zagorac
C: Nesterovič, Brezec, Vidmar, Pavič, Begič, Rizvič

Leaving fag like Vujačič not even called, I would take away his Slovenian passport... and veterans as Tušek, Gorenc, Milič... retiring from the NT.

rikhardur

12-14-2007, 11:16 PM

// 14 December 2007

By Cindy Garcia-Bennett, PA Sport, Rome

Sani Becirovic was hugely disappointed to miss this summer’s EuroBasket in Spain but in no way has he decided to end his international career.

And that’s great news for a Slovenia team that nearly reached the last four in Madrid without him but self-destructed late in their quarter-final against Greece and ended up settling for seventh place.

That was good enough to reach the World Olympic Qualifying Tournament, where three spots for the Beijing Games will be up for grabs for teams from all over the world.

“It was a pity not to be at the EuroBasket,” Becirovic said to FIBA Europe after Panathinaikos’ surprise defeat to Lottomatica Roma on Thursday, “but I have recovered from physical problems and I’m really looking forward to play for Slovenia at the pre-Olympic tournament.”

Becirovic was arguably the best guard in Italy several years ago with Virtus Bologna before suffering a serious knee injury which nearly ended his career.

After surgery, he battled his way back and signed for Fortitudo Bologna, and now he’s in his second season with the Greek giants Panathinaikos.

Last season he played a vital part in their success, with the club capturing the Greek Cup, league title and Euroleague Championship.
http://www.fibaeurope.com/coid_3KQrVtSSIfgQlJtW,,BXN3.articleMode_on.contain er_frontpage.html

ArkadiosV2

12-14-2007, 11:45 PM

What about Vujacic? I don't remember him playing for Slovenia NT.

elaj

12-15-2007, 08:12 AM

What about Vujacic? I don't remember him playing for Slovenia NT.
We don't need that bastard. He should play for Italian NT, like Fučka did.

ArkadiosV2

12-15-2007, 08:27 AM

We don't need that bastard. He should play for Italian NT, like Fučka did.

Errrm... Am I missing something here? :)

elaj

12-15-2007, 08:33 AM

Errrm... Am I missing something here? :)
He left Slovenia at the age of 16 when he moved to Italy with his family. Despite being underage and already having a contract with his home team Polzela our basketball federation allowed him to go abroad and sign with Snaidero Udine (which was against the rules back than).

As in exchange Vujačič said he will answer to any call from our basketball federation. The last time he played for Slovenian NT was during 2002 summer when he played for our U20 NT on EC. He was called every summer by our NT coaches, but he didn't even bother to pick up his phone or replay in any way possible. Basicly the bastard is ignoring everyone. He probably won't be even called this summer.

In my opinion he used our NT for exposure to sign with an NBA team and than decided not to answer to our federation calls anymore.

Joško Poljak Fan

12-15-2007, 09:17 AM

actually he did show up at preparations for senior NT before 2003 EC in Sweden, and he definately didn't play bad... or at least worse than Petrov. Yet Subotič has made a mistake and called Petrov in as the last 12th man instead of Vujačič that would be the one deserving the chance nevermind his youth (21), as it was nicely seen later in some games... as far as I know Vujačič wasn't "satisfied" with that at all and after that he is becoming the "slovenian Ilgauskas", some people claim he is not even returning the phonecalls, some say he never could afford to play for NT since he is in the Laker cage after every offseason being constantly on the thin line between the job and being fired...

I was making fun of him that he'll beg to play for NT after his contract with Lakers expires, but obviously he is playing damn good lately.

Test

12-16-2007, 03:56 PM

Go Slovenia! Olympic games without Slovenia will be not so good. IMO Slovenia have one of the best basketball school in the world and deserved to be on the top

elaj

12-24-2007, 10:05 AM

Primož Brezec said he will reject the invitation to play at qualifying tournament for Olympics games. :rolleyes: He said it wouldn't be fair to other guys who fought at EC.

boki

12-25-2007, 09:23 PM

Putting Vujacic's previous actions away, I would rather have him than Domen Lorbek in NT. D. Lorbek was the biggest dissapointment for me on Eurobasket. He was just hiding himself behind Lakovic, Smodis and Rasho all the time, not to mention his disastrous shooting performance mainly vs Greece. He had one good game vs France. I mean he tottaly proved he has no quality to play such important role in NT. I know Becirovic or B. Udrih will start on SG in the upcoming actions, but we need one good shooter like Vujacic. Can you imagine shooters like Lakovic, Vujacic, Nachbar and Smodis playing together? If only one ball would be enough for them... Ofcourse Vujacic won't get a call anymore and his NT career is likely over. I hope Samo Udrih gets a chance before D. Lorbek in the olympic qualifications.

Inspector

12-26-2007, 06:26 AM

In my opinion these are the most probable 12 players for olimpic qualifications:

Nesterovič C
Lorbek E. PF/C
Slokar C/PF
Smodiš C/PF
Vidmar C/PF
Nachbar SF
Preldžič SF
Bečirovič SG
Udrih S.SG (Lorbek D.)
Dragič SG/PG
Lakovič PG
Udrih B. PG

Imagine our staring five: Nesterovič, Smodiš, Nachbar, Bečirovič, Udrih. It sounds great.

If there would be a chance for Brezec and Vujačič to return in our NT...?

Straight forward

12-26-2007, 01:56 PM

Do you believe Smodis will play after his injury? That reminds me Macijauskas case in this summer...

rikhardur

12-26-2007, 02:05 PM

Vidmar C/PF
He's having a tough time at Fenerbahçe, can he really make the NT?

elaj

12-26-2007, 02:11 PM

He's having a tough time at Fenerbahçe, can he really make the NT?
He can. He won't be playing much with Rasho and other more experienced guys on PF/C, but I think he will be there in the squad for pre-Olympics tournament. Afterall, he is the future of Slovenian NT on center position. Rasho will retire from NT after the Olympic Games.

Do you believe Smodis will play after his injury? That reminds me Macijauskas case in this summer...
After the EC Matjaž Smodiš said he will for sure play for the national team also at the pre-Olympics tournament if there will be no serious injuries, but considering he had quite an injury and should recover somewhere in March '08 I have some doubts.

The other thing is also the fact that Smodiš's contract with CSKA Moscow expires in the summer and he will be probably looking for a team in Spain or Greece... ;) In my opinion a lot will depend on the team which will sign him (or resign him, he might stay in Moscow, but he said many times that he would like to move to "warmer place" when his contract expires).

Inspector

12-27-2007, 05:25 PM

I have no additional comments on elaj's opinion. Everything's true!

elaj

12-27-2007, 07:05 PM

It's official. Aleš Pipan will stay as headcoach of Slovenian NT for pre-Olympic tournament. Basketball Federation stated that goal is to qualify for the Olympic Games.

Inspector

12-28-2007, 02:42 PM

They said "we will try to prepare the best conditions for the team the next year".

I hope also they will try to have some more communication with our NBA players as well, if w really want to see them playing for Slovenia. That's one of the things I cannot understand in our NT.

There is nobody inside the team staff prepared to talk to those players during the season. They should be treaten differently. Than everyone is asking why Vujačič or someone else doesn't want to play...

That's just my opinion...

elaj

12-28-2007, 05:08 PM

They should be treaten differently.
Why? Really, explain. :)

Inspector

12-29-2007, 12:09 PM

As in Europe there is a lot of possibility to follow and communicate to our players in foreign countries, there should be someone engaged also for our best NBA players.

Of course, once in the NT, there is no difference between players from Europe or NBA...

elaj

01-27-2008, 10:47 AM

Coach of Slovenian NT - Aleš Pipan announced the list of candidats for Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Guards:
Sani Bečirovič - Panathinaikos
Aleksander Ćapin - Panionios
Goran Dragič - Union Olimpija
Jaka Klobučar - Geoplin Slovan
Nebojša Joksimovič - Hemofarm
Jaka Lakovič - Barcelona
Domen Lorbek - Estudiantes
Jan Močnik - Union Olimpija
Beno Udrih - Sacramento Kings
Samo Udrih - Granada

Small Forwards:
Sandi Čebular - Rosalia de Castro
Goran Jagodnik - Hemofarm
Marko Maravič - BC Kiev
Boštjan Nachbar - New Jersey Nets
Emir Preldžić - Fenerbahce Ulker

Centers:
Primož Brezec - Detroit Pistons
Matej Krušič - Helios Domžale
Erazem Lorbek - Roma
Rasho Nesterovič - Toronto Raptors
Hasan Rizvić - Union Olimpija
Uroš Slokar - Triumph Moscow
Matjaž Smodiš - CSKA Moscow
Gašper Vidmar - Fenerbahce Ulker
Željko Zagorac - Anwil Wloclawek
Miha Zupan - Union Olimpija

Coach will pick 15 players, plus 3-4 reserves from this list somewhere in May '08, the preparations for Olympic Qualifying Tournament are scheduled for middle of June '08. The last reports say that Goran Jagodnik is out with a serious knee injury (torn ligaments), while as I know Primož Brezec said he will skip this tournament.

boki

01-27-2008, 10:54 AM

Well starting lineup and their backups should be (hopefully):
PG: B. Udrih (Dragic)
SG: Lakovic (Becirovic)
SF: Nachbar (Preldzic)
PF: Smodis (Slokar)
C: Nesterovic (E. Lorbek)

Brezec and Jagodnik won't play for sure. I'd take S. Udrih instead of D. Lorbek and Vidmar instead of Zupan as 11th and 12th player. But we'll see. But most important thing is Smodis. His presence is 50% of this NT. If he is out, we are much weaker.

Alyosha12

01-27-2008, 11:14 AM

Guards:
Sani Bečirovič - Panathinaikos
Aleksander Ćapin - Panionios
Goran Dragič - Union Olimpija
Jaka Klobučar - Geoplin Slovan
Nebojša Joksimovič - Hemofarm
Jaka Lakovič - Barcelona
Domen Lorbek - Estudiantes
Jan Močnik - Union Olimpija
Beno Udrih - Sacramento Kings
Samo Udrih - Granada

Small Forwards:
Sandi Čebular - Rosalia de Castro
Goran Jagodnik - Hemofarm
Marko Maravič - BC Kiev
Boštjan Nachbar - New Jersey Nets
Emir Preldžić - Fenerbahce Ulker

Centers:
Primož Brezec - Detroit Pistons
Matej Krušič - Helios Domžale
Erazem Lorbek - Roma
Rasho Nesterovič - Toronto Raptors
Hasan Rizvić - Union Olimpija
Uroš Slokar - Triumph Moscow
Matjaž Smodiš - CSKA Moscow
Gašper Vidmar - Fenerbahce Ulker
Željko Zagorac - Anwil Wloclawek
Miha Zupan - Union Olimpija

Those would be my 15

zwbgr

01-27-2008, 12:13 PM

Interesting, Vujačić isn't on the list.
I hope Nachbar will play and Maravič won't decline the invitation, because then we'll be weak again on SF.
Some others would deserve invitaion too: Jan Močnik, Robert Troha, Hafnar, Gorenc for example. Not that they would have a lot of chances to be among 12, but we all remember last years troubles with guards.

