Tokyo 2020 Men's Olympics Basketball Tournament

[aioc]

For group A I picked the US team for B it's Australia and for C it's Spain, this is based on their showing in the exhibition games and their history, again US will be the favorite to win the gold here because they are fielding a very talented team here, even though they suffer losses in their exhibition they are still a team to beat this Olympic.

[Fundamentals Of]

For group A I picked the US team for B it's Australia and for C it's Spain, this is based on their showing in the exhibition games and their history, again US will be the favorite to win the gold here because they are fielding a very talented team here, even though they suffer losses in their exhibition they are still a team to beat this Olympic.

USA, Australia, and Spain are the favorites in their respective groups. But USA is highly favorite than the others. The least favorite among the three is Spain, which has Slovenia as a strong competitor.

On the overall winner though, it is almost very clear that USA got the ace. Of course there is always the remote possibility of an upset which could also be interesting in terms of gambling considering the very low odds if one is to bet on USA.

[Sithara007]

For group A I picked the US team for B it's Australia and for C it's Spain, this is based on their showing in the exhibition games and their history, again US will be the favorite to win the gold here because they are fielding a very talented team here, even though they suffer losses in their exhibition they are still a team to beat this Olympic.

With a squad that comprises of the top NBA players such as Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bam Adebayo, the US are almost impossible to beat. For the other teams, an outside chance will be presented only in case there is any lack of team coordination from the US. But the chances of that is very remote, as the Americans are being led by Kevin Durant of Brooklyn Nets, who is representing the United States in his third Olympics. He is quite experienced as far as the Olympic Games are being concerned.

[Vaculin]

For group A I picked the US team for B it's Australia and for C it's Spain, this is based on their showing in the exhibition games and their history, again US will be the favorite to win the gold here because they are fielding a very talented team here, even though they suffer losses in their exhibition they are still a team to beat this Olympic.

With a squad that comprises of the top NBA players such as Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bam Adebayo, the US are almost impossible to beat. For the other teams, an outside chance will be presented only in case there is any lack of team coordination from the US. But the chances of that is very remote, as the Americans are being led by Kevin Durant of Brooklyn Nets, who is representing the United States in his third Olympics. He is quite experienced as far as the Olympic Games are being concerned.

I really don't think that way as the other teams have better chemistry than the NBA. They only have few players to represent their country so they really know each other compared to the NBA where they are busy with the NBA season. A team that has a better chemistry will win, and we've see how other teams beat the USA in an exhibition match that says they are unbeatable.

[ChiBitCTy]

Glad to see this thread as I’ve actually been more in to the Olympic basketball than the NBA championship. The one thing that does kind of suck for me as an American is that the US team really isnt all that great. I do think they are still the favorites, but many of the NBAs best players opted out of being on the team ( Lebron, Curry, Harden, Thompson etc etc).  Can’t wait for the games to start!

[Fredomago]

I really don't think that way as the other teams have better chemistry than the NBA. They only have few players to represent their country so they really know each other compared to the NBA where they are busy with the NBA season. A team that has a better chemistry will win, and we've see how other teams beat the USA in an exhibition match that says they are unbeatable.

there are many opinions about  this but we will find it out after the games officially initiated, my personal say about this is the same with those comments above,

With KD leading the team experienced wise, he've got better than those who are in the different teams, though I also value your statement in terms of teamwork, seeing those previous losses from the exhibitions seems team US needs to work it out.

But who knows, knowing coach Pop chemistry is very important from each players inside the court.

[ingiltere]

Great thread because it was hard to keep up with all other Olympics games, we can focus on basketball here now.
Everybody's favorite is naturally USA. They have superstars like Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, Zach LaVine, Draymond Green. It's not a dream team but they are still the best one in Olympics. My favorite besides USA is Spain. They played two finals in last three tournaments. I'll closely watch France, Italy, Argentina and Slovenia as well. Dončić carried his country alone. Even if USA and Spain play in final again, we can still watch a good fight for Bronze medal.

[Dave1]

Anyone seen this video?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaC3LEygCLU

KD somewhat wanted to send the message across as to who is the man in the US team.

"That's my ball" should be the team's slogan moving forward, LOL.

[Saisher]

I have seen Nigeria beating the US but it's an exhibition match and it's non bearing I still see the US team the team to beat here and most likely to win the gold medal, they are going to blend their talent when the events start, the best contenders are Spain and Australia to me and Nigeria is the dark horse, this is going to be exciting to watch looking forward to seeing these matches.

[harizen]

but many of the NBAs best players opted out of being on the team ( Lebron, Curry, Harden, Thompson etc etc).

But even with that, their lineup is still a powerhouse composed of best-of-the-best NBA Superstars much especially that Middleton and Booker are now present. Their bench cast is even deep.

But as a Dallas Mavericks fan for a long, I'm following Luka Doncic's Slovenia.

I'm sure they can handle all teams in their bracket, Group C. Hoping to see them past the preliminary round.

[rhomelmabini]

I have seen Nigeria beating the US but it's an exhibition match and it's non bearing I still see the US team the team to beat here and most likely to win the gold medal, they are going to blend their talent when the events start, the best contenders are Spain and Australia to me and Nigeria is the dark horse, this is going to be exciting to watch looking forward to seeing these matches.

Well, they got some backup now with the NBA Finalists Booker, Holiday, and Middleton, of course the game will be lot different now in the actual match to say the least. I'm not so sure about the gold here because it's somehow impossible at this stage considering how many good lineups now for each country especially for Australia, France, Slovenia, and of course Spain who always appear as front-runner for team USA. I'm expecting USA will still be at top 4 here even though there odds was somewhat decreased, in my own opinion.

