FIBA World Cup 2023 : GERMANY are the new World Champions! (takes on the world and beats it for once...)

[Mirotic12]

2006 was amazing team, but do not forget it is also hindsight. Carmelo, WAde, LeBron and especially Dwight and Paul were still green, they were very young. Kirk Hinrich was randomly on that team, and he was among team leaders in minutes in that Greece game. Elton Brand and Antwan Jamison were the only vets on that entire roster, players stuck on trashiest NBA teams at a time for their entire careers, no winning pedrigree there. it was just as young team as it gets, they didnt have Shaq or Duncan or KG, TMac, Kobe, Vince, We remember that team as A team now, but it was nothing of the sort.

That team you proposed couldn't have even played Coach K's system. Kobe was the only guy that could even play on that system.

[levon]

I could see Lillard, Butler, Draymond and AD coming. Those 4 are right on the borderline, imo. But LeBron and Steph? No chance they're coming. imo.



Yep, I definitely believe that this unspoken rule exists which is why I don't think that it makes sense to include those 35+ guys in the talent pool.



Sure, I never disagreed about Fox, Booker, Tatum and Morant. I specifically objected on those over 30, especially those over 35.

Well if you apply every caveat and handicap in the book as we've just done, this FIBA team starts looking like something close to the best team the US can build in terms of American talent. But it's not, which was the crux of my original reply to that poster.

Unless the other countries somehow have the same caveats applied to them and aren't going out of their way to naturalize guys. And yes, I'm aware that the NBA affects their eligibility as well with Jokic, Embiid, and Giannis. Giannis imo should have played, but whatever.

Maybe the takeaway here is the US needs to relax its ageism a bit as baseline longevity is improving, or somehow motivate these NBA megastars to play internationally. But they're just straight up billionaires that don't care. It doesn't make business sense.

The 35+ caveat does apply to most countries. Players like Rudy Fernandez, Luis Scola and Hamed Haddadi who play until their 40s are a rarity.

Finland's Peterri Koponen, for example, retired from the national team after last year's EuroBasket, a few months after he turned 34.

And if I was to look at my own country's national team, Greece, this is what I'd see:

Calathes and Sloukas played in 2022 but didn't play this year. They were 33 and 32 respectively at the time of their last appearance.

Bourousis and Printezis last played in 2019. Bourousis was 36 and Printezis was 34.

Spanoulis and Zisis last played in 2015. Spanoulis was 33 and Zisis was 32.

You see the pattern here, don't you? The majority of players does tend to limit stop playing after they hit the wrong side of 30 and they definitely stop when they go past 35. The ones who play to their very late 30s/early 40s are the exception, not the rule. And it does apply to every country.

I'll defer to you because you're more knowledgeable about euro basketball. If it's really the case that other countries are navigating the same selection criteria as the US and that's also preventing their elite talent from joining the team, then that's sobering for the future of US basketball.

[Mirotic12]

I'll defer to you because you're more knowledgeable about euro basketball. If it's really the case that other countries are navigating the same selection criteria as the US and that's also preventing their elite talent from joining the team, then that's sobering for the future of US basketball.

It is absolutely 100% true that is the case. The US sports media claims to the contrary have always been total BS. Plenty of national teams are changing rosters, systems, and coaches all the time. There are many that have way turnover than USA does.

[AussieCeltic]

So now we're saying we'll see the same makeup in Paris? That's just wrong. This was a B team (Under 25 years old i believe but let me check)

Edit i was thinking average. So yeah, 28 years old is the oldest (Portis and Hart).

Same point, this is not the best USA team, or we conveniently forget about it.

I love posters like you. You were one of the guys saying $1.80 was free money pre tournament and then when the US lose its because “it’s the B team”.

Its so predictable.

So now we're saying we'll see the same makeup in Paris? That's just wrong. This was a B team (Under 25 years old i believe but let me check)

Edit i was thinking average. So yeah, 28 years old is the oldest (Portis and Hart).

Same point, this is not the best USA team, or we conveniently forget about it.

I love posters like you. You were one of the guys saying $1.80 was free money pre tournament and then when the US lose its because “it’s the B team”.

Its so predictable.

It is a B team and at even money it was/is good value.

As with 50/50 lines, you lose some, you win some.

I hope you placed some bets on Serbia or Germany to go all the way. Got receipts? Or you’re just all talk?

(I have to thank Serbia, Latvia, am still up in this tourney despite the US loss )

It clearly wasn’t good odds was it? I don’t know how you can say that confidently after the US lost to Lithuania and then to Germany. It’s not as though they lost in the final.

It wasn’t 50/50. 3 knock out games in a row shortens those odds dramatically. If they were $1.80 in the final that’s good odds.

That’s why bookies make record profits year after year.

[ChuckChilly]

Man Austin Reaves and Jalen Brunson really got hunted defensively. Maybe adding a **** defender in Trae Young would help?

Whats with the Young shot? Piss that he wanted to be on the team?

[durden_tyler]

I love posters like you. You were one of the guys saying $1.80 was free money pre tournament and then when the US lose its because “it’s the B team”.

Its so predictable.

I love posters like you. You were one of the guys saying $1.80 was free money pre tournament and then when the US lose its because “it’s the B team”.

Its so predictable.

It is a B team and at even money it was/is good value.

As with 50/50 lines, you lose some, you win some.

I hope you placed some bets on Serbia or Germany to go all the way. Got receipts? Or you’re just all talk?