Here are my 15 players in () are reserves, assuming Jagodnik and Brezec are out:

PG: Beno Udrih/Jaka Lakovič/Nebojša Joksimovič
SG: Sani Bečirovič/Goran Dragič/(Samo Udrih)/(Jaka Klobučar)
SF: Boštjan Nachbar/Emir Predlžič/(Marko Maravič)
PF: Matjaž Smodiš/Uroš Slokar
C: Rašo Nesterovič/Erazem Lorbek/Gašper Vidmar

I choose Preldžič as naturalized player, because we lack good SF's. Dragič, Klobučar, Preldžič and Vidmar are in because they are our future. Nacbar can play PF too, Bečirovič and Klobučar can play SF, so having too much guards isn't a concern.
I'm a bit worried about our PG situation. We have 2 world class players who could play there and this is trouble - will they be satisfied with bench role? Maybe Udrih will again prepare for next season (he's FA). I hope Joksimovič will accept invitation this time, he's very valuable to any team.

elaj

01-27-2008, 12:46 PM

Močnik, Gorenc, Hafnar
Gorenc is too old (I think he retired from NT) and won't be called to the NT anymore because of his incident with Tušek. Hafnar is also headcase personality, while Močnik is totally unproven player and too young to be even considered in my opinion.

Interesting, Vujačić isn't on the list.
I'm not surprised he wasn't even picked on the list. Pipan said already before last EC that he probably won't be calling Vujačič anymore...

Robert Troha
Troha is a Croat, for god sake. :eek: Not that I have anything against them, but this is NT selection...:rolleyes:

I would go with this kind of team:

PG: B. Udrih / J. Lakovič / G. Dragič
SG: S. Bečirovič / S. Udrih
SF: B. Nachbar / E. Preldžić
PF: M. Smodiš / U. Slokar
C: R. Nesterovič / E. Lorbek / G. Vidmar

Reserves: J. Klobučar, D. Lorbek, Ž. Zagorac, M. Zupan

Alyosha12

01-27-2008, 12:47 PM

Joško Poljak Fan

01-27-2008, 01:08 PM

I really hope Joksimovič would get on the list, he isn't exactly a superstar, but can play on faster pace than Udrih or Lakovič, not to mention he surpasses both on defense and could be usefull for those 5-6 "shock minutes" of the bench imho.

as far as the team, I am not that certain what exactly would I prefer. On one side I'd prefer the last year NT with an adition of a PG and replacement for Jagodnik... but having Sani, Beno and Boki on the team is just way too tempting. I think Pipan won't decline them as long as they're willing to play... eventhough it might disturb the chemistry- we could see those examples in some other NT's during the past few years... and that might again raise the question of who is in charge, from a very clear Lakovič/Smodiš/Nesterovič trio, we'd again witness that old undecisive play by 5 equal stars on court always hoping someone else might do that step forward in offense. damn, I hope Pipan would manage to build a proper hierarchy...

Alyosha12

01-27-2008, 01:15 PM

Smodiš needs to be made the go to guy, he needs to be the leader of this team, especially, in close games, we need to go tzo him, as he is the most certain thing, as he will be fouled or will score, if we give him the lest shots of the game, i hope the team will recognize him as the leader, as they should IMO.
Rašo is just not vocal enough to be the leader, and Lakovic tends to panich and go wild at times.
I only hope Nachbar and Becirovic will be happy with their part, as i don't think neither can be the go to guys, as Nachbar is not consistent enough, and Sani needs the ball for too long and should come off the bench just like in PAO, but should get a lot more minutes.

Straight forward

01-27-2008, 01:49 PM

Could you remind me why Becirovic didn't play in EC?

Alyosha12

01-27-2008, 02:18 PM

Could you remind me why Becirovic didn't play in EC?

He needed some rest:p

Joško Poljak Fan

01-27-2008, 03:01 PM

Could you remind me why Becirovic didn't play in EC?
after the season with Pao he was reportedly extremely tired and due to his long history of knee troubles he focused on regeneration. He described his reasons in his blog and imo those reasons were justified. He isn't playing with Pao as much as he did last year, so we can hope he could step in for NT... but that means those 15 minutes per game, just as he is doing in Pao, we definately don't need another leader in NT.

zwbgr

01-27-2008, 03:51 PM

Wow, i really didn't know Troha is Croat. Well, we learn something new every day.

ArkadiosV2

01-27-2008, 03:53 PM

after the season with Pao he was reportedly extremely tired and due to his long history of knee troubles he focused on regeneration. He described his reasons in his blog and imo those reasons were justified. He isn't playing with Pao as much as he did last year, so we can hope he could step in for NT... but that means those 15 minutes per game, just as he is doing in Pao, we definately don't need another leader in NT.

As a Pana expert :p I can assure you that Becirovic absence was justified 100%. In last season finals he was suffering all the way from his knees, you could see it in his face and was the least fresh player in the squad.

But he has worked really hard in the summer and in the friendlies, he was one of the most hard working guys at the preparation, he even played with weights around his ankles in the friendlies.

For what it's worth, he played really nice today, had a great start in the game scoring 9 out of 11 Panathinaikos points, missed some shots later but it doesn't matter because he was confident enough to take the shots. At one occasion Panathinaikos was going for a fast break and he stopped and shot a 3pointer and scored. Him playing 15 minutes per game isn't that bad, because no one (well, except Diamantides) gets to play much more and plus he will be fresh in the latter stages of the competitions...

ArkadiosV2

01-31-2008, 07:07 AM

It might not mean much for Slovenian NT or for anything but I think it shows a lot about Becirovic' dedication and hard work this season.

He went to OAKA and trained alone on his day off.

And if we think this more I don't think he is doing it for fun. He knows that he has a hard season in front of him with Final Four, A1 Finals, Pre-Olympic and hopefully Olympics...

Joško Poljak Fan

01-31-2008, 10:06 AM

're you stalking on him? :D
We already know who is stalking on Spanoulis :p
...thanks for the reports Arkadios

Nesterovič and Pipan both (surprise, surprise) set their goal as getting among the 3 countries that qualify for the olympics. When exactly will there be a group draw?

ArkadiosV2

01-31-2008, 10:21 AM

're you stalking on him? :D
We already know who is stalking on Spanoulis :p
...thanks for the reports Arkadios

IMO I think Becirovic doing these things shows he expects a long season in front of him. Which means summer games. Which means games with the NT.

OK I know that people will be crawling all over me calling me Finnish Homer but I really think Becirovic is the best Point Forward of the World, IMHO. He is not a shooting guard, he is a midget center with the skills of a guard, IMO. Perhaps he will make a great duo for Slovenia NT with Giricek...IMO Anyone knows a way to make Giricek Slovenian? I say Becirovic is the best SG of Europe IMO, and you may laugh on me...

Joško Poljak Fan

01-31-2008, 04:00 PM

Group A:

Greece
Brazil
Lebanon

Group B:

Germany
New Zealand
Cape Verde

Group C:

Slovenia
Canada
Korea

Group D:

Croatia
Puerto Rico
Cameroon

okay, we should manage to get out of the group, actually I couldn't pick a more favourable group imho... later getting Puerto Rico, while for the ticket our NT should also beat one of the euopean squads. Not trying to suggest anything, but qualifing to olympics won't be all that easy, but sure is doable...

OK I know that people will be crawling all over me calling me Finnish Homer but I really think Becirovic is the best Point Forward of the World, IMHO. He is not a shooting guard, he is a midget center with the skills of a guard, IMO. Perhaps he will make a great duo for Slovenia NT with Giricek...IMO Anyone knows a way to make Giricek Slovenian? I say Becirovic is the best SG of Europe IMO, and you may laugh on me...
:D:D
you forgot to add: ...time will proove me right :p

elaj

02-07-2008, 09:16 AM

Becirovic said he will return to the NT for Pre-Olympic tournament. Smodiš also confirmed that if he will be healthy (he is injured at the moment) he will be there with the team 100%. Both really want to play on Olympic Games.

Neozyrus

03-05-2008, 04:32 PM

Well im not at all an expert in this as u guys but despitethat im gonna dare to make some comments on the list :)

Point Guard

- Lakovic - Barcelona - 1.86 - 29
- Becirovic - Panathinaikos - 1.95 - 26
- Capin - Panionios - 1.86 - 25
- Joksimovic - Hemofarm - 1.93 - 26
- Dragic - Olimpija - 1.91 - 21

The lastest 3 would have to compete for one post, imo it would depend in the kind of player that the coach would like to have. If he wants somebody to control the game, he should go with Capin, if he wants somebody that with some plays could break a game, maybe he should choose Dragic, but if he wants a player combining a good offense and a great defense maybe he should pick Joksimovic

- Mocnik - Helios - 1.83 - 22 - Imo he' still too young and have a lot of competition in this post
- Udrih - Sacramento - 1.94 - 25 - Its a pity that he wasnt be on the list, he could give many many things to Slovenia

Shooting Guard

- S. Udrih - Granada - 1.95 - 28
- Klobucar - Slovan - 1.98 - 20

I think these 2 could be the chosen in this position or maybe only S.Udrih, and to choose another tall pg, i dont know,

- D. Lorbek - Estudiantes - 1.98 - 22 - Watching the season he's doing in Estudientes i dont think that he would be in the best conditions to go with the NT.

Shooting Foward

- Nachbar - New jersey - 2.01 - 27
- Maravic - Kyiv - 2.01 - 28

With this 2 this position wont be the weakest one as it was in the las EC imo. They could give many points and attack opportunities to Slovenia.

- Cebular - rosalia de castro- 1.96 - 21 - He is showing many good things this year but he still has to improve some others, so maybe i think that it is still a little too early for him to go with the NT.
- Jagodnik - Hemofarm - 2.02 - 33 - He's injured till the end of the season so...
- Preldzic - Fenerbahce - 2.04 - 20 - He has showed some good things, but i think he still too young and unexpecienced, another season of Euroleague (or maybe 2) and he could become somebody quite important.

- Vujacic - Los Angeles - 2.00 - 23 - I suppose there some internal affair that doesnt allow him to go, cause after watching many games of Los Angeles this year, i think he could really add many things, and specially in this position.
- Novak - Slovan - 1.94 - 30 - I know he wont go to the tournament, but maybe putting him on the list could have been a good reward for him and the good season he's doing till now.

Power Foward

- Smodis - CSKA - 2.05 - 28
- Lorbek - Roma - 2.10 - 23
- Slokar - Triumph - 2.10 - 24

I believe that these 3 should be indisputable on the roster.

- Zagorac - Anwill - 2.04 - 26 - He hasnt done a bad season at all but i think that there are others players better in his post. If some of the above doesnt go, he could a nice replacement.
- Zupan - Olimpija - 2.04 - 25 - He has done a decent season, unfortnately in his position maybe this wont be enough to be in the roster.

- Milic - Olimpija - 1.98 - 30 - I suppose he is some kind of the same case than Vujacic.
- Jurak - Zalgiris - 2.03 - 30 - I miss him on the list, he's doing a good season at Zalgiris and he's a great defender.
- Tusek - Unics - 2.03 - 32 - He did last year a good season in Spain and he's doing a decent season in Russia this year too. He could maybe have added some things to the team.

Center

- Nesterovic - Toronto - 2.12 - 31
- Vidmar - Fenerbahce - 2.10 - 20 - If Brezec finally doesnt go, imo he should be the logic replacement.

