Lithuanian GM Linas Kleiza reflects on meeting NBA stars Jonas Valanciunas, Domantas Sabonis, and Matas Buzelis, addressing national team commitment concerns ahead of EuroBasket and highlighting the challenges of balancing NBA priorities.
Lithuanian national team GM Linas Kleiza met with all three Lithuanian NBA players: captain Jonas Valanciunas, Domantas Sabonis and Matas Buzelis.
During conversations, Kleiza wondered if he had made a mistake by not going to the United States earlier to meet the country's stars.
"Maybe I should have told Jonas (Valanciunas) and Domantas (Sabonis) earlier how important they were. It seemed to me that it was obvious that this team was theirs. Maybe that was my mistake," Kleiza admitted on the show 'Kleiza vs Tiskevicius.'
Jonas Valančiūnas
| Team: |
Sacramento Kings |
| Position: | C |
| Age: | 32 |
| Height: | 211 cm |
| Weight: | 120 kg |
| Birth place: | Utena, Lithuania |
"At the beginning of the season, the players don't want to talk about the national team, so the trip was left for later, it's a shame that it was against such a background. I think that as much as possible, positive steps were taken."
While Valanciunas is expected to join the national team this summer, the chances are slim for Sabonis. The reason is personal matters related to the birth of a third child in the family.
"My job is not to talk a player out of it. My job is to ensure that players have the best conditions to represent the country, as best as possible," Kleiza said about Sabonis' situation.
"In all the teams I've been on and won with, we all had the desire to play and win. Players always have their reasons, I don't know of anyone who would be willing not to play for the national team. When there are some grievances, you can talk a player through, but because of personal matters, I don't know if it's possible to talk him through," Kleiza explained.
In Buzelis' case, even though the player himself confidently said during the season that he would be in the Lithuanian national team this summer, Kleiza's tone did not sound so confident.
"The coach (Rimas Kurtinaitis) will talk to him now. Jonas (Valanciunas) has done a great job there. I don't think there are many scenarios that could prevent Buzelis from joining the national team in the summer, but the season has to end now," Kleiza said.
"Chicago has to feel comfortable with that decision, this is their investment," he added.
"You want the player to feel secure. This is still a long-term project. Buzelis will improve with each passing year and his integration must be smooth. There are a lot of nuances here.”
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