FIBA World Cup 2023 (FIRST thread)

[Paija]

Latvia has announced an extended list of candidates, led by Kristaps Porzingis, Davis Bertans: https://basketnews.com/news-191255-kristaps-porzingis-leads-latvias-extended-list-for-2023-fiba-world-cup.html

The list does include veteran Strelnieks, who ruptured his Achilles in March and Lomazs who tore his ACL in the beginning of this year. There is still a small chance though that Lomazs could recover for the injury in time for the World Cup.

My guess for the final 12:

PG Arturs Zagars (Nevezis Kedainiai)
PG Kristers Zoriks (VEF Riga)
PG Toms Leimanis (Movistar Estudiantes)
PG/SG Arturs Kurucs (Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz)
SG Dairis Bertans (Real Betis Baloncesto)
SF Rodions Kurucs (SIG Strasbourg)
SF Janis Timma (Grises de Humacao)
SF/PF Davis Bertans (Oklahoma City Thunder)
PF Rolands Smits (Zalgiris Kaunas)
PF Mareks Mejeris (Hapoel Jerusalem)
C Kristaps Porzingis (Boston Celtics)
C Anzels Pasecniks (Real Betis Baloncesto)

Although if Rihards Lomazs is healthy, he may take one of the guard spots.

What do you think this team can accomplish? They got drawn in a tough group with France, Canada, Lebanon, but hopefully some upsets can be made to advance to the 2nd stage of the tournament

I am not sure Pasecniks is the best as 2nd center. We might need some "stronger" body. But it might depend on Canada's roster too.

[Sakkreth]

Latvia has announced an extended list of candidates, led by Kristaps Porzingis, Davis Bertans: https://basketnews.com/news-191255-kristaps-porzingis-leads-latvias-extended-list-for-2023-fiba-world-cup.html

The list does include veteran Strelnieks, who ruptured his Achilles in March and Lomazs who tore his ACL in the beginning of this year. There is still a small chance though that Lomazs could recover for the injury in time for the World Cup.

My guess for the final 12:

PG Arturs Zagars (Nevezis Kedainiai)
PG Kristers Zoriks (VEF Riga)
PG Toms Leimanis (Movistar Estudiantes)
PG/SG Arturs Kurucs (Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz)
SG Dairis Bertans (Real Betis Baloncesto)
SF Rodions Kurucs (SIG Strasbourg)
SF Janis Timma (Grises de Humacao)
SF/PF Davis Bertans (Oklahoma City Thunder)
PF Rolands Smits (Zalgiris Kaunas)
PF Mareks Mejeris (Hapoel Jerusalem)
C Kristaps Porzingis (Boston Celtics)
C Anzels Pasecniks (Real Betis Baloncesto)

Although if Rihards Lomazs is healthy, he may take one of the guard spots.

What do you think this team can accomplish? They got drawn in a tough group with France, Canada, Lebanon, but hopefully some upsets can be made to advance to the 2nd stage of the tournament

They have a possibility to advance, and if they do they can even go further. In the group stage the most important game will be against Canada, which has a formidable roster but never accomplished anything. If they advance, they will most likely face Spain or Brazil. Now, while Spain would be rough, it's not the same quality team as it used to be, so there would be chances. Against Brazil though, they would be slight favorites. Top 8 is a realistic possibility, but not advancing from the group stage is also very realistic.

[Pachinko_]

The whole national thing has become a joke in basketball and most sports in general, aside from Lithuania/Serbia (mens)/maybe some African teams no other countries use only people of their own in basketball. Why even have a countries competition if your not using the people of your own country.

It's basically a crap verision of Euroleague with a good/elite at times USA teams in general.

