Official FIBA World Championship Thread (and long preview)

Chuck Diesel · Post #81 » by **Chuck Diesel** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:07 am

A lot could be determined through their training camp, but as of right now like Billups, Rondo and Curry as the point guards when you factor in their skill-sets and basketball resumes.

Even though it was the junior level, I like that Curry played well in the 07 U-19 World Championships and got to experience a hostile, anti American basketball environment at a young age (which is what Turkey will be).

Sedale Threatt · Post #82 » by **Sedale Threatt** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:09 am

Curry has to be a lock. If I'm the coach, he and Durant get all the minutes they can handle.

Chuck Diesel · Post #83 » by **Chuck Diesel** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:37 am

Le me just say that having other people to talk FIBA and USA basketball with has me very excited (as evidenced by my 200 posts in this thread today). I spent most of my time talking to myself about this stuff on the Bucks board, so I'm pumped that the tournament is right around the corner and everyone is sharing their thoughts. One last post before I calm down and call it a night-

It's an shame that Al Horford turned down Team USA a couple years ago in favor of suiting up for the Dominican Republic and that Joel Pryzbill is injured right now. Both guys would be very useful.

I wonder if Marcus Camby would be willing to suit up? A definite risk with his age and injury history, but certainly a veteran who could help. Other defensive minded bigs to consider might be Emeka Okafor (was on the roster but got next to no PT in 04) Brendan Haywood and Nick Collison (played in the 02 worlds)

Theo Papaloukas · Post #84 » by **Theo Papaloukas** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:39 am

Curry could be a huge contributor. Let's hope he can adjust to the FIBA ball, since that seems to be an issue during these events.

pross · Post #85 » by **pross** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:51 am

No Australia?

They just pounded Argentina (neither with full strength sides) in a series in which they won a few games by 30+ points.

Bogut is out but we have servicable big men in Andrew Ogilvy/David Andersen/Nathan Jawai along with Patty Mills/Joe Inlges/Brad Newley/CJ Bruton all of whom have played in the NBA or are going to. Our coach (Spurs assistance Brett Brown) also has immense experience.

vi3t · Post #86 » by **vi3t** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 5:33 am

KayAllTheWaay wrote:Does Nash play for Canada?

Nash retired from international ball back in like 04.........i think canada's gonna do better than what people expect them to, at least i hope so

fallacy · Post #87 » by **fallacy** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 6:36 am

Durant is the best player in the entire tournament. It also helps team USA that both him and westbrook will be on the team

96 Til Infiniti · Post #88 » by **96 Til Infiniti** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 7:19 am

Sedale Threatt wrote:Curry has to be a lock. If I'm the coach, he and Durant get all the minutes they can handle.

+1

Need his shooting ability in a huge way with this roster.

Point forward · Post #89 » by **Point forward** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 8:24 am

call.me.dude wrote:WUT? Harris is big time and Benzing (although he will most certainly start over Harris) is great as an instant offense guy off the bench.

Both guys can play, but I would call neither a SF. Harris himself admitted that he prefers the PF slot. 6-11 Benzing is an outside shooting PF, and while he really has solid fundamentals, he sucks on D.

Batu7 · Post #90 » by **Batu7** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 12:02 pm

Chuck Diesel wrote:Even though it was the junior level, I like that Curry played well in the 07 U-19 World Championships and got to experience a hostile, anti American basketball environment at a young age (which is what Turkey will be).

Really?

Chuck Diesel · Post #91 » by **Chuck Diesel** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 12:43 pm

Batu7 wrote:
Chuck Diesel wrote:Even though it was the junior level, I like that Curry played well in the 07 U-19 World Championships and got to experience a hostile, anti American basketball environment at a young age (which is what Turkey will be).

Really?

Yes, I believe so. That’s not an indictment on your country or the people in it, a just a statement about how I believe the fans in Turkey will behave in the stands towards the US basketball team.

Allow me to explain my reasoning.-

Many reports suggest that has been a growing anti-American sentiment in Turkey for the last five or six years, most notably (and recently) due to our alliance with Israel in the wake of what their military did on the ship. So combine some possible pre-existing hostility from Turkish fans with all the die-hard fans that will be traveling to Turkey from around Europe to watch their teams. You really think the Serbian and Greek contingent will have kind words for the likes of Gerald Wallace and Brooke Lopez? I could be wrong, but I don’t think many the European basketball fans passionate enough to travel to another country in support of their national team aren’t exactly fond of the NBA or its players. To a lot of the world the NBA image has become LeBron’s circus, so the image isn’t ideal right now (even if the current roster have absolutely nothing to do what that). Also have to take into account the underdog factor where normally unbiased observers will cheer in favor of an upset, which would certainly mean cheering for whoever the US is playing against.

