Official FIBA World Championship Thread (and long preview)

Chuck Diesel · Post #41 » by **Chuck Diesel** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 10:54 pm

I'm very well aware of that, my only point was to refute the ideal that this is not a talented and capable bunch we're sending to Turkey.

That Nicka · Post #42 » by **That Nicka** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 10:56 pm

Sedale Threatt wrote:I'm not saying we don't stand a chance. I'm just saying this is a relatively mediocre team we're sending over to compete.

I dont see how anyone can debate this

Sedale Threatt · Post #43 » by **Sedale Threatt** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 10:56 pm

Chuck Diesel wrote:I'm very well aware of that, my only point was to refute the ideal that this is not a talented and capable bunch we're sending over there.

Talented, yes. Talented enough? Doesn't look like it to me. Zero size and minimal shooting. Like I said, the best thing we've got going for us is that everybody else is mailing this in too.

RipCityLives · Post #44 » by **RipCityLives** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 11:05 pm

Chemistry. Thats the key. Team USA is always the best on paper. But we almost lost against Spain having the best team since the Dream Team 1992. Only that clutch performance by Kobe and the leadership by D-Wade stopped the surprise. Spain have 2-3 guys who can play physical defense, and their offense is so talented (Rudy Fernandez is really underrated)

I'd put my money for Spain if they'd have Pau, but I think Team USA still have the edge without him. No chances for the rest.

SSUBluesman · Post #45 » by **SSUBluesman** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 11:09 pm

Wow that team is weak inside and has some very shaky shooters (Iggy, Rondo, etc.). It'll be interesting to see how it shakes out. I saw that what looks like a scrimmage will be on ESPN Saturday Night (I think). Does anyone know if the actual games will be televised and on what station(s)?

Nice write-up and preview Theo. I also enjoyed the SL write-ups as well.

dacher · Post #46 » by **dacher** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 11:13 pm

I think to only do Dream Team every 4 years is correct. Let the up and comers show at the other tournament. Every 2 year cycle for best players to play is too much, and dilutes the specialness of the whole coming together of "Dream Team"

This way pro soccer treats the Olympics vs World Cup. The Olympics is lower status than every 4 year World Cup, where the top players come together for their country. So pro basketball will have it reverse ... same difference.

And one and done tournaments are like that... with upsets. Once again look at world cup and many upsets. It's still exciting with some very good games.

farzi · Post #47 » by **farzi** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 11:15 pm

France: Darkhorse team to steal it all. Spain isn't as good, the US team isn't as good, and the French team went to the finals without Bobouis last summer in the tournament

Calvin Klein · Post #48 » by **Calvin Klein** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 11:25 pm

Can ANYONE give me a good answer on this?!

If i'm not mistaken the lockout is supposed to happen right after this season, correct?

I was reading about team USA rosters and found this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Sta ... am_Team_II

1998 World Championship The Dirty Dozen

The World Championship in Athens, Greece was different from the previous teams, as none of its players were current members of NBA teams. The team was nicknamed the "Dirty Dozen" for its work ethic and teamwork. Because of a labor dispute that led to a lockout, no active NBA players were permitted to compete in the tournament. Undrafted free agent Brad Miller was the only member of the team who would go on to have a successful NBA career. Some of the other team members, including Trajan Langdon, Kiwane Garris and Michael Hawkins had brief spells in the NBA. All went on to have careers in Europe, with Langdon being named to the Euroleague's All-Decade Team for the 2000s. This unheralded team, composed largely of players from American colleges, the minor-league Continental Basketball Association or European pro leagues, captured a bronze medal, considered a solid achievement given the team's lack of top-notch talent.

If the lockout happens (most likely) would this mean that there would be no NBA players playing the qualifying tournament for the Olympics?

And does the winner of 2010 World Championship earns a direct spot in the Olympics?

Chuck Diesel · Post #49 » by **Chuck Diesel** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 11:29 pm

The way I look at it, the best shooters we can send who are capable of playing multiple positions (huge asset in a tournament like this) are BIllups, Durant, Steph Curry and Danny Granger. We should send all of them.

