FIBA WORLD CUP 2019 | SPAIN are new WORLD CHAMPIONS

[peja_the_legend]

honestly, with the emergence of jokic and serbia having a full roster i dont think there has been a better team to chellenge team US

2014 final USA-Serbia 129-92 (6 of 12 Serbians on 2019 squad)
2016 final USA-Serbia 96-66 (6 of 12 Serbians on 2019 squad)

Those weren't even truly A USA teams.A full Usa team would massacre Serbia.The emergence of Jokic as a superstar isnt enough to make a difference.

[kb24k]

honestly, with the emergence of jokic and serbia having a full roster i dont think there has been a better team to chellenge team US

2014 final USA-Serbia 129-92 (6 of 12 Serbians on 2019 squad)
2016 final USA-Serbia 96-66 (6 of 12 Serbians on 2019 squad)

Those weren't even truly A USA teams.A full Usa team would massacre Serbia.The emergence of Jokic as a superstar isnt enough to make a difference.

Yeah, they are not even close to Spain 2004-2016
That was the only team that consistently gave USA a real challenge

[stoo]

honestly, with the emergence of jokic and serbia having a full roster i dont think there has been a better team to chellenge team US

2014 final USA-Serbia 129-92 (6 of 12 Serbians on 2019 squad)
2016 final USA-Serbia 96-66 (6 of 12 Serbians on 2019 squad)

Those weren't even truly A USA teams.A full Usa team would massacre Serbia.The emergence of Jokic as a superstar isnt enough to make a difference.

We (Serbia) made some progress against USA between those 2 games (2016 we also lost by 1 possession in group stage)

U destroyed us, but now is 6+6 players, not half of this team as happened then. Add 3-5 years of additional playing together under the same system and individual development.. This is USA C or D team, so we'll see how we compare to them now, if it happens we play...
This is also not the best Serbian team, because we could have been better at 3 to 4 positions (which might happen at Olympics next year)

I agree it is immature to say this team is better than some other teams in the past. We will see what happens in this Cup and than we can have a more truthful conclusion, and Olympics are gonna be the saying test

edit: Serbia is yet to show top level of their play in this tournament

[KqWIN]

The one thing that is exciting about the FIBA format, one game winner take all games at the end. It's unclear who the best team is, whoever shows up on gameday is going to take the gold. It's exciting, intense basketball that most players on the court might not experience for a long time. Maybe not ever. In a do or die situation, legends can be made. I'm excited for the good basketball that's ahead of us.

[mixerball]

honestly, with the emergence of jokic and serbia having a full roster i dont think there has been a better team to chellenge team US

2014 final USA-Serbia 129-92 (6 of 12 Serbians on 2019 squad)
2016 final USA-Serbia 96-66 (6 of 12 Serbians on 2019 squad)

Those weren't even truly A USA teams.A full Usa team would massacre Serbia.The emergence of Jokic as a superstar isnt enough to make a difference.

first off... the debate was about other teams that could challenge usa. if they are better than them. hell, US has a full nba roster everytime. they are clear favorites everytime. this time makes no exception.
second.. 3 years is a long time in sports or someones sport career. you cant just dismiss progress in this.

those serbians were learning at that time. you are right, jokic alone isnt enough. thats why he isnt alone(actually in this team he is just one of the guys). everyone got better and right now thats clear as day. everyone of them. but thats the thing... not just individualy. no, they are one helluva TEAM.

i say its not immature at all to call them best team to challenge team usa. its immature to deny the progress they ve made in years where they played together/grew together. you might say its premature but i believe in this team and i see something special in them and ive watched every team that was mentioned so far.

[stoo]

honestly, with the emergence of jokic and serbia having a full roster i dont think there has been a better team to chellenge team US

2014 final USA-Serbia 129-92 (6 of 12 Serbians on 2019 squad)
2016 final USA-Serbia 96-66 (6 of 12 Serbians on 2019 squad)

Those weren't even truly A USA teams.A full Usa team would massacre Serbia.The emergence of Jokic as a superstar isnt enough to make a difference.

first off... the debate was about other teams that could challenge usa. if they are better than them. hell, US has a full nba roster everytime. they are clear favorites everytime. this time makes no exception.
second.. 3 years is a long time in sports or someones sport career. you cant just dismiss progress in this.

those serbians were learning at that time. you are right, jokic alone isnt enough. thats why he isnt alone(actually in this team he is just one of the guys). everyone got better and right now thats clear as day. everyone of them. but thats the thing... not just individualy. no, they are one helluva TEAM.

i say its not immature at all to call them best team to challenge team usa. its immature to deny the progress they ve made in years where they played together/grew together. you might say its premature but i believe in this team and i see something special in them and ive watched every team that was mentioned so far.

I am responding tho u haven't quoted me: I did want to say premature, not immature... And u wanted to say "i dont think there IS a better team to challenge team US" - huge difference

I believe some people still don't realize how good this team Serbia is. Hypothetical USA best team (with some time to practice together) is not comparable to any other ever tho

[DWadeno3]

as much as i love manu and a lot of those other teams i dont think they are better. i see something special in this team. time will tell.

