In years past, Americans have considered the Olympics to be the only relevant international basketball competition.
Stateside, the other quadrennial tournament formerly known as the FIBA World Championship went largely unnoticed until Team USA embarrassed themselves in 2002, losing three times in Indianapolis and finishing sixth after never having lost with NBA players.
The rest of the world sees things differently. Other basketball federations have been viewing the World Championship as the more important international competition. Also, because the very best Americans play in the Olympics but not the WC, it is a better opportunity to knock the Americans off their high horse, as happened in 2002 (Indianapolis) and 2006 (Saitama, Japan).
With the competition changing its name to the FIBA Basketball World Cup, it remains to be seen if the new moniker gets the American populace to pay significantly more attention to this tournament. Team USA will be playing without any megastars, although they do have some of the NBA’s best rising stars in former Olympians James Harden, Anthony Davis and Stephen Curry and a former MVP in Derrick Rose, who will be making his long-awaited comeback.
Here is a rundown of who to look for when watching this year’s inaugural FIBA World Cup. There are 24 teams, and we have highlighted one key player from each team.
Group A
1. Juan Carlos Navarro, G, Spain
On a loaded team with good NBA players, it will be interesting to see if “La Bomba” will have the same impact on this team that he has had in years past. With the 34-year-old Spanish star seemingly taking a step back this season with Barcelona, this could be the last time we see his sweet floater in a national team competition. As imposing as Spain’s front line is with the Gasol brothers and Serge Ibaka, Navarro has always been the national team’s offensive motor.
2. Nicolas Batum, F, France
With Tony Parker getting some rest after an intense two years, playing in two NBA Finals and winning the European championship, it will be up to Batum to lead this team. (Joakim Noah also is sitting out, costing France its two most accomplished NBA players). One of the NBA’s most versatile players, Batum has a tendency to disappear when playing for the NT, which could prove to be a major stumbling block for France as they look to build off last summer’s incredible run, defeating Spain in the semifinals and Lithuania in the finals of Eurobasket 2013.
3. Leandro Barbosa, G, Brazil
Lightning fast with the ball, Barbosa just agreed to sign with the Golden State Warriors, where he can be a sparkplug off the bench behind Team USA members Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. The Brazilians have a very strong frontcourt with Anderson Varejao, Tiago Splitter and Nene, but Barbosa will be the X-factor who can put up big scoring numbers in important games. When they played a friendly against Team USA in Chicago, they had no answer for Anthony Davis.
4. Bogdan Bogdanovic, G, Serbia
After being selected by the Suns with the 27th pick of last June’s draft, Bogdan (not to be confused with the Nets new wing Bojan Bogdanovic) will be counted on to give steady play for Serbia to get out of the group stage, where one upset loss in this group could become monumental to overcome. After a breakout year with Partizan Belgrade, Bogdan ironically will be replacing Bojan in Fenerbahce Ulker of Turkey and will need to prove he can fill the super scoring wing’s shoes.
5. Hamed Haddadi, C, Iran
After a brief stint as Iran’s first NBA player, Haddadi has taken his talents to Asia. While not an NBA level talent, his presence, along with Arslan Kazemi, is the only hope of Iran being a relevant team in this tournament. In general, the inclusion of Iran and Egypt in this tournament because they are in a region where basketball is not relevant waters down this competition over legitimate basketball countries like Italy.
6. Egypt
It was a big accomplishment for Egypt to qualify for this tournament (they finished second in FIBA Africa), but they will struggle to compete in this setting, and it should be tough for them to come within single digits against any team other than Iran. If you actually sit through one of their games, it is a clear cut sign that it’s time to sign up for Netflix. Or take a walk around the block. Or take up knitting.
Group B
1. Luis Scola, F Argentina
Manu Ginobili will be sitting this one out, and it will be up to Luis Scola, who has proven in the past that he can be an MVP contender in this setting. While Scola looked like he took a step back with the Pacers at times this past season, this may be his last rumble on the international stage, and very few players have the level of pride for their country as Scola. Expect Argentina to be a very tough team in this tournament, and Scola to be among the top performers. He always is.
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, F, Greece
I may not have been too kind to the “Greek Freak” before the draft, but there is no doubt he showed incredible potential this past season. While last year all he did was put highlights and numbers on a terrible team, he now will have a chance to show that he can play on a team built to win. This is his chance to show the world that all the salivating over him the last 16 months is worthwhile.
3. Bojan Bogdanovic, F, Croatia
One of the top scorers in the Euroleague, Bojan will be “replacing” Paul Pierce this season for the Nets. He may not be able to fill the shoes of “The Truth” but he is a heck of a scorer who plays with a lot of moxie. Along with Dario Saric, Bojan can set the stage for a big splash his rookie year with a strong showing in the World Cup.
4. J.J. Barea, G, Puerto Rico
Along with Carlos Arroyo, Barea will be part of one of the most dynamic backcourts in this tournament. With trade rumors floating around, Barea can significantly raise his value if he can remind people that he is still the same player who put in solid work for Dallas on their title run. Against Team USA in New York, Puerto Rico trailed by just 2 points with 5 seconds left in the first half. Then Klay Thompson hit a buzzer-beating 3, and the Americans pulled away in the second half.
5. Andray Blatche, F-C, Philippines
Typically making the headlines for the wrong reasons, Blatche is in the perfect position to prove he can consistently produce for a team that desperately needs the paint scoring he brings. Playing for a basketball crazy country like the Philippines, where Blatche was granted citizenship by their president specifically to help him play for their National Team, Blatche not only can play himself into a contract for next season but also can set himself up for popularity in a country that embraces American basketball.
6. Gorgui Dieng, F-C, Senegal
After breaking out over the last two months of the season for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Dieng will have a chance to build some momentum on his impressive late season performance, which included Western Conference Rookie of the Month for April. Senegal is devoid of a Ricky Rubio-style point guard to get the big fella some easy buckets, but being far and away the most talented player on this team, Dieng will be getting valuable experience in Spain that can be a big confidence booster as his career moves forward.
CONTINUE READING — GROUPS C & D
merci fanny pour ce post!!j’adore!
Did you day the same about New Zealand in 2002? Bum.