I've said this in a bunch of different threads but I'll repeat it in this one- Josh Smith really should have been invited to try out for team. He would be a huge asset to what appears to be the USA's biggest problem area right now in frontcourt defense. FIBA refs are inconsistent with what they call, but often tend to let things get very physical around the basket. The absence of guys like Dwight Howard and Kendrick Perkins is not a good thing. Smith is one guy left off the list who really could make a difference in that area. He was part of the USA mini camp last summer, real head scratcher why he's not back again this year.

Id addition to SMith, I think this team could really use more options like Jason Maxiell, David West, Udonis Haslem, Paul Millsapp, Carl Landry, DeJaun Blair. Maybe even Chuck Hayes. Teams are going to try to make up for the talent differential by being overly physical. The crowd will be hostile and anti American. We need enforcers and people who aren't afraid to get physical down low.

mikhailjordan · Post #50 » by **mikhailjordan** » Tue Jul 20, 2010 11:40 pm

Chuck you're dead on with Josh Smith but hell no to the other guys you mentioned.

I think another interesting sub-plot Team USA is going to have is how much can Brook Lopez give them, he was battling mono not too long ago and shed a ton of weight.

I wonder where he's at physically right now...

dacher · Post #51 » by **dacher** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 12:39 am

Calvin Klein wrote:And does the winner of 2010 World Championship earns a direct spot in the Olympics?

Yes. But there are many ways in, including last chance tourny right before olympics. And I think there is wildcard selection that will always go to USA if nothing else goes USA way.

Point forward · Post #52 » by **Point forward** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 12:42 am

As a German guy, I totally understand Dirk's decision but I hate Kaman's guts. Dirk has always represented Germany, never leaving out any tourneys, even when he was injured. Kaman on the other hand is a 100% opportunistic little kid who only plays when Dirk is also there. I am grateful for Kaman for co-towing Germany to the 2008 Olympics, but after that, he was just another Shawn Bradley.

Our main weapon will probably be our big men depth. Femerling/Ohlbrecht/Pleiß at C and Jagla/Schultze at PF are fundamentally sound "Euro game" guys. Our SF depth is nonexistent (who *is* our starting SF?) and our guards are a perennial weak link. Maybe Schaffartzik could do some damage... :pray:

Theo Papaloukas · Post #53 » by **Theo Papaloukas** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 12:59 am

Point forward wrote:As a German guy, I totally understand Dirk's decision but I hate Kaman's guts. Dirk has always represented Germany, never leaving out any tourneys, even when he was injured. Kaman on the other hand is a 100% opportunistic little kid who only plays when Dirk is also there. I am grateful for Kaman for co-towing Germany to the 2008 Olympics, but after that, he was just another Shawn Bradley.

Our main weapon will probably be our big men depth. Femerling/Ohlbrecht/Pleiß at C and Jagla/Schultze at PF are fundamentally sound "Euro game" guys. Our SF depth is nonexistent (who *is* our starting SF?) and our guards are a perennial weak link. Maybe Schaffartzik could do some damage...

Benzing is 6'11" but can play the 3 and Elias Harris is a big time NBA prospect. Harris will probably start and be one of the main guys for this German squad. Schaffartzik is good, I'd like to see his talents on a bigger European club though. I think the 3 main scorers will be Schaffartzik, Harris, and Jagla.

Calvin Klein · Post #54 » by **Calvin Klein** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:03 am

dacher wrote:
Calvin Klein wrote:And does the winner of 2010 World Championship earns a direct spot in the Olympics?

Yes. But there are many ways in, including last chance tourny right before olympics. And I think there is wildcard selection that will always go to USA if nothing else goes USA way.

Thanks. Yeah I JUST found a site that said that.

Then I am REALLY gonna be pulling against the US so I get a chance to see them at the Americas Championship here in Argentina.

Chuck Diesel · Post #55 » by **Chuck Diesel** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:04 am

I know Germany would rather he play than not, Kamen wasn't all that effective in 08 anyway. If I remember correctly the Greek guys in particular just completely dominated him.

