Official FIBA World Championship Thread (and long preview)

[SportsGuy8]

^^ In all seriousness, that's what a lot of the really good teams do. These tourneys are long and group stages don't really mean that much. It's better saving the energy, strategy, health etc. until the real matches start.

Check Spain last year at the 2009 Eurobasket (European Championships):

Group stages:
Serbia 66–57 Spain
Spain 84–76 Great Britain (GB had a crappy team, playing without Deng & co.)
Spain 90–84 Slovenia (with a lot of luck)
Turkey 63–60 Spain
Spain 84–70 Lithuania
Poland 68–90 Spain
They ended up finishing 4th in the group, the LAST spot advancing.

Then came the knockout stage:
Spain 86-66 France (Quarterfinals; France was 1st in the other group, never losing a game, ending the tourney 8-1, this was their single lost game, and they lost by 20!)
Spain 82-64 Greece (Semifinals)
Spain 85-63 (Final)
Basically cruising through the whole thing.

Or think about the 2008 Olympics. The Spanish team that played in group stages simply wasn't the same one that played in the Final.
They barely even won against China after OT, for christ's sake.

I'm not going into if that's the right strategy or not, it does seem to work for them ... But I don't think anyone can really argue they play anywhere near 100% in group stages.

[SportsGuy8]

Btw., speaking of "pussies", isn't it ironic how 2 of the most arrogant nations (Greece & France) had to use such little-girl tactics? As always, those who are the loudest, are usually the most scared, deep down.

Since when we are arrogant?!?

Since Ancient Greece, IMHO.

It's a thing of great civilizations. You once ruled the world, gave a lot to the man-kind, and that stays in people subconsciously (education, influences etc. sure play a part).

Same for the French, for example. France ruled the world in 19th century, French was world's dominating language, they started many revolutions, etc.

Or Italians with Ancient Rome.

As said, it's also a product of education and influences. If everyone is telling/teaching you from a very young age that you're a part of this great nation/civilization, that you're better than some other people, you'll start believing it sooner or later.

P.s.: If America ever loses the leading role ... I bet they'll also stay arrogant for centuries.

P.p.s.: Don't take this post too seriously, please. Although, can you deny there isn't at least some truth in it?

[ahonui06]

Btw., speaking of "pussies", isn't it ironic how 2 of the most arrogant nations (Greece & France) had to use such little-girl tactics? As always, those who are the loudest, are usually the most scared, deep down.

Since when we are arrogant?!?

Since Ancient Greece, IMHO.

It's a thing of great civilizations. You once ruled the world, gave a lot to the man-kind, and that stays in people subconsciously (education, influences etc. sure play a part).

Same for the French, for example. France ruled the world in 19th century, French was world's dominating language, they started many revolutions, etc.

Or Italians with Ancient Rome.

As said, it's also a product of education and influences. If everyone is telling/teaching you from a very young age that you're a part of this great nation/civilization, that you're better than some other people, you'll start believing it sooner or later.

P.s.: If America ever loses the leading role ... I bet they'll also stay arrogant for centuries.

P.p.s.: Don't take this post too seriously, please. Although, can you deny there isn't at least some truth in it?

I think the British Empire would have something to say about France ruling the world in the 19th century.

[SportsGuy8]

The majority of the British Empire were less important countries/land (at that time), parts of Africa, Australia, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, a few Arabic countries ... the only really significant places being Canada and Ireland.
(I'm not even sure if they had as many African & Asian territories occupied in 19th century; I think it was more in the beginning of the 20th century)

I think they lost all US territories by the end of 18th century, right?

Also, Napoleon took away quite a large chunk of the British Empire in 19th century.

Or am I mistaken?

[Rinaldi]

Check Spain last year at the 2009 Eurobasket (European Championships):

Group stages:
Serbia 66–57 Spain
Spain 84–76 Great Britain (GB had a crappy team, playing without Deng & co.)
Spain 90–84 Slovenia (with a lot of luck)
Turkey 63–60 Spain
Spain 84–70 Lithuania
Poland 68–90 Spain
They ended up finishing 4th in the group, the LAST spot advancing.

Those results should have made Spain 2nd or 3rd in their group. They only lost to Turkey and Serbia.

edit. nevermind, u mentioned the second group stage with 6 teams. they were 4th in that.

[ilikecb4]

The two best team in tournament other than USA have been Turkey and Serbia

I fully expect of the two in the finals against team USA.

Spain has looked average.

Argentina could give US some trouble with Scola.

[saritasbora]

"We wanted to lose by 11 or less to avoid Turkey, but even that we couldn’t do. We got what we deserved" - A shocked France head coach Vincent Collet after his team's 82-70 defeat to New Zealand

[Curtis Lemansky]

"We wanted to lose by 11 or less to avoid Turkey, but even that we couldn’t do. We got what we deserved" - A shocked France head coach Vincent Collet after his team's 82-70 defeat to New Zealand

[phx#7]

"We wanted to lose by 11 or less to avoid Turkey, but even that we couldn’t do. We got what we deserved" - A shocked France head coach Vincent Collet after his team's 82-70 defeat to New Zealand

At least he's man enough to admit it. Hope that New Zealand fan doesn't read that though.

[LithuanianOne]

Well I expect that Lithuania pretty much destroys China, but then the real fun starts : who do we play Argentina or Brazil ? I'm rooting for Argentina - Brazil's bigs would rape us all game, since our frontcourt is weak. Argentina on the other hand has Scola, but without Manu and Nacioni I'll gladly take them

[Young_Star11]

I don't buy into what France did. New Zealand beat them fair and square.

