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The Lithuanian Basketball Federation (LKF) now publishes news about this sport in the magazine “Basketball House”. The quarterly publication reviews the news of the Lithuanian national teams, projects organized by the LKF, and pays attention to the current problems of the basketball leagues and the personalities of this sport.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of one of the most impressive victories in Lithuanian basketball: the bronze medal of the Men’s Basketball World Championship. He was beaten by a team of young basketball players who received a nominal invitation from FIBA, led by young coach Kęstutis Kemzūra and a young leader: the 203cm tall striker, Linas Kleiza.
It was with him that we decided to remember that impressive march by the Lithuanian men’s basketball team. We share an interview with Lina Kleiza.
Due to the difficult conditions of the quarantine, it was difficult to find a place for the conversation that he wanted to live. So Lin offered to meet at her house. Specifically, in the definitive construction of a summer house on the banks of the Neris. Lina’s face lit up with a smile as she sat down to chat and asked her first question in the spacious living room next to the already equipped gym.
“I remember well those 2010. Everyone remembers who was there. That summer was special, easy, so unexpected for everyone, and it ended well. We went to Turkey and we thought: that’s how it will be, we’ll play, “L. Kleiza told” Basketball House “magazine.
The workers who fit out the kitchen were hanging around, but the memories took him to Turkey. In it, in Izmir and Istanbul, a young team, many experts were not considered medalists, in 2010. From August 28 to October 12 they managed to win 8 of the 9 games and get on the podium with the Lithuanian tricolor.
“At that time, we were playing innovative basketball. We had no real “centers”. We had Rob (Javtok), but he was more the “center” of the defense plan, not the one attacking him. We play fast basketball. At that time, that type of basketball was not as popular as it is now. But when you go to those championships, it works well because you don’t play the entire season where you have a lot of time to prepare. We had 9 games in Turkey and that’s it. It gave us a lot of freedom. And everything “worked out” for us. We were also successful, we “hooked”, then faith and victories appeared, “recalled L. Kleiza, who became the most productive basketball player on the Lithuanian team and was chosen for the five symbolic of the championship.
According to him, K. Kemzūra’s determination before each match, even watching movies, gave a lot.
“But anyway there was a good atmosphere in our team. We weren’t tense. I can’t say how such an atmosphere came about. I think a lot of things came together. We were a very young team. I can’t say there was no seriousness, but I felt good. relaxed. All generations are different and our generation was more relaxed, seeing things a little differently. There were all kinds of fun things to do, but it was the “inner bass” type that stayed within the team. You could write a book about it. As a result, the team has always been a lot of fun. We have never been short of imagination, “said L. Kleiza.
According to him, the captain, Robert Javtok, also played a very important role, having performed his duties well.
“When it was necessary to encourage something, to focus, it was their responsibility. However, we all contributed to that,” recalled L. Kleiza.
The Lithuanian national team began the championship with a group competition in Izmir, a western Turkish city of three million on the shores of the Aegean Sea. Despite Kirk Penney’s 37 points, the Lithuanians won the first match against New Zealand 92:79 (25:24, 25:10, 24:27, 18:18). L. Kleiza played most productively for the Lithuanian team: 27 points. More complex matches followed.
After three quarter-finals with Canada, the Lithuanians continued to chase the rivals, but managed to snatch the victory 70:68 (12:20, 21:23, 22:14, 15:11). L. Kleiza not only scored the most points (18), but also fought the best for the Lithuanian team for bounced balls (10).
The match with the Spanish world champions was even more dramatic. After three halves, Lithuania were still 11 points behind their rivals, but in the last quarter they started a real sauna and achieved an impressive 76:73 victory (11:22, 24:21, 18:21, 23: 9). After taking two free throws with 6.6 seconds remaining, L. Kleiza was once again the most productive (17 points). Jonas Mačiulis and Matynas Pocius added after 13.
“Maybe at first we surprised our competitors with something. But later … After all, it’s Lithuania: do what you want, you won’t be surprised by anything. We were always strong, maybe we weren’t favorites a couple of teams ago. But the history is history. We caught a good wave at a good time. We played all the preparation pretty well. And when we caught the wave with a couple of tough wins at the start of the championship, it was already difficult to stop. I said, it’s not one championship, it’s two weeks. The most important thing is to get to the mat after a couple of games. We managed to do it, “said L. Kleiza.
Later, Lithuania faced the French, who had won every match up to that point, 69:55 (11:24, 13: 6, 28:11, 17:14) and became the winner of the group DJMačiulis scored Most points for Lithuanians: 19. L. Kleiza scored 15th.
Lebanon couldn’t resist Lithuania in the last group match – 84:66 (16:16, 23:16, 25:19, 20:15) – the most productive was Renaldas Seibutis (17 points). In the eighth final in Istanbul, L. Kleizai scored 30 points, China fell – 78:67 (17:22, 26:18, 21:11, 14:16).
The quarterfinals with Argentina were particularly impressive. From the first moments, the Lithuanian team swept away the titled rivals 104: 85 (28:18, 22:12, 35:23, 19:32), which did not allow them to doubt their advantage. After three quarters, the Lithuanian lead reached 32 points, and the Argentine stars sat on a bench with their heads crossed.
