FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019

[DiggerMan]

Rare are players like Dirk Nowitzki who regularly played for Germany even though he was a star in NBA and great player. European players in general tend to care a lot about national team in every sport.

Best example of that is Nikos Galis,scoring machine and best Greek basketball player of all time and one of the greatest European players of all time. He refused to come back to NBA and play for then best team, Boston Celtics, and play with Bird, Parish, McHale, Walton etc and win few NBA titles just because that would mean he wouldn't be able to play for Greek national team, due stupid Fiba rules. And that meant so much to him.
Something like this is unimaginable nowadays,i hope Giannis will follow his steps.


Looking forward to Serbia vs Greece match tonight. Cold mastixa is ready, just need some gyros

US players can afford to concentrate on NBA rather than the world cup, because the Americans can easily win their matches even without the star players. They are currently on a record 77-match winning streak and no other team has come even close to beating them during the past few months. Their recent victory against Spain was just another proof of their dominance.

The other teams don't have this luxury. They depend on a few players. For example, Greece depends heavily on Giannis Antetokounmpo. Even teams such as Nigeria are dependent on the NBA players, including Al-Farouq Aminu, Chimezie Metu and Josh Okogie. And try to imagine a Spanish team without Marc Gasol and Juancho Hernangomez. Other examples are Nikola Jokic of Serbia, Cedi Osman/Ersan Ilyasova of Turkey, Tomas Satoransky of CzR, Rui Hachimura of Japan, Cristiano Felicio of Brazil and Nikola Vucevic of Montenegro.

I can agree on that, Americans have by far the longest bench, and that could really make the difference when for other nations 2nd teams are on the floor, that is opportunity i see for Americans to win this. But we also saw that players like Jokic can play crazy minutes, like he did in last NBA playoffs.

But considering in previous years i would be 100% certain that Americans are getting gold and winning every game with 20-30 pts difference, this time i am not so sure, i think that Serbia is legitimate contender for world title, if they stay healthy and they don't loose anyone else beside Teodosic.

And who knows, maybe even Greece can upset Americans again, none thought that was possible the last time

With so many canceled players for USA from start of preparation I could agree with you that Americans have little less chances to win this time. Many team can be here counted beside Serbia, think that Spain is also good pretender for title. Also this is WC in basketball and many nations have improve in last 5 years and many can do good with American team even win them. I see this as football WC where all team are becoming equal in strength. How with this said I give only 50% to USA team, rest for Serbia and Spain, and even Germany who played well in qualification and always good Lithuania. All starts 31st this month and I hope we will see good matches.

What we know for sure is that it will be very interesting World Cup, and that is what counts. Atleast something positive about all those americans cancelling..

Few teams will have legit chance for gold, and even more for the medal.

[efialtis]

As much as I would love Greece to take Gold, its not gonna happen... USA (no matter how many superstars arent there) and Serbia are way too strong. Actually in my opinion even Serbia will have huge problems against those US guys. Greece can surely win a medal though - really important that Sloukas returns, otherwise its gonna be difficult. Coach is also thinking about getting Mantzaris back.

[guoyu78]

USA is still the best team in the cup for sure but this season a lot of players didn't come because of injury risk, not because business decision, not because coaching staff, it was all because injury risk, they play 82 games a year plus playoffs for some of them and they play a much faster pace of basketball now, specially this year the offensive ratings were insanely high, we have seen increase of injured players and even so much that it impacted who became the champions, so that resting players is actually a good decision in NBA regular season let alone making them work in USA national team camps.

Other nations players do come play for those teams because they are the difference makers, if Boban and Jokic withdraws Serbia has no chance at all, when Lebron or Durant doesn't go they still have Kemba or Kuzma which is definitely still better than what alternative is for other nations.

[NavI_027]

[snip]

What a coincidence! We've got the same team interest. Here's what I think, USA will now having a hard time to take the crown (as usual ) this year's World Cup because of talented all stars representing other nation. We should look forward to Jokic with Serbia which is now Rank 2 and MVP Giannis with Greece. Aside from those teams, I'm getting a little bit curious also to team Japan, it seems they got even stronger this year huh.

Dream Team! This team is the real life manifestation of being invincible, the tip of the pyramid in the sport of basketball. Sounds promising, right? However, I think they are now pressured because of the threats present. I'm now having a little bit doubt to them right now but let see what happens .

[Naida_BR]

USA is still the best team in the cup for sure but this season a lot of players didn't come because of injury risk, not because business decision, not because coaching staff, it was all because injury risk, they play 82 games a year plus playoffs for some of them and they play a much faster pace of basketball now, specially this year the offensive ratings were insanely high, we have seen increase of injured players and even so much that it impacted who became the champions, so that resting players is actually a good decision in NBA regular season let alone making them work in USA national team camps.

