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usagre2
Guest
Are you guys sure the draw has taken place ?
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SashKX2
Guest
Watched it live on FIBA channel, they shared it on their Facebook page.
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Dtown2
Guest
Draw just evened up the groups and then some. You can make the case that 3 of the 4 best teams are in A.
France vs. Serbia is massive.
France vs. Serbia is massive.
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R1ou2
Guest
Still I think that Group B is more competitive.USA/France/Serbia can potentially be the 3 medallists,but I think a group with 5 close teams is more fun to watch overall.
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Silent Killer2
Guest
for me the top 4 for each group are
1. USA
2. France
3. Serbia
4. Australia
1. Spain
2. Argentina
3. Lithuania
4. Croatia
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usagre2
Guest
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Levenspiel2
Guest
Kings posted this schedule latest on May 21st, 2016 (see the thread opener), which shows the very same teams as in your latest groups.
Either the draw was already set long time ago, or he's the Nostradamus.
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Dtown2
Guest
They made the schedule when they finished the initial draw. The draw today just determined who were the OQT's listed.
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usagre2
Guest
In both 2008 and 2012 the USA had identical roads to gold. Australia-Argentina-Spain. If they are to win again I think the road will be completely different this time.
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Levenspiel2
Guest
Aha, got it, thanks. I thought OQT1, OQT2, OQT3 were already determined as the winners of 3 tournaments (OQT1 being Manila winner, OQT2 being Turin winner, etc). So, it was not.
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Dtown2
Guest
There really are no gimme games in Group B. Nigeria's knocked off Europeans/Americas teams in the past. I love it, makes every game must see.
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usagre2
Guest
Olympic basketball channel baby!
And this time it's time friendly for us.
1:15pm 6pm 930pm eastern start times.
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Mozart2
Guest
10.08 h 19:15 (CET) Srbjia - France
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usagre2
Guest
To me that game will come down to the participation of Gobert. If he's there I would make France slight favorite. If not Jokic will have a field day.
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Mozart2
Guest
do not forget that (hopefully) Jokic could have Boban Marjanovic on his side. unpredictable so far, without even knowing the rosters, but it could be the match that can determine the olympic games campaign for both team (see CoachZ post)
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SashKX2
Guest
My feelings about the draw have already been expressed by others here.
As CoachZ, I'm happy Serbia is in the same group with USA, but this will most likely be a tough battle for 2nd spot, probably with France, and that will be massive as Dtown said.
Also as usagre and R1ou concluded, group A has some heavy hitters on top, but also some not very strong teams, while group B is much more even and is going to be extremely unpredictable with more or less every match up.
Knowing how Spain always starts these tournaments slow, it shouldn't be surprising to see them and USA meet up in first knockout phase.
As CoachZ, I'm happy Serbia is in the same group with USA, but this will most likely be a tough battle for 2nd spot, probably with France, and that will be massive as Dtown said.
Also as usagre and R1ou concluded, group A has some heavy hitters on top, but also some not very strong teams, while group B is much more even and is going to be extremely unpredictable with more or less every match up.
Knowing how Spain always starts these tournaments slow, it shouldn't be surprising to see them and USA meet up in first knockout phase.
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usagre2
Guest
If you're looking at the big picture and possibly toppling the giant and winning Gold, playing the United States in the preliminary round could be a major plus. Spain in 2008 and Lithuania in 2000 both played them early and the then in knockout and played extremely well. There's something to be said about familiarity. I think the 2014 final can also help in that way. But on the other hand if you look at the 3 tournaments the USA lost with Nba players in 02, 04, and 06, all three times they were knocked out by teams they hadn't already played.
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R1ou2
Guest
Well just realised that we Europeans will have to face a situation like the football WC at 2014 with the scheduling.First game is supposed to be played one hour after the mid-night here(Croatia-Spain).Can't wait to post something if a blow-out happens in a night session game 
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Mozart2
Guest
Well just realised that we Europeans will have to face a situation like the football WC at 2014 with the scheduling.First game is supposed to be played one hour after the mid-night here(Croatia-Spain).Can't wait to post something if a blow-out happens in a night session game
first match is gonig to be Australia-France @19:15 CET
we're going to have matches @19:15 @00:00 @3:30
Srbjia-Venezuela is scheduled @3:30 ;(
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usagre2
Guest
Unlike other years when there were 6 games a day followed by an off day, this tournament will have 3 games a day for 10 straight days. A hoop lovers dream.