FIBA World Cup 2023 (FIRST thread)

[Pachinko_]

Or maybe, just maybe, what is 99% the most likely explanation, they just didn't play any defense.

There's no such thing as "they just didn't play any defense". I think maybe you are thinking in Greek in your head and translating word for word in English, because what you're saying just doesn't make sense, it doesn't exist.
They gave some open long shots to guys like Theis, Schroder and Wagner because they are not natural shooters, and they went 9/15. Ok. ****. It happens. It was a calculated risk that most coaches would take and it didn't pay off. if there was another game they would adjust and try something different and then it would be a chess game with an unknown result. But in FIBA you don't have that opportunity, such is life. But again: it doesn't mean that the team was bad. They just made a decision in one game, and it was an unlucky decision, it has happened to literally every basketball team in the world.

[Mirotic12]

There's no such thing as "they just didn't play any defense". I think maybe you are thinking in Greek in your head and translating word for word in English, because what you're saying just doesn't make sense, it doesn't exist.
They gave some open shots to guys like Theis, Schroder and Wagner because they are not natural shooters, and they went 9/15. Ok. ****. It happens. It was a calculated risk that most coaches would take and it didn't pay off. if there was another game they would adjust and try something different and then it would be a chess game with an unknown result. But in FIBA you don't have that opportunity, such is life. But again: it doesn't mean that the team was bad. They just made a decision in one game, and it was an unlucky decision.

You are making excuses for a terrible lack of any effort to play D by the players. Against any good European national team, in an elimination game in a big tournament, you will lose 9 out of 10 times if you don't put in effort on defense.

It's that simple. Greece deserved to lose and would lose the same game over and over and over, because they didn't try hard enough on defense.

[Pachinko_]

There's no such thing as "they just didn't play any defense". I think maybe you are thinking in Greek in your head and translating word for word in English, because what you're saying just doesn't make sense, it doesn't exist.
They gave some open shots to guys like Theis, Schroder and Wagner because they are not natural shooters, and they went 9/15. Ok. ****. It happens. It was a calculated risk that most coaches would take and it didn't pay off. if there was another game they would adjust and try something different and then it would be a chess game with an unknown result. But in FIBA you don't have that opportunity, such is life. But again: it doesn't mean that the team was bad. They just made a decision in one game, and it was an unlucky decision.

You are making excuses for a terrible lack of any effort to play D by the players. Against any good European national team, in an elimination game in a big tournament, you will lose 9 out of 10 times if you don't put in effort on defense.

It's that simple. Greece deserved to lose and would lose the same game over and over and over, because they didn't try hard enough on defense.

And you measured that with your defensohardometer? Why on earth would a team that is 5-0 to that point would randomly decide not to play hard defense in an elimination game?

Here's some highlights. Please explain how is that "not defense"???

Watch on YouTube

That first shot by Schroeder, they gave him that. That is clearly intentional, he went under the screen.
But other than that it looks pretty intense defensive effort to me.

[LuDux1]

The Australian squad won't have Ben Simmons who's already ruled himself out, but still has 11 NBA roster players in it.

Patty Mills, Matisse Thybulle, Joe Ingles, Jock Landale, Josh Green, Matthew Dellavedova, Dante Exum, Xavier Cooks, Jack White, Dyson Daniels and Josh Giddey

Is he as good at basketball like Jack White on guitar?

His presence alone guarantees Canadians place in top 25

[-Luke-]

There's no such thing as "they just didn't play any defense". I think maybe you are thinking in Greek in your head and translating word for word in English, because what you're saying just doesn't make sense, it doesn't exist.
They gave some open shots to guys like Theis, Schroder and Wagner because they are not natural shooters, and they went 9/15. Ok. ****. It happens. It was a calculated risk that most coaches would take and it didn't pay off. if there was another game they would adjust and try something different and then it would be a chess game with an unknown result. But in FIBA you don't have that opportunity, such is life. But again: it doesn't mean that the team was bad. They just made a decision in one game, and it was an unlucky decision.

You are making excuses for a terrible lack of any effort to play D by the players. Against any good European national team, in an elimination game in a big tournament, you will lose 9 out of 10 times if you don't put in effort on defense.

