LITHUANIA TO MEET RUSSIA IN SEMIS
Wizards forward Darius Songaila scored 20 points, grabbed seven rebounds and gave Lithuania the winning basket with 46 seconds left against Croatia, 74-72. Lithuania will meet Russia in the semi-final game on Saturday.
Turning point: Lithuania led 74-70 when Darius Songalia was called for an unsportsmanlike foul with 27 seconds left. Zoran Planinic made both free throws for Croatia and was then fouled again with 1.04 seconds remaining. But Planinic missed both foul shots and Lithuania ran out the clock for a 74-72 victory to advance to a semi-final showdown with Russia.
Key match-up to watch in the semis: Songaila vs. Andrei Kirilenko.
Stats: Over the last three games (vs. France, Slovenia, and Croatia), Songaila has stepped up his game and averaged 18 points and six rebounds in 22 minutes per game. He made 22 out of 34 field goal attempts (64.7%) and 8 of 9 from the free throw line during the tougher international competition.
Will Songaila’s superb tournament performance transform into more minutes for the upcoming Wizards season? What kind of roles will he play when head coach Eddie Jordan and his staff incorporate his game into the system at the training camp? Will Songaila’s experience give him the edge as Jamison’s primary back up at the power forward spot or share some minutes at center position when the Wizards play a smaller lineup?
Posted: September 14th, 2007 under Darius Songaila, FIBA, Wizards.
Comments
Comment from neal
Time September 14, 2007 at 9:48 PM
He’s gotta be the guy to beat out for back-up PF.
Comment from BruceO
Time September 16, 2007 at 9:41 AM
i knew kirilenkos would do some damage. I’ve always liked him and his abilities. He was under utilized last year in utah to bring harpring some minutes but he has so many intangibles and fills all sorts of categories. I’d actually consider a caron- kirilenko trade if somehow I got more offense ( but I love caron too, it sucks he’s has no length and can’t block) Funny enough I liked boozer too since duke days, and preferred deron williams to chris paul initially when I heard deron was wiling to play against paul pre draft to prove he’s the better Pg, glad they are all doing well now in the league. Had a good feeling about monta ellis as well when I saw his scoring numbers. Now I’m getting that feeling about nick young (52% fg, 44 inch vert, nice length and fluid movement), blatche (length and athleticism, can rebound, will improve scoring and can block) ,pech (who can rebound and shoot wel)l and Dmac (can really rebound and block, and scoring will improve) but I might be biased since I like the Wiz. But I really do feel each of them has all star potential,
I’m hoping nick young especially will surprise people everyones counting him out. I see no reason why dmac can’t give numbers as good as caron’s first year, nick young give numbers like hayes first year and blatche and pech give jamison’s first year numbers at this point
Comment from neal
Time September 16, 2007 at 9:15 PM
I like your optimism BruceO, and I agree all those things are possible. But if we get one star out of McGuire, Pecherov, and Blatche I’ll be delighted. Right now I’m just happy that they all look like they could be productive members of the rotation. And even that’s against the odds.
The most interesting competition of training camp looks to me to be for minutes at PF. Four are in competition. This will be Pecherov’s first year. Here are some interesting stats from last year on the other three:
FG%
Songaila 52
Jamison 45
Blatche 44
FT%
Songaila 85
Jamison 74
Blatche 61
Rebounds Per Minute Played
Blatche .28
Jamison .21 (career: .21)
Songaila .19 (career: .21)
Blocks Per Minute Played
Blatche .05
Songaila .02 (career: .01)
Jamison .01 (career: .01)
Both Blatche and Songaila are better defenders than Jamison.
Jamison is 32, Songaila is 29 and Blatche is 21.
Both Jamison and Songaila are listed at 6′9″. Blatche is 6′11″. Jamison weighs 235, both Songaila and Blatche weigh 248.
I’ve come to the opinion that at this stage in their careers Songaila is our best PF. Comments?
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time September 16, 2007 at 10:35 PM
umm true but i dont think he will take AJ job for one reason and thats because AJ is the floor leader you got to know when to pat some one on the back or kick em in the butt and AJ not only knows that he gets it done he knows the game! what needs to happen if you ask me is songaila needs to follow AJ around and learn from him because we know he can take AJ job soon but we dont know when might be next year…
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time September 17, 2007 at 12:49 AM
Mr. Jamison has never been a solid defensive player. His attributes are his experience, his quick shot, and his ability to know where to be on the offensive end of the floor. He is the “glue” to Gil’s “go for it”. Mr. Songaila is going to be the heir apparent, but, not quite yet. We need as solid a season as Mr. Jamison always produces to be competitive. He may, however, have a few more bench minutes this year. That isn’t a bad thing. With the 4 position “conglomerate” behind him, his job will be easier this year keeping him more fresh for the playoffs. Your numbers, Neal, more solidify my thought that Mr. Blatche should be getting some more minutes this season at the 5 along with Pesh. In the middle Mr. Blatche could could accel in rebounds, blocks, and his shooting percentage would probably increase. Gotta work on those free throws though! The Wizards big man curse! If Mr. Young turns out to be a viable sub for Mr. Stevenson on both ends of the court, and , Mr. Mcguire turns out to be a viable sub for Mr. Butler……. Guys we have got us something special!
