Tokyo 2020 Men's Olympics Basketball Tournament

[LTU_btc]

Why is the rules saying FIBA when it's Olympics? It's stupid of me to ask that question but I feel that I am conflicted so I really want to know about it. I am on team USA just like my other friends, NBA really made the influence to make us believe that they're going to get this gold.

Because it's international event, controlled by FIBA. Rest of world, except USA are playing by FIBA rules, so it would strange if they would play by NBA rules. Though, for players from NBA (not USA only) it's not always easy to play by FIBA rules - a bit different calling of fouls, travelling rules, smaller court and closer 3 pt. line.

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[LUCKMCFLY]

Hey guys, I have seen that the USA team is one of the best in the world, in fact for my USA in basketball it is power, did you see the exhibition game? I couldn't see it, but the USA won, apparently the USA has a very solid team and is a very strong candidate to win the gold.

USA vs. Spain score, results: Team USA wins final exhibition before Tokyo Olympics

Team USA displayed its offensive firepower in an 83-76 win over Spain, the squad's final exhibition before it heads to Tokyo for the 2021 Olympics. Damian Lillard (19 points, six assists, four rebounds, four steals, two blocks) and Kevin Durant (14 points, two rebounds, two assists, two blocks) unsurprisingly led the way, but the Americans got a major boost from Keldon Johnson, who was promoted to the main roster after Kevin Love's withdrawal. The Spurs forward had 15 points off the bench and finished with the best plus-minus of any Team USA player (plus-18).

Source: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/usa-spain-basketball-live-score-highlights/4m2740d8r8c61a2hdmp4mfsz5

It's funny but the USA team always stands out in almost all sports, it is a matter of waiting for the teams from other countries to see how their level is.

[robelneo]

Team USA has shown signs of struggle so far in the exhibition games after two terrible losses and a win over Argentina. They will need some time to get the team chemistry that they need, also to adjust to the FIBA rules and more importantly how the games are being officiated, no easy fouls.

I think we are set for a great tournament!

Individually they are all great but basketball is a team sport and they have to blend their individual talents perfectly if they want to win a medal, they are up against teams who are all playing for years together and talent alone will not win you a medal, the coach now has a huge task of making them blend together, but we all know these are NBA talents they will not take a risk of getting injured compared to other teams where players can take the risk of injury, this is a very interesting event I have no idea who will win here, but the USA is my favorite.

[TravelMug]

Team USA has shown signs of struggle so far in the exhibition games after two terrible losses and a win over Argentina. They will need some time to get the team chemistry that they need, also to adjust to the FIBA rules and more importantly how the games are being officiated, no easy fouls.

I think we are set for a great tournament!

Individually they are all great but basketball is a team sport and they have to blend their individual talents perfectly if they want to win a medal, they are up against teams who are all playing for years together and talent alone will not win you a medal, the coach now has a huge task of making them blend together, but we all know these are NBA talents they will not take a risk of getting injured compared to other teams where players can take the risk of injury, this is a very interesting event I have no idea who will win here, but the USA is my favorite.

What do you mean? they have been winning the gold medal in the Olympics for as long as we can remember. Despite the argument that they don't blend or something. Yes, other countries are catching up, but sending their best NBA players still is the biggest advantage of team USA here.

And that's what we have this kind of exhibitions, it will really benefited them, unlike the teams who have been playing for many years and have the chemistry. But when it comes to the big stage, the USA mens basketball team always takes home the gold.

[Fundamentals Of]

I am planning to bet on Nigeria against Australia. Is it going to be a nice bet? The odds is around 3.55. If the team was able to beat the number one rank which is the United States, it is also possible they would defeat Australia right? I haven't watched the US vs Nigeria game just recently. So even if it was a really an unexpected upset, I don't know whether the game was really close or it was just a stroke of luck that Nigeria turned out a winner. Will watch some highlights later if schedule permits.

[Sithara007]

If we check the record from 1992, it can be seen that the United States has won gold 6 out of 7 times. That gives a probability of >83%. The only occasion when they failed to win a gold was in 2004 (Athens Olympics), when they finished 8th in the group stage, and then lost to Argentina in the semi-finals. The 2004 team was perhaps the weakest ever sent by the US, but even in that tournament they managed to defeat Spain. But looking at the squad they sent to Tokyo this time, I believe that the chances of an upset (similar to what happened in 2004) is minimal.

[famososMuertos]

Some big names are missing from the tournament, no Greece, Serbia, Lithuania, Brazil also didn't make it.

...//...:

The pre-Olympic was exciting ... maybe coincided with the Euro and COPA America tournaments took away interest but there were exciting matches like Mexico's victory over Russia and the 2-point defeat against Germany (Ru 67).

