FIBA World Cup 2023 (FIRST thread)

[Quattro]

It's a pity teams can't send their best for the World Cup. It's pretty much the best at a given time depending on which players stay committed or are even able to compete. It's not the best strength vs. the best strength as Olympics tends to be.

These games do count towards Olympic qualifying, if memory serves, so teams do have to make do with not their best at times to even reach the next level.

Sounds like you're upset that Canada won. Didn't you use to be a Raptors fan? I remember seeing your name on the board.

Really? It sounds to me like he just wishes that teams could be at full strength for this tournament which is exactly what he wrote.

[Archx]

Very solid Canada win versus a team that has its own pressures to reach high levels. Bit of a reality check for France but again it's too bad both teams aren't fielding their best rosters.

Solid? Lol.

Yeah. Solid. It's one game. Lots of teams blow out others and go on to get disappointed later. It's something to build on not celebrate. They have bigger goals.

For FIBA conditions, this was quite a strong win from Canada. Every game counts and point differences actually do matter.

[G R E Y]

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[durden_tyler]

38,115 crowd. Breaks FIBA crowd (33000 previously i think) in the PH vs DOM game. I personally expected 50K so similar to our close loss vs DOM— we had a chance but muffed it. I’ll just go ahead and look out for and watch out for the KO games, it appears non of the hosts (Japan) will be able to advance.

[whitehops]

canada played aggressive on-ball defense and switched almost everything on the perimeter which didn't even allow france to get into their sets. they were also super active on the boards, tapping the ball to teammates if they couldn't fully reach it. the difference in athleticism was pretty noticeable and france didn't have anyone who could remotely handle SGA.

it was only one game but if they continue to be able to play effective 1v1 defense on the perimeter AND be able to switch pick and rolls then they are going to make life miserable for a lot of teams.

[durden_tyler]

Solid? Lol.

Yeah. Solid. It's one game. Lots of teams blow out others and go on to get disappointed later. It's something to build on not celebrate. They have bigger goals.

For FIBA conditions, this was quite a strong win from Canada. Every game counts and point differences actually do matter.

This was the biggest takeaway in that game, they locked up a favorable position in the KO rounds indeed.

[OkcSinceSGA]

I said Canada’s backcourt was stupid dangerous on both ends. If only Murray played and Wiggins joined they would have a shot at gold IMO. SGA would be the best player on team USA, and Murray would be up there too. If Anthony Edwards is your best player arguably, you’re very beatable.

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[NoDopeOnSundays]

One game overreaction much? Yeah 30 pts is embarrassing, but it does not really say about difference in quality. I still would take France, if they were to play in 1/4 or 1/2 much more experienced.

The Dort/Brooks perimeter defense is a nasty duo to deal with, especially since they're allowed to be more physical. I don't think it's an overreaction, that Canadian team is really good.

[the_other_guy]

They are (were?) one of the favorites...

i can't speak to how good this team is vs. their past teams but they're ranked 5th by FIBA and they finished 3rd in the last world cup and 2nd in the last olympics, but those were in 2020 and 2021.

the top ranked (by ELO rating i'm assuming?) are:
1. spain
2. usa
3. australia
4. argentina
5. france
....
15. canada

Team is still stacked, they have every available guy minus Wembanyama and Huertel. They suppose to be better than this , but this just reminder what massive potential this Canadian team has. My Lithuania still has name power and silly hopes they can do something, but gives us NAW, and he would be huge for us, and on reds he is like what, 6th, best perimeter guy?

I don't think anyone in Lithuania have any hopes this time. Unless the hopes are quartefinal at best.
And for Huertel, he is not considered a loss, cos he was not considered at all.

[Klomp]

KAT is afraid to take it to the post even against Gilas. SOOOOOFT.
Hamed Haddadi would be feasting on them...

The issue is that he simply has no post moves/ doesn't know how what to do in the low post. It's like asking Joakim Noah to shoot threes. He's physically capable, but the outcome will be terrible.

Everyone sees this 7-footer and says he needs to get his butt in the post. They drooled over his Kentucky highlights, and wonder why he can't do that in the NBA.

What people need to remember is that has never been his primary game. He's not a traditional post player. Kentucky was literally the first time he ever got his butt in the post and learned post moves. Go back and watch his high school footage, where he played far more like say Rashard Lewis on offense. That is who he is.

[Lockdown504090]

KAT is afraid to take it to the post even against Gilas. SOOOOOFT.
Hamed Haddadi would be feasting on them...

The issue is that he simply has no post moves/ doesn't know how what to do in the low post. It's like asking Joakim Noah to shoot threes. He's physically capable, but the outcome will be terrible.

Everyone sees this 7-footer and says he needs to get his butt in the post. They drooled over his Kentucky highlights, and wonder why he can't do that in the NBA.

What people need to remember is that has never been his primary game. He's not a traditional post player. Kentucky was literally the first time he ever got his butt in the post and learned post moves. Go back and watch his high school footage, where he played far more like say Rashard Lewis on offense. That is who he is.