It's that simple. Greece deserved to lose and would lose the same game over and over and over, because they didn't try hard enough on defense.

I don't know man. Our (Germany's) backcourt turned into prime splash brothers and Daniel Theis turned into prime Ben Wallace. I would say that if you play that game ten times, all of this happens one time. And this was the game were it happened. It was like game 4 Mavs vs. Lakers in 2011.

[Mirotic12]

And you measured that with your defensohardometer? Why on earth would a team that is 5-0 to that point would randomly decide not to play hard defense in an elimination game?

Here's some highlights. Please explain how is that "not defense"???

Watch on YouTube

That first shot by Schroeder, they gave him that. That is clearly intentional, he went under the screen.
But other than that it looks pretty intense defensive effort to me.

If you think Greece played anything other than atrocious defense throughout that game, you would accept any level of defense as being good, if that is the case. Even the worst defender ever would be a good defender for you, if that is the case.

There isn't a single coach in the EuroLeague, except evidently Itoudis, that wouldn't cuss the hell out of their players and bench them all, and maybe even make some roster cuts, with that type of play on D. Which makes it doubly egregious that Itoudis did nothing about it, all game long.

A coach like Obradovic, Maljkovic, Giannakis, or Ivkovic would have probably lost his damn mind, if his players played like that on D in an elimination game.

[mediocrityrules]

The Australian squad won't have Ben Simmons who's already ruled himself out, but still has 11 NBA roster players in it.

Patty Mills, Matisse Thybulle, Joe Ingles, Jock Landale, Josh Green, Matthew Dellavedova, Dante Exum, Xavier Cooks, Jack White, Dyson Daniels and Josh Giddey

It's pretty sad that Australia can't find a better guard than him. I mean really?

He's only in the squad to take out opposition players knees

[Pachinko_]

I don't know man. Our (Germany's) backcourt turned into prime splash brothers and Daniel Theis turned into prime Ben Wallace. I would say that if you play that game ten times, all of this happens one time. And this was the game were it happened. It was like game 4 Mavs vs. Lakers in 2011.

tell him bro, he doesn't believe me for some reason

[UcanUwill]

Glad Zach Eddey is there, Canada looks scary with Murray, SGA and the rest.

[Swuul]

Which NBA team will have most players in the World Cup? If I count right, Utah Jazz currently has most with five (Markkanen, Kessler, Fontecchio, Olynyk, Clarkson).

[-Luke-]

Which NBA team will have most players in the World Cup? If I count right, Utah Jazz currently has most with five (Markkanen, Kessler, Fontecchio, Olynyk, Clarkson).

Didn't go through all teams, but Orlando could also have five: Banchero, Wagner brothers, Ingles, Bitadze.

(Or are we counting from last season? Then Ingles doesn't count for Orlando).

[Swuul]

Which NBA team will have most players in the World Cup? If I count right, Utah Jazz currently has most with five (Markkanen, Kessler, Fontecchio, Olynyk, Clarkson).

Didn't go through all teams, but Orlando could also have five: Banchero, Wagner brothers, Ingles, Bitadze.

(Or are we counting from last season? Then Ingles doesn't count for Orlando).

I guess we aren't counting last season Jazz would then have six, as JTA will play with Mexico, but he isn't with Jazz anymore.

[LuDux1]

Updated preliminary Lithuanian roster: Jonas Valanciunas, Donatas Motiejunas, Gabrielius Maldunas, Azuolas Tubelis. Donatas Tarolis, Eimantas Bendzius, Eigirdas Žukauskas, Tadas Sedekerskis, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Ignas Brazdeikis, Margiris Normantas, Tomas Dimša, Rokas Jokubaitis, Vaidas Kariniauskas. Plus some from reserve team
Birutis in camp to keep seat warm until JV joins


My prediction: 5 Valanciunas, 5 Motiejunas, 5/4 Tubelis, 4 Bendzius, 4/3 Sedekerskis, 4/3Kuzminskas, 3 Sirvydis, 2 Brazdeikis, 2 Normantas, 2/1 Dimsa, 1 Kariniauskas 1 Jokubaitis

[Mirotic12]

