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Sunday August 1st , 2010 BASKETBALL COUNTRY! Growing up in a basketball family, the game was important to us. My mom and dad called many different places home depending upon where my dad was coaching basketball. We lived in different small towns of Pennsylvania and big cities like New York or Omaha, Nebraska. Whereever we went, no matter where we moved, the common theme was basketball. I have many memories growing up with the game. In the early 1980's, back before the NBA was on TNT, the Atlanta Hawks were on TBS and I remember my Dad scouting the televised games looking at the details of offense or defense. I would sit upstairs in a big chair and do the same thing coming up with some simplified scribble of a basketball play. Later, in Clarion, Pennsylvania, Sunday mornings after Church, we would go into Tippin Gym and shoot or play pickup basketball at the Quarterback Club. I remember going to my dad's office to hang around or watching team practice. Some of my favorite days were days off from school when we would go to the gym and play. My dad would put my brother Scott and I through workouts and drills helping us with our game. Finally, as my brother and I played high school basketball at Clarion High School, after stepping back from his college coaching duties at Clarion University, my Dad worked as our volunteer assistant coach. We had alot of fun together. It continued as my brother played his final two seasons of high school basketball at Punxsutawney High helping the Chucks to the 1992 AAAA State Final where their 'Hoosier-like' run fell just short against powerful Steelton Highspire of Harrisburg. Even as I coach, to this day basketball remains important in the Taylor family. In the USA, I love places where basketball is important. Cities like New York or Philadelphia or Chicago have tremendous tradition with the game. West coast basketball in LA is great. Las Vegas has become a summer time mecca of pro basketball with the NBA summer league and international showcase camps. States like Indiana, Kentucky or North Carolina love basketball. These are just some examples of places in the USA where people share a passion for the game. That passion is not limited to the United States alone. Outside the boarders of America, most people talk about and think about soccer but there are a few special places where basketball is number one. At the top of that list is Lithuania.
As I planned ahead for my month with the Czech national team, one of the experiences I anticipated the most was traveling to Lithuania. There must be something special in Lithuania --- a small baltic country and former part of the Soviet Union. There must be something special about the people and country because they love basketball. Following basketball closely, great Lithuanian players had caught my eye and the accomplishments of the Lithunian National team had always impressed me --- now, with the Czech National team we would travel to Lithuania to play this great National team? I could not wait for our road trip to basketball country. Basketball tradition is fantastic in Lithuania. The game became popular in the late 1930's as Pranas Lubinas (Frank Lubin) led Lithuania to Eurobasket titles in '37 and '39. Lubinas is known as the 'Grandfather of Basketball' in Lithuania. Later, the top Lithuanian players became the heart of USSR basketball success including Valdemaras Chomicius, Rimas Kurtinaitis, Šarunas Marciulionis and Arvydas Sabonis who drove Russia to Olympic Gold in 1988. When the country was restored in 1990, the National team became an immediate force on the international floor capturing bronze medals in 1992, 1996 and 2000, the first three Olympic competitions allowing NBA players. In 2003, Lithuania won the Eurobasket title making them champions of Europe before 2004 and 2008 Olympics fourth place finishes. (click here for wikipedia link to Lithuania National team information)
In America we saw Arvydas Sabonis at the end of his career when he played for the Portland Trailblazers. Sportscenter anchor Kenny Mayne made him popular with the classic line 'He's not my-vydas...He's not your-vydas...he's Arvydas!' which created a cult following of the international big man. (click here for NBA player profile) Unfortunately, we could not see Sabonis at his best. Arvydas was a dominator, a skilled big man who could take over games with scoring, passing and post play. Another great Lithuanian player, Šarunas Marciulionis (click here for NBA player profile) , also played in the NBA with the Warriors and Kings. Since their legendary careers have ended, both Sabonis and Marciulionis have given back to their country with donations for buildings and two fantastic basketball schools for the next generation of Lithuania basketball. Sabonis returned to Zalgris for his final season where he won Euroleague MVP before retiring to become the teams president. In 2008, Arvydas Sabonis was voted among the 35 Greatest Euroleague basketball players of all time. Meanwhile, Marciulionis founded the LKL (Lithuanian basketball league in 1993) Most recently, Lithuanian stars have included Euroleague champion Šarunas Jasikevicius, Ramunas Šiškauskas, Darius Songaila who has played for the Washington Wizards and Wake Forest or former Missouri Tiger/Denver Nugget and Olympiacos big man Linas Kleiza. After averaging 17ppg for Olympiacos, Kleiza signed with the Toronto Raptors July 7th just before his summer tour with the Lithuanian National team. But this summer, Head coach Kestutis Kemzura has a new roster with many fresh faces as Lithuania looks to establish the next generation of National team stars for Eurobasket 2011. With a country so rich in basketball tradition and passionate about the game, the European championships have found one of those special spots where basketball is important making the tournament right at home in Lithuania.
