FIBA WORLD CUP 2019 | SPAIN are new WORLD CHAMPIONS

[LuDux1]

I think that my team Serbia has the best mix of talent and chemistry to dethrone the weakened USA team but we are still struggling to gel. Lithuania really played well together and i was impressed by their play. They dont really have the talent they used to have but I think that they are a dark horse to make some noise in the WC.

By that metric Lithuania should be 3rd, because 2014 roster was worse

[Sofia]

Spoiler:

just wanted to grab FIBA world cup real estate, it became a tradition of mine to create an extravagant thread of FIBA tournaments on general board. I will update original post and try to complete all the rosters. We had FIBA related thread already, so if mods and other posters feel this thread is unnecessary, well, then lock it.

From teams that I watched, Serbia, Greece and Lithunia look legit good. Australia has been very underwhelming so far, and they lost Bolden (please inform me who replaces him so I could update the roster). France i havent seen, but their results are great, that team will be a defensive monster, just too bad Heurtel got injured, but its not a huge loss when you have Fournier and DeColo.

Lithuania's top performers are easy to predict, no surprise here.



On a sadder note, African team news were fested with nothing bad bad news and controversies, lots of teams are unfunded. Nigeria could even miss the tournament as news developing.

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Hopefully Motum who should have been a lock for the team in the first place. Lemanis, our coach, im not agreeing with any of his decisions. Give us Nick Nurse and we beating the US

I saw that Motum may not be available now as he already joined his team in Spain after not making the cut. Expect another NBL player at this point

David Barlow is the Aussie replacement. He’s a wing.

[Nuntius]

Two players which everyone expected to see in Serbia roster in China, forward Kalinic and combo-guard Nedovic (Kalinic as a starter!) is cut from the team due to some strange coach/player issue

When I was watching Greece vs Serbia our sportcasters kept saying that Serbia's coach should be using Milutinov more and that there could be some issue between the two. Are coach/player relationships an issue for your team or are our sportcasters just biased because Milutinov was playing for a Greek team? Our sportcasters being biased, by the way, would be the least surprising thing in the world but, you know, I have to ask.

[pootbrah]

Hopefully Motum who should have been a lock for the team in the first place. Lemanis, our coach, im not agreeing with any of his decisions. Give us Nick Nurse and we beating the US

I saw that Motum may not be available now as he already joined his team in Spain after not making the cut. Expect another NBL player at this point

David Barlow is the Aussie replacement. He’s a wing.

Wtf is this world coming to? Don't get me wrong, I know Barlow and he's a great dude, had a great career and has lots of Boomers experience and experienced a good come back, injury free NBL season last year. But c'mon Lemanis bro he's far from Boomers potential now. This **** crazy. I need to be coach ASAP. Very arguable he shoulda been in Boomers squads earlier in his career like a few other Sydney Kings players (Brian Goorjian connection). Brooooo

[UcanUwill]

Two players which everyone expected to see in Serbia roster in China, forward Kalinic and combo-guard Nedovic (Kalinic as a starter!) is cut from the team due to some strange coach/player issue

When I was watching Greece vs Serbia our sportcasters kept saying that Serbia's coach should be using Milutinov more and that there could be some issue between the two. Are coach/player relationships an issue for your team or are our sportcasters just biased because Milutinov was playing for a Greek team? Our sportcasters being biased, by the way, would be the least surprising thing in the world but, you know, I have to ask.

That Center rotation is stacked, what do they really expect? Also, before Teodosic got injured, their PG rotation included Milos, Micic and combo guard Guduric, so I really understand why Nedovic wasnt even included to preliminary squad. Kalinic however is a weird omission.

[pootbrah]

I can't even deal with this ****. **** Australia. Unless Lemanis balls up and starts Jock and Baynes over Bogut I'm gonna change my citizenship. Don't even care where. We talking Eritrea or ****

[Inspektor1312]

Two players which everyone expected to see in Serbia roster in China, forward Kalinic and combo-guard Nedovic (Kalinic as a starter!) is cut from the team due to some strange coach/player issue

When I was watching Greece vs Serbia our sportcasters kept saying that Serbia's coach should be using Milutinov more and that there could be some issue between the two. Are coach/player relationships an issue for your team or are our sportcasters just biased because Milutinov was playing for a Greek team? Our sportcasters being biased, by the way, would be the least surprising thing in the world but, you know, I have to ask.

