Slovenian NT for Eurobasket 2009 (Poland)

[elaj]

Coach Jure Zdovc just announced the list of 24 players:

Sani Bečirovič (Lottomatica Roma)
Goran Dragić (Phoenix Suns)
Nebojša Joksimovič (Hemofarm Vršac)
Jaka Klobučar (Union Olimpija)
Jaka Lakovič (Barcelona)
Domen Lorbek (Benetton)
Sašo Ožbolt (Union Olimpija)
Beno Udrih (Sacramento Kings)
Samo Udrih (Estudiantes Madrid)
Sašo Vujačič (Los Angeles Lakers)
Goran Jagodnik (Nymburg)
Marko Maravič (Union Olimpija)
Boštjan Nachbar (Dinamo Moskva)
Emir Preldžić* (Fenerbahče Ülker)
Mirza Begić* (Union Olimpija)
Primož Brezec (Lottomatica Roma)
Jurica Golemac* (Lottomatica Roma)
Matej Krušič (Helios Domžale)
Erazem Lorbek (CSKA Moskva)
Uroš Slokar (GMAC Bologna)
Matjaž Smodiš (CSKA Moskva)
Gašper Vidmar (Fenerbahče Ülker)
Marko Tušek (Avelino)
Miha Zupan (Union Olimpija)

* naturalized

I am surprised there is no Aleksandar Ćapin*, he should be at least on the list of 24 players. He was always there for the national team, even if he is not Slovenian.

Zdovc already named Matjaž Smodiš as captain of the team.

Next week first 8 candidats will be cut, a list of 16 players will be invited to the preperation camp.

[boki]

I'm kind of worried, because we have only 4/5 players, who are actually good defenders. But I liked how Olimpija played in defence in last games. So I hope Zdovc will try to play the same stile in NT (with more offensive talent ofcourse).

[Alyosha12]

Sani Bečirovič (Lottomatica Roma)
Goran Dragić (Phoenix Suns)
Nebojša Joksimovič (Hemofarm Vršac)
Jaka Klobučar (Union Olimpija)
Jaka Lakovič (Barcelona)

Sašo Ožbolt (Union Olimpija)
Beno Udrih (Sacramento Kings)

Sašo Vujačič (Los Angeles Lakers)


Boštjan Nachbar (Dinamo Moskva)
Emir Preldžić* (Fenerbahče Ülker)
Mirza Begić* (Union Olimpija)
Primož Brezec (Lottomatica Roma)


Erazem Lorbek (CSKA Moskva)
Uroš Slokar (GMAC Bologna)
Matjaž Smodiš (CSKA Moskva)
Gašper Vidmar (Fenerbahče Ülker)


These are the players i wouldn't cut yet.
And this would be my 12:
PG: B.Udrih, Dragič, Lakovič
SG: Bečirovič, Vujačič, Ožbolt
SF: Nachbar, Preldžić
PF: Smodiš, Slokar
C: Lorbek, Brezec

If Vujačič/Bečuirovič played alongside Lakovič, i would move Lakovicč to the SG and Sani or Vujačič to the PG spot. Also Vujačič could play SF for a few minutes especially if Preldžić decides he will play for Bosna if that happens i would call Klobučar or Vidmar to the team.

All in all it is really tough to decide who i would choose for the 12 i mean Joksimovič would also deserve to be there Begić would be nice to have however he doesn't play so well in limited minutes, Maravič is not bad, Jagodnik could still contribute a bit etc. etc.

[zwbgr]

As much as i know, Bečirović decided that he won't play (of course he didn't said it publicly) because of his knees and minor injuries during the season. But since Lottomatica was relegated in quarterfinals already, maybe he'll change his thoughts. However, guard position is strong enough, so i wouldn't really miss him.

And i think it's already decided who'll be on 16 players list - players whom KZS visited during last months. That means that Tušek, Zupan, Golemac, Krušič, Maravič, Jagodnik, Klobučar are out and probably Ožbolt who said he'll play only in case there won't be enough players in his position what i strongly doubt.

[pohani komarac]

I don't think Preldzic have right to play for BiH becase he alredy played for Slovina?

[elaj]

I don't think Preldzic have right to play for BiH becase he alredy played for Slovina?

If Slovenian basketball federation agrees to let him play for BiH he can play without any problems. It's on him to decide for which team he is going to play.

[zwbgr]

Zdovc still didn't announced his assistants. I think Mahorič (or it was Filipovski?) said that he doesn't want to be a side-kick, Martič will have to take care of Olimpija, i don't believe Pipan would be assistant and so not Sagadin (lol). So i'm really curious who will that be. Okorn?

[sixama23]

Slovenia has a great roster and Zdovc has many options for his final team. The Slovenian team is maybe the only NT that won't have any absences at this Eurobasket. It's the first time that all these great players will play together for the NT and i believe that Slovenia has the talent to achieve great things this year.

[elaj]

Sani Bečirovič (Lottomatica Roma) announced that he will know if he will be able to play for NT in two weeks when he talks everything through with his doctors. He said he is having some problems with his knees again and that a small surgery might be needed to fix the problems. He will play for NT only if there will be no surgery needed and if he gets the special practice programm from the coach of Slovenian NT Jure Zdovc. Coach already said that he understands him, so probably if there will be no surgery needed, Sani will play for NT but practice via special programm.