Other nations players do come play for those teams because they are the difference makers, if Boban and Jokic withdraws Serbia has no chance at all, when Lebron or Durant doesn't go they still have Kemba or Kuzma which is definitely still better than what alternative is for other nations.

Well, you are right and wrong at the same time.
Indeed, there is an injury risk... But there are a lot of players who play in NBA and they are not American. Yet, they are allowed to play in the World Cup. Don't they have the same injury risk as the players of the USA? It is just team decisions that raise barriers on that.

[DiggerMan]

USA is still the best team in the cup for sure but this season a lot of players didn't come because of injury risk, not because business decision, not because coaching staff, it was all because injury risk, they play 82 games a year plus playoffs for some of them and they play a much faster pace of basketball now, specially this year the offensive ratings were insanely high, we have seen increase of injured players and even so much that it impacted who became the champions, so that resting players is actually a good decision in NBA regular season let alone making them work in USA national team camps.

Other nations players do come play for those teams because they are the difference makers, if Boban and Jokic withdraws Serbia has no chance at all, when Lebron or Durant doesn't go they still have Kemba or Kuzma which is definitely still better than what alternative is for other nations.

Well, you are right and wrong at the same time.
Indeed, there is an injury risk... But there are a lot of players who play in NBA and they are not American. Yet, they are allowed to play in the World Cup. Don't they have the same injury risk as the players of the USA? It is just team decisions that raise barriers on that.

It is just different mentality.

I don't know how it is in other parts of the world, but here in Europe national team  is something very important to everyone that likes the sport. So it is normal that those players, that are raised in those countries also  care about the national team and success, knowing how much joy they can bring, and how much  people in their countries  care.I currently live in Athens, and even though i'm not Greek, it is hard not to admire how people here love watching their basketball team, everything  stops when Greece plays.

And that is why both Giannis and Jokic will play for their national teams despite heavy schedule last season, injury risks etc.And same thing Nowitzki did for years before them.While Nikos Galis was on another level, refusing an offer to play with Celtics and win few titles so he can keep playing for Greece.

[LTU_btc]

Less than 2 weeks left until World Cup, and there is risk in the air that Nigeria might not participate in it. Simply because they don't have money to travel to China. Ridiculous...
https://sportando.basketball/en/nigeria-participation-to-the-world-cup-at-risk-over-lack-of-funds/

It is just different mentality.

I don't know how it is in other parts of the world, but here in Europe national team  is something very important to everyone that likes the sport. So it is normal that those players, that are raised in those countries also  care about the national team and success, knowing how much joy they can bring, and how much  people in their countries  care.I currently live in Athens, and even though i'm not Greek, it is hard not to admire how people here love watching their basketball team, everything  stops when Greece plays.

And that is why both Giannis and Jokic will play for their national teams despite heavy schedule last season, injury risks etc.And same thing Nowitzki did for years before them.While Nikos Galis was on another level, refusing an offer to play with Celtics and win few titles so he can keep playing for Greece.

I agree about different mentality. Stars like Pau Gasol, Tony Parker, Dirk Nowitzki, now Jokic, Giannis and others never say no for the national team, unless they have injuries. Here in Europe it's honour to play for the national team and represent your country. Trophy or medal with national team might be biggest achievement in player's career. In US national team isn't such big, everything is about NBA here. But I think if other teams would give better competition for US in World Cup and Olympics, their attitude soon might change.

[harizen]

In US national team isn't such big, everything is about NBA here. But I think if other teams would give better competition for US in World Cup and Olympics, their attitude soon might change.

There are lots of players options for the Team USA that's why those top calibers don't really forced to play for their country. Unlike in other countries where they really need the presence of their NBA representative to join forces with the national team. NBA contracts also worth lots of $$$$$ so even we don't want to say that those US superstars care for their career, that's how things looked at.

But yes, if ever they will see the USA having difficulty at the international league. These top NBA US players will not hesitate to play again.

About their current roster, still deadly for me even composed of young and new to this competition. Their exhibition game loss during the scrimmage with the USA select team doesn't really alarming. The real action will just be noticed at the actual match.

[bryant.coleman]

I can agree on that, Americans have by far the longest bench, and that could really make the difference when for other nations 2nd teams are on the floor, that is opportunity i see for Americans to win this. But we also saw that players like Jokic can play crazy minutes, like he did in last NBA playoffs.

But considering in previous years i would be 100% certain that Americans are getting gold and winning every game with 20-30 pts difference, this time i am not so sure, i think that Serbia is legitimate contender for world title, if they stay healthy and they don't loose anyone else beside Teodosic.