- Rivzic - Olimpija - 2.10 - 23 - He hasnt done a bad season overall but still he's too unexperienced and has t improve some aspects of his game, i dont see him fully prepared to be in the NT

- Brezec - Toronto - 2.16 - 28 - He has already said that he wont play, well, its a pity, he and Rasho could make so much damage.
- Zerak - Helios - 2.02 - 28 - More or less the same case of Novak

elaj

03-05-2008, 04:55 PM

Well im not at all an expert in this as u guys but despitethat im gonna dare to make some comments on the list :)

Point Guard
- Udrih - Sacramento - 1.94 - 25 - Its a pity that he wasnt be on the list, he could give many many things to Slovenia
Once again... Beno Udrih will play for Slovenian NT in the summer... he said this many times already.

Milič retired from NT because he wants to spend more time with his family and he also said that he believes that there are better options than him for the NT, he never declined to join the NT. While Vujačič is simply a prick.

In my opinion backcourt situation is quite clear...

Nachbar also confirmed that if everything will go alright he will be there for the NT in the summer...

Straight forward

03-05-2008, 05:34 PM

And Becirovic, imho, is pure SG, not PG.

Neozyrus

03-05-2008, 06:07 PM

Once again... Beno Udrih will play for Slovenian NT in the summer... he said this many times already.

Milič retired from NT because he wants to spend more time with his family and he also said that he believes that there are better options than him for the NT, he never declined to join the NT. While Vujačič is simply a prick.

In my opinion backcourt situation is quite clear...

Nachbar also confirmed that if everything will go alright he will be there for the NT in the summer...

Ok u r absolutely right, i should have looked a little more, cause i really was convinced that he wasnt going to play. Thx for info :p

Milic's situation is quite understable , but whats the problem with Vujacic??

And Becirovic, imho, is pure SG, not PG.

In fact, we have seen him many times that he can play both, and play in both positions more than nicely. Thats why i put him there.

elaj

03-05-2008, 06:31 PM

Milic's situation is quite understable , but whats the problem with Vujacic??

Here you go... we discussed this already... he is a prick.

He left Slovenia at the age of 16 when he moved to Italy with his family. Despite being underage and already having a contract with his home team Polzela our basketball federation allowed him to go abroad and sign with Snaidero Udine (which was against the rules back than).

As in exchange Vujačič said he will answer to any call from our basketball federation. The last time he played for Slovenian NT was during 2002 summer when he played for our U20 NT on EC. He was called every summer by our NT coaches, but he didn't even bother to pick up his phone or replay in any way possible. Basicly the bastard is ignoring everyone. He probably won't be even called this summer.

In my opinion he used our NT for exposure to sign with an NBA team and than decided not to answer to our federation calls anymore.

actually he did show up at preparations for senior NT before 2003 EC in Sweden, and he definately didn't play bad... or at least worse than Petrov. Yet Subotič has made a mistake and called Petrov in as the last 12th man instead of Vujačič that would be the one deserving the chance nevermind his youth (21), as it was nicely seen later in some games... as far as I know Vujačič wasn't "satisfied" with that at all and after that he is becoming the "slovenian Ilgauskas", some people claim he is not even returning the phonecalls, some say he never could afford to play for NT since he is in the Laker cage after every offseason being constantly on the thin line between the job and being fired...

I was making fun of him that he'll beg to play for NT after his contract with Lakers expires, but obviously he is playing damn good lately.

Joško Poljak Fan

03-05-2008, 08:11 PM

just to say it once more, leaving Vujačič out for EC03 was a clear mistake by Subotič he regreted later, but I'd still expect a bit more responsibility by Vujačič eventhough I won't believe to anyone untill he alone explains it all.

Sani has troubles covering PG's in defense, but considering his talent he could easily play there, in fact he did in the begining of his career and when given ball in his hands he can run the team better than majority of PG's... if it wasn't for that knee injuries of him I do believe he could easily play at both positions...

Nice preview Neozyrus, as far as SG, I think that in case Udrih and Bečirovič come by there won't be any troubles filling it and I doubt Klobučar, D. Lorbek would have a lot of minutes there. I'd give Samo Udrih a chance to see how he'll work out at least for some minutes now and than, since we need more roleplayers... that's obvious imo...

elaj

03-05-2008, 08:19 PM

just to say it once more, leaving Vujačič out for EC03 was a clear mistake by Subotič he regreted later, but I'd still expect a bit more responsibility by Vujačič eventhough I won't believe to anyone untill he alone explains it all.He can explain whatever he wants. He should be playing for his country. If he isn't playing for his country due some stupid misunderstandings with basketball federation of whatever the real reason is he should be called a prick. Playing for your NT should be above everything.

I understand if he misses a summer or two (due injuries etc., don't give me that crap about being tired aka Andrija Žižić case), but I can't understand if he doesn't answer coaches' phone calls. I would also understand if coach Subotić would call him, yes, I also wouldn't answer in his case, but considering the coaches changed... there is no freaking reason! :mad:

3EGl-MiD0J0
I'd take Vujačič's passport and give it to Balkman.

Neozyrus

03-06-2008, 01:22 AM

Wow this is a really weird case. I believe that the situation is little too "obscure".

At first sight, if everything has been they way that it is said, it would appear to be a real childish attitude from Vujacic " The coach didnt want me so i wont be never again with the NT and i dont want to know nothing about them anymore", imo that attitude goes nowhere, and even more thinking that now the coach has changed.
The other option: that he would be afraid of playing in the summer and by that putting in risk his spot in a NBA team for the next season, could be more comprehensible, but i think that would be easy to explain to the federation and to the fans, so why didnt he do it?.

So, as i said, imo it seems to be a really weird situtation wich makes me think that there will probably be something that they (Vujacic or the federation or both) havent told about the issue. Anyway im afraid that im just speculating here.

Alyosha12

03-06-2008, 08:02 AM

Well you also have to know that our federation are probably the worst and laziest in the world, i mean they do nothing almost absolutely nothing for the development of Slovenian basketball or to get players for the national team,

so when they say we keep calling him, i don't really believe it much as the people in the organization just suck.
They just send an invetation by mail or call a player a few weeks before and thats it, if the answer cool if they don't who cares.
I mean its one thing to call someone and ask if they would like to go for a beer on friday, if you want a profesional player who just played at least 50games is tired and hasn't seen his family in half a year and hasn't had a weeks rest in 1 year or some even in 2 or 3 years well then a simple call just isn't enough now is it?
And cut all the patriot crap, and it should be an honor to play for their country, thats just bull they are basketball players not soldiers to be obligated to represent and defend our country.
If they play they play because they love the game of basketball and are willing to give up their free time to play for our NT.
They don't owe our NT anything because our NT is so inept some even hate it because of the obstacle it gave them when they wanted to go abroad, examples like Nachbar Vujacic come to mind, so when they play they play because of the love, the love to compete to play basketball, and non of these patriotism crap, thats for the army not for basketball players, may be it was true once in socialist times, not today.
Thats why our organization should do everything in their power to hype them up for the upcoming competition be it the Olympics, EC, or WC they have to sell it to them, they have to convince them they need to play and want to play, just like a car salesman sells you a car by selling you the idea of you behind the weel .
Our NT should meet with them get them pumped tell them we ar going for the medal and we can't do it without them get them excited...etc thats how they should do it, and i guarantie they would play with more passion heart and fight more then ever before, because they would have been pumped up for this moment for half a year.
But no, our organization just gives them a call, says come to the NT in a few weeks, ok tnx bb, and then people are in shock if some don't come and if the ones who come don't play with fire? give me a break!

In the case of Vujacic however The fault is probably on both sides, i mean Vujacic won't come by him self and our federation probably doesn't even have his number or something like that.

I just hate our basketball organization just hate hate hate it, for onelittle example, lol they booked a flight to China a few years back in the normal class, that is in the class where normal people fly where i can't sit for more then 1h, and players like Brezec Nesterovič Nachbar and such had to sit there lol, i can only imagine how pissed they had to be, its little things like that that make our organization unprofessional, or the fact that our players played with jerseys that were falling apart and such...
There are a million more examples, our organization just sucks and is inept to do anything.

Joško Poljak Fan

03-06-2008, 08:09 AM

I am feeling the same as you, Elaj... in case the situation is the way some people told us to be. But when it comes to our basketball no need to trust anyone at all and this way I don't trust Šešok, Pipan or someone's else version just as much as I don't trust Vujačič either... our bball is full of manipulations, talks behind the back, lies etc. that became rutine... and I'd really like to hear Vujačič's side of this story to be honest, that's all...

robbe

03-22-2008, 01:53 PM

- Preldzic - Fenerbahce - 2.04 - 20 - He has showed some good things, but i think he still too young and unexpecienced, another season of Euroleague (or maybe 2) and he could become somebody quite important.

I love this kid. He has tremendous ballhandling ability for a player his size, which allows Tanjevic to give Solomon much time off the ball and by doing that allows Solomon to save his energy for plays deep into the 24, if other solutions were not found. Which has been a key to their success this year. High balling IQ. Shot looks good, starts to fall. I really think he can already play well for the NT in a reduced backup role.

elaj

03-22-2008, 02:43 PM

I love this kid. He has tremendous ballhandling ability for a player his size, which allows Tanjevic to give Solomon much time off the ball and by doing that allows Solomon to save his energy for plays deep into the 24, if other solutions were not found. Which has been a key to their success this year. High balling IQ. Shot looks good, starts to fall. I really think he can already play well for the NT in a reduced backup role.
Considering he is naturalized and we are allowed to have only one such player (either Aleksandar Ćapin or Emir Preldžić) I believe he is leading in the race for this spot.

We will have Beno Udrih, Jaka Lakovič, Goran Dragič, Sani Bečirovič and few others on PG/SG position where Ćapin is playing so I don't see him in this NT (despite the fact that he always showed up for NT camp and always did his best, I really respect him for that) for OGQ. While on SF where Preldžič is playing there is only Boštjan Nachbar and Emir could provide a good backup to Boki. Goran Jagodnik is out with an injury and will most likely miss OGQ while I'd pick Preldžič over Marko Maravič anytime because of the fact that Preldžič is still young player and needs to gain experience, considering he is one of the future stars of our NT.

Though, Preldžič and Nachbar are very smiliar players (in my opinion) and maybe a more defensive backup alternative such as Maravič wouldn't do any harm... it's up to Pipan to decide this.

elaj

04-07-2008, 02:57 PM

Preparations will start in standard practise camp in Zreče (Slovenia) on 18th June.

Preparation games of Slovenian NT for pre-Olympic tournament:

Slovenia - Croatia (closed game) - 27th June (Kranjska Gora, Slovenia)
Slovenia - Croatia - 28th June (Šenčur, Slovenia)
Slovenia - Greece - 4th July (Bamberg, Germany)
Slovenia - Puerto Rico/Germany - 5th July (Bamberg, Germany)
Slovenia - Iran - 8th July (Maribor, Slovenia)
Slovenia - New Zealand - 9th July (Maribor, Slovenia)
Slovenia - Puerto Rico - 10th July (Maribor, Slovenia)

Quite decent opponets!

