Official Eurobasket 2013 Thread

Rasho Brezec · Post #621 » by **Rasho Brezec** » Sat Sep 21, 2013 11:02 am

Mass Rig wrote:Eurobasket is...TOUGH

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaRP9cX7q8k[/youtube]

This is standard European style of basketball, NBA is so soft compared to it. It's even more physical when you watch it live and not on TV, there is so much off-ball contact that doesn't get called, it's crazy.

th1 · Post #622 » by **th1** » Sat Sep 21, 2013 11:05 am

I think it's upset only to spaniards. Surprise ? yes. I think everyone thought that Spain will win

senfono · Post #623 » by **senfono** » Sat Sep 21, 2013 11:36 am

th1 wrote:I think it's upset only to spaniards. Surprise ? yes. I think everyone thought that Spain will win

Everyone thought "Spain win easy or they lose". So not really a surprise after the 3rd period

Eissa · Post #624 » by **Eissa** » Sat Sep 21, 2013 4:44 pm

Spain as a team, looked much better, but they were unreasonably thinking they are so much better - always complaining and not playing as though as needed.
Parker was playing out of his mind and Spanish defense just isn´t very good against´t dribble penetrating quick players, but the reason they lost.....Rodriguez was the only one who could take their player 1 on 1 and Marc of course too, but he was forgot during important moments.
Rudy can only dunk and launch threes (he was terrible in the last minutes and overtime) Calderon can only shoot threes and others.....every one is a good player, but can´t create their own shot.

Apollo64 · Post #625 » by **Apollo64** » Sat Sep 21, 2013 6:09 pm

Mass Rig wrote:Eurobasket is...TOUGH

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaRP9cX7q8k[/youtube]

This is probably the toughest, most physical Eurobasket ever, even more than 2007 which was a rough one for sure.

MilesTeg · Post #626 » by **MilesTeg** » Sat Sep 21, 2013 10:28 pm

Americafkya wrote:Can someone tell if me France beating Spain is a big upset? On paper, the Spanish team still seems better even without Pau playing. Also, I know that Spain has had more success in international competition as of late.

Outside of Parker, and Batum, the rest of the french team either seems not so great or a little old. Kudos to them for winning though. Are France and Spain considered equal teams?

France shot better than in any other game, and still only won after OT, so that should give you an idea. And that's coming from a Frenchman.

Spain was the better team for sure. But they got punished for all their flopping and dirty play so I can't say I feel bad for them!

Chalk1 · Post #627 » by **Chalk1** » Sat Sep 21, 2013 11:43 pm

Wow didn't think a few days ago Italy wouldn't be getting into the Worlds.

Somebody had to lose 3 in row. :-?

SportsGuy8 · Post #628 » by **SportsGuy8** » Sat Sep 21, 2013 11:46 pm

Yeah, France has actually been playing some awful basketball during the whole tournament. They just got very physical in the 2nd half against Spain and Spaniards couldn't handle it. Then they coincidentally also started hitting shots at the same time.

France from the past couple of tournaments would destroy this year's France.

Many teams just blew a golden opportunity to pull a major "upset" during this Eurobasket. Ukraine & Croatia to some extent managed to capitalize on it, others didn't. This tournament was winnable for many teams.

Laure · Post #629 » by **Laure** » Sat Sep 21, 2013 11:47 pm

Chalk1 wrote:Wow didn't think a few days ago Italy wouldn't be getting into the Worlds.

Somebody had to lose 3 in row.

Dissapointing, because they could have brought a really good team to Spain next year. They might get a wildcard though, who knows.

JV4MVP · Post #630 » by **JV4MVP** » Sun Sep 22, 2013 3:48 am

Spain vs. Croatia (for bronze) Sunday @ 11:40am EST

Lithuania vs. France - Championship

Sunday @ 2:50pm EST

Current Standings:

Legal stream will be shown on ESPN3: http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index#spor ... /20130922/

Replays will be shown on NBATV... check the schedule

Lastly for the fanatics, certain tickets for the 2014 World Championship (in Spain) are currently on sale (Follow your Team Package). For more info visit http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/14/wcm/news/p/nid/57164/article.html and http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/14/wcm/tickets/p/tickets.html

SportsGuy8 · Post #631 » by **SportsGuy8** » Sun Sep 22, 2013 4:54 am

Chalk1 wrote:Wow didn't think a few days ago Italy wouldn't be getting into the Worlds.

Somebody had to lose 3 in row.

That's what happens when Belinelli is your 1st option. You're going to live and die with his wildly inconsistent hero-ball.
I like him very much in the type of role he's going to have with the Spurs, but he just shouldn't and can't be your main guy.

Also, they were emotionally drained & very tired these past couple of games.

I hope they get a wild card. I really want to see this team with Gallo & Bargs. A tall lineup with Bargs playing PF next to Cusin could actually work:
C - Cusin
PF - Bargnani
SF - Datome
SG - Gallo
PG - Belinelli
Would be very interesting to watch, to say the least. Gallo even often guards best NBA PGs, quite successfully. He shouldn't have problems guarding most international PGs (provided he gets healthy). Also, both Gallo & Datome are very team-oriented players, which makes up for Belinelli not really being a point.

