I couldn't see a single thread about FIBA WC, so I thought I'd maybe create one. Here are the groups:
Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
Spain
Phillipines
Dominican Republic
Slovenia
Serbia
Senegal
Turkey
Lithuania
France
Puerto Rico
USA
Angola
Brasil
Argentina
Finland
South Korea
Egypt
Greece
New Zealand
Mexico
Iran
Croatia
Ukraine
Australia
Serbia won the first game against Egypt and is playing (leading) against France right now! Going pretty well so far, even though we're here without some really important guys.
I would also like to see your predictions for Top 4!
Edited by admirschleck on 31-08-2014 15:16
Well, they almost never bring the best team on World Cup, yet they're always the first favourites for winning it. However, Spain (and few more teams aswell) is/are really strong this year, so USA might have some difficulties winning this. It certainly will be interesting.
And it's not every year.
EDIT: No Germany and Italy is a big surprise, though.
Edited by admirschleck on 31-08-2014 15:32
steve smink wrote:
I don't really understand much about this but would the US not just win every year since the NBA is the biggest league
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A lot of the biggest players don't go because they could risk getting injured. it's already happened to Paul George. But still, even with what they have they will dominate I assume.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
Don't really follow Basketball but my bet would be USA, Spain, Argentina and Lithuania as the top teams. I'm hoping for Argentina as I remember watching them on TV at the London Olympics
A starting lineup consistent of Irving, Curry, Harden Faried and Davis should dominate all the other teams, including Spain. Ill say they win in the final with a margin similar to OL 2012.
I hope Curry gets MVP. Also a lot of hype about Davis, being the next big thing and a possible MVP in the NBA in 2-3 years. He could get a legit breakthrough if he performs like he has done so far, he is such a beast.
Posts above made me think about all this and actually make some researches about FIBA history, "domination of USA" and I was pretty much shocked by results. I knew Yugoslavia and all Ex-Yuglosovenian countries were and are pretty good in basketball, but had no idea we're on the top of the medal standings list. Really interesting. So, it seems that USA isn't really that dominating when it comes to world of basketball, even though they have, by far, the best league in the world.
Source: WikipediaEdited by admirschleck on 31-08-2014 18:53
Ehm, up until 1988 they didn't allowed pros. Since, USA have pretty much dominated the scene with stars from NBA contrary to stars from college. Try to look up Coach K's stats, pretty much unheard.
But they had a pretty damn good squad, saw a documentary about the 90's team, quite a lot of stars.
USA really destroyed Finnland, but Turkey was better opponent already (only 20 points differential).
I dont tjhink that USA will have so easy cruise to the title. at least Spain and Argentina should be worthy challengers, like always. Also no James, Durant, Paul or other absolute leader, but that can even benefit them and allow team play...
Avin Wargunnson wrote:
I dont tjhink that USA will have so easy cruise to the title. at least Spain and Argentina should be worthy challengers, like always. Also no James, Durant, Paul or other absolute leader, but that can even benefit them and allow team play...
Oh, you, you always find a way to fit that in there........
Anyhow if I had the time to watch these live I would in the absence of NBA, but as I can't, go Serbia, Senegal, and USA!!!
baseballlover312, 06-03-14 : "Nuke Moscow...Don't worry Russia, we've got plenty of love to go around your cities"
Sarah Palin, 08-03-14 (CPAC, on Russian aggression) : "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a nuke is a good guy with a nuke"
Big thanks to jdog for making this AMAZING userbar!
Avin Wargunnson wrote:
I dont tjhink that USA will have so easy cruise to the title. at least Spain and Argentina should be worthy challengers, like always. Also no James, Durant, Paul or other absolute leader, but that can even benefit them and allow team play...
Oh, you, you always find a way to fit that in there........
Anyhow if I had the time to watch these live I would in the absence of NBA, but as I can't, go Serbia, Senegal, and USA!!!
547984 wrote:
Anyhow if I had the time to watch these live I would in the absence of NBA, but as I can't, go Serbia, Senegal, and USA!!!
I like you. You're cool.
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So, the situation is like this - If Serbia wins against Brazil with less than 2 points, that means we're finishing 3rd and we're facing Spain in knockout phase. If we lose, we'll finish the group on 4th place and in that case, we will face Croatia or Senegal, depending on the outcome of next couple matches in their group. So, no matter how stupid this may sound, I wouldn't go for a win against Brazil, considering they won against France (just +2, but still) and we lost against France (just -1, but still). It certainly is a strange situation.
On another side, here's the popular Haka Dance of New Zealand players before the match vs USA. The reactions of USA players are just hilarious. They're either scared, really confused or just concentrated.
Avin Wargunnson wrote:
I dont tjhink that USA will have so easy cruise to the title. at least Spain and Argentina should be worthy challengers, like always. Also no James, Durant, Paul or other absolute leader, but that can even benefit them and allow team play...
Oh, you, you always find a way to fit that in there........
Anyhow if I had the time to watch these live I would in the absence of NBA, but as I can't, go Serbia, Senegal, and USA!!!
baseballlover312, 06-03-14 : "Nuke Moscow...Don't worry Russia, we've got plenty of love to go around your cities"
Sarah Palin, 08-03-14 (CPAC, on Russian aggression) : "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a nuke is a good guy with a nuke"
Big thanks to jdog for making this AMAZING userbar!
46-42 on half-time! Let's hope we won't make the same mistake like the one we made in the match against France and that we'll win this. Quarter-Finals would be a big success already with this roster.
That was absolutely amazing. 90 points in one match and an 18 points difference against Greece who had 5-0 score in the group phase is just stunning. Well done to guys!
Spain 
Phillipines 
Dominican Republic 
Slovenia
Serbia 
Senegal 
Turkey 
Lithuania
France 
Puerto Rico 
USA 
Angola
Brasil 
Argentina 
Finland 
South Korea
Egypt 
Greece 
New Zealand 
Mexico
Iran 
Croatia 
Ukraine 
Australia
