Throughout the FIBA World Cup, most of the attention was on Team USA and Spain and their anticipated matchup in the gold medal game a week from today. And while the Americans and Spaniards both stormed through their groups undefeated, so did Greece, running the table in Group B. The Greens, as they are known, won their first four games by double digits before dismissing Argentina, 79-71, to clinch the group. As the last team to defeat the United States – winning the semifinals
With many of their best players resting, Australia fell short against Angola. Thursday, as the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup wrapped up the Group Phase, the Australian team faced Angola in its final game. With the Aussies trailing Slovenia by one game and having lost the head-to-head matchup between the two nations, they had nothing to gain from their final appearance in Group D. Their fate was destined to be the third best team out of their
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
You probably know by now that Kevin Durant isn’t playing for Team USA. They could have used him Sunday, when his absence exposed virtually all of the warts of this American squad. On the same day ESPN reported that Nike will match Under Armour’s offer of nearly $300 million to Durant, Team USA showed how much it really missed its true alpha dog in an unconvincing 98-77 win over Turkey, which gave every medal contender a blueprint for beating the Americans. In a
Monday didn’t just bring with it sadness for Denver Broncos fans and joy for the 12th Man of the Seattle Seahawks. Monday brought forth excitement for basketball fans around the world. 2014 is the FIBA Basketball World Cup, which begins in 207 days. The draw for the team groupings happened on Monday. [Read more…]
The four six-team group draws for the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain were announced Monday, with the defending champion United States going into a group with 2010 silver medalist Turkey. Over the weekend, FIBA announced its four wild cards for the 24-team draw. They are Turkey, Greece, Brazil and Finland, leaving Canada and its young but tantalizing roster on the outside looking in. Canada finished sixth in the FIBA Americas Tourney over the summer, failing to secure one of the automatic
Thanksgiving. The day in which we celebrate and give thanks for the harvest and the past year. Traditionally celebrated with a feast, often with family and friends. For many Americans, such a meal is common. But, there are plenty of people who do not have the means to enjoy Thanksgiving like the rest of us. Thankfully, there are many people with big hearts, willing to bear the burden of supplying those less fortunate with food for their own celebratory meals. People like
We knew this day was coming. Allen Iverson, affectionately known around the NBA and its fans as “The Answer,” hasn’t played a professional game since January 8, 2011. Yet, anytime he walks in front of the media and a microphone, it is bound to be an emotional experience. Such was the case Wednesday as Iverson officially announced his retirement. The NBA tweeted the announcement. [Read more…]