Prague Airport Gate B10 showing Czech Airlines flight to Vilnius. Our road trip to basketball country began at the ART Hotel in Prague next to Generali Arena, Sparta Prague's Soccer stadium. We drove by personal cars to a meeting point near a University in the city. I rode with Pavel. It was a cool summer morning with shining sun. I was very excited to see Lithuania and could not wait to see what basketball country had in store for us. Boarding the team bus, we shuttled to the airport and checked in. Our road trip to Bulgaria gave us a structure to our team travel and everything went smoothly. Arriving at the Prague airport with plenty of time to spare, members of our team entertained themselves in different ways. Making our way to Gate B10, there were not many open seats so everyone spread out around several gates nearby. We all kept an eye on Gate 10 waiting for boarding. Flying Czech Airlines economy class our team filled several rows with most of our travel party together. A few of our big men were moves to emergency exit seats allowing them more space. On the Czech Airlines flights, stewardess's distribute 'Turkey Cubes' for a snack and passengers are allowed TWO drinks. The flight was fine and the landing drew scattered applause. Making our way to the baggage claim, I was happy to receive another stamp in my passport. The airport was small. Our team dominated the conveyer belt which snaked around a sign filled with advertisements. One by one our bags slowly appeared. I always like to see whose bag comes out first. Mine was almost last. Rolling my black team travel bag out of the baggage claim, I quickly stopped to change some money. I asked the lady if they used Euro's in Lithuania. She only responded with a look. I immediately concluded my question was not informed. Changing Euros for Litas, I was in business and moved on to find the team bus. The airport was nice, but it reminded me of a regional airport somewhere out there. Walking out the big main doors, my sweat suit jacket and jeans were too hot. It was a beautiful summer day in Lithuania. Just out front of the main terminal waited our bus where we were greeted by our host Egis and driver Vladimir. I was in basketball country and I was taking it all in.
Airport in Vilnius Loading up the bus, the team asked Egis and Vladimir for advice on a place to eat. Making our way out of the airport and through the city, we made a right off the road to a McDonalds where we stopped for a break. After some Big Macs and Big Tastey's, it was back on the bus bound for Panevezys.
Driving around central Vilnius, we caught a glimpse of the city skyline and down town. The fifth largest city in Lithuania, Panevezys took us one hour thirty minutes north of Vilnius. Along the way, there was not much to see. Not only did Lithuania share the same basketball passion as places like Kansas or Indiana, it shared the same sights on the road. Just like there is almost nothing on parts of Kansas route US 54 on the three hour trip west from Wichita to Dodge City, our 90 minute trek northward to Panevezys was simply land. There were few exits. There were only travel stops for a bathroom break, no full service truck stops. In fact, it was very rural, without much civilzation outside Vilnius. Most of our players slept throughout the bus ride. Honestly, they did not miss much. Looking out the window, I thought about growing up in Lithuania and what it would be like. The countryside looked like Kansas or Indiana, the people love basketball like those places, were there other similarities?
Lithuania countryside from Vilnius to Panevezys As our bus barreled toward Panevezys, it was nearing 3pm. The sun was still shining brightly. Our interstate ended and we made our way toward the center of the 112,000 city. It was very spread out. Some of the older buildings were being improved. The street into the city was undergoing heavy roadwork.