Next up are the semi-finals and America’s “Dream Team” with Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, Andre Iguodala, Stephen Curry, Eric Gordon and other NBA basketball players.
“It was difficult to play against the Americans. They knew me. I stepped on a pedal, then another. We couldn’t surprise them anymore, they played even faster than us. Well they excluded me from the game. I didn’t really save the Serbs, but the Americans just rejected me, “L. Kleiza told” Basketball House “magazine, scoring 4 points.
Lithuania lost the semifinals 74:89 (12:23, 15:19, 26:23, 21:24). The Lithuanians did not stop K. Durantas, who scored 38 points.
“Whenever you play against such a team, you try to control the game, not make mistakes, not let them run in a quick attack, because they really like to do it.” So that plan was bungled by Kevin Durant. He played space basketball. Do what you want against him: He threw and threw those triples. The game was quite tense. However, it was not possible to stop Durant at that time, “recalled L. Kleiza.
In the small final, the Lithuanians faced the Serbs, the Turks who descended after the error of the judges. L. Kleiza was unstoppable: he scored 33 points. Lithuania won 99:88 (23:22, 25:16, 24:16, 27:34) and for the first time in history won the bronze medals of the planet’s championship.
“It just came to our notice then. I like to celebrate. There is a moment when you work, there is a moment when you win and you need to celebrate that victory. It was fun, impressive, there was a lot of celebration. We were at a club in Turkey, celebrating with the Serbs. Because last year, Milos Theodosic was my roommate. The celebration continued in Lithuania, only here I had to fly to Toronto a week later. It was fun, very fun, “said L. Kleiza.
The leader of the Lithuanian team competed in the championship more than 31 minutes per game, the average of points was 19, rebounds – 7.1, assists – 1.4.
“I felt good. Clearly, I was tired after the championship, after injuries. I came after a good championship at Olympiacos, I was in pretty good shape. Somehow everything went on, I didn’t force myself,” said L. Kleiza.
He arrived in Turkey already with a contract with the Toronto Raptors.
“It just came to our notice then.” I still had a contract with Olympiacos, but I rescinded it because the NBA cared more, I wanted to prove myself there, “Kleiza said.
Still, he had already proven himself in the NBA. And for that, he is grateful for an unexpected event: a fight. In the strongest basketball league in the world, the Lithuanian was disbanded when his friend and Denver Nuggets team leader Carmelo Anthony was suspended for fights in 15 games. L. Kleiza still remembers this episode very well.
“It just came to our notice then. It was my second year in the NBA. It didn’t give me much game. There was no competition. I remember coming to New York with Yamal Crawford. Coach George Karl let me go, saying go, go go Crawford. That comes – bam bam back, ‘crossover’, ‘trakek’ – and I sit on the bench again, “Kleiza recalled.
And then there is the memorable event in New York. At the end of the game, after an unsportsmanlike foul by Knicks defender Mardy Collins, Nuggets basketball player JRSmith had a great fight, even moving into the stands. 10 players were removed from the field. And L. Kleiza didn’t end there alone.
“Karl was angry about something about New York coach Isiah Thomas. We won a lot, there are a couple of minutes left. However, our coach does not take Carmelo out of the game. The fight for that happened. Karl lets me into the square. I go to the secretary and the fight starts. If you enter the court during a fight, you will be automatically disqualified for a fight. This is what I saw from the side. There it hit, hit. Carmelo suspended for 15 games, there was no one to play, I had a long time left. It helped me a lot. If it wasn’t for that incident, I don’t know what it would have been like. After those games, I played a lot, I played. It’s good that I didn’t go to that square, ”said L. Kleiza.
He then played for the Raptors for another three seasons, then moved to Europe, where he played for Fenerbahche in Istanbul and AX Armani in Milan. In 2013, he became the runner-up in Europe with the Lithuanian national team.
“It just came to our notice then. I watch a lot of basketball, I analyze. Euroleague, European Cup, Champions League – this is clearly the lowest level European basketball so far. LKL is interesting too,” said L. Kleiza.
For the past few years, he has not only watched basketball, he has also been one of the co-owners and sports director of the Vilnius Rytas Club. However, L. Kleiza left the club and basketball. How long?
“It just came to our knowledge then. Basketball will always be in my life. You never know how someone will become. I don’t see myself anywhere in basketball right now. But now I have the opportunity to see a lot of basketball, the opportunity to go out. from the situation when he was on the same team and I was more concerned about his things. This is a good time, “said L. Kleiza.
The 35-year-old is still full of strength and a desire to move. What did basketball change for him?
“I really need to move. I like to lift weights, I like to play tennis, although my wife plays better than me. But I have nothing to be hooked on. There is love in life, it is more difficult to do something ”, explained L. Kleiza and invited her to the gym, on whose walls are the shirts of all the teams in which she competed. Among them is the eleventh green jersey of the Lithuanian team for the 2010 World Cup.
Author of the text: Rytis Sabas
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