Re: Sabonis

[Kestutis.Kveraga@xxxxxxxxxxxxx (Kestutis Kveraga)]

--- PScottman wrote:
That lesson would be what? How to smoke 2 packs a day and still suit up every
night? (I've met the man in casual environment - he's a big time chain smoker)
I'm kidding, but really I've not heard many stories of "Sabonis the Mentor".
And if so how many of the Jailblazers did he help? The track record ain't too
good.
--- end of quote ---

I'm pretty sure that Sabonis could teach Perkins a few things about playing the
post, how to shoot the hook shot, how to make an outlet to start a fast break,
how to pass the ball and make your teammates better by creating scoring
opportunities for them. His teammates in Portland loved playing with him  -
Cheeks took a team poll after Sabonis's first retirement, asking his players
whether to bring him back, and they all wanted him back. The fans in Portland
love him for making basketball a team game again. He has said that passing, to
him, is the greatest pleasure in basketball. That's the basketball side of the
situation. 
As for being a role model to the "Jailblazers", I'm not sure if anyone could
impart a positive influence on the likes of 'Sheed, Patterson, Bonzi et al. ,
let alone a European player out of a different era and with limited English
skills. He has stated on many occasions that he simply has nothing in common
with many (most?) of his teammates, except on the basketball court. So, in that
sense, you're right. One would have to be willing to learn from him; he doesn't
share a common language with these kids on so many levels. Then again, I don't
know if Jordan or Kidd could play role models to some of the Jailblazers (viz.
the relatively mild case of Toine).  

With regard to your crack about smoking two packs a day, that's of course a
funny stereotype about European players. But it's presented as if it's somehow
worse than smoking pot or snorting coke, which more than a few American players
have been known to do (some before games or at halftime). However, Sabonis's
vices, insofar as I know (and I've been following his career since he was a
gangly 15-year-old and know people close to him), are limited to beer. 

--- Mchael Gooen wrote:
Although the word during last year's playoffs was pretty clear that
Sabonis was done, and the trade rumors surrounding Sabonis (e.g., to
Denver for Camby) were triggered by other teams' desire for salary
reduction, perhaps this will be enough proof for Ray:
--- end of quote ---

I'm not sure if by "done" you mean retired, or that he can't play anymore. In
any case, he declared this summer that he won't play for Lithuania in the
European Championships unless Ilgauskas also participates, and plays the
leading role. The reason, he said, was that "there is nothing left of me as a
player, only the name" (that's a direct quote), and that he could only relieve
Ilgauskas, instead of carrying the team on his back like in the old days
(Ilgauskas declined anyway). Contrasting with that statement are the rumors
that he intends to play this season for his old club, Zalgiris Kaunas (which he
partly owns), to help the former European club champion's sagging fortunes and
enable the team to stay in the European Superleague. Also, he nearly put
Portland in the next round almost by himself in the series against Dallas (16
ppg on 75% shooting, 8 rpg, 2 bpg in the last two games), so he can still play
a little, even if his minutes are severely limited by his health.
 
But  it's a moot point now, as he's giving up the NBA riches this season, and
probably for good. 

Kestas