Updated preliminary Lithuanian roster: Jonas Valanciunas, Donatas Motiejunas, Gabrielius Maldunas, Azuolas Tubelis. Donatas Tarolis, Eimantas Bendzius, Eigirdas Žukauskas, Tadas Sedekerskis, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Ignas Brazdeikis, Margiris Normantas, Tomas Dimša, Rokas Jokubaitis, Vaidas Kariniauskas. Plus some from reserve team
Birutis in camp to keep seat warm until JV joins


My prediction: 5 Valanciunas, 5 Motiejunas, 5/4 Tubelis, 4 Bendzius, 4/3 Sedekerskis, 4/3Kuzminskas, 3 Sirvydis, 2 Brazdeikis, 2 Normantas, 2/1 Dimsa, 1 Kariniauskas 1 Jokubaitis

What's the reason that Kulboka wasn't selected?

[LuDux1]

Updated preliminary Lithuanian roster: Jonas Valanciunas, Donatas Motiejunas, Gabrielius Maldunas, Azuolas Tubelis. Donatas Tarolis, Eimantas Bendzius, Eigirdas Žukauskas, Tadas Sedekerskis, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Ignas Brazdeikis, Margiris Normantas, Tomas Dimša, Rokas Jokubaitis, Vaidas Kariniauskas. Plus some from reserve team
Birutis in camp to keep seat warm until JV joins


My prediction: 5 Valanciunas, 5 Motiejunas, 5/4 Tubelis, 4 Bendzius, 4/3 Sedekerskis, 4/3Kuzminskas, 3 Sirvydis, 2 Brazdeikis, 2 Normantas, 2/1 Dimsa, 1 Kariniauskas 1 Jokubaitis

What's the reason that Kulboka wasn't selected?

Head coach said that not inviting Kulboka to main camp was his decision and not going to reserves camp was Kulboka's. Probably case of hurt feelings

[Mirotic12]

Head coach said that not inviting Kulboka to main camp was his decision and not going to reserves camp was Kulboka's. Probably case of hurt feelings

It's strange they didn't select him to the main tryout at least. He had a nice season with Promitheas in EuroCup.

[Swuul]

Steve Kerr shares his initial thoughts of Team USA and who the focus players of the team are going to be.

https://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2023/news/how-kerr-envisions-title-chasing-usa-at-world-cup

[UcanUwill]

Head coach said that not inviting Kulboka to main camp was his decision and not going to reserves camp was Kulboka's. Probably case of hurt feelings

It's strange they didn't select him to the main tryout at least. He had a nice season with Promitheas in EuroCup.

He was cut by Maksvytis last year, and his assistant, who was in charge of window teams, didnt even invite him during windows, so some bad blood was there for sure. He could probably make the team, and considering few of the names on that list, not having Kulboka is kind of a joke.

[DrPampiloni]

Updated preliminary Lithuanian roster: Jonas Valanciunas, Donatas Motiejunas, Gabrielius Maldunas, Azuolas Tubelis. Donatas Tarolis, Eimantas Bendzius, Eigirdas Žukauskas, Tadas Sedekerskis, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Ignas Brazdeikis, Margiris Normantas, Tomas Dimša, Rokas Jokubaitis, Vaidas Kariniauskas. Plus some from reserve team
Birutis in camp to keep seat warm until JV joins


My prediction: 5 Valanciunas, 5 Motiejunas, 5/4 Tubelis, 4 Bendzius, 4/3 Sedekerskis, 4/3Kuzminskas, 3 Sirvydis, 2 Brazdeikis, 2 Normantas, 2/1 Dimsa, 1 Kariniauskas 1 Jokubaitis

This is a terrible team, w.r.t. what we are used to from Lithuania.

[DrPampiloni]

Which NBA team will have most players in the World Cup? If I count right, Utah Jazz currently has most with five (Markkanen, Kessler, Fontecchio, Olynyk, Clarkson).

Didn't go through all teams, but Orlando could also have five: Banchero, Wagner brothers, Ingles, Bitadze.

(Or are we counting from last season? Then Ingles doesn't count for Orlando).

Mavericks have:

Luka, Maxi Kleber, Powell, Ntilikina (not sure he still has a contract though), Bertans, Josh Green.