[Peja Vu]

I will try to find news about how he is doing in the Olympics. Here is a little blurb about him from this weeks SI (Click attachment below).

[Zalgirinis]

Well, I'll give some update how hes doing in NT till now.

This summer as the last before winning gold in European championships Lithuanian NT had two camps. In the first camp younger players or the ones who can end as 9-12th players in NT took part. So Darius wasnt in that camp as most of our core players werent either.

The second and main camp started on June 28th, but Darius was still in the states and joined only on 7th of July. Thats way too late and morealso he couldnt practice with full speed, because he was unsigned in NBA and needed to get through medical examination first to get insurance. He missed first LT NT tournament in Bormio (Italy) on 15-17th of July.

He went to Acropolis tournament in Greece, but didnt play in two first games with Italy and Brazil. I dont have stats of game with Greece, but I saw that game. Darius didnt play much minutes, but was very unnoticeable, I think he scored only 3 points hitting a triple in first half.

Today Lithuania plays with Angola in Diamond Ball tournament in Serbia. The game will be on TV here, so I'll say how he looked like if someone's interested.

IMHO it looks that he wont get into good shape or lets say into best shape. Thanks God, that this time we have another great PF in Ksystofas Lavrinovicius (who probably will move Darius to the bench). It reminds me the preparation before Eurochamp 2001 when Darius joined team very late because of studies in Wake Forest and he sucked so much, that coaches even didnt put him into decisive games at all. And before 2000 Olympics and Eurobasket 2003 when he joined in time and gave all his heart for the playing, he did great and our team did great.

But there's still some time, maybe things get better.

[Peja Vu]

http://editorial.gettyimages.com/sou...51134515&cdi=0

Lithuania struggle against gritty Angolawin

Point guard Sarunas Jasikevicius, the most valuable player of last summer's Eurobasket, had 13 points while veteran Saulius Stombergas chipped in 12 and Sacramento Kings star Darius Songaila added 10 for the winners.

[Peja Vu]

Originally posted by <b>Zalgirinis</b>!
Well, I'll give some update how hes doing in NT till now.

This summer as the last before winning gold in European championships Lithuanian NT had two camps. In the first camp younger players or the ones who can end as 9-12th players in NT took part. So Darius wasnt in that camp as most of our core players werent either.

The second and main camp started on June 28th, but Darius was still in the states and joined only on 7th of July. Thats way too late and morealso he couldnt practice with full speed, because he was unsigned in NBA and needed to get through medical examination first to get insurance. He missed first LT NT tournament in Bormio (Italy) on 15-17th of July.

He went to Acropolis tournament in Greece, but didnt play in two first games with Italy and Brazil. I dont have stats of game with Greece, but I saw that game. Darius didnt play much minutes, but was very unnoticeable, I think he scored only 3 points hitting a triple in first half.

Today Lithuania plays with Angola in Diamond Ball tournament in Serbia. The game will be on TV here, so I'll say how he looked like if someone's interested.

IMHO it looks that he wont get into good shape or lets say into best shape. Thanks God, that this time we have another great PF in Ksystofas Lavrinovicius (who probably will move Darius to the bench). It reminds me the preparation before Eurochamp 2001 when Darius joined team very late because of studies in Wake Forest and he sucked so much, that coaches even didnt put him into decisive games at all. And before 2000 Olympics and Eurobasket 2003 when he joined in time and gave all his heart for the playing, he did great and our team did great.

But there's still some time, maybe things get better.

Thanks for the info!

[Zalgirinis]

Yesterday I watched the game with friends and had some beers, so it werent the best circumstances for analysis. Morealso I was watching all NT and not concentrating on Songaila.

Wel, he at least looked better than in his first game. Once again started with hitting a 3pt and later had points under the basket. But made few turnovers, also in defence didnt take rebs that should belong to him, but overall he was ok. And again Ksystofas Lavrinovicius looked much better in PF spot. Hes amazing shooter for his size.

Today we play Argentina.

[Peja Vu]

Late Lithuania fightback stuns Argentina

Doesn't say how Darius did...

[Zalgirinis]

Originally posted by <b>Peja Vu</b>!
Late Lithuania fightback stuns Argentina

Doesn't say how Darius did...

You can watch it on NBA TV 8 PM Eastern Time, when the game with Argentina will be replayed. NBA TV showed it live too. They are going to show final of this tournament Lithuania - Serbia tomorrow at 9 AM Eastern Time.

The game with Argentina was awesome. Well, wont spoil it if you gonna watch it. What about Darius... he started for the first time and looked better than other 2 games. He made a dumb foul to Manu to stop the fastbreak in the start and was called for (how its in English) unproffesional (?) foul, but made some nice baskets. But on other hand he missed all his 3 FTs badly, something weird... He didnt play at all in 4th quarter, because we were using lineup of no PF. Overall he did good, finishing with 8 points.

[maKINGSofgreatness]

thanks for the updates on Darius. I believe the the term you were searching for is "flagrant foul"

[Peja Vu]

Serbia & Montenegro defeats European Champions

Hosts Serbia & Montenegro won the Diamond Ball tournament on Tuesday as they saw off Lithuania 93-80 in a final between two teams expected to challenge the United States for Olympic gold later this month.

The match pitted the world champions - the hosts - against the European champions in Lithuania.

Darius Songaila top-scored with 18 points for Lithuania while Saulius Stombergas and Arvydas Macijauskas also hit double digits with 17 and 10 respectively.

But they were no match for the home favourites who had four players in double figures.

[Peja Vu]

Songaila's follow shot: Kings forward will represent Lithuania - willingly and proudly

[Hibachi!]

Originally posted by <b>Peja Vu</b>!
Serbia & Montenegro defeats European Champions

[brazys]

Originally posted by <b>SacKings384</b>!

Yep... this was not a pleasant watch for us Lithuanians. Basketball Powerhouse is back. If I had to rate contenders to Olympic Gold for this moment it would be:

1. Serbia 2. Argentina 3. USA 4. Spain 5. Lithuania ...

Back to topic, Lithuania is not playing basketball of defined roles and strictly divided minutes yet, coaches are experimenting with lineups so don't be afraid if you see a "4pts 3rb" statline from Darius in next friendly games.

[DaUnbreakableKinG]

Originally posted by <b>brazys</b>!


Yep... this was not a pleasant watch for us Lithuanians. Basketball Powerhouse is back. If I had to rate contenders to Olympic Gold for this moment it would be:

1. Serbia 2. Argentina 3. USA 4. Spain 5. Lithuania ...

Back to topic, Lithuania is not playing basketball of defined roles and strictly divided minutes yet, coaches are experimenting with lineups so don't be afraid if you see a "4pts 3rb" statline from Darius in next friendly games.

Why isn't Sabonis playing? If he played, Lithuania would easily win the whole thing.