The World Championships!
Finally, basketball ladies and gentlemen! I've been held up in my apartment with my girlfriend and cat trying to get over my basketball addiction. I can't sleep at night, I can't eat and all I watch is CSI and I keep hoping Grissom pulls out a basketball. Let's talk world hoops, shall we?
Everyone and their mother is going to pick the US team but I don't see two things on this team that are going to be very important in this tourney. This team doesn't have great outside shooters and this team doesn't play very good defense, especially now that Bowen is off the team. While people like Lebron and Carmelo will continue to pump out team first catch phrases, this hasn't helped them play defense any other time. Kirk and Melo might pump some long distance treys and help break down these zones but there aren't enough people with a mid range game to really help them out. I'm not saying they will be awful but I don't see them finishing higher than third. Here's my crack at the top three...
1. Argentina
This team is full of NBA talent and they have played together for years. I simply love to watch this team play. Their offensive execution is a thing of beauty and I look forward to seeing them every chance I can get. Ruben Magnano needs to be credited with this system and he showcases that now in the Italian league.Look for Nocioni to break out here much like he did in the playoffs for the Bulls.
2. Greece
I'm not just putting this here because I'm hoping for a couple boxes of hummus. Although, I wouldn't turn them away. Regardless, this is a true team. They won the European Championship last year and this team D's up. Diamantidis is probably the best defender in Europe and Yannakis is simply a great coach that easily could be in the NBA before you know it.
3. France
This is an extrememly talented team that I have mentioned before. I'm not just saying this because I love French bread, cheese and wine either. They are loaded with NBA talent top to bottom and all it would take for them to possibly win this whole thing is Diaw or Parker really breaking out. Gelable could become a more recognized name due to his defense and athleticism after this tourney.
I see team USA and Spain falling somewhere in fourth or fifth. This US team just needs more time together and time to evolve to the international game. Next time around, if we keep this core intact and add Greg Oden, the tourney is ours to lose.
2 comments:
Team USA did a "better" preparition is said everywhere. come on, they only play weak teams except Lithuania and Brazil, and they nearly lost against Brazil, which is not considered as a top 4 team
People can point to the Carmelo injury during that game but other people can point to awful officiating which lead to Brazil's lose. I moved them up to 3rd with news of the Tony Parker injury but they could also fall back to 4th behind a tough Spanish team. By the way, I enjoyed your write up about the top prospects not in the NBA playing in the tourney Christophe.
Ciao!
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