Comment from BruceO
Time September 17, 2007 at 3:40 AM
jamison can provide more volume on offense than songaila. Songaila can also score efficiently through jump shots. Blatche is a good rebounder and to say he can be a better rebounder than jamison is saying much since jamison gets 8-10 rebounds average. Blatche is or will be better defensively plus has more length and athleticism. What I see going into the season is less wear and tear for our all stars since there is some viable bench production that can take on some of the tasks our starters provide. Pech is good on small ball and can spread the offense he will be a pf/c. Blatche will defend longer PF and kill shorter ones in the near future. Songaila will provide solid jump shooting and posts plus defense. DMac will give caron rest as he does the same things caron does. NY will take the scoring load off deshawn.
What do you guys think of nick young? My opinion is right now he should get stronger and have more endurance and do things more along the lines that gets him to kobes frame so he can take the abuse and last long. Defense might take him a while but his offense will be a thing of beauty. ANd if his fg percentage drops I think hopla will correct that, his mechanics are too good to not be an offensive threat when he does step on the floor. Thing is I get this feeling alot of people are going to like him on the wiz once he’s settled in. I actually wanted him before draft went down. I was like I hope no one wises up and picks nick young. I trust Ernie, he’s the guy who shoplifted caron and gil, and picked a second rounder in michael redd to replace ray allen. He has a good history with shooting guards and recognizing their skill.
Comment from BruceO
Time September 17, 2007 at 3:49 AM
oh btw did you guys see kirilenko won the eurobasket MVP. I felt he’d do well in the tournament. I said this some posts ago. He’s a really good small forward/ power forward. I think some more offense would make him complete. I think you can plug him into any team and that position is secure. Last year he was under rated on a team with a good record.
Comment from ricklevinenyc
Time September 17, 2007 at 11:51 AM
with regard to the power forward position:
Jamison = Old, will take a lot of shots, not much defense
Songalia = Slow it down, grind it out
Blatche = young, up-tempo
Which game do you think Gil prefers?
Comment from AUNDRA
Time September 17, 2007 at 12:30 PM
I have to agree with GR on the Big Three getting more rest for the playoffs because we have world class talent thats healthy backing them up. Darius is very impressive but a full season of highs and lows will tell it all! Pech has great range off his jump shots but can he stand the pressure thats going to be put on him by great NBA players or will he crumble under it like Dirk N. I hope Agent Zero,Caron and Antwaan discussed with D-Mac and Young about eating right and developing a tough winners mindset because the Wall is something every Rookie hits during the season and thats more mental then physical! Blatche is still my black diamond in the rough, he can be the determining X-factor we have all wished for but rarely seen. Everyone who knows anything about diamonds know that the black diamond are the most rare and expensive!!Finally if our two huge enforcers “Etan & Haywood”ever team up together then we will have a unbelievable team all the way around!
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time September 19, 2007 at 8:13 AM
I like BruceO’s “feeling about Nick Young.” If he can be as good a *player* as he is a *talent,* we’ll really have something!
But Blatche is the big “player vs. talent” issue for the Wizards. He has the ability to change the rotation altogether w/ his play, and it’s time for us to see that. It’s hard to keep in mind that Andray is just a kid. He is a year *younger* than Pecherov, McGuire and Young! Still, at some point you either take hold or you don’t. Andray hasn’t yet. If he does, the sky is the limit for the young man.
Now, if these 4 players — Pecherov, Young, McGuire, Blatche — change the rotation by the level of their play, we can have a strong season. And, this leaves aside the main question of this post: what effect will a healthy Songaila have on the team?
We could see a very different Wizards team this year. Now… lets trade a center.
Comment from BruceO
Time September 19, 2007 at 3:10 PM
what center do you think we can trade for legitimately. Give two examples of older centers who’re proven and two young one who are about to come into their own.
My picks Bynum, Darko, camby, JOneal.
IMO theres very few available upgrades at the center position
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time September 19, 2007 at 4:37 PM
Agreed — I’m more worried about the locker room problems w/ our current situation than I am about upgrading talent.
If I could do it, I’d sign Mutombo as a backup and give most of the minutes to BH w/ Mutombo behind him.
Obviously, we haven’t been able to trade ET, so this is all just daydreaming w/ my fingertips.
Comment from AUNDRA
Time September 20, 2007 at 12:21 AM
Tom you are the best daydreamer we have in this frat so keep pushing for the sky and just maybe Ernie might listen to your suggestions! I really like Camby because of his defensive abilities and mid-range jump shoots and rebounding potential but I know Denver will never let him go with out 1st round draft picks plus a center like Haywood to boot! He is from UCON so I know he can play with all-star ability! I have to admit he is a pretty good freethrow shooter so small ball in the third and fourth quarters is not needed! I also like the Georgetown big center and his ability also!
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[...] LITHUANIA TO MEET RUSSIA IN SEMISWizards forward Darius Songaila scored 20 points, grabbed seven rebounds and gave Lithuania the winning basket with 46 seconds left against Croatia, 74-72. Lithuania will meet Russia in the semi-final game on Saturday. … [...]
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Comment from jcbackus
Time September 14, 2007 at 8:26 PM
Songaila is a solid player. He deserves more minutes. He should start the season as a solid 2nd in line at the 4 position. Plus he plays tough, foul-oriented defense. I’d love to see him see more minutes at center. Heck. At least he can score, and shoot free throws, unlike our other centers. Only problem is that he might get into foul trouble after 6-8 minutes…..