And who knows, maybe even Greece can upset Americans again, none thought that was possible the last time

As far as I am concerned, I give the United States a 90% probability of winning this edition of the world cup. Apart from them, I would give the maximum chances to Serbia and then Spain. I don't think that Greece will be able to make it to the semi-finals on 13th September. Greece has some star players, but as seen from yesterday's match, as a team Serbia plays better. And I heard that a second Greek player has received injury after Kostas Sloukas. Giannis Athinaiou received a knee injury during yesterday's match, and may miss some of the world cup matches.

[efialtis]

I can agree on that, Americans have by far the longest bench, and that could really make the difference when for other nations 2nd teams are on the floor, that is opportunity i see for Americans to win this. But we also saw that players like Jokic can play crazy minutes, like he did in last NBA playoffs.

But considering in previous years i would be 100% certain that Americans are getting gold and winning every game with 20-30 pts difference, this time i am not so sure, i think that Serbia is legitimate contender for world title, if they stay healthy and they don't loose anyone else beside Teodosic.

And who knows, maybe even Greece can upset Americans again, none thought that was possible the last time

As far as I am concerned, I give the United States a 90% probability of winning this edition of the world cup. Apart from them, I would give the maximum chances to Serbia and then Spain. I don't think that Greece will be able to make it to the semi-finals on 13th September. Greece has some star players, but as seen from yesterday's match, as a team Serbia plays better. And I heard that a second Greek player has received injury after Kostas Sloukas. Giannis Athinaiou received a knee injury during yesterday's match, and may miss some of the world cup matches.

Athinaiou is not going to miss some of the world cup matches - he ll miss all of them as well as most of the new season

[slocker]

I can agree on that, Americans have by far the longest bench, and that could really make the difference when for other nations 2nd teams are on the floor, that is opportunity i see for Americans to win this. But we also saw that players like Jokic can play crazy minutes, like he did in last NBA playoffs.

But considering in previous years i would be 100% certain that Americans are getting gold and winning every game with 20-30 pts difference, this time i am not so sure, i think that Serbia is legitimate contender for world title, if they stay healthy and they don't loose anyone else beside Teodosic.

And who knows, maybe even Greece can upset Americans again, none thought that was possible the last time

As far as I am concerned, I give the United States a 90% probability of winning this edition of the world cup. Apart from them, I would give the maximum chances to Serbia and then Spain. I don't think that Greece will be able to make it to the semi-finals on 13th September. Greece has some star players, but as seen from yesterday's match, as a team Serbia plays better. And I heard that a second Greek player has received injury after Kostas Sloukas. Giannis Athinaiou received a knee injury during yesterday's match, and may miss some of the world cup matches.

Only thing that is good for USA team is that they only can concern for players that dont want to play as for mostly Europe national teams they have problems with injuries.

[Malsetid]

I can agree on that, Americans have by far the longest bench, and that could really make the difference when for other nations 2nd teams are on the floor, that is opportunity i see for Americans to win this. But we also saw that players like Jokic can play crazy minutes, like he did in last NBA playoffs.

But considering in previous years i would be 100% certain that Americans are getting gold and winning every game with 20-30 pts difference, this time i am not so sure, i think that Serbia is legitimate contender for world title, if they stay healthy and they don't loose anyone else beside Teodosic.

And who knows, maybe even Greece can upset Americans again, none thought that was possible the last time

As far as I am concerned, I give the United States a 90% probability of winning this edition of the world cup. Apart from them, I would give the maximum chances to Serbia and then Spain. I don't think that Greece will be able to make it to the semi-finals on 13th September. Greece has some star players, but as seen from yesterday's match, as a team Serbia plays better. And I heard that a second Greek player has received injury after Kostas Sloukas. Giannis Athinaiou received a knee injury during yesterday's match, and may miss some of the world cup matches.

Only thing that is good for USA team is that they only can concern for players that dont want to play as for mostly Europe national teams they have problems with injuries.

I agree that Serbia at the moment poses the biggest threat to the us in winning the gold. Though there's still a slim chance that the us will be unseated. Even if the caliber of stars have declined compared to the previous world cups and olympics, the us still have the most talented lineup down to the last man on the bench. And the opposition during the the time when argentina is at it's peak, along with spain and france, isn't the same as today. That's already considering jocic, teodocic, gasol, rubio etc.

[slocker]

I agree that Serbia at the moment poses the biggest threat to the us in winning the gold. Though there's still a slim chance that the us will be unseated. Even if the caliber of stars have declined compared to the previous world cups and olympics, the us still have the most talented lineup down to the last man on the bench. And the opposition during the the time when argentina is at it's peak, along with spain and france, isn't the same as today. That's already considering jocic, teodocic, gasol, rubio etc.

Yes good point. Maybe us vs the world but then person who will be coach will have hard time to pick perfect 12 players, dont you agree. Imagine that top players for all countries play in single team maybe good exhibition match.