(I have to thank Serbia, Latvia, am still up in this tourney despite the US loss )

It clearly wasn’t good odds was it? I don’t know how you can say that confidently after the US lost to Lithuania and then to Germany. It’s not as though they lost in the final.

It wasn’t 50/50. 3 knock out games in a row shortens those odds dramatically. If they were $1.80 in the final that’s good odds.

That’s why bookies make record profits year after year.

So i presume you bet on Germany or Serbia then? Congrats then!

[best of luck]

So pleased for Germany and the Wagner brothers, players showed how much it meant.
Really hoping the final will be as good as these semi finals

[Stribor]

I really hate US media. Obst was arguably the best player but they can not mention the name of non-NBA player. Shame.

Watch on YouTube

[-Luke-]

I really hate US media. Obst was arguably the best player but they can not mention the name of non-NBA player. Shame.

Watch on YouTube

Not a fruitful coverage by US media. (Small pun - Obst is the German word for fruit).

But probably better for Windhorst not to try pronounce some names. Although it can't be worse than Goran Tragic.

[edededtut]

Finland's Peterri Koponen, for example, retired from the national team after last year's EuroBasket, a few months after he turned 34.

I’m not arguing against the point you are making here, but Koponen quit because he couldn’t run without pain anymore. According to him he would have played another 10 years had he been physically able, and I’d guess he would have been available for the national team as long as they would have found use for him.

He would have been Finland’s best point guard by a wide margin still had he been able to continue playing. That’s probably the biggest if for Finland this year, although Australia and Germany would have probably been too tough even with healthy Koponen in the squad.

[the_other_guy]

I hate how everyone has to scapegoat things every time the USA loses. Germany played a FANTASTIC game. They made every shot, they crashed the boards, they didn’t turn it over, and they beat a very good team who was having an every good night. Haliburton, Brunson, Bridges, Edwards, Brunson, Ingram, and JJJ are all “A-level” players that have a good chance of making all-NBA this season and are good fits for international play. Reaves is a clutch young up and comer who was a perfect fit for this team. This was a good squad that got beat by Germany having the night of their lives.

But you allowed to do it for 2 teams in a span of one week. And in a major tournament (not friendlies). Also, Serbia probably would have dismantled US even harder. So its not like an excuse of one bad night, but more like the level of a team in general. It was not the best it was one of top 5 teams in WC who had even chances.

[the_other_guy]

Euro posters, who among these teams tend to play better even if it’s no bearing games? Pride and all?

Looking to win some more before tomorrow’s big game.

Italy vs Slovenia +3.0
177.0

Latvia vs Lithuania -7.0
173.5

Wait? Latvia is -7 points favourites? That's mad.

[lambchop]

I could see Lillard, Butler, Draymond and AD coming. Those 4 are right on the borderline, imo. But LeBron and Steph? No chance they're coming. imo.

I think you still have to consider context and individual cases. Steph has never participated in the Olympics and that's probably his last shot at doing it while still having a good role on the team. In addition, he has the skillset to where he is plug and play on every team in the entire world. Also, Steph has actually bulked up and added more mass over the last years, as opposed to traditional shooters, like Kerr or Navarro who were super skinny and essentially useless on D past a certain age cause they were only relying on genetics/ God given muscle mass.

As for LeBron, you really think he couldn't play 15 mpg at PF 11 months from now? Mainly as a point forward while getting a dunk and chase down block here and there.

Imo it's simply a case by case thing and LBJ and Steph are two guys who spend the summers working out a ton anyway. The reason they're not always available is mainly cause it requires them to be away from home and less due to the wear and tear. Now if we take Kawhi or AD, that's a different story. Those guys need rest and time to recover.

To me the main issue with a roster of Lillard, Butler, Draymond, AD, LBJ, Steph in 2024 is that it limits the high ball pressure D you can play. Have to fill out those remaining spots with athletic defenders that can shoot consistently well even in pressure situations and those are hard to find.

[Hans1984]

I really hate US media. Obst was arguably the best player but they can not mention the name of non-NBA player. Shame.

Watch on YouTube

Pathetic.

[DaGawd]

Man Austin Reaves and Jalen Brunson really got hunted defensively. Maybe adding a **** defender in Trae Young would help?

Whats with the Young shot? Piss that he wanted to be on the team?

there were quite a few folks suggesting young instead of those 2 would’ve had a significant positive impact.. completely ignoring his defensive inability as well

[Pachinko_]

Olympics is not just 6 games, it's a whole campaign that starts a month in advance with training camp and exhibition games in S.Arabia and/or China or wherever they're paying the most to see some NBA players once. It's travelling, media days, opening and closing ceremonies and of course games, and it all starts soon after the playoffs. It's a lot to ask from an older guy trying to get some rest and extend his NBA career.

Like I said, hats off if KD/Steph/Lebron are willing to do it, but I wouldn't hold by breath. It's really easy to get out of it just by claiming that something hurts.

[Johnny Tomala]

0/2 for semis.

Slovenia, Lithuania
USA, Germany

[-Luke-]

Jesus, Luka just not coming off the court. Third game in 72 hours.

[Phreak50]

I really hate US media. Obst was arguably the best player but they can not mention the name of non-NBA player. Shame.

Watch on YouTube

Windhorst is so bad.

He asked the exact same (terrible) question to everyone he interviewed.

‘I know you’re not that old, but…’

[Sgt Major]

I'll never get used to people saying that a coach is good at managing NBA stars' egos. In Europe, the coach is the star and you're just a player and if you wanna act smart, than you're not gonna be a part of the team. Team USA needs real coaches, not baby-sitters.