[Worrax]

Slovenia has a great roster and Zdovc has many options for his final team. The Slovenian team is maybe the only NT that won't have any absences at this Eurobasket. It's the first time that all these great players will play together for the NT and i believe that Slovenia has the talent to achieve great things this year.

Totally agree with you. I believe this team will be very successful in this tournament. And Emir Preldzic... One of the young talents in Europe who grows up slowly but successfully. Within 2 years waiting so much from this boy.

[elaj]

Young Greek coach Stefanos Dedas (I heard a lot of good things from my Greek friends about him, so I like this move) and Slovenian Miro Alilovič (headcoach Geoplin Slovan) will be Zdovc's assistants in the NT.

Zdovc is also talking to Tomo Mahorič to become his first assistant (with Alilovič being his second assistant and Dedas his third - scouting).

[elaj]

Slovenia's first cut, Zdovc decided to leave at home Bečirovič who is out due to knee problems (mutual decision with coach), besides him he also left at home: Marko Tušek, Matej Krušič, Nebojša Joksimovič, Marko Maravič and Jurica Golemac.

Guards
Goran Dragić (Phoenix Suns)
Jaka Klobučar (Union Olimpija)
Jaka Lakovič (Barcelona)
Domen Lorbek (Benetton)
Beno Udrih (Sacramento Kings)
Samo Udrih (Estudiantes Madrid)
Sašo Vujačič (Los Angeles Lakers)

Forwards
Goran Jagodnik (Nymburg)
Boštjan Nachbar (Dinamo Moskva)
Emir Preldžić (Fenerbahče Ülker)

Centers
Primož Brezec (Lottomatica Roma)
Erazem Lorbek (CSKA Moskva)
Uroš Slokar (GMAC Bologna)
Matjaž Smodiš (CSKA Moskva)
Gašper Vidmar (Fenerbahče Ülker)

Reserves:
Mirza Begić (Union Olimpija)
Sašo Ožbolt (Union Olimpija)
Miha Zupan (Union Olimpija)

[elaj]

The most important decision, with Bečirovič being out, is who to take to backup Vujačič (he will be our main SG). Klobučar, S. Udrih or D. Lorbek? They are on same level in my opinion. I'd pick Klobučar, he can play the best defense out of those three.

[Markoishvili]

I would go with Domen Lorbek. He is more experienced and had a better season than Klobucar.

[pohani komarac]

udrih, lakovic, dragic, vujacic, d. lorbek, nahbar, preldzic, smodis, slokar, e. lorbek, brezec, vidmar...this would be my 12. if zdovc develops good team chemisry and good team game you shuld win gold this summer

[Campeondelmundo]

I think Slovenia has the chance to be a finalist in this Tournament. They have absolutely everything takes to be winning, but somehow, it doesn't work!

[pohani komarac]

I think Slovenia has the chance to be a finalist in this Tournament. They have absolutely everything takes to be winning, but somehow, it doesn't work!

they had terible coach in Pipan. I know Zdovc work from Split and Olimpija and I don't consider him top class coach ethier but he surley is better solution than Pipan. + surley this players will respect him more because his player gretnes that he had in ex Yugoslavia and latter in Slovenia.

[elaj]

My picks would be:

PG: B. Udrih, Lakovič, Dragić
SG: Vujačić, Klobučar
SF: Nachbar, Preldžić
PF: Smodiš, Slokar
C: E. Lorbek, Brezec, Vidmar

Center line scares me the most and I feel that Brezec could harm our chemistry with his character.

Zdovc said that building a team spirit is the most important thing. He said anyone who'll start to break it will get one meeting with him, if he'll continue he is out of NT and it doesn't matter how big the name is.

[Picek]

they had terible coach in Pipan. I know Zdovc work from Split and Olimpija and I don't consider him top class coach ethier but he surley is better solution than Pipan. + surley this players will respect him more because his player gretnes that he had in ex Yugoslavia and latter in Slovenia.

IMO Zdovc misses something which would make him a really good coach.. he is just average and I wonder how come slovenian NT had the guts to put this team in his hands..
slovenian NT should have hired someone from abroad..
all those players are playing on the highest level in their clubs for years now and when playing together for NT they can't do anything remarkable..
difference is that in clubs they are coached by best european coaches while in NT they are being coached by an average (or even below average) coaches..
wouldn't be too surprised if they miss out from medal round once again..

[sixama23]

Even without Becirovic, Slovenian NT has a great roster. I think the main problem of this team is their point guards. I don't mean that Udrih, Dragic and Lakovic are not talented players. They are all great. But when the game comes to a crucial time moment they are lacking concentration and patience. For example, take a look back at the Eurobasket 2007 quarterfinals. Slovenia was better than Greece for 38 minutes and Lakovic-Dragic were excellent since that point. From that point on and after they both made terrible mistakes against the Greek pressure and Slovenia lost a game which should have definitely won. That's what i mean by talking about problems at point guards. Of course this year, i except Dragic to be more mature and handle pressure better than he did last years.