Yeah, but when smaller players are on him, he does actually have to, there isnt really another option. if they are too quick+long and can defend his drive and the shot and the stepback. he does need to take advantage of his size. at that point whats the difference betwween he and rashard lewis offensively?

[LordCovington33]

38,115 crowd. Breaks FIBA crowd (33000 previously i think) in the PH vs DOM game. I personally expected 50K so similar to our close loss vs DOM— we had a chance but muffed it. I’ll just go ahead and look out for and watch out for the KO games, it appears non of the hosts (Japan) will be able to advance.

The bars around Makati (greenbelt 2) were very busy. Lots of screaming and nervous laughing when the gilas kept making mistakes near the end.

[Reikai]

Canada looked great in the 2nd half. The issue is, they need to trust that Dort and Brooks are going to make 3 pointers in 4Q against USA. And I really doubt that is possible. When Dort shot open jumpshot from elbow, he hit backboard from the other side lol, I didn't even know that's possible.

Rudy Gobert - how is that guy playable in NBA? Never seen such a clumsy guy.

[OkcSinceSGA]

Canada looked great in the 2nd half. The issue is, they need to trust that Dort and Brooks are going to make 3 pointers in 4Q against USA. And I really doubt that is possible. When Dort shot open jumpshot from elbow, he hit backboard from the other side lol, I didn't even know that's possible.

Rudy Gobert - how is that guy playable in NBA? Never seen such a clumsy guy.

This isn’t the Dream Team. SGA gives Canada a chance every night because he’s the best player in the entire tournament.

[durden_tyler]

38,115 crowd. Breaks FIBA crowd (33000 previously i think) in the PH vs DOM game. I personally expected 50K so similar to our close loss vs DOM— we had a chance but muffed it. I’ll just go ahead and look out for and watch out for the KO games, it appears non of the hosts (Japan) will be able to advance.

The bars around Makati (greenbelt 2) were very busy. Lots of screaming and nervous laughing when the gilas kept making mistakes near the end.

All the bars are quite full so we stayed at the office for this one. LOL. Lots of nervous laughing (and cursing) indeed, mostly courtesy of our "superstar" Jordan Clarkson. i just don't like heroball this much, it's extremes and i just don't believe a game should be decided by one person (win or loss)-- especially in a FIBA set up where he won't get the star calls. Clarkson cost us this game and hopefully his pride is has taken a hit and recovers against Italy or we're out of this thing.

[The Number 9]

That was embarrassing.
I couldn't see the game, only by play by play but that 2nd half is probably one of the worse I've ever seen for a French team. It's not on the same level as the one versus Liban in 2006 (not sure of the year). They were not lazy, there were completely beaten, in every aspect, in every part...
I won't ruled them out for the rest of this cup. Bad game happens. But this team must show a completely other face on sunday.

I was not sure if I should consider this Canadian team as a tier 1 or a tier 2 contender, given the lack of experience together as a group. It looks like they managed to find something.
Nice win, they clearly sent a message. This French team was pretty close to the best we can offer, roster wise.

[Reikai]

Canada looked great in the 2nd half. The issue is, they need to trust that Dort and Brooks are going to make 3 pointers in 4Q against USA. And I really doubt that is possible. When Dort shot open jumpshot from elbow, he hit backboard from the other side lol, I didn't even know that's possible.

Rudy Gobert - how is that guy playable in NBA? Never seen such a clumsy guy.

This isn’t the Dream Team. SGA gives Canada a chance every night because he’s the best player in the entire tournament.

Not sure about that, need to see that matchup against Edwards. Also, it's not 1 on 1 tournament, do you really trust 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc best players in Canada over USA, because it's not dream team? Are you sure that in the tie game in 4Q RJ, Dort, Brooks and Olynyk are going to deliver it over Brunson, BI, Bridges?

[dockingsched]

Friendly fire

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[durden_tyler]

That was embarrassing.
I couldn't see the game, only by play by play but that 2nd half is probably one of the worse I've ever seen for a French team. It's not on the same level as the one versus Liban in 2006 (not sure of the year). They were not lazy, there were completely beaten, in every aspect, in every part...
I won't ruled them out for the rest of this cup. Bad game happens. But this team must show a completely other face on sunday.

I was not sure if I should consider this Canadian team as a tier 1 or a tier 2 contender, given the lack of experience together as a group. It looks like they managed to find something.
Nice win, they clearly sent a message. This French team was pretty close to the best we can offer, roster wise.

France not out of it though. Only "contender" (which aren't) is Latvia so they' easily go to the next round. Means an earlier date vs. USA though, but that's not an entirely bad thing, maybe this embarrassing loss motivates them more.

[Swuul]

With those odds, I am going to bet for Philippines, Finland and Lithuania. The other I feel are pretty spot on, so could go either way.

I feel like Lithuania will blow Egypt with way more than 20 points, possibly something like 90-50 final score.

Australia is the favourite vs Finland, but I don't think Finland will lose by 10 or more.

To bet on Philippines is the safest one here. I feel like the match is going to be very even and could go either way. I just don't see it is possible Philippines would lose by 11 or more.

Well, I got two out of those three, so at least I can now buy a six-pack with my winnings