The 2008 and 2012 Spain teams were absolutely better than the current Serbia, both in depth but also top level talent. On top of that, they played so well together.

absolutely not.

Spain won the FIBA eurobasket three out of four times between 2009 and 2015. This goes to show how good that team was. They simply dominated European basketball.

For some reason, you clearly lack the necessary objectivity, thus it’s pointless continuing to debate with you.

[Mickey8]

honestly, with the emergence of jokic and serbia having a full roster i dont think there has been a better team to chellenge team US

2014 final USA-Serbia 129-92 (6 of 12 Serbians on 2019 squad)
2016 final USA-Serbia 96-66 (6 of 12 Serbians on 2019 squad)

Those weren't even truly A USA teams.A full Usa team would massacre Serbia.The emergence of Jokic as a superstar isnt enough to make a difference.

Yugoslavian team in 1996, made of Serbian players had put much more impresive resistance to the better USA team , Dream Team 2, they led much of the first half and they really lost the game in the last five minutes of the last quarter when Divac was ejected and Savic was out of that game thus yugoslavian frontcourt couldnt deal at all with Robinson,Olajuwon and Oneal .

Those blow outs you posted up were normal, Serbia had zero NBA players in 2014 and in 2016 only had Jokic who just completed his rookie season, still Serbia played competetive game in the group phase and was close to beat that great USA team Not true USA teams all of them were all stars.

[Pachinko_]

Such a same USA and Serbia will only play each other once, at most...

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[Chuck Diesel]

People need to chill out on talking about this Serbia team like they’ve done anything but massacre far inferior “fun sized” squads and eventually pull away from a C+ Italy team. So much premature crowing.

[rale93lfc]

Such a same USA and Serbia will only play each other once, at most...

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True. This kind of knockout system is in favor of underdog. It's easier to make a suprise victory. It's more interesting, but also more unfair. That's good thing in NBA Play off system, in best of 7 game series, there is no way that worse team go to next round.

But again, we all love March madness because of excitement.

If it would be best of 3 series, i would bet on anything that Serbia makes the finals. We got strange chance again, but must stay foucsed.

[Hroz]

Serbia vs Slovenia isn't even decided yet (at full strength)

[Catchall]

4 or 5? So Myles Turner in your eyes = Jokic? I also easily take Bogdan over Tatum or Barnes, 0 question.

I'm saying Jokic is the one position where the Serbs are more talented than USA. Sacramento has both Bogdanovic and Barnes on their roster, and chooses to start Barnes. If the two match up, it will be Barnes playing against his back-up on the Kings, although admittedly, Bogdanovic plays close to starter minutes for the Kings. Bjelica is a terrible defender. Bogdanovic is mediocre. Two of Serbia's centers can barely run the floor. If USA can spread the floor, play fast and defend well, Serbia will likely struggle. Serbia will probably try to slow the game down by playing physical and staying in a zone defense. They can't guard USA one on one.

Can't believe you typed this with a straight face. Bogdanovic, so far, is the MVP of the tournament, he is playing better than anyone on the US team. Barnes has been nothing special so far, like expected. His only agenda is to shoot everything that comes into his hands, just like it was when he played in Dallas.

No one on the US team can stop Boban and Jokic, there is hardly anyone in the entire NBA who can stop them 1v1. Bjelica is a perfect floor spacer for them and a great shooter, so he won't be any liability either.

I don't know if you noticed but 1v1 defense in FIBA is useless, no one is being praised for being a top 1v1 defender, it's all about team defense and how well centers can move their feet under the rim. And when it comes to defense, US team so far, hasn't done such a brilliant job either, if we are comparing them vs better teams.

Unless something really drastic happens, like Serbia missing every shot, i think Serbs will win by 10-15 points. Coach Pop has been outcoached by lesser coaches so far and Serbia has one of the best FIBA coaches in the world.

Bogdanovic shot 1/8 today for 5 pts. He's not playing better than several other players in the tournament, and isn't even the best player on his team. Kemba Walker, Joe Ingles, Patty Mills, and Giannis Antetokuompo are all more likely MVP candidates. Serbia also hasn't played anyone of consequence so far. Bogdanovic comes off the bench for the Kings, who often start Barnes at the 3.

USA is a work in progress, still experimenting with lineups and playing styles. They'll get better each game from here. Sorry if I'm not intimidated by players like Bogdanovic, Bjelica, and Boban (who I liked in John Wick 3, btw). These guys are considered role players in the NBA.

[Chuck Diesel]

Serbia vs Slovenia isn't even decided yet (at full strength)

Gee, here I was thinking everything that's already happened in the past has definitively been decided. What a dumb way to go about life! No wins against Canada have been decided yet either since they weren't at full strength.

