In a day where all 24 teams played in the FIBA World Cup leading up to Thursday’s frenetic first round finish, it was The Manimal who again stood out in another Team USA victory. After a closely contested first quarter, Kenneth Faried helped the Americans (4-0), once again propelled by their big men, take the second and third quarters by a combined 26 points and defeat the Dominican Republic (2-2) 106-71 to advance to 4-0 and clinch the best record in
In a highly patriotic coincidence, Team USA was off on this Labor Day Monday as they prepare for Tuesday’s match with New Zealand, the only Group C team without a win here in this FIBA World Cup. Groups A and B played on Monday with the hosts separating themselves from the pack, one big upset, one huge Freakish dunk and an emerging dark horse for the all-tournament team. Group A Serbia (2-1) outscored Iran 25-13 in the decisive third quarter and defeated Iran
Photo NBAE / Nathaniel S. Butler Chicago — USA Basketball held their first practice since the gruesome injury that befell Indiana Pacers All-Star Paul George. Practice was held at the Quest Multisport Center in Chicago, where the team will remain until after their exhibition game versus Brazil at the United Center on August 16. They will then travel to New York where they’ll continue training before exhibition games at Madison Square Garden versus the Dominican Republic (Aug. 20)
Strange things happen in international basketball. If there is one rule of thumb concerning FIBA tournaments, that is it. And as of last night, we have a new regional champion that absolutely no one would have picked to win the Tournament of the Americas. Mexico. Yes, Mexico. They can’t seem to get their act together in soccer, but in basketball they took home the gold medal by defeating Puerto Rico 91-89 to qualify for the World Cup (formerly known as the World Championship)
The Greeks are out, Bo McCalebb is out, J.J. Barea and Carlos Arroyo are out, and there won’t be any Angolans to elbow around at the 2012 Olympic men’s basketball tournament. On a day of wild swings and finishes at the quarterfinals of the Olympic qualifying tournament in Caracas, Venezuela, the field of Olympic contenders was reduced to four — Russia, the Dominican Republic, Nigeria and Lithuania. Two spots will be determined in today’s semifinals, with both of those teams going into