On the other hand, the pre-Olympic (FIBA)  gavethe opportunity to more teams of 18, they went to 24 teams, that if it is without doubt a rude classification, since they only qualify 4 to complete the 12.

[iv4n]

Some big names are missing from the tournament, no Greece, Serbia, Lithuania, Brazil also didn't make it.

...//...:

The pre-Olympic was exciting ... maybe coincided with the Euro and COPA America tournaments took away interest but there were exciting matches like Mexico's victory over Russia and the 2-point defeat against Germany (Ru 67).

On the other hand, the pre-Olympic (FIBA)  gavethe opportunity to more teams of 18, they went to 24 teams, that if it is without doubt a rude classification, since they only qualify 4 to complete the 12.

I missed pre-Olympic, as you say, we were focused on Euro, and a bit on COPA! I watched some news here and there, but nothing special... and for one more reason, Serbia is not playing this year! We lost at home against the Italians, the game that could lead us to the Olympics, that was a big bummer!

I guess the USA team is a favorite once again! It will be interesting to see can someone compete with them this year...

[Pamadar]

If we check the record from 1992, it can be seen that the United States has won gold 6 out of 7 times. That gives a probability of >83%. The only occasion when they failed to win a gold was in 2004 (Athens Olympics), when they finished 8th in the group stage, and then lost to Argentina in the semi-finals. The 2004 team was perhaps the weakest ever sent by the US, but even in that tournament they managed to defeat Spain. But looking at the squad they sent to Tokyo this time, I believe that the chances of an upset (similar to what happened in 2004) is minimal.

The lineup  is good enough to win another gold,

The pride withing this players are big enough to bring the win, blending is not hard since they are doing practices and even that's just
limited time, the IQ and talents this NBA stars have is better enough to create plays and to established good system, depends now with how the coach will handle the rotations and the right sets of players to blend inside the court.

[Yaunfitda]

I am planning to bet on Nigeria against Australia. Is it going to be a nice bet? The odds is around 3.55. If the team was able to beat the number one rank which is the United States, it is also possible they would defeat Australia right? I haven't watched the US vs Nigeria game just recently. So even if it was a really an unexpected upset, I don't know whether the game was really close or it was just a stroke of luck that Nigeria turned out a winner. Will watch some highlights later if schedule permits.

But that was just pre-Olympics and could even be considered a friendly game. Yes, Nigeria upset the US that time, but then again, maybe the US didn't really gave their 100% on that game.

In any case mate, it's a very attractive odd and Nigeria has a chance against the Australians. Nigerians also boosted with NBA players as well. So if you are willing to take that risk, then go for it.

[OgNasty]

I’ll give them a pass on the exhibitions because they probably weren’t giving it their best effort while their opponents likely considered it the game of their lives. The bottom line is that the US team has Kevin Durant so anything less than the gold would be upsetting. I think the next year could lead to a Durant gold medal, NBA MVP, and Finals MVP.

[Jating]

I’ll give them a pass on the exhibitions because they probably weren’t giving it their best effort while their opponents likely considered it the game of their lives. The bottom line is that the US team has Kevin Durant so anything less than the gold would be upsetting. I think the next year could lead to a Durant gold medal, NBA MVP, and Finals MVP.

Golden Slam? (sorry if I used a tennis term here).

But I agree though, it was just an exhibitions and they weren't giving their best. You don't want to get to get injured at worst in this kind of exhibition matches.

Although it's not that strong as compare to other US Olympic team roster, but they can still tear apart other nations even if they have a NBA player themselves. I don't think that Durant would want to see a team which he leads settles for the bronze in this Olympics.

[smyslov]

I’ll give them a pass on the exhibitions because they probably weren’t giving it their best effort while their opponents likely considered it the game of their lives. The bottom line is that the US team has Kevin Durant so anything less than the gold would be upsetting. I think the next year could lead to a Durant gold medal, NBA MVP, and Finals MVP.

Yes there's a big possibility that they can win the gold medal here, it's unfortunate that Greece failed to get in the Olympics they could be the biggest threat if Antekoumpo will lay in the Greece national team so far I don't see any team that can be the biggest threat on the US campaign, once their talent blended they will become unbeatable.

[Yogee]

The pride, ego, and individual talent are still there but it doesn't look like USA has the same motivation to win the gold this year. Let's see if their loss to Nigeria and Australia are enough to fire them up in the games that matters.

...
It's funny but the USA team always stands out in almost all sports, it is a matter of waiting for the teams from other countries to see how their level is.

It's just basketball and maybe baseball. They are only popular in other sports because of sponsorship or marketing but they are not that dominant.

[famososMuertos]

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...//....:

It's just basketball and maybe baseball. They are only popular in other sports because of sponsorship or marketing but they are not that dominant.

