FIBA World Cup 2023 part 2 SEMIS (USA vs GERMANY : SERBIA vs CANADA) poll added

[Mauro Pedrosa]

Orlando better sign RHJ to a vet min

[Nuntius]

Philippines is probably the only place in the world, where neutral fans Cheering FOR team USA.

Nah. I don't think that the Philippines are the only ones. I think that in most countries, neutral fans would be cheering for team USA, with the obvious exception of when they're facing the home team. I do believe that in countries with a strong basketball tradition (Lithuania, Spain, Italy, the whole of the Balkans, Turkey, Russia and maybe France) that the neutral fans would cheer against team USA but those countries are in the minority, imo.

[knicksfan974]

Where is Lorenzo Brown? Was Spain shamed enough for their asterisk Eurobasket win to leave him out?

[UcanUwill]

I don't remember the stupidest second contract in NBA history, also known as Christiano Felicio, being so fat. He is thick

[mikejames23]

Brunson can just coast against teams like Greece. I want to watch some real games like the German one. Wish Giannis was playing for top tier competition.

[UcanUwill]

Brunson can just coast against teams like Greece. I want to watch some real games like the German one. Wish Giannis was playing for top tier competition.

A lot of teams are coasting so far, soon it will get good.

[durden_tyler]

2nd Round Teams
*Likely and favored teams to advance

Group I
Dominican Rep
Italy*
Serbia
Puerto Rico*

Group J
USA
Greece*
Lithuania
Montenegro

Group K
Germany
Australia*
Slovenia
Georgia*

Group L
Spain
Brazil/Ivory Coast
Canada
Latvia

[UcanUwill]

How is Nunez so good? I didn't expect that

[durden_tyler]

Philippines is probably the only place in the world, where neutral fans Cheering FOR team USA.

Nah. I don't think that the Philippines are the only ones. I think that in most countries, neutral fans would be cheering for team USA, with the obvious exception of when they're facing the home team. I do believe that in countries with a strong basketball tradition (Lithuania, Spain, Italy, the whole of the Balkans, Turkey, Russia and maybe France) that the neutral fans would cheer against team USA but those countries are in the minority, imo.

It’s especially the case for us because of colonial mentality. As they are the most recent colonizers (with special mention to Spain for wars since 1500s, that’s why we’re naturally lazy too), we like basketball over other sports even though the genes does not really favor us.

Easy access to American television, thus sports/NBA, makes it easier for the casual to be fans. And well, the wise critics here blame the NBA for our (lack of) development because we copy so much of the Americans style of play even though we don’t have half the skills (and the height).

Like most, we cheer for the underdogs too (but that’s within the NBA setting, so while most are Lakers/Celtics/Bulls fans, we also cheer for the likes of title-less Kings, Grizzlies here)

Also, the fans don’t really know much about the Euroleague or other leagues (little to zero coverage) to care about their players, at least the casuals.

[elillo]

How is Nunez so good? I didn't expect that

Playing like a 10 year vet at 19.

[RSP83]

Orlando better sign RHJ to a vet min

Lol. If I'm RHJ why would I want to go back to the NBA if after this World Cup he can probably make better money elsewhere as one of the team's primary guy. As opposed to playing 9th man role. Rondae Kobe won't see the light of day in the NBA, he will be asked to play a 3&D role exclusively, and he probably suck at that.

[ROballer]

Is it possible for Austin Reaves to win the MVP? I'd consider a bet on this.

You'd be throwing money down the drain.

Lol no. Steve Kerr is splitting the minutes, Edwards has been ass through two games, the other starters pretty underwhelming as well.

EFF Rating

Reaves 43
Banchero 33
Haliburton 32
Brunson 30
Jackson 30
Edwards 24
Bridges 20


+/-

Reaves +38
Banchero +36
Haliburton +32
Brunson +22
Bridges +22
Edwards +20
Jackson + 8


The Haliburton/Reaves/Banchero lineup blew both games wide open thus far. The starters were playing down to their competition in both of these games. And out of those 3, Reaves has the best numbers thus far.


That's if you count on USA winning this thing and the MVP coming from the winner. If they give the MVP to the player who puts up most stats regardless of overall finish for their team, it's hard not to give it to Doncic, who has the green light to chuck as many time he wants for his team, and will end up playing 10-12 more minutes per game then the american with most minutes.

[lambchop]

How is Nunez so good? I didn't expect that

He got good minutes with Ulm playing in the german league and eurocup. The German league is generally a good developmental league for somewhat younger players cause it's not as top heavy as some of the 2nd tier european leagues, facilities and standards are pretty professional and if you end up on a Eurocup team, that's an awesome situation.

I think the Euroleague is too demanding for young PGs to actually get minutes and develop bigger roles on offense. Best case scenario is actually someone like Jokubaitis who is great at organizing plays and making safe, cerebral decisions, but he'll never be asked to making 3 to 4 plays in a row, score some buckets or take important shots playing for an elite team like Barcelona. Which is a pity, cause it looks like this is pretty much his final form.

And yes there are exceptions but those are generational prospects for European standards like Rubio and Luka.

[UcanUwill]

Orlando better sign RHJ to a vet min

Lol. If I'm RHJ why would I want to go back to the NBA if after this World Cup he can probably make better money elsewhere as one of the team's primary guy. As opposed to playing 9th man role. Rondae Kobe won't see the light of day in the NBA, he will be asked to play a 3&D role exclusively, and he probably suck at that.

Like from whom. NBA vet mim is nowadays a bigger contract than what established Euroleague guy gets. You always get NBA money, foot in the door to then earn possibly even more cash. No one in basketball comes close to NBA contracts hense several exceptions at the most. Also do not forget he plays for Jordan, he looks great, but any el guard would be superstar on that team, just like Mitroglunis their superstar center.

[whitehops]

we were talking which was more prestigious, and it's no debatable, Olympic FIBA is FAR FAR more prestigious sadly.

Just like FIBA said, they did a big survey in the 6 continents and North America was the only one that considered Olympics basketball to be more important and "more prestigious" than the World Basketball Cup. The other continents all viewed the World Cup as being more important and more prestigious.

for FIBA's official team rankings they weigh world cup games more than olympic games, for what it's worth.

the olympics probably have a bigger audience and there's a lot more pageantry which is probably why one might think it's more prestigious.

[UcanUwill]

Juan Nunez was born 3 weeks before Rudy Fernandez made Olympic debut with senior team. They are now teammates in WC on senior team.

[Dacost]

Jaren Jackson is blocking the s... out everything its really awesome to watch.

[zimpy27]

Reaves has been best player for 2 games.

Leading +/- on both games

[Dacost]

Reaves has been best player for 2 games.

Leading +/- on both games

using +/- for FIBA play is just not smart.

Reaves plays backups and some of the starters don't play once the game is out of hand.

[zimpy27]

Reaves has been best player for 2 games.

Leading +/- on both games

using +/- for FIBA play is just not smart.

Reaves plays backups and some of the starters don't play once the game is out of hand.

I meant that as 2 statements.

Reaves has been best player in first 2 games by the eye test.

Stats back it up too.