International Hoops Thread (FIBA)

[downtown]

The lines have been announced for the 2010 FIBA world championships (in Turkey) today, with the draw tomorrow. I figured now might be a good time to start a FIBA International Hoops thread.

Spain, Greece, Argentina and the United States (USA #1!!!!!!!) are the top seeds.

Serbia, Slovenia, France and Turkey (Line 2)
Brazil, Canada, Puerto Rico and Australia (Line 3)
Croatia, Russia, Germany and Lithuania (line 4)
New Zealand, China, Iran and Angola (line 5)
Lebanon, Jordan, Ivory Coast and Tunisia (line 6)

The Asian, middle eastern and african countries typically suck. Turkey and Angola suck the "least" of those I think.

We can discuss the draw tomorrow, but the question now is, who is going to be on the American 12 man roster?

The "core" 8 guys from last year's squad have already committed to play. Anthony, Paul, James, Bryant, Howard, Bosh, Williams and Wade). Boozer is iffy, and Redd, Kidd and Prince will not be invited. That means there are 3, maybe 4 spots up for grabs.

Kevin Durant is almost certainly going to get one.

Another should go to a point guard. There are lots of options here, but my preference is for either Rajon Rondo (who can provide the rebounding at the guard spot that Kidd leaves) or Derrick Rose.

The US is a little lacking in International Grade Big Men right now. Assuming Boozer doesn't play (and A'mare isn't invited), that leaves what, Brook Lopez?

 

[Kyriakos]

Greece was third in the last eurobasket, the team is somewhat good, but not as good as in 2005 when it won the euro. Some players will return though, so it may be better. I think that it could compete for the third place (iirc it was second in the last world basketball championship).
It is roughly on the same level as Argentina, while Spain and Usa are above it.

 

[downtown]

Greece was third in the last eurobasket, the team is somewhat good, but not as good as in 2005 when it won the euro. Some players will return though, so it may be better. I think that it could compete for the third place (iirc it was second in the last world basketball championship).
It is roughly on the same level as Argentina, while Spain and Usa are above it.

That is what I am thinking about Greece as well.

They may be able to catch a break, because many of the other teams have key players in the NBA, and nobody is sure how many GM's will release their players. Germany, for example, without Dirk or Chris Kaman, is one of the worst of the tournament. With both of them, they can give most teams a game.

Greece is one of the only squads that is still solid without any NBA talent.

 

[Kyriakos]

Yeah i think that only Fotsis is (was?) in the Nba, and Spanoulis in the past. I am not really following basketball (or any other sport) anymore. When i was in early highschool i was very interested in this sport though.

It seems that most people in this forum are either american and dont care about international basketball, or are from euro countries that have no serious basketball tradition

 

[downtown]

The US 24 man roster was announced a few weeks ago. There were some mild surprises (No rondo, and Kendrick Perkins got an invite), but nothing major. Here is the roster

BIG MEN:
Carlos Boozer
LaMarcus Aldridge
Chris Bosh
Dwight Howard
Al Jefferson
Kevin Love
David Lee
Brook Lopez
Kendrick Perkins
Amare Stoudemire

SWING MEN
Lebron James
Gerald Wallace
Carmello Anthony
Kobe Bryant
Kevin Durant
Rudy Gay
Eric Gordon
Danny Granger
Andre Iguodala
OJ Mayo
Lamar Odom
Dwyane Wade

POINT GUARDS
Chris Paul
Deron Williams
Chauncey Billups
Derrick Rose
Russel Westbrook