That Center rotation is stacked, what do they really expect? Also, before Teodosic got injured, their PG rotation included Milos, Micic and combo guard Guduric, so I really understand why Nedovic wasnt even included to preliminary squad. Kalinic however is a weird omission.

I think the consensus in the public is that Kalinic was cut due to some political comments that angered both the Serbian public and coach Djordjevic. It's a shame because he's a good player but it is what it is. Nedovic is a defensive liability and it's not that surprising that he was cut since, in addition to our PG's, both Bjelica and Jokic are great playmakers.

Never heard of an issue with Milutinov, we just have 4 really good centers.

[Von Bismarck]

Serbia and it's not even close.

They've got everything, stars, role players and helluva good coach & game tactics.

It'd would be Greece if it wasn't for Giannis' weakness and that weakness is FIBA rules basketball. He isn't as nearly as effective under FIBA rules as he is in the NBA.

[Pachinko_]

Serbia and it's not even close.

They've got everything, stars, role players and helluva good coach & game tactics.

It'd would be Greece if it wasn't for Giannis' weakness and that weakness is FIBA rules basketball. He isn't as nearly as effective under FIBA rules as he is in the NBA.

I agree about Serbia.

Also agree about Giannis, but I don't think it's because of the rules. Whether in FIBA or NBA the same basic principle applies: Giannis needs spacing. And this Greek team doesn't have spacing because nobody can shoot consistently (especially with Sloukas out). At times his brother or Calathes or somebody else might have a good game from 3, but no sane opponent coach will ever spread his D to cover these guys and let Giannis destroy them in the paint. When the real games start it will be 3 defenders on Giannis as soon as he gets the ball.

Bottom line is, Giannis needs a coach and a roster that have both been selected with Giannis in mind, much like the Bucks did. And Greece just doesn't have them currently.

[Nuntius]

Two players which everyone expected to see in Serbia roster in China, forward Kalinic and combo-guard Nedovic (Kalinic as a starter!) is cut from the team due to some strange coach/player issue

When I was watching Greece vs Serbia our sportcasters kept saying that Serbia's coach should be using Milutinov more and that there could be some issue between the two. Are coach/player relationships an issue for your team or are our sportcasters just biased because Milutinov was playing for a Greek team? Our sportcasters being biased, by the way, would be the least surprising thing in the world but, you know, I have to ask.

That Center rotation is stacked, what do they really expect? Also, before Teodosic got injured, their PG rotation included Milos, Micic and combo guard Guduric, so I really understand why Nedovic wasnt even included to preliminary squad. Kalinic however is a weird omission.

Yeah, the Center rotation is indeed stacked. The Joker, Boban, Milutinov and Raduljica are all excellent Centers.

[TheDiesel36]

Im really excited about my NT - The Czechs, even though Vesely is out, which is a huge loss for us, I was looking out for a semi-competetive game against the US squad ( which means being down like 20 entering the fourth ), but thats now unlikely. Btw our PF tore his Achilles in early May and is playing after looking really good in the latest preparation matches.

Im interested in how Giannis will play, but I somewhat doubt that people who dont watch NBA are gonna say to themselves - Hey, that is a clear MVP of the best league on earth.

[stoo]

When I was watching Greece vs Serbia our sportcasters kept saying that Serbia's coach should be using Milutinov more and that there could be some issue between the two. Are coach/player relationships an issue for your team or are our sportcasters just biased because Milutinov was playing for a Greek team? Our sportcasters being biased, by the way, would be the least surprising thing in the world but, you know, I have to ask.

That Center rotation is stacked, what do they really expect? Also, before Teodosic got injured, their PG rotation included Milos, Micic and combo guard Guduric, so I really understand why Nedovic wasnt even included to preliminary squad. Kalinic however is a weird omission.

Yeah, the Center rotation is indeed stacked. The Joker, Boban, Milutinov and Raduljica are all excellent Centers.

