FIBA World Cup 2023 (FIRST thread)

[Muizha]

What the hell? FIBA referees at it again

EDIT: ball dont lie though

[Buckets22]

SSD melted down in the last 4 mins of the game and Puerto Rico went for the jugular and caught up with them. Great match, this is what I call World Cup Basketball!
Now its going to OT after Romero bricked 2FTs following stupid ref call. BALL DONT LIE!

[Buckets22]

What the hell? FIBA referees at it again

Someone decided that they want to be in the spotlight. Ball Dont Lie tho.

[AJace]

These FIBA refs were terrible. They almost decided the outcome of that game.

[Buckets22]

Puerto Rico taking commanding lead in OT, experience bringing home the W

[Mavrelous]

Between Thmas Walkup and Amin Abu Hawwas Texas is represented well in this match

[durden_tyler]

What the hell? FIBA referees at it again

EDIT: ball dont lie though

Yup poor South Sudan, they had their chances though even with the bad calls and blew it.

[Pokuokic]

Is the French coach serious playing Gobert/Lessort together literally the least skilled PF/C combo of all-time in FIBA comps, France needs to play small with Govert or Lessort at C, play Batum at the 4, Fournier 3, De Colo 2 and Okobo or that Franciso at the 1

[durden_tyler]

These FIBA refs were terrible. They almost decided the outcome of that game.

Not a new thing, even FIBA refs know their Vegas odda

[UcanUwill]

These FIBA refs were terrible. They almost decided the outcome of that game.

It was probably a foulf tho, but I would agree you just don't call it in such situation unless it's really obvious, which it wasn't, debatable foul to say the least. This is outcome of Euroleague war, FIBA refs are worse than even NBA ones imo,

[UcanUwill]

Is the French coach serious playing Gobert/Lessort together literally the least skilled PF/C combo of all-time in FIBA comps, France needs to play small with Govert or Lessort at C, play Batum at the 4, Fournier 3, De Colo 2 and Okobo or that Franciso at the 1

I was thinking that, but what would small ball do against Canada, frontcourt was their only hope, but Lessort who just came back, and Gobert, who is Gobert, simply sucked. Fall and Yebu should have been used as combo.

[Andi Obst]

Is the French coach serious playing Gobert/Lessort together literally the least skilled PF/C combo of all-time in FIBA comps, France needs to play small with Govert or Lessort at C, play Batum at the 4, Fournier 3, De Colo 2 and Okobo or that Franciso at the 1

They've always liked to play "ugly ball" like this. I hope this is year where it doesn't pay off.

[Andi Obst]

Heartbreaking loss for South Sudan.

But what a game, man. I love FIBA tournaments.

[Pokuokic]

Is the French coach serious playing Gobert/Lessort together literally the least skilled PF/C combo of all-time in FIBA comps, France needs to play small with Govert or Lessort at C, play Batum at the 4, Fournier 3, De Colo 2 and Okobo or that Franciso at the 1

They've always liked to play "ugly ball" like this. I hope this is year where it doesn't pay off.

I don't mind going Big/Ugly with a PF or C who can space/has some skills (e.g. Montnegro plays 2 bigs togther e.g Vuc/Dubjleivc) but Lessort/Gobert is a shocking combo which would not work together at nearly any pro level of basketball.

[durden_tyler]

I see a blowout for all big favorites the rest of the night. With probable ties in some groups, they are really pushing for big blowout wins just in case.

[Dino-Might]

There seems to be a strong parallel between Team Canada and Australia at the World Cup.

Both feature a tall, talented OKC point guard who can do a bit of everything. They both have very strong (even by NBA standards) wing defenders such as Brooks, Dort and Thybulle that can really be disruptive on the perimeter and at the point of attack. Both really thrive in transition. And both have glaring weaknesses at Center. Will be really interesting if we see them play each other at some point in the knockout rounds.

[Buckets22]

Chef Luka serving some sweet sweet buckets to Venezuela.

[sisibilio]

These FIBA refs were terrible. They almost decided the outcome of that game.

It was probably a foulf tho, but I would agree you just don't call it in such situation unless it's really obvious, which it wasn't, debatable foul to say the least. This is outcome of Euroleague war, FIBA refs are worse than even NBA ones imo,

I was rooting for SSD but it was a clear foul, the fact that refs tend to swallow the whistle in those situations doesn'tmean they're right.

[Buckets22]

Venezuela with a 3pt barrage to take the lead 33-31 end of 1st Q

[lambchop]

There seems to be a strong parallel between Team Canada and Australia at the World Cup.

Both feature a tall, talented OKC point guard who can do a bit of everything. They both have very strong (even by NBA standards) wing defenders such as Brooks, Dort and Thybulle that can really be disruptive on the perimeter and at the point of attack. Both really thrive in transition. And both have glaring weaknesses at Center. Will be really interesting if we see them play each other at some point in the knockout rounds.

Imo the question is who can actually exploit that weakness? The best traditional bigs in the tournament (offense) are Hernangomez, Shermadini, Haddadi. None of which are huge offensive threats.

I already noticed during the qualifying stages last year how Olynyk was feasting and that trend has continued. He is getting good looks from three both in set play and transition. Also uses his mobility to get open mid range looks.

The size issue might hurt them on the boards, but that's pretty much it. If Olynyk sprains an ankle, that obviously would hurt them a lot.

Australia's situation is slightly different cause their bigs don't have a specific strength they can use to their advantage throughout the game on the offensive. Of course, their speed and mobility means they can wreak havoc on defense. It's what made it so easy for them to spam those double teams against Lauri without giving up too many quality looks.