Really!!

We must be fair they are dominant, globally they dominate most popular sports and in the eXtremes (Xgames)  the domain is even more extreme, perhaps the only sport that they do not dominate or are almost never favorites is soccer, male, because in the female they are dominant.

At the Olympic games you almost always want to see which sports the United States loses in.

In fact, I check the data because it could be something of a sensation, understand the advertising of the big names, superstars, etc. that can deceive you and make you believe data in our minds that do not correspond, so I check wikipedia:

The first ones organized in 1896 were won by the United States.
United States: 1 (1896):
2 (1904)
3 (1912):4 (1920): 5 (1924): 6 (1928): 7 (1932)
8 (1948):9 (1952)
10 (1964): 11 (1968)
12 (1984)
13 (1996): 14 (2000): 15 (2004)
16 (2012): 17 (2016)

Total: 17 times.

France: 1 (1900).

London: 1 (1908).

Germany: 1 (1936).

USSR: 1 (1956): 2 (1960) * first time that a country other than the United States repeats.
3 (1972): 4 (1976): 5 (1980)
6 (1988)

Unified Team: 1 (1992)

China: 1 (2008)

? -? _ ?: (2021)

Source:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_Olympic_Games

so, 18, 2, 7( 8 ) or 1, are the alternatives.

[bryant.coleman]

Between 1956 and 1992, out of 10 times, the USSR won the medals table 7 times while US won 3 times. So USSR was clearly dominating during this period. Only after the disintegration of the USSR (from 1996), once again US came out on the top. For a while it looked like China may offer some sort of competition to the monopoly by the United States. And in 2008, they managed to overtake the United States. But after that, due to some unknown reason China fell from their dominance and the US once again become dominant. 

[LTU_btc]

Guys, I know that many of you follow just NBA, so there is good video explaining difference between FIBA and NBA rules. It's good stuff to watch before Olympics if you're not familiar:
https://youtu.be/KvN2ut_cE0k

I am planning to bet on Nigeria against Australia. Is it going to be a nice bet? The odds is around 3.55. If the team was able to beat the number one rank which is the United States, it is also possible they would defeat Australia right?

Well, Australia won against USA too . Australia are heavy favorites in this game, but there is always chance for upset. And I kinda like Nigeria roster. It will be difficult to take 1-2 place, but I think they have good chance to qualify as 3rd placed team.

Yes there's a big possibility that they can win the gold medal here, it's unfortunate that Greece failed to get in the Olympics they could be the biggest threat if Antekoumpo will lay in the Greece national team so far I don't see any team that can be the biggest threat on the US campaign, once their talent blended they will become unbeatable.

I doubt that Greece would have big chance to take gold. As we saw in 2019 World Cup, for Giannis it's difficult to play by FIBA rules and he can't dominate like in NBA.
I think only Spain can challenge USA for gold.

[Sithara007]

Spain is always a tough competitor, they are the silver medalist in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics behind the US team and they could meet the US in the finals I hope the US team got their act together here in the Olympics after those bad exhibitions games they've shown, the US is still the gold medal contender because they are the defending champion.

Along with Serbia and France, Spain is one of the strongest contenders from Europe. And unlike the other two, they have been somewhat consistent in their performance (Serbia failed to qualify this time). The Spanish side has some of its players taking part in the NBA and that experience helps in international basketball. I am talking about players such as Marc Gasol, Juan Hernangómez, Willy Hernangómez, Ricky Rubio and Serge Ibaka. Even Pau Gasol is a part of the squad, although he retired from NBA in 2019.

[Fundamentals Of]

I am planning to bet on Nigeria against Australia. Is it going to be a nice bet? The odds is around 3.55. If the team was able to beat the number one rank which is the United States, it is also possible they would defeat Australia right?

Well, Australia won against USA too . Australia are heavy favorites in this game, but there is always chance for upset. And I kinda like Nigeria roster. It will be difficult to take 1-2 place, but I think they have good chance to qualify as 3rd placed team.

I actually watched some highlights of the last time the two teams met. That was a game last July 14. It made me realize how strong Australia is. It made me finally change my mind about my bet. Lol. Nigeria was down by 39 in the final score despite the team not fielding the likes of Dellavedova, Mills, Ingles, Baynes, etc. I guess Group B easily goes to Australia. But Nigeria might take the second spot.

[famososMuertos]

The saturday 24th are the first games, although as always some soccer games today are played, but that is another story or another thread  anyway I already made my bet:
1.Rep W
2.Ita W
3.Aus W
4.USA W
5.Slo W
6.Spa W

Due to the low odds I made several combinations but one of my bets includes the previous one with only 2.98x.