Point forward · Post #56 » by **Point forward** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:09 am

Chuck Diesel wrote:I know Germany would rather he play than not, Kamen wasn't all that effective in 08 anyway. If I remember correctly the Greek guys in particular just completely dominated him.

Yes, but then, we ALWAYS suck vs Greece. Diamantidis et al just strangle us with their D.

Chuck Diesel · Post #57 » by **Chuck Diesel** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:35 am

Another thing I've said multiple times that I'll repeat here-

It will never happen for BS P.R reasons, but Stephen Jackson would be a GREAT fit for Fiba ball and Team USA. He can can play multiple positions on both sides of the ball, provide a shooting threat from the outside and lost of toughness and enthusiasm. Many of his teammates have raved about playing with the guy. I'd personally love to Jackson get a chance to suit up for the red, white and blue.

sorokii · Post #58 » by **sorokii** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:37 am

C Lopez, Lee
PF Granger, Love
SF Durant, Wallace
SG Billups, Evans
PG Rose, Curry

Here, the players in bold, I honestly dont see them making any difference in the World Championship. I dont doubt of their talent, just about what they could bring to the table in this torney. Euroball lunch.

RealRip32 · Post #59 » by **RealRip32** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:45 am

Sedale Threatt wrote:
sdeezy wrote:I honestly don't see why we can't win. Sure the team is young and untested in international play but it still has a vast amount of talent on there, certainly not what i'd call "weak ass" and the important thing is these players are working hard and they WANT to be on Team USA badly. If they play hard on defense and they rebound, i don't see them losing. Other teams have their big guns out too. None f those lineups really scare me

I've been watching these competitions since the initial Dream Team. When we win, it's almost always because we have so much more talent than the other teams. We need that advantage, because it's virtually impossible for our teams to develop the kind of chemistry and teamwork the other nations have.

We're playing a different style of game, against teams that have usually been playing together in some form or fashion since they were teenagers. Even the 08 Olympics, when we played hard and together, it took everything we had to come away with the gold.

You could be right. As I noted previously, the big thing we have going here is that so many other teams will be missing their best guys as well. But this group just reminds me of the crap was started to throw together in the early 00s. I'm excited to see Durant, and I think Curry could be awesome in FIBA ball, but otherwise, it's a collective yawn for me.

That said, I'll watch every second of every game -- even the warmups -- and it could be fun to watch a group of second- and third-choices to come together and win a tournament like this. But if we do, it will be because everybody else mailed it in as well.

agree with you totally.
i think people here underrate how different is fiba ball.
smaller court,no defensive three seconds so different zone defense(don't forget europe ball has a lot of different kind of zone that usa is not prepared to face),different officiating(less contact allowed,not to mention new rules on flagrant fouls wich are horrible but they're there),travelling and palming etc.
this USA team looks totally untested in international ball,and this is a big issue for you guys.
and don't forget that EVERY team that plays vs usa team will always leave everything on the court.
Talent wise USA third team is way better than everyone else,but chemistry and habit to play in fiba is another story.don't forget usa changes the roster every competition while other teams usually keeps their core untouched until players get too old,look at spain,greece lithuania and slovenia.

if Gasol was on the team i'd say Spain is hands down the favourite,now it's close.
I can see team usa winning it,but i wouldn't be surprised if greece/spain/lithuania beat you.

RealRip32 · Post #60 » by **RealRip32** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:51 am

dacher wrote:I think to only do Dream Team every 4 years is correct. Let the up and comers show at the other tournament. Every 2 year cycle for best players to play is too much, and dilutes the specialness of the whole coming together of "Dream Team"

This way pro soccer treats the Olympics vs World Cup. The Olympics is lower status than every 4 year World Cup, where the top players come together for their country. So pro basketball will have it reverse ... same difference.

And one and done tournaments are like that... with upsets. Once again look at world cup and many upsets. It's still exciting with some very good games.

in soccer olympics you can have only three players over 23 years old.