Group A
Argentina – One of the three teams to put a spanking on the USA Team in the World Championships and even after a disappointing EuroBasket finish, Argentina still boasts one of the more talented and scary rosters. Former Euroleague champion and rising NBA star Manu Ginobili teams with Carlos Delfino, Luis Scola, Pepe Sanchez, and a much much improved Andres Nocioni (who has added a deadly outside game). Argentina will be one of the many favorites to again unseat the USA from the top of the mountain. The question is: which team will show up? The highly-motivated Argentine team that beat a talented, yet over-hyped USA in 2002 or the overconfident Argentina that fizzled in EuroBasket? - Stuart
China – If China hopes to make any noise in the tournament, they have to remember six words: Yao Ming, Yao Ming, Yao Ming.
Yao Ming not only needs to be dominant, he needs to set Olympic-sized records for China to compete with the big dogs in Group A.
As with Yao's NBA team, the Houston Rockets, the lack of good guard play also plagues Yao Ming on his national team. Ming has even admitted this himself; “I don't think that the guards in China have enough experience in big international games. The big guys have played in many important games and know what it's like. Our guards need to be exposed to more of that high level of competition.” One of the big guys Yao speaks of is former NBA’er Mengke Bateer who should help to shore up the frontline since Wang ZhiZhi won’t be in attendance in Athens.
If there is one team’s success that relies so much on one player this summer, it will be China. And it will be Yao Mng. - Stuart
Italy - The Italian National Team is very enigmatic. Italian clubs always perform will in Europe, but the national team has failed to become a competitive force. Look for some creative coaching techniques by Team Italy. - MVB
New Zealand - The Tall Blacks of New Zealand are a long-shot to compete in the Olympics. They have played in other international competitions, but their core players might not have the energy to overcome some of the other teams in Group A. - MVB
Serbia-Montenegro - The Serbian team is certainly one of the most powerful teams going to Athens. They are the current champions of world basketball, winnig the Gold medal at 2002 World Basketball Championships. They are loaded at every position with basketball geniuses, many of whom play in the NBA.
Dejan Bodiroga will be a key to Serbia's success. Bodiroga is the sharp-shooting guard/forward who refuses to play professionally in the NBA, even though he would no doubt give his fellow countryman Peja Stojakovic a challenge for best shooter in the league. Other Serbian stars will include Stojakovic, Pedrag Drobjnak, Marko Jaric, Tarlac Dragan, and Dejan Kutorovic. The Serbian team is so good that some of their NBA starters might not make the team, including Vladimir Radmonovic. - MVB
Spain – After the Madrid bombings, Spain will be the sentimental favorites at the Olympics. Spain boasts one of the top inside players anywhere in Pau Gasol, who seemed to be on a personal mission during the Eurobasket tourney. Supporting Gasol is a fantastic backcourt of "La Bomba" Juan Carlos Navarro and "The Spanish Fly" Raul Lopez of the Utah Jazz. With this firepower and a bronze medal in 2002, Spain may not just be simply sentimental favorites, but true contenders. - Stuart
Group B
Angola - The Angolan team is the undisputed king of African basketball. Team Angola has never performed very well in these international competitions, but they give their heart in every game. Look for stubborn defense and methodical offense from this team. Their center, Jaoquim Gomez, stars at Valparaiso University in the US. Also look for Victoriano Angelo, Moriera Anibal, JJ Conceicao, and Antonio Carvelho on this team. - MVB
Australia - Although the Australians have many talented players like Angola, they have struggled in international competition. This team is not getting any younger, but perhaps some fresh faces will give Australia a boast in Athens. - MVB
Greece - Greece has the home-court advantage. Greek fans are notorious for their partisanship. The Greeks are strong at every position, but the might have a hole at center (with only Jake Tsakalidis & Lazaros Papadopoulos). However, their guards and forwards are some of the most athletic in the world. Watch for the Greek highlight machine Nikos Hatzis to turn some NBA scouts' heads. - MVB
Lithuania - Lithuania almost upset Team USA twice in the past few years and they looked like a team of destiny in Eurobasket.
Without aging Lithianian legend Arvydas Sabonis clogging the middle, look for Saras (Sarunas Jasikevicius) to provide leadership in the absence of Sabas. More than likely, Jasikevicius will be teaming with young Sacramento King's sparkplug Darius Songaila at PF and up and coming eurostar, Arvydas Macijauskas, who will provide a huge offensive punch from the outside. Certainly, Lithuania is one of the most talented rosters going to Athens and certainly one of the favorites. - Stuart & MVB
Puerto Rico - Team Puerto Rico is shrouded in mystery. Every Puerto Rican wants the legendary center Jose Ortiz to go to Athens, and it looks as if he'll be donning the National Team's jersey once more.
With Bucks center Daniel Santiago, Carlos Arroyo, the Jazz's young point guard, and Larry Ayuso, the star guard in Europe, this team has great potential for an upset in Group B. Puerto Rico can call any number of players in the NCAA and the Puerto Rican professional league to compete in Athens. This team can be very dangerous. - MVB & Stuart
USA – Desperation to regain basketball dominance hasn’t been so apparent for almost 12 years.
Back in 1992, a basketball team featuring legendary players formed what is best known now as “The Dream Team."
Magic, Larry, Michael, Barkley and company came to the aid of USA Basketball and steamrolled through the Olympics. Their opponents could do nothing but smile, take the beating and request signatures and photos afterwards.
Fast forward to 2004 and things sure have changed.After a decade of close-call games, the US teams' luck and winning streak finally ended. Not once, not twice, but three times in the World Championships, to a tune of sixth place.
Times have changed and attitudes have done a 180 degree turn. There is still respect but there is no longer the fear. The fear is now on the US' side.
It’s this fear of losing that will be the US’ biggest strength and motivation. Anyone will tell you that a motivated and focused Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Jason Kidd, Allen Iverson and the rest of the US squad will be hard to top. Oh, and there is an outside chance that Shaquille O'Neal may participate. - Stuart