[r0drig0lac]

honestly, with the emergence of jokic and serbia having a full roster i dont think there has been a better team to chellenge team US

2014 final USA-Serbia 129-92 (6 of 12 Serbians on 2019 squad)
2016 final USA-Serbia 96-66 (6 of 12 Serbians on 2019 squad)

Those weren't even truly A USA teams.A full Usa team would massacre Serbia.The emergence of Jokic as a superstar isnt enough to make a difference.

he doesn't have to, this is the least talented USA team ever (with nba players obviously)

[gh123]

I'm saying Jokic is the one position where the Serbs are more talented than USA. Sacramento has both Bogdanovic and Barnes on their roster, and chooses to start Barnes. If the two match up, it will be Barnes playing against his back-up on the Kings, although admittedly, Bogdanovic plays close to starter minutes for the Kings. Bjelica is a terrible defender. Bogdanovic is mediocre. Two of Serbia's centers can barely run the floor. If USA can spread the floor, play fast and defend well, Serbia will likely struggle. Serbia will probably try to slow the game down by playing physical and staying in a zone defense. They can't guard USA one on one.

Can't believe you typed this with a straight face. Bogdanovic, so far, is the MVP of the tournament, he is playing better than anyone on the US team. Barnes has been nothing special so far, like expected. His only agenda is to shoot everything that comes into his hands, just like it was when he played in Dallas.

No one on the US team can stop Boban and Jokic, there is hardly anyone in the entire NBA who can stop them 1v1. Bjelica is a perfect floor spacer for them and a great shooter, so he won't be any liability either.

I don't know if you noticed but 1v1 defense in FIBA is useless, no one is being praised for being a top 1v1 defender, it's all about team defense and how well centers can move their feet under the rim. And when it comes to defense, US team so far, hasn't done such a brilliant job either, if we are comparing them vs better teams.

Unless something really drastic happens, like Serbia missing every shot, i think Serbs will win by 10-15 points. Coach Pop has been outcoached by lesser coaches so far and Serbia has one of the best FIBA coaches in the world.

Bogdanovic shot 1/8 today for 5 pts. He's not playing better than several other players in the tournament, and isn't even the best player on his team. Kemba Walker, Joe Ingles, Patty Mills, and Giannis Antetokuompo are all more likely MVP candidates. Serbia also hasn't played anyone of consequence so far. Bogdanovic comes off the bench for the Kings, who often start Barnes at the 3.

USA is a work in progress, still experimenting with lineups and playing styles. They'll get better each game from here. Sorry if I'm not intimidated by players like Bogdanovic, Bjelica, and Boban (who I liked in John Wick 3, btw). These guys are considered role players in the NBA.

Sorry, bruv, but you're insane.

[mixerball]

The 2008 and 2012 Spain teams were absolutely better than the current Serbia, both in depth but also top level talent. On top of that, they played so well together.

absolutely not.

Spain won the FIBA eurobasket three out of four times between 2009 and 2015. This goes to show how good that team was. They simply dominated European basketball.

For some reason, you clearly lack the necessary objectivity, thus it’s pointless continuing to debate with you.

and this team just started their path to euro dominance. i believe they are already better right know than that spain then. you can believe otherwise

[Chuck Diesel]

2014 final USA-Serbia 129-92 (6 of 12 Serbians on 2019 squad)
2016 final USA-Serbia 96-66 (6 of 12 Serbians on 2019 squad)

Those weren't even truly A USA teams.A full Usa team would massacre Serbia.The emergence of Jokic as a superstar isnt enough to make a difference.

Yugoslavian team in 1996, made of Serbian players.

+Montenegrins.

[asas]

honestly, with the emergence of jokic and serbia having a full roster i dont think there has been a better team to chellenge team US

2014 final USA-Serbia 129-92 (6 of 12 Serbians on 2019 squad)
2016 final USA-Serbia 96-66 (6 of 12 Serbians on 2019 squad)

Those weren't even truly A USA teams.A full Usa team would massacre Serbia.The emergence of Jokic as a superstar isnt enough to make a difference.

Yeah, they are not even close to Spain 2004-2016
That was the only team that consistently gave USA a real challenge

I am going to say that Lithuania was the toughest USA opponent for the last 20 years.

[Simmons25]

White has been an outright scrub in Europe. He spent 90% of his career playing in the German 2nd division. To claim he is better than EuroLeague players is straight up absurd. He isn't even good enough to make a EuroLeague rotation.

He's about as big a nobody as you could possibly be in Europe.

This is the White that just got signed to a 2 way contract with the Houston Rockets that is a scrub?

The kid is 21 years old. The Euroleague is notorious for having young kids sitting on the bench and not getting time... because coaches are frightened that they are going to get sacked every 2nd day so only play experienced guys.

To say he is a scrub because he has played a total of only 2 games in his career for a total of 2 minutes is borderline hilarious

I think it's fair enough to say that if he is talented enough to make an NBA roster he can probably play Euroleague.