Alyosha12

04-12-2008, 02:21 PM

Men i really like our team for this year.
Our players are having a very good season, most of them anyway.
With a team of Rašo/E.Lorbek at C, Smodiš/Slokar at PF Nachbar/Preldzic at SF Becirovic/Lakovic at SG Dragič/Udrih at PG you can see we are most weakst and the Coaching spot with Pipan:rolleyes:
Rašo is having a great season
Smodiš is back and is tearing it up agein
Lorbek is having a great season,
Slokar is having an OK season
Nachbar is having an OK season
Preldzic is playing a lot in Fener
Becirovic is having an OK season, he is notplaying too much but at least he wont be tired this year
Dragič is paying really good in the Adriatic league
Udrih is having a great season
Only Lakovic seem to be in a slump at the moment
So all our guys seem to be ready for the challenge

Oh and i put Lakovic at SG as i see him playing a lot of minutes there when Udrih and Dragič will be in the game, and the C/PF players can change spots as well.

Man i wish we had a class A coaching staff that would be on par with our players:rolleyes:

elaj

04-13-2008, 08:26 AM

Alyosha12

04-13-2008, 10:36 AM

While it's already know that Goran Jagodnik will miss the pre-Olympic tournament, Marko Maravič reported that he will need a surgery of his ankle in the summer and will also miss it.

I guess this means Nachbar and Preldžić are the only solutions on SF for Slovenia this summer.

It's fine with me. Although, Preldžić and Nachbar are really very similar players and I'd really like to see a more defensive minded player like Jagodnik/Maravič in the team on SF. Maybe Jagodnik will recover sooner as expected.

Yeah, i hope so too.

And not just because of defense, but simply because both Preldžić and Nachbar are terribly inconsistent.

The only think we can do, is pray to the consistency Gods that Nachbar has a stretch of 3 good games, that he could have, and not 3 terrible games which he could also have.
Nachbar would be such an awesome player if he was as consistent as Smodiš for example, he would simply be a beast.

I still can't believe Pipan only put Maravič, Nachbar, Preldžić, Čebular(?!?!WTF) and Jgodnik on the list for the wing spot.
I mean Čebular WTF, has he done to deserve it, he would be better putting Mali from Laško on the wing, he is a much better defender much more athletic, and a better shooter, and rebounder.
There are many other better wings then Čebular in the slo league who are young or a little older.

rikhardur

05-28-2008, 07:36 PM

Slovenia captain Rasho Nesterovic has reconfirmed that this summer will be his last with the national team.

One of the standout performers at last year's EuroBasket in Madrid, Nesterovic has also just enjoyed an excellent season with the Toronto Raptors.

He says there is no chance he will reconsider and play at the EuroBasket in Poland next year.

"No, I have already decided," Nesterovic said.

"After the Olympic games, I will end my national team career. It's time for younger, even better players to take my place."

Nesterovic is desperate to go out on a winning note and has already met with coach Ales Pipan to discuss the summer program with the Slovenians.

They will be in Group C of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament which tips off in July with Korea and Canada.

Squad selection, which is expected to be announced on Thursday, has been the source of great debate in Slovenia with several of the country's most prominent players staying away in the last season for various reasons.

"In any case, whatever happens, we will try to find a team of the 12 best players that we have who are ready to do everything for Slovenia to reach the Olympic Games."

Nesterovic says no one should rush to judgment on NBA players who miss summers with the national team because of uncertainty over their contracts.

"The same happened to me in 2003," Nesterovic said.

"I didn't play for the national team for the same reasons - I was waiting for a new contract."

So how will this play out for Slovenia?

Some players like Matjaz Smodis, the CSKA Moscow warrior who played at the EuroBasket in Spain last year, said there was a great atmosphere in the Slovenia team last year.

Will the NBA players who missed EuroBasket 2007 like Beno Udrih and Bostjan Nachbar play in Athens at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament?

"I really don't know how this story will end," Nesterovic said. "In any case, I will be happy if we have the 12 best players in the national team with all of them ready to sacrifice everything - themselves and their free-time - to get to Beijing."

Nesterovic also has a theory about how Slovenia should go into the tournament.

"We must win the first two games," he said to zurnal24.si, "not only to make our task easier, but also to get into a winning rhythm, to build confidence.

"The quarter-finals will be the real thing. We can't allow ourselves to make mistakes there. It doesn't really matter who we play there."
http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/25192/arti.html

zwbgr

05-29-2008, 12:41 PM

Shorter list was announced today:

Guard: Lakovic, Becirovic, Dragic, Klobucar, Capin, Joksimovic
Forwards: D. Lorbek, Jagodnik, Preldzic
Centers: Nesterovic, Smodis, Slokar, Vidmar, Zupan
Reserves: Cebular, S. Udrih, Zagorac

Erazem Lorbek, Beno Udrih and Nachbar declinec to join NT because they're FA's in the summer. Brezec, Milic, Tusek, Jurak, Vujacic wasn't in combinations even before.
What's up with Maravic?

My final 12 players:
Lakovic, Joksimovic, Dragic
Becirovic, Klobucar
Preldzic, Lorbek
Smodis, Slokar, Zupan
Nesterovic, Vidmar

elaj

05-29-2008, 01:17 PM

Beno Udrih and Boštjan Nachbar said in previous interviews that they will play for our NT during the summer... I guess some smart ass agents advised them not to. :(

Anyway, this team still has the quality to reach Olympic games. Rasho, Smodiš, Bečirovič and Lakovič will be the go to guys.

Joško Poljak Fan

05-29-2008, 01:23 PM

Maravič has been more or less injured ever since he left Olimpija, even in his relatively stable season with Manresa 2 years ago he played maybee more than half of their games only.

I hope Joksimović would finally join

my personal choice:
PG: Lakovič, Dragič
SG: Bečirovič, Joksimovič, Klobučar
SF: D. Lorbek, Jagodnik, Preldžič
PF: Smodiš, Slokar
C: Nesterovič, Vidmar

doesn't sound that bad and to be honest Udrih and Nachbar didn't really fit in all that much in the past, while I am sorry for E. Lorbek, he would surely be welcome in the team... but anyway this way Slokar will get more chance to proove himself.
A formidable team that can reach just about anywhere... and just as last year has a clear hierarchy: Nesterovič&Smodiš>Lakovič&Sani>all the rest

the "left home" (2nd) team would be one of the strongest in Europe... if not the strongest:
PG: B. Udrih, Čapin (mostlikely out)
SG: Vujačič, S. Udrih
SF: Nachbar, Milič, Maravič
PF: E. Lorbek, Tušek, Zupan (mostlikely)
C: Brezec

It's evven arguable which team has more individual talent in it, the first or the second :rolleyes:

Alyosha12

05-29-2008, 08:10 PM

Meh i think the FA thing is just a cop out by Pipan to make everyone happy who played last year, Beno and Boki stated many times they would play, i don't see why they would pull back now, unless Pipan didn't want them for the sake of the team,
which is OK and a fine decision i just think he blamed them so that the media and the public would see them as the scape goats if anything will go wrong and not Pipan.

It all sounds a little fishy if you ask me.

Buducnost PG

05-30-2008, 02:41 AM

Every year the same shit, when we speak about the NT´s of former SFRJ. I am FA i can´t play.:rolleyes: Are they afraid of it, that they could get injured, are they the own manager that must search for a new club alone? This thing with the injuries is the biggest shit ever. You can get injured everytime and everywhere. In Serbia in the last few years we had such things, too. And what happend? Players rested in the summer and then in november get´s injured playing with the club. By some Croatians it happend also.

Slovenia has a few very good players and a team for a medal. But if this whole shit continues, they will never get a medal. And this is sad. This is something like the golden generation and who know´s how fast such one will come again by a country from 2mio people.

But i am realy suprised that E. Lorbek will not play. IMO he had a very good season and is the best player of Roma.

Matiz said it will be so more room for Slokar, but if you ask me Lorbek is the better and more complete player and would help more.

But what do to know! At the end you must play with the players you had and look forward.

Inspector

05-30-2008, 05:32 AM

Don't forget what happened last year, when there was even a worst situation in the roster (now we have Bečirovič and Joksimovič back), but we played the best basketball in our history...

I think Nachbar an Udrih are excellent players, but they are not made for crucial games as they are not able to play under pressure... NBA isn't really the same as Europe...

We will have 6-7 crucial players (Lakovič, Bečirovič, Dragič, Smodiš, Nesterovič, Slokar, Joksimovič...) and some support from the bench instead of having 12 equivalent players, not knowing who is responsible of something...

I am just a little afraid as we don't have a suitable substitution for Nsesterovič and Smodiš (except Slokar), unfortunately E. Lorbek won't play...

Straight forward

05-30-2008, 09:34 AM

Damn, sory Slovenian friends...Maybe i'm wrong but in my opinion Slovenia might be a different (stronger) level team with B. Udrih. Now that's strange and sad why such teams like Slovenia, Croatia, Lithuania can't get all their strong players in the NT camp...I hate the fact that international basketball is losing it's importance and prestige. And mostly it's because of super saint clubs influence, in other words- bloody money...

Joško Poljak Fan

05-30-2008, 10:38 AM

...and managers as well to be honest.... and Fiba...

why I mentioned Fiba? each eurobasket or world championship organised by them they earn 10-15 million € (the ammount varies from different source) for which noone knows exactly how they're spent later (make that for a longer period which makes secrecy of this money distribution even more disturbing). Backing the national teams with just half of the ammount they earn would mean no troubles with insurances, would probably raise the organisation (to be honest there are 4-5 well organised NT's, while majority -especially when talking about balkan-are far away from it, partly also due to funds available to them) of the NT.

It's a fact that participating with the NT in the summer causes some extra tiredness during the season for those players, as well as those players normaly falling down in the autumn and reaching the peak towards the summer, missing some practices with their clubs etc.
Because of that manager's desire for players to avoid playing for the NT is understandable from that point of view, but things still shouldn't go as far as it did, with players avoiding the NT and especially in NBA getting little to none understandement if decideing otherwise. Nothing against those players really, but if we compare it with football, ice-hockey or handball (as the 3 biggest team sports in europe not named basketball) those things aren't happening there to the same extent, obviously basketball is leading with this trend for some reason - but situation in other team sports makes me believe getting the best players for NT's is actually doable...if there would be a desire for that, but mosthonestly I doubt there is one.

mvblair

06-02-2008, 03:52 PM

Damn, sory Slovenian friends... I feel the exact same way. This happens every year to a couple of unlucky NTs. I blame the clubs, franchises, and leagues for not making their rules better for these young men and women, giving them a better chance to compete.

Same old story told by a New York reporter who wants Nachbar for the Knicks:

NACHBAR'S BACK IS HEALING (http://www.nypost.com/seven/06012008/sports/nets/nachbars_back_is_healing_113494.htm) -- By FRED KERBER, New York Post, May 30, 2008

....Nachbar still is headed for free agency.

"The back is doing well. I'm running, doing some light lifting with weights and shooting," said Nachbar via telephone from Slovenia, where he has created a bit of a rift regarding the National team.

With his impending free agency, Nachbar is skipping the qualifying tournament because he will not have insurance without a contract. Some fans back home understand and some others see something just short of treason.