Serbia is going to play big ball five, with Bjelica at the SF, Jokic PF and Milutinov C. Micic and Bogdanovic as guards with 6feet5". Milutinov is classical center, but a good one. He is going to cover after Jokic in defence and play inside in offense, with all other 4 guys being able to shoot from everywhere and create for themselves and others. And because Jokic is also a playmaker, you can put Lucic as 6f8 instead of Micic. It will be extremely difficult to outrebound that team

I can very easily see this lineup beating USA in short game

[UcanUwill]

Im really excited about my NT - The Czechs, even though Vesely is out, which is a huge loss for us, I was looking out for a semi-competetive game against the US squad ( which means being down like 20 entering the fourth ), but thats now unlikely. Btw our PF tore his Achilles in early May and is playing after looking really good in the latest preparation matches.

Im interested in how Giannis will play, but I somewhat doubt that people who dont watch NBA are gonna say to themselves - Hey, that is a clear MVP of the best league on earth.

So far Giannis has looked great, I get belief that he is not as good in FIBA ball, but he will be good, its more a myth that bad shooters are useless in international basketball.

[burek3]

Btw our PF tore his Achilles in early May and is playing after looking really good in the latest preparation matches.

Healing Achilles in 3 months? Dude has to share some secrets to Kevin Durant

[MrDollarBills]

The Serbians are the most dangerous team for the USA just based on the size of their roster alone. That will not be an easy opponent and I would not be shocked if we get beat.

[TheDiesel36]

Btw our PF tore his Achilles in early May and is playing after looking really good in the latest preparation matches.

Healing Achilles in 3 months? Dude has to share some secrets to Kevin Durant

Oh yeah, we were playing Germany the other day and he got switched out several times on Schroeder and played him very well, I was really in awe how quickly and well he recovered. He said in an interview, that doctors said he ripped it very cleanly, just in a right spot and the swift surgery (several hours after the game was played) is apparently a huge plus in recovery. Also he is just 26 and an absolute warrior, that helps as well. Martin Kriz is his name, we are starting off against team USA, so I guess it will be put to a serious test

[TheDiesel36]

Im really excited about my NT - The Czechs, even though Vesely is out, which is a huge loss for us, I was looking out for a semi-competetive game against the US squad ( which means being down like 20 entering the fourth ), but thats now unlikely. Btw our PF tore his Achilles in early May and is playing after looking really good in the latest preparation matches.

Im interested in how Giannis will play, but I somewhat doubt that people who dont watch NBA are gonna say to themselves - Hey, that is a clear MVP of the best league on earth.

So far Giannis has looked great, I get belief that he is not as good in FIBA ball, but he will be good, its more a myth that bad shooters are useless in international basketball.

Oh he will be a big game changer, just not as big as in the NBA. Im also curious how the FIBA refs will react to his pivot foot shuffle under the basket, which gets ignored in the NBA.

[Zombiesonics]

The Serbians are the most dangerous team for the USA just based on the size of their roster alone. That will not be an easy opponent and I would not be shocked if we get beat.

I would be shocked. both serbia and greece lack any real athleticism on the perimeter or any elite guard play... I watched them play and i'm having a hard time imagining these intl teams stopping mitchell or walker from going down hill. Also the cadre of all nba defensive level players coming off the bench like Smart, White or Turner... I dont see it.

[UcanUwill]

The Serbians are the most dangerous team for the USA just based on the size of their roster alone. That will not be an easy opponent and I would not be shocked if we get beat.

I would be shocked. both serbia and greece lack any real athleticism on the perimeter or any elite guard play... I watched them play and i'm having a hard time imagining these intl teams stopping mitchell or walker from going down hill. Also the cadre of all nba defensive level players coming off the bench like Smart, White or Turner... I'd be more intrigued if milos was playing.

I give you Mitchell, but who else on the perimeter is much superior athlete now when Fox dropped out? I dont see a massive advantage here honestly.

[Zombiesonics]

I give you Mitchell, but who else on the perimeter is much superior athlete now when Fox dropped out? I dont see a massive advantage here honestly.

Off the bounce? Walker is getting to the paint whenever he wants, vs anyone in this tourney or even in the nba season Rubio is as good as it gets on the perimeter and he had no chance. Kemba isn't a great finisher but he is getting downhill... USA will definitely HAVE to hit shots to win imo. If elite shooters like tatum or middleton start bricking open catchnshoot threes they are in trouble sure, but i dont see it.

Fox is a great athlete but his inability to shoot really would have hurt the team in the tourney imo. He has a very slow hesitant release and isn't the defensive player that derrick white is.