Τhe purpose of FIBA, literally their mission statement, is to promote the sport around the world. Thats the goal.
Having a better tournament with better players and as many stars as possible, and get as many eyeballs as possible, that is what serves the purpose. Being too anal with the eiligibility rules probably doesn't.
Get Embiid in there, give that man a passport ASAP. Joker, Luka, Giannis, get as many of them as you can, add some mercenaries, play some hoops and get people excited. If some teams want to make it all about their nationality, then sure, they can do that too. But the main goal is basketball.

can of course only speak for me but for me international play would completely loose any interest, if you just open it up. then it is just another "club" league which happens to be played internationally. whats the point vs for example the NBA or the euroleague then?

we weren't talking about replacing the whole team, just the 1 or 2 naturalised players (can't remember what is the rule right now)

[UcanUwill]

Latvia has announced an extended list of candidates, led by Kristaps Porzingis, Davis Bertans: https://basketnews.com/news-191255-kristaps-porzingis-leads-latvias-extended-list-for-2023-fiba-world-cup.html

The list does include veteran Strelnieks, who ruptured his Achilles in March and Lomazs who tore his ACL in the beginning of this year. There is still a small chance though that Lomazs could recover for the injury in time for the World Cup.

My guess for the final 12:

PG Arturs Zagars (Nevezis Kedainiai)
PG Kristers Zoriks (VEF Riga)
PG Toms Leimanis (Movistar Estudiantes)
PG/SG Arturs Kurucs (Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz)
SG Dairis Bertans (Real Betis Baloncesto)
SF Rodions Kurucs (SIG Strasbourg)
SF Janis Timma (Grises de Humacao)
SF/PF Davis Bertans (Oklahoma City Thunder)
PF Rolands Smits (Zalgiris Kaunas)
PF Mareks Mejeris (Hapoel Jerusalem)
C Kristaps Porzingis (Boston Celtics)
C Anzels Pasecniks (Real Betis Baloncesto)

Although if Rihards Lomazs is healthy, he may take one of the guard spots.

What do you think this team can accomplish? They got drawn in a tough group with France, Canada, Lebanon, but hopefully some upsets can be made to advance to the 2nd stage of the tournament

This team is actually pretty darn good. They were unlucky to get in that group, but they are capable at upsetting Canada IMO.

[CharityStripe34]

Giannis' chances under 50%

https://basketnews.com/news-191264-giannis-antetokounmpo-doubtful-for-2023-fiba-world-cup.html

Interesting since it's his longest off-season since 2018 and he's been in Greece for weeks training at OAKA. Bucks let him play Eurobasket, so there's a chance he does have a sore knee and doesn't want to risk anything. I wonder if the source is credible.

[steadysoul]

Latvia has announced an extended list of candidates, led by Kristaps Porzingis, Davis Bertans: https://basketnews.com/news-191255-kristaps-porzingis-leads-latvias-extended-list-for-2023-fiba-world-cup.html

The list does include veteran Strelnieks, who ruptured his Achilles in March and Lomazs who tore his ACL in the beginning of this year. There is still a small chance though that Lomazs could recover for the injury in time for the World Cup.

My guess for the final 12:

PG Arturs Zagars (Nevezis Kedainiai)
PG Kristers Zoriks (VEF Riga)
PG Toms Leimanis (Movistar Estudiantes)
PG/SG Arturs Kurucs (Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz)
SG Dairis Bertans (Real Betis Baloncesto)
SF Rodions Kurucs (SIG Strasbourg)
SF Janis Timma (Grises de Humacao)
SF/PF Davis Bertans (Oklahoma City Thunder)
PF Rolands Smits (Zalgiris Kaunas)
PF Mareks Mejeris (Hapoel Jerusalem)
C Kristaps Porzingis (Boston Celtics)
C Anzels Pasecniks (Real Betis Baloncesto)

Although if Rihards Lomazs is healthy, he may take one of the guard spots.

What do you think this team can accomplish? They got drawn in a tough group with France, Canada, Lebanon, but hopefully some upsets can be made to advance to the 2nd stage of the tournament

This team is actually pretty darn good. They were unlucky to get in that group, but they are capable at upsetting Canada IMO.

Upsetting Canada? Eh. Canada hasn't done anything worthy of such a statement.

[knicksfan974]

France's M'Baye has decided to sign with CSKA Moscow and therefore will not be playing for France in either World Cup or Paris Olympics.