"But I'll play for the Olympics if we qualify, and if I have a contract by then (end of July)," Nachbar said....

elaj

06-02-2008, 04:47 PM

If we qualify and coach Pipan really calls Nachbar/Udrih to the NT for Olympic games I'll really go mad. Who the fuck he think he is? Players who would qualify for the OG should play there!

mvblair

06-02-2008, 05:16 PM

.... Players who would qualify for the OG should play there! I agree. It's not fair that some of these types of "big time" players are entitled to automatically being on the Olympic team whenever they want.

Alyosha12

06-04-2008, 09:13 AM

Meh IMO the players on the team should vote if they want Nachbar to come, the vote would be anonymous ofc. and if 2/3 of the team agree i don't see why he couldn't come, who cares if a player like Čebular last year, gets kicked off the team to make room for a player like Nachbar who we really need.

If the team wants to win and not just go to Beijing on a field trip any help should be welcome be it pre Athens or after we qualify.
I know i would agree that the player should be added to the team if i were part of the NT, ofc. i wouldn't if i was the one getting kicked off of it to make room:p

elaj

06-22-2008, 01:29 PM

Problems...

Slovenian NT started their preparations, but Smodiš still can't practise with the team. He is doing his own practise by some special treatment. He has problems with his right foot, and currently he is waiting for instructions from some American specialist who operated his left foot earlier this year. Due to overloading the power to his right foot during the healing process and practise to come back in shape from his left foot surgery he hurt his right one... he said he is having consistant pain his his foot for already 3 weeks now... there is no fracture in the foot, but still it hurts...

He is questionable for the pre-Olympic tournament. If the doctor will say he has to skip the tournament coach will call another player to the NT... this would be a huge blow for our NT... If he won't be able to play we will have to use Uroš Slokar as our starting PF...

Alyosha12

06-22-2008, 07:59 PM

Inspector

06-23-2008, 06:35 AM

Which really isn't bad, what i don't know is who will be his sub?
Probably Miha Zupan, who isn't really a suitable substitute... I am a little afraid there will be a gap on the PF position if Smodiš won't make it... In past it was our best covered position... These are really bad news for us...

elaj

06-25-2008, 08:48 AM

A huge blow for Slovenian NT... Matjaž Smodiš won't play on qualifying tournament for Olympic Games... :(

"American doctor who made a surgery on my foot in last December, confrimed the opinion of Russian doctors who advised me at least one month of rest. Basketball is out of question. After three to four weeks he'll again give his opinion after he'll see the MRI scans. The risk is just too big. I am very sorry that I won't be able to help my teammates. I wish them good luck and I hope they'll be able to qualify for Olympic Games in Bejing. If it will be possible I'll go to Athens to cheer for them."

Damn it... now I doubt that we'll qualify for OG. Smodiš was that vocal leader on court... nobody can replace him. They should really call Erazem Lorbek one more time and work something out... but probably Željko Zagorac will be called up...

Inspector

06-25-2008, 09:38 AM

Inspector

06-25-2008, 09:39 AM

I can't believe... If only Erazem Lorbek would be able to play... Now we have Slokar and Zupan on PF position...
If I was Pipan I would call Marko Tušek who has a lot of experience and is able to assume responsibility in crucial moments... He's much better option than Željko Zagorac!?
If only Tušek would be prepared to play...

elaj

06-25-2008, 09:57 AM

Inspector

06-25-2008, 10:17 AM

Tušek retired from NT long time ago already, no need to call him up. Rasho, Bečirovič and Lakovič will have to step up even more and lead this team. No time for crying... I'd call Lorbek again, maybe he changed his mind if not, let's call Željko Zagorac and give major role to Uroš Slokar. Despite losing Smodiš in my opinion we still have the quality to qualify for the Olympic Games.
I agree, we still have the quality to qualify to the OG... There's no doubt, we must win against Canada and Korea also without Smodiš, and than we need one more triumph to qualify... It doesn't sound impossible... Hope we will finally have some luck...

Alyosha12

06-25-2008, 10:20 AM

Well this is a disaster!
I can't believe it, its like losing half of our team IMO.
Smodis really was our go to guy, he was the one that you pass the ball when our offense was not doing well, he would get you at least a foul and a trip to the FT line if not an AND 1.
Man i am so sad right now, i mean we can still qualify but its gonna be a lot harder without Smodis.
Sure Slokar is very good, and is IMO very underrated, he is a really nice rebounder( better then Smodis) he finishes strong and has a nice shot, but he is no Smodis.
And then there is the whole case of his sub who is Zupan, and sure zupan is a very good energy guy, but he is good for 10mins of the bench to spark things up a bit, he is not a 20mins per game guy:(

elaj

06-25-2008, 10:23 AM

I agree, we still have the quality to qualify to the OG... There's no doubt, we must win against Canada and Korea also without Smodiš, and than we need one more triumph to qualify... It doesn't sound impossible... Hope we will finally have some luck...
Let's assume we win Canada and Korea, then we face in quarterfinals second from Group D, (Croatia or Puerto Rico), probably Puerto Rico, then we have to win them, and then we face probably Greece in semis, if we win them we are on OG, if not, we play for 3 place probably with Croatia/Germany.

Inspector

06-25-2008, 11:36 AM

Let's assume we win Canada and Korea, then we face in quarterfinals second from Group D, (Croatia or Puerto Rico), probably Puerto Rico, then we have to win them, and then we face probably Greece in semis, if we win them we are on OG, if not, we play for 3 place probably with Croatia/Germany.
I think we can still make it... We are better than Croatia, Germany and Puerto Rico... Also without Smodiš...
Maybe some of our young players can surprise us, who knows... Vidmar, Preldžič...? Of course I trust Slokar who will have to prove he is prepared to play 30 minutes per game, having an important rule in the team...

Inspector

06-25-2008, 11:45 AM

This is our roster for the OG quals IMO:

PG: Lakovič, Dragič
SG: Bečirovič, Joksimovič
SF: Preldžič, D. Lorbek, Jagodnik
SF: Slokar, Zupan, Zagorac(?) or E. Lorbek(?)
C: Nesterovič, Vidmar

Inspector

06-25-2008, 11:46 AM

This is our roster for the OG quals IMO:

PG: Lakovič, Dragič
SG: Bečirovič, Joksimovič
SF: Preldžič, D. Lorbek, Jagodnik
PF: Slokar, Zupan, Zagorac(?) or E. Lorbek(?)
C: Nesterovič, Vidmar
A small correction...:D

Alyosha12

06-25-2008, 11:58 AM

I don't think E. Lorbek will play, he said he said already he was going to play in this years NBA summer league.
Well at least it will be fun seeing him kick some summer league ass:P

Killerbee

06-25-2008, 01:07 PM

Another option is to enforce a different playing style with small quick players.

If Rasho will be on form he can somehow take control over the paint and in such case playing for example Preldžić on PF position wouldn't be a handicap for our team on defensive end. On offensive end it would be a huge advantage as Rasho can provide quicker players with nice assist if they penetrate without the ball towards the basket.

So probably Pipan will need to reorganize playing style and find new solutions with this roster. Maybe even including Nachbar for PF position wouldn't be a bad move. He is pretty nice rebounder and can also hit 3pts when pulling out of the paint...as Smodis did. Still this decision could probably have a huge negative impact on the team spirit. And Nachbar is more of a SF than PF. So it is probably not even an option.

zwbgr

06-25-2008, 04:06 PM

Arivederci Beijing, Vidmar broke his arm...

Inspector

06-25-2008, 04:45 PM

Arivederci Beijing, Vidmar broke his arm...

Unbelieveble!!! It can't be true!!! Who is going to play now? Mario Kraljevič? :mad:

PRSURF

06-25-2008, 08:21 PM

I think we can still make it... We are better than Croatia, Germany and Puerto Rico... Also without Smodiš...
Maybe some of our young players can surprise us, who knows... Vidmar, Preldžič...? Of course I trust Slokar who will have to prove he is prepared to play 30 minutes per game, having an important rule in the team...HAHAHA, yeah yeah.:rolleyes:

Alyosha12

06-25-2008, 08:58 PM

FFS come on what else?
Oh man i bet Brezec has such a smile on his face now, ti bet Pipan is kicking himself for not calling him back.

Inspector

06-26-2008, 01:45 PM

FFS come on what else?
Oh man i bet Brezec has such a smile on his face now, ti bet Pipan is kicking himself for not calling him back.

We are waiting for the press conference... Zagorac was called up and there is announced also someone else - Krušič, Brezec or E. Lorbek.

I think the only real option is Brezec if Pipan convinced him to come back, as Lorbek alreday said he won't be able to play meanwhile Krušič is too young and unexperienced...

Other options? Milič, Tušek, Golemac, Jurkovič, Rizvič, Jurak...? I am not sure they are allowed to play, if they were not included in the list of 24 players called up...

elaj

06-26-2008, 02:00 PM

Guards: Lakovič, Bečirovič, Dragič, Klobučar, Ćapin, Joksimovič
Forwards: D. Lorbek, Jagodnik, Preldžič
Centers: Nesterovič, Zagorac, Slokar, Drobnjak, Zupan

Dragiša Drobnjak (Turow Zgorzelec) and Željko Zagorac (Helios Domžale) were called up instead of injured Matjaž Smodiš (CSKA Moscow) and Gašper Vidmar (Fenerbahce Ulker).

I guess we'll go to pre-Olympic torunament with only one true center (Rasho)... all of other tall guys are PF/C's or PF's. Quite risky...

Alyosha12

06-26-2008, 05:53 PM

Yeees best news this summer.
Our NTs GM Tone Krump is stepping down as GM.
He was the most incompetent piece of our NT.
Now if we could only get a person like Radovan Lorbek to take his spot, our NTs future would be looking much brighter.

Oh and isn't it funny how one year we are strong on the guard position and weak on the big man spot and the other way around next year.

elaj

06-27-2008, 11:12 AM

Jasmin Repeša, coach of Lottomatica Roma and coach of Croatian NT: "If Slovenia would play with all of their best players they would have the best national team in Europe. But as we see few great players are missing. This is happening also in Croatia. It might be the "balkan syndrom"."

Today we play our first preparation game vs. Croatia. It will be a closed one, tomorrow is the open one for public. Zupan will be missing due the fact that he is playing on European Championship for deaf and will return on Sunday, and without Goran Jagodnik who will probably sit out those two games because he simply isn't ready yet.

PRSURF

06-27-2008, 02:48 PM

rikhardur

06-27-2008, 07:13 PM

SLO – Rasho sounds call to battle for depleted Slovenia

KRANJSKA GORA (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men) - Slovenia captain Rasho Nesterovic is rallying the troops ahead of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament following the loss of several key players for a variety of reasons.

Immediately after superstar power forward Matjaz Smodis was ruled out with a foot injury this week, big man Gasper Vidmar broke his hand.

National team coach Ales Pipan appealed to Erazem Lorbek to reconsider his decision to skip Athens because of a back injury, only for the big center to say no again.

Even big NBA center Primoz Brezec’s name has been mentioned, but there is no interest to help out coming from the seven-footer with the Slovenians in dire need of strengthening on the frontline.

“We talk too much about the players who are not with us,” Nesterovic said at the team’s press conference.

“Those who wanted to play are here. We all know that Gasper and especially Matjaz will be hard to replace, but we were in a similar position before the EuroBasket in Spain.

“We had very few guards then, now we are short of power forwards and centers. But why wouldn’t we surprise once again, like we did in Spain when everybody predicted for us a terrible outcome?”