[joshy23]

As much as I would love Greece to take Gold, its not gonna happen... USA (no matter how many superstars arent there) and Serbia are way too strong. Actually in my opinion even Serbia will have huge problems against those US guys. Greece can surely win a medal though - really important that Sloukas returns, otherwise its gonna be difficult. Coach is also thinking about getting Mantzaris back.

Still a big road to take before we can see which teams will prosper and make a good run bringing the pride winning the title, this three teams you mentioned have their different characteristics and talents, preparations between those national teams will give them enough chance to bring something and receive the glory.

[rosezionjohn]

Less than 2 weeks left until World Cup, and there is risk in the air that Nigeria might not participate in it. Simply because they don't have money to travel to China. Ridiculous...
https://sportando.basketball/en/nigeria-participation-to-the-world-cup-at-risk-over-lack-of-funds/

I have read that Nigeria has many corrupt politicians but this is just too embarrassing for whoever is involved with the ministry of sports. I hope that there was some miscommunication somewhere and that the Nigerian basketball team gets their due funds.

[efialtis]

Less than 2 weeks left until World Cup, and there is risk in the air that Nigeria might not participate in it. Simply because they don't have money to travel to China. Ridiculous...
https://sportando.basketball/en/nigeria-participation-to-the-world-cup-at-risk-over-lack-of-funds/

I have read that Nigeria has many corrupt politicians but this is just too embarrassing for whoever is involved with the ministry of sports. I hope that there was some miscommunication somewhere and that the Nigerian basketball team gets their due funds.

Now imagine Giannis decided to play for Nigeria and his team wouldnt be able to participate due to financial problems... omg

[boyptc]

Less than 2 weeks left until World Cup, and there is risk in the air that Nigeria might not participate in it. Simply because they don't have money to travel to China. Ridiculous...
https://sportando.basketball/en/nigeria-participation-to-the-world-cup-at-risk-over-lack-of-funds/

I have read that Nigeria has many corrupt politicians but this is just too embarrassing for whoever is involved with the ministry of sports. I hope that there was some miscommunication somewhere and that the Nigerian basketball team gets their due funds.

What? this is a devastating moment. It's pride of their country and every country that's able to get in should participate.

This is bad, I hope that the FIBA management will step in and help them.

[harizen]

What? this is a devastating moment. It's pride of their country and every country that's able to get in should participate.

This is bad, I hope that the FIBA management will step in and help them.

That will be a waste run for Nigeria if a simple budget can't be fixed. They have an allocation for that, the problem is the release. Problems like that do really happened in another country as well but why just now when the tournament is just a few weeks to go before the tip-off.

They are undefeated in the qualifiers and might have a chance to advance to their bracket as I believed they can handle, at least, Russia, Argentina, and Korea.

[bryant.coleman]

Less than 2 weeks left until World Cup, and there is risk in the air that Nigeria might not participate in it. Simply because they don't have money to travel to China. Ridiculous...
https://sportando.basketball/en/nigeria-participation-to-the-world-cup-at-risk-over-lack-of-funds/

I have read that Nigeria has many corrupt politicians but this is just too embarrassing for whoever is involved with the ministry of sports. I hope that there was some miscommunication somewhere and that the Nigerian basketball team gets their due funds.

Now imagine Giannis decided to play for Nigeria and his team wouldnt be able to participate due to financial problems... omg

That doesn't make sense. Even with Giannis, I don't think that Nigeria has a very good chance of qualifying for the second round. Last time I checked the betting odds, Nigeria wasn't even there in the top-20. So sticking with Greece is better for his career, IMO. On top of that, Nigeria is placed in a strong group along with teams such as Russia and Argentina.

BTW, although he was born to Nigerian parents, he has almost zero connections to that country now. So it will be morally unacceptable for him to represent them. He was born in Athens, and he was baptized in the Greek Orthodox Church. I am not sure whether he has ever visited Nigeria. If he doesn't feel patriotic about Nigeria, what is the point in representing that country in the world cup?

[boyptc]

What? this is a devastating moment. It's pride of their country and every country that's able to get in should participate.

This is bad, I hope that the FIBA management will step in and help them.

That will be a waste run for Nigeria if a simple budget can't be fixed. They have an allocation for that, the problem is the release. Problems like that do really happened in another country as well but why just now when the tournament is just a few weeks to go before the tip-off.

They are undefeated in the qualifiers and might have a chance to advance to their bracket as I believed they can handle, at least, Russia, Argentina, and Korea.

I haven't followed the team but I feel that the team really is going to miss a big thing. This isn't just about the games that they have but it's about the pride of their country and the potential of their team.

I don't know about their officials or those people who's working with the sports commission on Nigeria. They should give consideration and process it as soon as possible before the proper date.