[Pachinko_]

Αnyone watching U19? Free on Fiba's channel on youtube
https://youtu.be/WTrPSxNP0AQ

USA, Spain and France keep pumping out amazing talent as usual
Serbia and Turkey have some great talent too, although Serbia got eliminated from the semis.

link to brackets and schedule
https://www.fiba.basketball/world/u19/2023/groups

[knicksfan974]

Αnyone watching U19? Free on Fiba's channel on youtube
https://youtu.be/WTrPSxNP0AQ

USA, Spain and France keep pumping out amazing talent as usual
Serbia and Turkey have some great talent too, although Serbia got eliminated from the semis.

link to brackets and schedule
https://www.fiba.basketball/world/u19/2023/groups

Yes I've been watching the U19 World Cup. Today's USA-France semi-final should be very interesting, as both advanced with about a 40-point wins. France's Risacher is ranked #1 right now at NBADraft.net for next year's draft.

[Pachinko_]

Ι always loved watching U19. Best talent in the world and they take the games very seriously
Why people watch summer league but not that will forever be beyond me.

USA - France semifinal is on now right now

Watch on YouTube

[Pachinko_]

France made it to the Final.

In every international tournament I've watched Team USA seems to always have the best 1-1 players, that's like a given. They also always have the best athletes... except not so much against this France team. Great athletes on both sides, but with the French looking noticeably taller.

France looks like a goldmine of talent at the moment, maybe the next superpower if Wemby continues in his trajectory. He will get a lot of help from these kids in the future.

[JimmyPlopper]

This thread is awesome

[Mickey8]

It looks like the gold mine but nobody have made big in the pro's, there are lots of french young players who are the scrubs in the NBA and many who were there briefly and got kicked out of the league . They have the great advantage of the physical strength and athleticism in the youth competitions.

[DrPampiloni]

It's amazing how we discuss so much about the naturalised rule abused by countries to hire American players but then when you look closely the US have had:

Roni Seikaly
Patrick Ewing
Hakeem Olajuwon
Tim Duncan

and are now trying to recruit Embiid to improve their thin rotation at the center spot...

[Johnny Tomala]

Read on Twitter

Full Team USA squad. Hart 12th player in.

[haosmoove]

It's amazing how we discuss so much about the naturalised rule abused by countries to hire American players but then when you look closely the US have had:

Roni Seikaly
Patrick Ewing
Hakeem Olajuwon
Tim Duncan

and are now trying to recruit Embiid to improve their thin rotation at the center spot...

They live and work in this country. In some cases (Ewing) grew up in this country. Most importantly, they were already citizens prior to the invitation.

[Sakkreth]

US too young. France my favorites for gold

[durden_tyler]

US too young. France my favorites for gold

Latest betting odds to win World Cup

Favorite:

USA (-180)

Legit shot to beat US:

Serbia (+800)
Greece (+900)
Slovenia (+1000)
France (+1100)
Australia (+1100)

All others rather insignificant so we’re looking at these 6 teams as the only teams that can potentially win the gold.

Surprised to see US still the big favorites (not by much) but with this C team i think you would have worse prices for the other contenders?

That said, if you’re backing France and such now is the best time to bet futures on them (heck even Serbia’s $100 bet to win $800 is a very good deal).

[Pachinko_]

That said, if you’re backing France and such now is the best time to bet futures on them (heck even Serbia’s $100 bet to win $800 is a very good deal).

If Joker is in I might put some money on Serbia.

[Hellcrooner]

US too young. France my favorites for gold

Latest betting odds to win World Cup

Favorite:

USA (-180)

Legit shot to beat US:

Serbia (+800)
Greece (+900)
Slovenia (+1000)
France (+1100)
Australia (+1100)

All others rather insignificant so we’re looking at these 6 teams as the only teams that can potentially win the gold.

Surprised to see US still the big favorites (not by much) but with this C team i think you would have worse prices for the other contenders?

That said, if you’re backing France and such now is the best time to bet futures on them (heck even Serbia’s $100 bet to win $800 is a very good deal).

i love how odds leave out the current champions ( also european champions)


yeah, on paper, not a top roster...........but "never understimate the heart of a champion".