Slovenia, who will take on Canada and Korea in Group C at the qualifying tournament in Greece, shocked everyone in Spain last year.

They reached the quarter-finals with just one defeat to Lithuania but then blew a big lead against Greece to miss out on the last four.

Pipan’s team rebounded by finishing seventh - good enough for a place in the qualifying tournament.

The coach is clearly frustrated and spoke of his futile attempts to get Lorbek to join the team.

“After Matjaz Smodis announced that he will not be able to play, I once again called Erazem Lorbek in and asked him if there was any possibility of reconsidering and joining the national team,” Pipan said.

“He said no once again. He said it’s because of his back problems.”

Pipan has moved quickly to call up Dragisa Drobnjak, who is without a club at the moment, and Zeljko Zagorac of Helios Domzale.

“At this moment, they are the two players that can contribute most,” Pipan said.

“They were willing to join us right away.”

Pipan, meanwhile, denied rumors that he has not answered Brezec’s calls but did admit Brezec had called him.

“I’ve seen that he called me a few times, but two days later I saw that he quickly decided not to play for the national team,” Pipan said.

“He asked the team director not to send him any more invitations and that is where this story ended for me.

“I don’t want to force anybody to play for the national team.

“This national team is made out of players who are willing to be here and to play, to sacrifice their spare time and put the national team first.”

There is good news on the recovery of Goran Jagodnik, the forward who suffered a bad knee injury a few months ago while playing for Hemofarm.

“He doesn’t feel pain any more, and he will shortly start the full training,” Pipan said.

“He will travel along if we will see that he is ready enough. Otherwise, we will have to choose another player.”

Big man Miha Zupan of Olimpija Ljubljana is also not training at the moment as he is with the Slovenian side that has reached the semi-finals of the European Championship of the Deaf in Bamberg, Germany.

“This was Miha’s big wish and I granted it,” Pipan said.

“He will return after the two games with Slovenia and continue to train like all other players.”
http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/26226/arti.html

elaj

06-27-2008, 08:21 PM

Slovenia - Croatia 66:70 (22:22, 19:16, 15:14, 10:18) (http://server4.mbt.lt/prod/kzs/index.php/b19sYW5nPWhlJm9fc2Vhcz00Jm9fbGVhZz00JmZ1c2VhY3Rpb2 49Z2FtZXMubWFpbiZnX2lkPTcyMg==)

Slovenia lost their first friendly game. It was a closed game for public, both coaches have given the chance to all players and they were mostly trying out some tactical stuff...

Tomorrow at 19:00 there will be another game vs. Croatia, this time opened for public and also broadcasted by Sport TV (pay tv), so no link...

ffalkec

06-28-2008, 03:46 PM

Do you know if any Cro TV is going to broadcast the game as well?

elaj

06-28-2008, 08:50 PM

Slovenia - Croatia 73:70 (18:19, 38:36, 54:59) (http://kosarka.hr/Media2/stat-slo-cro-28-6-2008.jpg)

Again, both teams could won this one...

Picek

06-28-2008, 08:51 PM

Slovenia - Croatia 73-70

we had a 6 point lead with few minutes to go, a tied game with seconds to go and then Slokar scored a buzzer beating three pointer..
oh man, I'm sick and tired of goals, points, baskets etc. against our national teams in last seconds :mad: in all sports..
a good thing is that this was a preparation game so no harm done..
here are the stats:
http://kosarka.hr/Media2/stat-slo-cro-28-6-2008.jpg

Alyosha12

06-28-2008, 10:17 PM

Hehe Rasho is already in NBA shooting mode, 16 shots:p he made 10 so who cares right.
I just hope that when the real games come and his shot isn't falling he wont keep shooting ala Kobe.
He also missed 5 FTs so he could have ended the match with 26pts and 10rbs if he made his FTs:p

Joško Poljak Fan

06-29-2008, 01:48 PM

it's just some preparation games... the only thing obvious were that Joksimovič could actually deserve to crack the rotation, Sani (just as majority) isn't the best but can still play basketball no matter his "season ticket chair" in OAKA, Dragič is obviously a bit off after the pre-draft workouts and Slokar could actually carry more load with E. Lorbek and Smodiš missing.
D. Lorbek surprised me with parts of his game, but just as for everyone on court yesterday it was just a preparation game and that's about it.

elaj

07-04-2008, 06:43 PM

Slovenia : Greece 71:79 (60:61, 42:38, 21:20)

Nesterovič 16 Fotsis 17
Dragič 10 Bourousis 13
Slokar 9 Diamantidis 11
Bečirovič 8 Zisis 8
Lakovič 6 Spanoulis 8
Zupan 5 Glyniadakis 6
Joksimovič 5 Perperoglu 4
D. Lorbek 5 Printezis 4
Zagorac 3 Papaloukas 3
Drobnjak 2 Tsaldaris 3
Čapin 2 Schortsanitis 2

I didn't see the game because I was away, so anyone... comments about how everything looked on court?

Coach said that they will try and hide few things like they did vs. Croatia because they could face Greece in Athens on qualifications for OG.

Vasileios Spanoulis

07-04-2008, 07:27 PM

National Men: Win over Slovenia 79-71
SuperCup

Positive was the result in the first year's friendly for the National Greek team, at the SuperCup tournament in Germany, beating Slovenia 79-71.

Antonis Fotsis left the game with 17 points and 10 rebounds and Giannis Bourousis had 13 points and 11 rebounds, with both playing key roles in the rebounding battle (38-28). Spanoulis and Papaloukas accounted for four assists each.

Panagiotis Giannakis wanted to test rotation patterns.

Greece led 12-6 (5') and 20-12 (8'), but Slovenia had the answers and with a run of 15-2 took the lead at 27-22 (12'); to make it 35-29 (16').

The Greek team attempted to respond with Antonis Fotsis being more aggressive, taking advantage of the passes from the guards, scoring a lob dunk off a pass from Andreas Glyniadakis, with the score 38-42, Panagiotis Giannakis received a technical penalty for complaining to the referees.

During the first half, Greece had 11/23 two points, 2 / 7 3 points, 10/11 free throws, 19 rebounds (13-6), 9 turnovers, 7 assists.

Slovenia had 12/24 2 points, 2 / 5 3 points, 12/15 free throws, 15 rebounds (12-3), 6 turnovers, 10 assists.

The Slovenians started strong in the second half, preceded by a halftime score of 40-46, but two assists by Vassilis Spanoulis, with the recipients being Fotsis and Diamantidis, brought the score to 45-46.

A minute later, Diamantidis picked up two consecutive fouls and with four fouls was replaced by Theo Papaloukas.

The two teams alternated in the lead nearly throughout the entire third quarter, with Fotsis and Spanoulis, by the end of the third period, already with 16 points and 9 rebounds.

The end of the third quarter found Greece ahead 61-60. With good defense from Stratos Perperoglou. Bourousis and Zisis scored four points at the start of the fourth quarter (65-60, 32') . Giannis Bourousis was the first field goal shooter in this last season in Greece and was a key player in both scoring and rebounding with Greece, to help them go on a 12-0 run to take the score from 59-60 (28'15'') to 71-60 (34'50'').

Slovenia scored for the first time in the fourth quarter just before the close. The game remained firmly in the hands of Greece until the end and they took the victory 79-71.

20-21, 38-42, 61-60, 79-71

Greece (Giannakis): Papaloukas 3, Bourousis 13 (11 r), Zisis 8, Spanoulis 8, Fotsis 17 (10 r), Perperoglou 4, Glyniadakis 6, Diamantidis 11, Schortsanitis, Pelekanos, Tsaldaris 3, Printezis 3

Slovenia (Pipan): Zagorak 3 (1), Lakovic 6 (1), Capin 2, Becirovic 8, Nesterovich 16, Dragic 10 (2), Slokar 9 (1), Joksimovic 5 (1), D. Lorbek 5 (1) Drobnjak 2, Zupan 5, Preldzic

Panagiotis Giannakis selected for the starting five Zisis, Spanoulis, Pelekanos, Fotsis and Bourousis.

Tsartsaris, Kalambokis, Xanthopoulos, Vouyoukas, and Vassilopoulos were left off of the 12 man roster in the game against Slovenia.

Around 4,500 fans were present at the game between Greece and Slovenia.
The organizers have accepted the request of the Greek team to compete at 5 p.m. to help facilitate a speedy recovery. Greece now faces Puerto Rico at 5 p.m. Germany will face Slovenia at 7 p.m.

That's about the best Greek to English translation I can do for the game summary.

elaj

07-04-2008, 07:29 PM

I was more looking for a personal opinion about the game... everyone can find those amateur written reports...:rolleyes:

fasoulaki

07-04-2008, 07:34 PM

Coach said that they will try and hide few things like they did vs. Croatia because they could face Greece in Athens on qualifications for OG.

Nesterovic did not play the complete 2nd half which says a lot.

ArkadiosV2

07-04-2008, 07:52 PM

Nesterovic did not play the complete 2nd half which says a lot.
Would you care to elaborate for the rest of us?

Alyosha12

07-04-2008, 07:55 PM

Does anyone have the ful box score not just the points?

Never mind found them
http://www.kzs-zveza.si/kzs/dokumenti/greece-slovenia.pdf

LOL Drobnjak got almost 24 minutes and Zagorac only 3 i guess we know who Pipan is taking haha.

Man i hate our coach.

fasoulaki

07-04-2008, 08:05 PM

Would you care to elaborate for the rest of us?

If Pipan wanted to win the game he could had let Nesterovic play 5 minutes more!

Joško Poljak Fan

07-04-2008, 08:17 PM

Nesterovič twisted his ankle and Pipan didn't want to play him more, risking any serious injury by it....

ArkadiosV2

07-04-2008, 08:20 PM

If Pipan wanted to win the game he could had let Nesterovic play 5 minutes more!
Interesting... so if Nesterovic had played, what would you suggest Greece could do? Because if I'm not mistaken you were the one holding the cross in the crusade against Papadopoulos...

fasoulaki

07-04-2008, 08:47 PM

Interesting... so if Nesterovic had played, what would you suggest Greece could do? Because if I'm not mistaken you were the one holding the cross in the crusade against Papadopoulos...

You are not mistaken, I had and still have the opinion that Papadopoulos in his current shape would not be of any help in the NT.

Maybe Bouroussis is not the perfect defender but at least he has shown some nice pick & roll moves a nice 3 point shot and an alley oop.

So when it comes to defending Nesterovic I would take Fotsis out and let Tsatsaris and Bouroussis double Nesterovic.

Vasileios Spanoulis

07-05-2008, 03:34 AM

Victorious

07-05-2008, 05:24 AM

Is there any place I can download the game??

boki

07-05-2008, 02:12 PM

If Greece can't stop the offensive juggernaut Nesterovich they should just forfeit the qualifying tournament right now. Arkadios is really overstating this Nesterovich issue. You would think he was Hakeem Olajuwon.

Well Rasho had decent offensive season in NBA last year. He was putting like 15 ppg in the last two months of regular season (7,8 ppg in whole season), when he got some playing time. Also in Eurobasket in Spain he had something like 14ppg. Come on, how many european centers are capable of such numbers? Not to mention he is likely one of the best centers on defense.

robbe

07-05-2008, 02:17 PM

Rasho is a very productive center, if he gets the touches. People get fooled by his lack of explosiveness. And he might not have a huge arsenal of postmoves, but what he does, he does very well.