Not going to happen, though.

Coaches don't exactly like doing things like that.

Bargnani would just start at C, creating lots of problems for the Italians.

Chalk1 · Post #632 » by **Chalk1** » Sun Sep 22, 2013 7:01 am

Laure wrote:
Chalk1 wrote:Wow didn't think a few days ago Italy wouldn't be getting into the Worlds.

Somebody had to lose 3 in row.

Dissapointing, because they could have brought a really good team to Spain next year. They might get a wildcard though, who knows.

4 wildcards and we have a number of quality teams on the outside looking in:

Italy, Russia, Greece, Turkey, Brazil, China

China and Brazil would seem to be in good shape since FIBA appears to want to put teams from varying zones into the tourney in the wildcard draw. Lebanon got in in 2010.

So, between the 4 European teams 2 get in would be my guess. Which ones? I don't know, although I'd tend to think Russia and Greece, but who knows what politics will play out.

Mass Rig · Post #633 » by **Mass Rig** » Sun Sep 22, 2013 9:41 am

SportsGuy8 wrote:
Chalk1 wrote:Wow didn't think a few days ago Italy wouldn't be getting into the Worlds.

Somebody had to lose 3 in row.

That's what happens when Belinelli is your 1st option. You're going to live and die with his wildly inconsistent hero-ball.
I like him very much in the type of role he's going to have with the Spurs, but he just shouldn't and can't be your main guy.

Also, they were emotionally drained & very tired these past couple of games.

I hope they get a wild card. I really want to see this team with Gallo & Bargs. A tall lineup with Bargs playing PF next to Cusin could actually work:
C - Cusin
PF - Bargnani
SF - Datome
SG - Gallo
PG - Belinelli
Would be very interesting to watch, to say the least. Gallo even often guards best NBA PGs, quite successfully. He shouldn't have problems guarding most international PGs (provided he gets healthy). Also, both Gallo & Datome are very team-oriented players, which makes up for Belinelli not really being a point.

Not going to happen, though. Coaches don't exactly like doing things like that. Bargnani would just start at C, creating lots of problems for the Italians.

I think that lineup would be really really really bad in terms of spacing. And would not give enough minutes to Hackett, Aradori and Gentile.

Heat fan06 · Post #634 » by **Heat fan06** » Sun Sep 22, 2013 11:29 am

Can't help but feel Lithuania team play will be too much for France.

Virtuoso · Post #635 » by **Virtuoso** » Sun Sep 22, 2013 11:39 am

Lithuania year in and year out is one of the most competitive basketball teams I have ever seen (like those Jerry Sloan Jazz teams) it doesn't matter the players they have. I feel like they could take 5 random people off the streets of Vilnius and compete. My head says Lithuania should win but I really want Parker to get the title. In the first game between these teams Parker didn't look into the game and the french offense was terrible. I can't imagine Mantas Kelnetis as Eurobasket MVP what a shame for basket that would be.

Ganji · Post #636 » by **Ganji** » Sun Sep 22, 2013 12:02 pm

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHcP4Kiuub8[/youtube]

Euro77 · Post #637 » by **Euro77** » Sun Sep 22, 2013 12:44 pm

Just watched the ESP-FRA game...man what a nailbiter.
France is still outrageously inconsistent outside of Parker, which might be fatal against the model of reliability that is the lithuanian team bball.
Also any word on Gelabale's injury? They would really miss his outside shooting if he's out.

Laure · Post #638 » by **Laure** » Sun Sep 22, 2013 2:06 pm

Both teams have upped their form significantly, both were struggling in the earlier stage, but I think both are worth being in the final.

Obviously, I am gonna root for Lithuania, but I wouldn't mind if France wins it aswell. TP deserves it for many summers he has dedicated to the national team. Parker won't win by himself though, he must get more support on offense by his teammates.

BlackFalconGSW · Post #639 » by **BlackFalconGSW** » Sun Sep 22, 2013 2:15 pm

My prediction -> Lithuania 77-71 France , Kleiza for MVP. Yes i said it.

JV4MVP · Post #640 » by **JV4MVP** » Sun Sep 22, 2013 2:35 pm

BlackFalconGSW wrote:My prediction -> Lithuania 77-71 France , Kleiza for MVP. Yes i said it.

The betting line favors France, bet $11 to win $8.

Kalneitis is the MVP for Lithuania. He's averaging 11.4 pts, 4.8 rbs, and 5.3 asts. For Euro ball that is an impressive all around statline. I think he will be the key to the game.

I'm hoping Parker will be tired by the 2nd half. He played 35+ minutes in the last two games. Lithuania's deep roster benefited them in the 4th quarter against Italy and in the 3rd against Croatia. Then again it's the championship and adrenaline may overcome fatigue.

Batum has had a mixed tournament. Hopefully this will not be his breakout game