[coin-investor]

With the absence of Serbia, Spain will be the strongest opponent of US, the US team was beaten by two teams in the exhibition match, but I doubt if they are so serious about their game, their talents are not yet fully sync, but once the Olympic, they are up against France in their first preliminary match we'll see if they can hurdle France, who is also a strong team.

[Hypnosis00]

With the absence of Serbia, Spain will be the strongest opponent of US, the US team was beaten by two teams in the exhibition match, but I doubt if they are so serious about their game, their talents are not yet fully sync, but once the Olympic, they are up against France in their first preliminary match we'll see if they can hurdle France, who is also a strong team.

I bet on Spain to win, USA is good, no doubt about that, but based on the betting odds, I think I like the underdog although the team USA already won 3 consecutive in the Olympics. Spain is always behind them, I think it's their time to win now.

http://www.iweblists.com/sports/olympics/summer/MensBasketball.html

[Daniel91]

For group A I picked the US team for B it's Australia and for C it's Spain, this is based on their showing in the exhibition games and their history, again US will be the favorite to win the gold here because they are fielding a very talented team here, even though they suffer losses in their exhibition they are still a team to beat this Olympic.

The teams you have chosen are, along with France, the obvious favorites of the whole tournament.
The American national team was very bad at the last World Cup and now they are looking for redemption.
The NBA season just ended, a few days ago, and because of that, the American team struggled in the preliminaries, but with each new game, they will be more ready and better.
In history, America has almost always won an Olympic tournament, especially since NBA players started playing, and it’s hard to expect any surprises at this tournament.

[harizen]

The American national team was very bad at the last World Cup and now they are looking for redemption.
The NBA season just ended, a few days ago, and because of that, the American team struggled in the preliminaries, but with each new game, they will be more ready and better.

Team USA has won the Gold medal in the last Olympics.  Maybe what you mean is the result of the Team USA rally in the last FIBA World Cup?

And preliminary round will just start with around 4 hours to go as I'm typing this. Maybe what you are talking about is the exhibition matches weeks ago where Team USA lose to Nigeria and Australia on which should not be a big deal.

Anyways, the tip-off will start between Iran and the Czech Republic in Group A.

[LTU_btc]

So, Olympics Basketball tournament is underway and we have 4 games today:
Iran - Czech Republic
Germany - Italy
Australia - Nigeria
USA - France
I expect confident win of Czech Republic, Doncic & co also should beat super veteran Scola. Germany - Italy sounds interesting, but quality of Italy roster is higher.
Does anyone beleive that France can make an upset? Why not?

[agustina2]

Does anyone beleive that France can make an upset? Why not?

France is not that solid as before so I don't think of an upset win. Team USA is better today as Bucks Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, and Suns Devin Booker will now be back to the lineup. These Bucks players are not just specialized in offense but also on defense as we have seen in the NBA Finals. Devin Booker is not good in defense that much but his handle and shooting are getting better like a Steph Curry 2.0.

Maybe France can do a close game but not a win.

[Coin_trader]

I was going going to all-in on Philippines but I realize they didn't qualify. 

Spain has the best roster in terms of defense since the gasol brothers  is still om there side. I don't the full details of there roster but they just a need a reliable forward to rival again USA in the finals. As usual Slov and Australia still have a good roster too. But still USA will gonna dominate them with a perfect nba all-star roster. 

[goinmerry]

I was going going to all-in on Philippines but I realize they didn't qualify. 

They played with pure cadets, all youngsters and I guess 22-23 years old is the eldest, and surprised some teams so it's ok. They will be back next year much stronger. Just need to build experience.

But still USA will gonna dominate them with a perfect nba all-star roster. 

As expected. They also have an All-Star bench so from top to bottom, they are solid. Zach Lavine I think is the only one that won't be present in the later game due to Covid-19 protocol.

Team USA is the most dominant team in basketball in every global tournament but I like to see another country to take home the Gold medal in basketball on this year's Olympics.

[ChiBitCTy]

I really don't think that way as the other teams have better chemistry than the NBA. They only have few players to represent their country so they really know each other compared to the NBA where they are busy with the NBA season. A team that has a better chemistry will win, and we've see how other teams beat the USA in an exhibition match that says they are unbeatable.

Yes and no.  Growing up in my hometown we had more HS players/larger pool to pull from than the small towns outside my city. I went to a good sports school but those small town teams had been playing together literally their entire lives. If they had some talented ballers it was hard to beat them and my school often lost to those teams with such chemistry.  However top talent reigns supreme.  A rival HS of mine, Lanphier, featured future Big 10 / Univ of Illinois player Richard McBride and a future NBA star player/Olympian/Finals MVP Andre Iquodala.  Despite having the chemistry. they were absolutely no match for Lanphier.  They ended up losing the in state finals game but it was vs a powerhouse (chicago westinghouse).  Proof that elite talent most often tends to prevail.

Anyone seen this video?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaC3LEygCLU

KD somewhat wanted to send the message across as to who is the man in the US team.

"That's my ball" should be the team's slogan moving forward, LOL.

Oh Durant is on a mission.  Durant has felt underappreciated his whole career and I know the only reason he's playing on this team is because he knew he'd be the best player in the world to compete in the Olympics and he wants that glory.  Will be fun to see him try and get that gold.  Going to be hard to stop him and Lillard that's for sure.

But still USA will gonna dominate them with a perfect nba all-star roster.  

Actually it's far from.  Lebron, Harden, Curry, Thompson, Kawhi and others are all better than every player besides Lillard and Durant.  This is actually a weak team compared to what it could be.