Joško Poljak Fan

07-05-2008, 02:21 PM

actually, whenever Duncan, Bosh or Garnett were injured during Rasho's career he always posted 250% of his ussual numbers. He is just a quiet type that doesn't force himself to the front.

elaj

07-05-2008, 07:41 PM

Germany : Slovenia 77:67 (23:17, 19:14, 27:21, 8:15)

Germany: Schultze 5, Garrett 8 (2:2), Hammann 4 (2:2), Greene 18 (1:1), Roller 2, Grünheld 0, Femerling 9 (3:5), Nowitzki 14 (6:6), Jagla 5, Wysocki 9 (1:4), Rössler 0, Ohlbrecht 3 (1:2), Gelb 0, Zwiener 0.

Slovenia: Ž. Zagorac 2 (0:2), Lakovič 14, Ćapin 0, Bečirović 14 (5:8), Nesterović 0, Dragić 4 (0:2), Slokar 11 (5:7), Joksimovič 5 (3:4), D. Lorbek 5 (1:2), Drobnjak 2 (2:4), Zupan 10 (2:2), Klobučar 0, Preldžić 0.

Damn... I highly doubt in this NT of Slovenia... look what happens when we play without single player like Rasho...

Alyosha12

07-05-2008, 11:57 PM

So we played the whole game without a true SF?
May be its tghe part Pipan said we were hiding but i don't see how not playing a SF for even a minute would help.
OK i get that Jagodnik was hurt but why not play Predžic at all.
IMO D.Lorbek and Becirovic really can not play the SF spot, they are both true SGs.

rikhardur

07-09-2008, 03:37 PM

European Round-Up: Slovenia’s Lakovic Still Confident

Slovenia have lost key players like Matjaz Smodis to injuries but point guard Jaka Lakovic is warning all of the teams at next week's FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament not to take his side lightly.

Three places are up for grabs for the Beijing Games and Slovenia, beaten in both of their games at the Supercup in Bamberg over the weekend by Greece and Germany, face hard games next week in Group C against Canada and Korea before taking on Croatia, Puerto Rico or Cameroon in the quarter-finals.

"We must improve our defensive and offensive play, make it as good as possible," he said to FIBA Europe at the Alpos Cup in Maribor where Slovenia beat Iran on Tuesday night.

"We don't have much time left, but I hope we will use these three games well."

Slovenia will also take on Puerto Rico and New Zealand in Maribor.

Without question, though, the loss of CSKA Moscow power forward Matjaz Smodis was a hammer blow to Slovenia's chances of reaching the Olympics for the first time.

"It's true that Matjaz's absence is a big blow for us," Lakovic said. "Smodis was a key player of this national team, but all other players are also good.

"We have been together for a longer period of time and I think we are still capable of playing good basketball - even without Smodis. It's a fact that we will miss him, but I think we can reach the Olympic games even without him."

In Slovenia's 96-71 triumph over Iran, team captain Rasho Nesterovic scored 18 points on eight of 12 shooting.
http://www.fibaeurope.com/coid_rkMv3Ea3GvYn458v0DwFV2.articleMode_on.contain er_frontpage.html

elaj

07-10-2008, 08:35 PM

PHILIPeurobasket

07-10-2008, 09:07 PM

PG: Lakovič, Dragič
SG: Bečirovič, Joksimovič, Klobučar
SF: D. Lorbek, Preldžič
PF: Slokar, Zupan, Zagorac
C: Nesterovič, D. Drobnjak

This is the final roster. Pipan decided to cut Jagodnik and Ćapin.

But news about Jagodnik, but he have bad season and injury :(

Pipan ... elaj please dont write this surname :D - you know why :D

elaj

07-10-2008, 09:08 PM

But news about Jagodnik, but he have bad season and injury :(

Pipan ... elaj please dont write this surname :D - you know why :D
Jagodnik had a decent season untill the injury. Pipan didn't pick him because he is still not ready.

PHILIPeurobasket

07-10-2008, 09:10 PM

Jagodnik had a decent season untill the injury. Pipan didn't pick him because he is still not ready.

yes yes I know, but Jagodnik still negotiating with some Polish teams, so propably that he will come back to Polish league :rolleyes:

Alyosha12

07-10-2008, 10:01 PM

PG: Lakovič, Dragič
SG: Bečirovič, Joksimovič, Klobučar
SF: D. Lorbek, Preldžič
PF: Slokar, Zupan, Zagorac
C: Nesterovič, D. Drobnjak

This is the final roster. Pipan decided to cut Jagodnik and Ćapin.

Man that Drobnjak Zupan front court really isn't good, i hope Pipan combines some Zupan and Slokar or puts Zagorac in a little bit more because the small front court really wont cut it against the good teams.

Richey666

07-14-2008, 01:58 PM

Slovenia having serious trouble today with Korea, watched only first quarter, but I would say Koreans are very fast and Nesterovic is alone carrying Slovenian ass.

Turkish Airlines Euroleague

07-14-2008, 02:11 PM

Slovenia is in general, monodimensional. Attacking only from the paint with Nesterovic...

sinobball

07-14-2008, 02:22 PM

Slovenia having serious trouble today with Korea, watched only first quarter, but I would say Koreans are very fast and Nesterovic is alone carrying Slovenian ass.
Where to watch?

KWSN-Men

07-14-2008, 02:23 PM

Lakovic was terrible. Any idea why Becirovic didn't play more? He wasn't that bad.

Khalid80

07-14-2008, 02:24 PM

Slovenia having serious trouble today with Korea, watched only first quarter, but I would say Koreans are very fast and Nesterovic is alone carrying Slovenian ass.

Slovenia just beat Korea 88-76!
Good game by the Koreans. I'm impressed. They had a nice come back in the 3rd and beginning of 4th quarter where they cut the lead to 5 points.

elaj

07-14-2008, 02:26 PM

I wouldn't start judging yet. This was the first game, everyone was a bit nervous while in second part we just cooled down too much and kind of let Koreans play. First half was ok, but also all congrats to Korea for their incredible shooting in second half which was probably also due to bad defense of Slovenia.

The fact that coaching staff didn't scout Korea at all means a lot. I'm not satisfied with the way everyone in the national team approached this game.

sinobball

07-14-2008, 02:30 PM

I heard Ha Seung Jin has a knee injury, but 0 point...

elaj

07-14-2008, 02:31 PM

I heard Ha Seung Jin has a knee injury, but 0 point...
Rasho was making fun of him on every occasion - in defense and in offense.

I think Rasho will have a lot to say to his teammates in the lockerroom about how to approach such games... I expect different face of Slovenia tomorrow against Canada.

Some reports are saying that Bečirovič got injured during the game. Damn, I hope it's not true.

Joško Poljak Fan

07-14-2008, 03:00 PM

Rasho keeps doing that vs. most top centers he witnessed in the NT shirt and yet people are surprised :)

overall I think Slovenia generaly hates to play with teams with different style of game... just one more proof for that. The game overall wasn't that bad except for some individuals.

Richey666

07-14-2008, 03:03 PM

Where to watch?

I'm watching from satellite, Slovenian TV2, it's free I guess...

elaj

07-14-2008, 03:54 PM

Lakovic was terrible. Any idea why Becirovic didn't play more? He wasn't that bad.
Bečirovič noticed a pain in his leg and asked for replacement. They didn't want to risk anything so he didn't play for the second half, but Sani hopes to be ready for tomorrows game.

KWSN-Men

07-14-2008, 04:01 PM

Bečirovič noticed a pain in his leg and asked for replacement. They didn't want to risk anything so he didn't play for the second half, but Sani hopes to be ready for tomorrows game.

I saw him coming out and not playing again. I hope he will play more in the rest of the tournament. I really like the guy. :)

Joško Poljak Fan

07-14-2008, 06:03 PM

He is our only "creative" guard on the floor. Or better put it, he is that much more creative than the others that he looks like one...

Dragič noticably improved his shooting during the last few months. His "career-high" drasticaly improved in my eyes now.

elaj

07-15-2008, 11:47 AM

Good job against Canada!

I liked what I saw today. Our centers did good job defending the post, their star player Dalembert was totally shut down. Congrats for good performance to whole team - deserved victory.

I'd like to see Croatia as our opponet in next phase - one reason only - I think we are playing better against teams which are playing more European type of basketball and I think Puerto Rico is very unpredictable team, while Croatia is more consistant team than Puerto Rico - in my opinion we have better chances against our neighbours Croatians... even though we played two very even games against them in preparation period and lost once.

Alyosha12

07-15-2008, 01:35 PM

I love our Slokar Rasho combo under the basket, they do a tremendous job there.

I think Slokar easily had more then 1 blk he had 2 in just 1 play i think he had 3 or may be even 4 blks today.

Lakovic finaly played well, and i hope he stays in form and doesn't go away the next game.

Alos i am really surprised how well Lorbek is playing at the SF spot, i mean i know he didn't play for most of the game, but still he was able to cope very well in the past games, especially if you take into account that he almost always played SG or sometimes even PG.

sinobball

07-15-2008, 03:35 PM

Rasho keeps doing that vs. most top centers he witnessed in the NT shirt and yet people are surprised :)
Ha Seung Jin is no top center... he has little skill to begin with, played ZERO game last year and has a knee injury.

Sam Dalembert on the other hand.... one would expect him to do better than 4p 2r.

sunara

07-15-2008, 07:04 PM

Congratulations, a good match today. good luck on friday

elaj

07-16-2008, 03:20 PM

Richey666

07-16-2008, 04:16 PM

Based on games so far I dont see Puerto Rico having any chance against disciplined Slovenia, Rasho will get 25 points on 75% FG without a problem.

LFGC79

07-17-2008, 09:14 PM

Picek

07-17-2008, 09:53 PM

Should be an easy win for Slovenia.

Here is the box score from their only meeting.

Game: PUERTO RICO vs SLOVENIA (Group D)
Date: 23 August 2006
Time: 16h30
City: Sapporo
Spectators: 6400
http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/06_wcm/scheResu/p/eventid/3507/gamename/11/groupname/D/langlc/en/roundid/4742/fe_scheStat_boxScor.html [/URL]they played ten days (or so) ago

Slovenija : Portoriko 79:68 (65:50, 41:28, 21:14)
Slovenija: Ž. Zagorac (0:2), Lakovič 14 (3:6), Bečirovič 10 (3:3), Nesterovič 16 (1:3), Dragič 5 (1:2), Slokar 10, Joksimovič 2 (2:4), D. Lorbek 8 (3:5), Drobnjak 2, Zupan 5 (1:2), Klobučar 2 (0:2), Preldžič 5.
Portoriko: Ramos 7 (1:1), Barea 3, Rivera 4 (4:4), Arroyo 21 (4:4), Mojica 2, Carmona, Ayuso 5 (2:2), Sanchez 3, Villafane, Falcon 2, Santiago 16 (8:10), Jones 5 (2:2).

PRSURF

07-17-2008, 10:25 PM

LFGC79

07-18-2008, 12:55 AM

Vendio

Traitor:mad:

I still root for my team more than I can explain. However, this has been a very poor showing by them. I am very sad with a lot of stuff, from the players attitude to the coaching staff, and some players without motivation. I hope they can play decent tomorrow.