Signs pointing the way to Panevezys Vladimir manuevered through the old streets and we continued into the unknown. Finally, stopping the bus to get a proper angle, Vladimir skillfully wheeled the big bus into a narrow driveway. At the end of the driveway stood a charming tan building colored by nice flowers. Our host Egis welcomed us to the Romantic Hotel. As we checked in, the expected jokes began about how 'romantic the hotel was' and how thoughtful the Czech Federation was providing such a 'romantic' get away for the team. The jokes evolved from romantic to 'Bromantic' as the players discussed roommates. Happy to have arrived, we found our rooms and settled in.
The Romantic Hotel in Panevezys Meeting in the hotel restaurant for our team meal, we got our first taste of Lithuanian food. More meat and potato, the Romantic Hotel prepared a terrific spread for us. The restaurant was very nice and featured a beautiful view to a river and lake nearby. For the people of Lithuania, basketball players and basketball teams make up most of their heros so the people in the Romantic Hotel went above and beyond to take first class care of our team. We were very important to them and it showed. Enjoying our team meal, coaches and staff formed our own table and we discussed different topics in a different languages. With five Czechs and a Mike, many times the conversation flows in Czech leaving me mostly out of the loop. Thankfully, the guys are thoughtful enough to explain the most important messages to help me out. Finishing the pre-practice meal and conversation with a coffee, we shifted our focus to practice.
Team Meal at Romantic Hotel in Panevezys Hopping back on the bus excited for practice, I could not wait to get to the gym. Two years old and built specifically for Eurobasket 2011, Cido Arena was beautiful. A big, round silver building, the Arena is the home for the Panevezys team in the LKL and also hosts many indoor cycling competitions. We know Lithuania takes basketball serious but the details were very interesting. Our host Egis followed the bus in his personal car, but when we arrived at the backside of the arena, he opened a gate for Vladimir to pull the bus into a parking area --- our team was dropped off directly at the entrance.
First view of Cido Arena from the steps to the floor. Walking past the security office down the corridor, I skipped the lockerrom and went directly to the floor. I made a left and walked down two sets of stairs. At the bottom, it was a sharp right and then another long tunnell with a second sharp right at the end. Walking up a second set of double steps, I thought the path to the arena was awesome. I could envision a big crowd ready for a big game with lots of energy and coming up onto the floor from below! The beautiful arena was bright and new and cool. A cycling track seperated floor seats from the main bleachers. Of course, I put my coaching bag on the scorers table and sprinted up into the stands for some pictures before practice. I also walked on the cycling track. Excited about the trip to basketball country, Cido Arena in Panevezys made a fantastic first impression.
As practice tipped off, Pavel reminded the team about how strong Lithuania would be. Although we had confidence and felt great after our successful tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria, Lithuania presented the next challenge. Currently ranked 6th in the FIBA world rankings , Lithuania would be an outstanding team and Cido Arena would be a strong home court advantage.
Observing Five on Zero set plays as Pavel Slezak controls the basketball and Lubos Barton completes a cut.
Coachin' em up!
Vladimir and Egis enjoying Czech Republic practice Saturday night at Cido Arena!
Fresh and clean Cido Arena washed with a Lithuanian shower on a beautiful summer night. After practice as the team stretched, I took the time to get some shots up. When Ladja finished with the guys, Pavel brought it in and Captain Petr Benda shouted 'Rvi Se Jako' to which we all answered 'Lev'. It was a quality practice. After, Lubos Barton and I shot halfcourt shots for money. I hit first. He wanted double or nothing. This time he hit. We called it quits at even. For fun, he tried his half court over the head-reverse trick shot. On his last shot of the night, he hit. It was the perfect ending to a fun day.
Ales Chan watches the Lithuanian National team play Finland on television Saturday night at Romantic Hotel in Panevezys Back at the hotel we walked into the restaurant for team dinner. In Siauliai, our opponent, the Lithuanian National team was blasting Finland 91-59. The arena was packed. The players played with a purpose. The game was important. Several of our players and coaches watched the demolition. Everyone in the room understood our challenge for Monday night. I could not wait. That night, in room 307 of the Romantic Hotel, I thought about the day behind and the day ahead. One thing was clear --- Lithuania was truly basketball country. Follow all the fast breaking ratiopharm Ulm and international baketball action all season long on Taylorhoops.com! GO ULM! MIKE T
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