The broad number of countries represented amid an avalanche of questions sent for star center Tanoka Beard of Zalgiris Kaunas say one thing loud and clear: our latest Fan Mail guest is a favorite across Europe and beyond. And just as so many fans were eager to ask, Beard was ready to respond with answers that communicate something else just as strongly: that one of the Euroleague's all-time greats has nothing but appreciation for the fans of this competition - and especially for the dedicated basketball lovers of Lithuania. "Where I am is second to none in terms of fan support," Beard says in one Fan Mail answer. "The fans of this team have shown us unbelievable support. We're really in a crisis now, and the fans here are wishing and hoping on our behalf. They are there for us when we need them, and that's a sign of true fans."
Dear Mr. Beard, you really are a rebounding powerhouse, especially on offense, and I really admire you as a player who is willing to do everything for a team. Can I ask you what is your advice for young players regarding their improvement of their rebounding skills?
Mitja Krizan - Slovenia
"The first thing I think that a young guy should have is the desire. That's a lot of rebounding in itself. Then, it's really the rhythm thing, about being in the rhythm of the game, feeling connected with the game itself. So having the desire and wanting to get possession for your team does it all. That's all rebounding is, gaining possessions to give your team another opportunity to score. Building that desire is the key."
Hi. First of all, you are one of the favorite Zalgiris players of all times. As a big fan of Lithuanian basketball and of Zalgiris, I want to thank you for all you have meant to this team. What is your opinion about the resignation of Ainars Bagatskis? What kind of change can we expect? All the best,
Edvinas Niaura - Lithuania
"As for my opinion, I was really hoping he wouldn't resign. We have unfinished business, and obviously it has been an extremely difficult time for all of us. In a situation like this, you've got to man-up, everybody be a man to fix the problem. I mean no disrespect when I say that I wish he had stayed longer to put it together with us. We were all building and gaining experience. It's going to come together soon, so I wish he hadn't left. As for the changes, first we need to find a coach, so it's hard to answer the second part of the question. It will depend on who we hire, his system and style, his expectations. The door is wide open right now. I don't know what to expect."
Hey Tanoka! I admire your determination. You do not to give up any time you step on the court. I heard that you have released the album, is that right? If so, who are your musical influences? All the best,
Indre J. - Kaunas, Lithuania
“My musical influences are Marvin Gaye, Al Green and, believe it or not, Jay Z, more for his business acumen than his music. I love his way of putting things together, especially considering that he started from zero. Al Green and Marvin Gaye made the music I grew up listening to. My parents always played music in the house, and those guys were always on, them and Barry White, Isaac Hayes, soul music. That's what I grew up on."
 Hello Tanoka, how are you? I'm a fan of yours since you played in Badalona. What memories you have of these years, with Andre Turner, Corrales, Villacampa, Crespo?
Pere - Spain
"My best basketball memories are there. I had already been playing for a couple years, but being on that team with those veterans - Andy Toolson, Andre Turner, Jackie Espinosa, Fran Murcia - and the young guys like Ivan Corrales... I made probably my best basketball memories at that time. We had some pretty good teams, not great, but almost championship caliber. And the fans in Badalona at that time were so supportive. They made what we were doing so much better, and made it more important. I loved playing there."
Tanoka, what is the biggest problem that Zalgiris has to solve?
Donatas - Lithuania
"Inexperience. That is at the core of all our problems, the inexperience. It's not saying anything bad about the young guys on the team, but we rely more on younger guys than most teams, probably more than we should at this point, because of the inexperience. They've play good basketball in World Championships and Junior World Championships and stuff like that, but we have seven players under 23 years old. That's the majority of our team. And this is a matter of being at a championship level."
Hi, Tanoka. What player you have enjoyed playing with most and who is the toughest to play against? Thanks,
Haluk Ozcan - Istanbul, Turkey
"There's too long list of tough ones to play against, so I'll give you a short list of guys I liked playing with the most. I'd probably say that Andre Turner is definitely at the top of the list. Next, I would probably say Pete Williams, a guy I played with in Turkey. From here, I would say Mindaugas Timinskis, because he brought so much to the table that he made everybody better. He was the glue, even with Sabonis here. And one more guy I'd say had an impact on my career was Dragan Lukovski. We played together at Fenerbahce, and from playing with him I understood the European mentality. He's European, of course, and we had a great friendship. We talked a lot off the court and had great communication on the court, too. He help me appreciate being in Europe and playing here."
 Hi, Tanoka. What has made you stay with Zalgiris for so long?
Martynas Stokevicius - Lithuania
"Just the opportunity to play in the Euroleague and the support of the fans here. At this point, where I am is second to none in terms of fan support, I think. The whole entire city is behind the team, even now in this crisis - I guess you would call it - that we're having. The fans of this team have shown us unbelievable support. We're really in a crisis now, and the fans here are wishing and hoping on our behalf. They are there for us when we need them, and that's a sign of true fans."
Tanoka, how much do you find motivation in music and do you have any special songs you like to hear maybe before some important games?
Djuki - Belgrade, Serbia
"I just love music in general, but there's not any song in particular I use for motivation. Of the latest stuff I'm listening to there is a song on the new Jay Z album called '30 is the new 20', and being older, that inspires me. I get a kick out of that. Maybe I am not so old after all."
Hi, Tanoka. During your career you have played with many great point guards, like Andre Turner, Ed Cota, Kenny Anderson. What do you think about Marko Popovic, your new point guard this season?
Toma - Zagreb, Croatia
"I think that Marko Popovic has the potential to be better than any of those guys. Marko has got a desire and fire in him that's unbelievable. He's a winner, without question. His ability to take over games at such a young age - he's still 24 - is second to none. He's capable of taking them over at any time. At 24, he's got a lot of great basketball left in him."
Hi Tanoka. You are a truly amazing athlete. Have you put the tragic ending against Maccabi in 2004 behind you or does it still comes to you from time to time? Wishing you all the best,
Michael - Boston, USA
"I always think about that game. It's the one thing you never want to happen in pro sports. You get close to something special and have it taken away like that was. It was definitely divine intervention, no question about it, because it never should have happened at the hands of man. But that game inspires me to be that much better, knowing that even with how hard I work, something can possibly happen to ruin it. It makes me want to be better, better than average, and give my best effort for sure."
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