[Stretch82]

http://fiba2010.fanatik.com.tr/Tanjevicten-buyuk-tepki-Haber_407_193222_FibaNewsDetail.htm

According to this article Turkey's coach Tanjevic was in the arena when Greece played Russia. It says, he went to the Greek bench after the game, golfclapped because of them tanking and said "Bravo, you did the same during the European Championship last year". The Greek player Bourousis got angry, started arguing, kicked the tactics board and walked toward the Turkish coach. Tanjevic responded: "There's no need for drama." The Turkish coach was finally able to calm down when the Greek players headed for the locker rooms.

[saritasbora]

http://fiba2010.fanatik.com.tr/Tanjevicten-buyuk-tepki-Haber_407_193222_FibaNewsDetail.htm

According to this article Turkey's coach Tanjevic was in the arena when Greece played Russia. It says, he went to the Greek bench after the game, golfclapped because of them tanking and said "Bravo, you did the same during the European Championship last year". The Greek player Bourousis got angry, started arguing, kicked the tactics board and walked toward the Turkish coach. Tanjevic responded: "There's no need for drama." The Turkish coach was finally able to calm down when the Greek players headed for the locker rooms.

Tanjevic needs to mind his own business. He sucks as a coach. He nearly cost us the Puertorico game by not playing Sinan Guler.

[Greek]

Btw., speaking of "pussies", isn't it ironic how 2 of the most arrogant nations (Greece & France) had to use such little-girl tactics? As always, those who are the loudest, are usually the most scared, deep down.

Since when we are arrogant?!?

Since Ancient Greece, IMHO.

It's a thing of great civilizations. You once ruled the world, gave a lot to the man-kind, and that stays in people subconsciously (education, influences etc. sure play a part).

Same for the French, for example. France ruled the world in 19th century, French was world's dominating language, they started many revolutions, etc.

Or Italians with Ancient Rome.

As said, it's also a product of education and influences. If everyone is telling/teaching you from a very young age that you're a part of this great nation/civilization, that you're better than some other people, you'll start believing it sooner or later.

P.s.: If America ever loses the leading role ... I bet they'll also stay arrogant for centuries.

P.p.s.: Don't take this post too seriously, please. Although, can you deny there isn't at least some truth in it?

To be honest there is not with the way that you saying it. Of course we are very proud for our glorious past, but thats it.

From the other side, we believe in our selves since we are a small nation with full of Goliath vs David stories. For the tournament yes we play awful and we where very cynic. If i believe that we can do it better against Spain? Yes also. We have done it before. Being confident doesnt make us arrogant thought.

[StClairBandit]

"We wanted to lose by 11 or less to avoid Turkey, but even that we couldn't do, by not doing the foul on the last possession," Collet said.

"We got what we deserved."

France did not throw that game on purpose...

[saritasbora]

"We wanted to lose by 11 or less to avoid Turkey, but even that we couldn't do, by not doing the foul on the last possession," Collet said.

"We got what we deserved."

France did not throw that game on purpose...

huh??

[rottenzombie]

The majority of the British Empire were less important countries/land (at that time), parts of Africa, Australia, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, a few Arabic countries ... the only really significant places being Canada and Ireland.
(I'm not even sure if they had as many African & Asian territories occupied in 19th century; I think it was more in the beginning of the 20th century)

I think they lost all US territories by the end of 18th century, right?

Also, Napoleon took away quite a large chunk of the British Empire in 19th century.

Or am I mistaken?

Sadly, yes you are.

You probably got confused on the time line a little bit there.

[The Skyhook]

USA lucked out with Spain and Greece on the other side of the bracket.

Anyways my prediction for gold medal game and third place game.

Gold Medal Game - USA vs. Serbia - USA wins

Third Place Game - Turkey vs. Argentina - Argentina wins

I disagree. USA will have to go through Lithuania and Argentina/Brazil who I think pose bigger problems for us. I haven't been that impressed with Spain and Greece. Team USA would have mad quick work of them.

[Sinant]

Thankfully Brazil and Argentina are going to beat each other up first.

[GreenDreamer]

USA lucked out with Spain and Greece on the other side of the bracket.

Anyways my prediction for gold medal game and third place game.

Gold Medal Game - USA vs. Serbia - USA wins

Third Place Game - Turkey vs. Argentina - Argentina wins

I disagree. USA will have to go through Lithuania and Argentina/Brazil who I think pose bigger problems for us. I haven't been that impressed with Spain and Greece. Team USA would have mad quick work of them.

Greece isn't a match for the US. Spain is. The reasons being Rubio and Gasol. Those two could tip the scale in favor of that team, and they very nearly did in the friendly.

The US is suffering from very poor play at the point and a lack of size. Every time that we have gone up against a good true point guard, the guy has been a major problem. Good bigs have been a problem. In the Brazil game, their PG/C tandem almost won them that game as well.

Meanwhile the ONLY guard on the US squad who isn't playing like a complete moron is Billups. Rose and Westbrook have been completely useless as floor generals, and Curry is flat out sucking in every possible way. The US has devolved into stupid iso basketball again and again during this tournament. If you have been paying attention, during particularly bad stretches, Coach K has taken the youngsters out and had Billups run the point. Rose and Westbrook are showing their stripes as smallish shooting guards who don't know what they are doing. The drive and kick is the lowest form of passing, and it is all they seem to know how to do.

Personally, I think that if Rondo was still on this team he would have regained the helm by now. SOMEONE has to be in CONTROL out there. The "give it to KD" iso offense is garbage. Durant is a scoring god, but he could use a little help out there, and could certainly use being set up better in the halfcourt. At least Rondo could actually RUN the offense, and manage it. It is what he does all season for the Celtics as is.