At the 2002 World Championships in Indianapolis so many Serbs showed up in support Yugoslavia that they actually had a noticeable home court advantage over the US. In Athens 2004 the majority of the crowd cheered against Team USA.Japan in 2006 they clapped politely for everyone, but were generally in favor of seeing the US team make spectacular plays. In Beijing 2008 the crowd was very pro team USA, probably because of their love for Yao and the NBA.

I'd love to visit Turkey by the way, I've heard nothing but good things about your country and the peole in it. My goal is not to offend.

Theo Papaloukas · Post #92 » by **Theo Papaloukas** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 2:57 pm

pross wrote:No Australia?

They just pounded Argentina (neither with full strength sides) in a series in which they won a few games by 30+ points.

Bogut is out but we have servicable big men in Andrew Ogilvy/David Andersen/Nathan Jawai along with Patty Mills/Joe Inlges/Brad Newley/CJ Bruton all of whom have played in the NBA or are going to. Our coach (Spurs assistance Brett Brown) also has immense experience.

Nah, you're right I completely forgot Australia. I don't think they're contenders but they should make it out of the group stage. Let me add them to the original post.

Godzilla039 · Post #93 » by **Godzilla039** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:17 pm

LMAO @ Bill Walton having a heart attack at the 16 second mark.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztp85ebdyyw&feature=related[/youtube]

Godzilla039 · Post #94 » by **Godzilla039** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 3:17 pm

Theo Papaloukas · Post #95 » by **Theo Papaloukas** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 4:19 pm

Due to Bogut's absence, Aleks Maric has decided to suit up for the Aussies. That's great news for the Boomers, Andersen/Maric/Jawai/Nielsen is a formidable rotation of bigs.

Sedale Threatt · Post #96 » by **Sedale Threatt** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 5:19 pm

Chuck Diesel wrote:Le me just say that having other people to talk FIBA and USA basketball with has me very excited (as evidenced by my 200 posts in this thread today). I spent most of my time talking to myself about this stuff on the Bucks board, so I'm pumped that the tournament is right around the corner and everyone is sharing their thoughts.

I agree; I absolutely love these tournaments.

Part of me wishes we were still pummeling everybody into oblivion, but I also enjoy the fact that basketball has flourished worldwide to the point that it's a legitimate competition.

In our last three we've gotten rolled by Argentina and Greece, and needed everything we had to beat Spain. Three different nations on two different continents. And what happens as China and Brazil continue to develop economically/athletically?

I fully understand why guys are taking the summer off, but I can't say that I like it. I wish this tournament was given more respect.

rottenzombie · Post #97 » by **rottenzombie** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 5:26 pm

Sedale Threatt wrote:
Chuck Diesel wrote:Le me just say that having other people to talk FIBA and USA basketball with has me very excited (as evidenced by my 200 posts in this thread today). I spent most of my time talking to myself about this stuff on the Bucks board, so I'm pumped that the tournament is right around the corner and everyone is sharing their thoughts.

I agree; I absolutely love these tournaments.

Part of me wishes we were still pummeling everybody into oblivion, but I also enjoy the fact that basketball has flourished worldwide to the point that it's a legitimate competition.

In our last three we've gotten rolled by Argentina and Greece, and needed everything we had to beat Spain. Three different nations on two different continents. And what happens as China and Brazil continue to develop economically/athletically?

I fully understand why guys are taking the summer off, but I can't say that I like it. I wish this tournament was given more respect.

Brazil maybe, China? Meh, they won't amount to anything once Yao is retired.

As long as China is still under the old Soviet style of managing sports endeavors, they will never excel at any internationally popular team sports.

Kash · Post #98 » by **Kash** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 5:27 pm

This lineup is just for these world championships right? Lebron, wade, melo etc. are all comitted to 2012 olympics correct?

Sedale Threatt · Post #99 » by **Sedale Threatt** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 5:33 pm

No. I'm sure all will have a spot if they want one, but I can also see them thinking "I got my gold" and skipping it. I don't have a link at hand, but I remember reading that LeBron might be done with international ball for good.

Sedale Threatt · Post #100 » by **Sedale Threatt** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 5:35 pm

rottenzombie wrote:Brazil maybe, China? Meh, they won't amount to anything once Yao is retired.

As long as China is still under the old Soviet style of managing sports endeavors, they will never excel at any internationally popular team sports.

You could be right. I just know that they're getting better and better across the board, and they certainly have enough people to choose from and resources at their disposal. So there's a ton of potential there.