Linas Kleiza, the esteemed General Manager of the Lithuanian national basketball team, recently shared his perspectives on the forthcoming EuroBasket 2025 Quarterfinal encounter with Greece. A former player with a distinguished career in the NBA, particularly with the Denver Nuggets, and a memorable stint with Greek powerhouse Olympiacos, Kleiza openly conveyed his profound attachment to Greece and his former team.
Kleiza’s deep connection to Olympiacos and Greece became evident when he enthusiastically declared his love for the club to the Greek media. He later elaborated on this sentiment, stating that Olympiacos holds a special place in his heart, embodying his most cherished memories of the country, its devoted fans, and the team itself. His time there was a particularly significant period in his life.
Addressing the formidable task that awaits Lithuania in the Quarterfinals against Greece, Kleiza recognized the strength of the Greek squad and the immense talent of their leading player, Giannis Antetokounmpo. He lauded Antetokounmpo as one of the world's premier basketball talents, acknowledging the substantial challenge he presents. Kleiza expressed Lithuania's commitment to performing at their best, working diligently, and embracing the intensity of the competition. When asked about strategies to contain the reigning MVP, he candidly admitted the difficulty, humorously suggesting that hoping for an off-night from Antetokounmpo might be their best bet, given his unparalleled skill set.
Regarding Lithuania's performance in the tournament thus far, especially in light of point guard Rokas Jokubaitis's absence due to injury, Kleiza emphasized the team's ongoing development. He explained that their focus is not on predetermined outcomes but on the effort they invest, trusting that their hard work will yield positive results. They approach each game individually, with every player giving their all on the court. Despite the challenging nature of the tournament, the team remains confident and prepared for the battle ahead.
The conversation also touched upon Kleiza's Greek connections, including his former Olympiacos teammate and now Greek national team head coach, Vassilis Spanoulis, and his former Lithuanian teammate and current EuroLeague champion coach of Fenerbahce, Sarunas Jasikevicius. Kleiza praised Spanoulis as an exceptional player who has transitioned into a remarkable coach. He noted Spanoulis's impressive journey to the EuroLeague final, despite ultimately losing to the formidable Jasikevicius. Kleiza highlighted the challenging nature of winning in the EuroLeague, acknowledging that while Spanoulis is a young coach in such a high-stakes role, his future in coaching is exceptionally promising, echoing the successful trajectory of many former players turned coaches. When queried about the possibility of Jasikevicius coaching the Lithuanian national team in the future, Kleiza expressed optimism, believing it is an eventuality, though not in the immediate future, as Jasikevicius is currently enjoying a well-deserved break with his family after a demanding season.
On a personal note, Kleiza elaborated on his motivation for assuming the General Manager role for the national team. He articulated that being involved with his national team is always a great honor and brings him immense joy, representing some of the most fulfilling moments of his basketball journey. He finds satisfaction in contributing his expertise and supporting the players, all with the goal of restoring the team to its winning ways, recognizing that the path ahead is a demanding one. Lastly, when reminded of Lithuania's EuroBasket 2007 bronze medal victory over Greece, a game in which he and Jasikevicius faced Spanoulis, Kleiza brushed aside any sentimental reflections. He asserted that while any victory is meaningful, that particular game was a long time ago and irrelevant to the current teams competing. His focus remains firmly on the present challenges and opportunities.