They have to play an excellent game to win tomorrow. Two of SLO biggest scorers are not present, but they picked and excellent team, odds are with them.

Pero le voy a los mios siempre. " I always root for my team"

Khalid80

07-18-2008, 02:09 PM

Puerto Rico is Slovenia's next opponet in the way to qualify for Olympic Games. I don't like it at all. I wanted Croatia. Puerto Rico is just damn too unpredictable and Slovenia doesn't like to play against non-European teams. I hope our guys will be up to the challenge.

Defense on their guards will be the key and Rasho will have to lock the paint.

It looks like what u said has just turned into reality.
Puerto Rico just upset Slovenia 81-70. Impressive win. Congratulations for Puerto Rico.
Tough luck for Slovenia (I honestly considered them as one of the favorites along with Greece to qualify to the Olympics).

greg

07-18-2008, 02:09 PM

Pipan finally fired?

AiwiTo

07-18-2008, 02:10 PM

Based on games so far I dont see Puerto Rico having any chance against disciplined Slovenia, Rasho will get 25 points on 75% FG without a problem.

damm, sorry, but your are great looser :D

Slovenia - Puerto Rico 70-81. first defeat for europeans in this turnament and PR is one step from Olympics. nice win, and Your Rasho didn't get 25pts on 75% FG :D he get just 10pts on 5/12 FG.

i feel sorry for Slovenia, great team but one more time you lost one of the biggest your games..

elaj

07-18-2008, 02:16 PM

Congrats to Puerto Rico, totally deserved victory. As I was telling to everyone... PR would be much thougher opponet than Croatia, ofcourse, everyone was underastimating them. I saw this kind of game coming. Anyway, congrats to PR, deserved at the end. ;)

Pipan endless fired?
I hope so. I hope our idiots in federation would consider a well known coach instead of him.

robbe

07-18-2008, 02:16 PM

Can happen against PR anytime, if they have a good day and succeed with their one-on-one action. Congrats to them. @Prsurf: I don't think it's wrong to have sympathies. That doesn't make one a hater of other teams.

Sad for Slovenia. Shame that Smodis couldn't play. I mean, there were a lot of them missing, but Smodis is imo the one who anchors this team, among Rasho. For Rasho, that's it with his national team career? If so, thanks for the great games you treated us with. A truly unique player, there are very few big men I'd take over him.

elaj

07-18-2008, 02:19 PM

zwbgr

07-18-2008, 02:21 PM

Slovenia underestimated PR defense and they thougt they can play only one half. Sure :rolleyes:
Pipan must be fired (don't we talk about that for 4 years now?) and replaced with someone who will bring in all NBA players. All, Vujacic too.

07-18-2008, 02:26 PM

bye bye Pipan
i feel sorry for some Slo members here.I mean all those years with good teams and no success and now this.anyway life continues

Alyosha12

07-18-2008, 02:40 PM

well Lakovič and Bečirovć were aweful yet they played the most, its sad that Pipan didn't trust Joksimovič who played were well in the limited minutes he got and Dragič.

Lakovič couldn't guard anyone on the floor, and i would excuse that if he tried to play defense but he didn't even try, he faked aggressiveness, the moment he was on the floor he needed 10seconds to get up, and yet he still played 25minutes Dragic did a very good job on Arroyo yet got limited minutes i don't know why.

We had a lot of trouble on offense yet no changes were made Lakovic still jacked up shots Bečirovič was still in the game Pipan didn't even try anything.

I kept waiting in the last 4-5minutes when we wrere down 7-10 points that we will go into a ful court press. Yet we did not, we just waited in our half of the court i mean WTF.

We did a great job on the boards but we always do, thats the thing that saves us in every international competition its the rebounding, too bad we made stupid mistakes and didn't know how to get close.

Slokar did an awesome job, so did Zupan Nesterovic was solid as always, and i liked Joksimovic in the minutes he got.

I really hope we get a decent coach this time, but well i doubt it.

We need a coach who is good at motivating, not a coach who is strict ala Obradovic, that won't work on Slovenia we need someone who will get our guys pumped up and light a fire under their asses thats the only way slovenia will win and play good, thats the reason why we played so good last time because Smodis is like that he plays with fire and he ignites everyone around him.
If we get a coach who is relativity good and who is a great motivator i think we can go places.
And non of this half ass NT i want most of our guys to play.

PRSURF

07-18-2008, 02:48 PM

Picek

07-18-2008, 02:50 PM

We need a coach who is good at motivating, not a coach who is strict ala Obradovic, that won't work on Slovenia we need someone who will get our guys pumped up and light a fire under their asses thats the only way slovenia will win and play good, thats the reason why we played so good last time because Smodis is like that he plays with fire and he ignites everyone around him.
If we get a coach who is relativity good and who is a great motivator i think we can go places.
And non of this half ass NT i want most of our guys to play.although that is probably a national insult I would like to see team Slovenia under Spahija for example..
he knows the mentality, he knows the players.. he is not under any influence by slovenian clubs and he is better coach then any slovenian coach atm.. IMO ofcourse but i think results also show that..
he is a coach winner, just something team Slovenia needs..
and I must say something like that would be very interested..
although a little bit weird..
and chances for something like that to happen aren't big..

elaj

07-18-2008, 02:52 PM

although that is probably a national insult I would like to see team Slovenia under Spahija for example..
he knows the mentality, he knows the players.. he is not under any influence by slovenian clubs and he is better coach then any slovenian coach atm.. IMO ofcourse but i think results also show that..
he is a coach winner, just something team Slovenia needs..
and I must say something like that would be very interested..
although a little bit weird..
and chances for something like that to happen aren't big..
Why would it be a national insult?

Spahija is loved in Slovenia. He coached in Olimpija and aswell in Krka - he'd be a great choice, but in my opinion our federation (fucking scumbags) would never give let's say 500.000 - 1.000.000€ for a coach.

I'd love to see Teoman Alibegović as coach.

Alyosha12

07-18-2008, 03:00 PM

Why would it be a national insult?

Spahija is loved in Slovenia. He coached in Olimpija and aswell in Krka - he'd be a great choice, but in my opinion our federation (fucking scumbags) would never give let's say 500.000 - 1.000.000€ for a coach.

I would sell my blood for a year, just to get Spahija the money.

Sadly i think our federation won't even try to convince him, and f the Croatian federation had money for him so could ours.

No disrespect Croats i didn't mean anything by it.

Joško Poljak Fan

07-18-2008, 04:41 PM

Straight forward

07-18-2008, 05:15 PM

this time we need a change... a new coach that would be able to gather most of our top players and with all those stupid loses a good psychologist to help them leave behind all those lucky quarterfinals.

I second that. Slovenia was so unlucky in important games. I think this team needs a new start, different start. This team has very big potential and it would be nice to see renewed Slovenia in Eurobasket 2009.

rikhardur

07-18-2008, 06:43 PM

I feel sad For Slovenia, always a team comprised of good and promising players and always not making it when it matters the most. Psychologically not strong enough? Congrats to PR.

Alyosha12

07-18-2008, 08:11 PM

National insult? I'd love to see Spahija as our head coach... and he would be somewhere on the top of my personal list... eventhough at this particular moment I'd be satisfied with just about anyone which name doesn't start with Pi and ends with pan.
damn how could anyone not hate our federation or Pipan.

I mean you're behing by 10, 3 minutes to go... you've got 2 extraordinary defenders on bench in Dragič and Joksimovič... what do you do?
I personaly would say a full court press, but I guess I have no clue about basketball anymore whatsoever... well... screw it...
Am I completely wicked, unconciously on drugs or sth. or is there any other reason not to play a simple fullcourt press... I'd honestly apreciate an explanation from anyone... or at least a confirmation I'm right to make sure i'm still a sane person.

Bečirovič's defense was pathetic this time, can't believe he stepped out to help Rašo with Ramos :D to leave the guy open for a 3pointer... not to mention all those despicable defenses on P&R.

this time we need a change... a new coach that would be able to gather most of our top players and with all those stupid loses a good psychologist to help them leave behind all those lucky quarterfinals.

Nesterovič is sadly gone, he was the guy that held the NT together in the last 7 years, if he wouldn't the results would be even more pathetic. A big thanks to the captain.

and of course congrats to Puerto Rico team! you were the better team today.

I was in aww at that i mean WTF was that. did he think PR would just give us the ball or finish within 10seconds when they were up by 10?

Pipan could have at least learned something from the loss to Greece last year and tryed to win like they did against us, but nooo, he had Lakovic and Becirovic in there.

I just couldn't believe it. I personally would have gone with the full court press 5 mins before the end when PR was up by 7 and there was no sign of change i would have thrown out Lakovic and Becirovic.

I would honestly like an explanation, i wish there was 1 journalist in Slovenia who would ask him what he was thinking, but knowing how they are they will not.

And now Pipan has the balls to say its the players fault?!? He just can't admit he made mistakes. Man i hate his guts.

Alyosha12

07-18-2008, 10:52 PM

Well it seems that we have high hopes for our couch once more, names i heard talked about are Becirovic and filipovki, and i kinda think those two are the ones who it will come down to sadly.

Ou of those two i like Becirovic.

So lets just try to build him a team just for fun:)

C: Brezec/E.Lorbek (Nesterovic said good bye to the NT)
PF: Smodiš/Slokar
SF: Nachbar/Predžić
SG: Vujacič/Bečirović/Laković
PG Udrih/Dragič/Lakovič

The problem here is that i don't think Bečirovič would be happy being a back up and so wouldn't Lakovič, but sadly they are not good enough to be starters.

Lakovič is too shot happy, thats why i would only play him when he has the hot hand because that is when is can really do damage but when is is not he just destroys his team, i would play him at SG with Dragič and Udrih guarding the opposite SG because they are big and Lakovič taking over the PG if he could.

Remon

07-19-2008, 12:09 AM

(Nesterovic said good bye to the NT)

Really? Already?

rikhardur

07-19-2008, 12:16 AM

Really? Already?
Yes, he had stated previously that this would be his last participation.

Alyosha12

07-19-2008, 09:17 AM

Really? Already?

Sadly yes, i really grew to like the big lug, too bad.

Killerbee

07-19-2008, 09:45 AM

Tanjević as headcoach is the only choice for me! He already offered himself before Pipan was chosen for his decade fiasco of quaterfinals eliminations.

Tanjević as Spahija knows SLO basketball and is also a great fan of it. Maybe he even convinces Rašo on one more participation :D

My team:
C: Nesterović, Vidmar
PF: Smodiš, E.Lorbek, Slokar
SF: Nachbar, Preldžić
SG: Bečirovič, D.Lorbek, Klobučar
PG: Dragič, Lakovič

I know everybody is missing Brezec, Udrih and Vujačić...it is just my oppinion that at C we have better combination of experience and youth in Nesterović/Vidmar...also defensively...but if Rašo is gone...Brezec might jump in (I am worried about his defensive skills).

About Udrih and Vujačić...I doubt their character and synergy with this team...skill wise they are great individual players...why is than Nachbar on my team?...because he has also proven as a role player in the past and is not a "ball huger"...he likes to shoot, but this can be limited by a great coach or even used to team's advantage.