FIBA World Cup Thread

[Nolan]

Greece actually looks pretty good. Hard to believe that they were a wildcard team.

[SPURt]

It was Baynes vs Ayon today, Baynes led all scorers with 21 pts mostly due to getting to the line (9-10). Baynes is making Australia relevant. It makes me wonder how good they could've been had Patty not destroyed his shoulder.

They are still not top 5 in the world. Not even close. Baynes is doing well but will be a non factor against the top teams. Australia also can't defend. Lithuania (who most people seem to agree threw the game to avoid an early US crossover) went 70% from 2 pointers, most of which came from walking by defenders and simply laying it up.

I do agree that a full team including Mills and Bogut would push further but we'll likely never see those two in action ever again thanks to their NBA success. (At least not till the end of their careers anyway).

Without Patty Mills they aren't near as lethal. Now with Baynes and Ingles out today they lost to Angola. Baynes has been their best most consistent performer. I disagree that Patty won't play due to NBA success. I agree Australia minus Patty/Bogut will not have a chance against the top tier teams (Brazil, Argentina, Spain, USA).

[ChosunX]

Could Gino play for Philipines? It would be so mcuh fun to see, he would fit, just bigger and really talented.

[Phreak50]

Now with Baynes and Ingles out today they lost to Angola.

I believe their goal was to lose this game, to help out the crossover draw.

[SPURt]

Now with Baynes and Ingles out today they lost to Angola.

I believe their goal was to lose this game, to help out the crossover draw.

That's true and mission accomplished. Senegal is pretty weak. It'd be interesting if New Zealand can get through Lithuania, we could see Australia vs New Zealand! That's really really improbable.

Side note: America has been racking up the injuries. Kyrie took a pretty good spill. Bron Bron must love seeing his new buddy hit the deck with a minute left in a nearly 30 point beat down.

[Phreak50]

https://twitter.com/Goran_Dragic/status ... 1137032193

Dragic crying foul about a 'fixed' game. What an idiot. The draw is the draw, the rules are the rules and if resting your players and actually losing a match benefits you, then good luck.

Australia would not have been in that position anyway, if Lithuania didn't throw their game (against Aus) anyway.

[SPURt]

Haha Dragic! Ayon gave American bigs the business today. His post game was on full display.

[ChosunX]

Damn, i liked what i saw, but it's small sample size.

[SPURt]

Baynes looked alright in today's elimination game. Turkey continues to play strong. Ayon really ended with an exclamation point. Blatche had a great tournament, but it is looking like he is going to Miami on the heels of his great play.

Corporate knowledge goes along way in the Spurs system, so I am pulling for Baynes to work something out.

[Nolan]

Baynes looked alright in today's elimination game. Turkey continues to play strong. Ayon really ended with an exclamation point. Blatche had a great tournament, but it is looking like he is going to Miami on the heels of his great play.

Corporate knowledge goes along way in the Spurs system, so I am pulling for Baynes to work something out.

Ayon looked really really good all tourney long. If the bridge with Baynes is already burnt I wouldn't opposed to Ayon.

Spain looks really strong. I think they're more than capable of handling the USA. But that all depends on them getting through France, which might be pretty tough.

[Nolan]

So how about France?

[SPURt]

France did good considering their two best players (Parker,Noah) sat out. Bogdan is gonna be good. I'm not sure if they'll stand a chance against the USA team. It really makes these sort of tournaments less compelling. Though France upsetting Spain was exciting.

[SPURt]

Well that was anti-climatic. America wins! The Serbians would be better off pooling talent to equal the former Yugoslavia, though I'm sure all of the states of the former Yugoslavia would rather not beat America over reuniting for basketball.

[Nolan]

Surprised Serbia made it that far but they never really stood a chance.

[ChosunX]

They stood a chance but the outside shot was falling like crazy. Both Davis and Cous were in foul trouble so if Kyrie does not go crazy from 3 and they get some more fouls the US is in trouble.