FIBA ASIA Cup Qualifiers

[Giannis34GOD]

That or they just choose their grouping like what Indonesia did in 2022.

KSA only needs a win so any of the pot 4 teams will suffice.

Their record against the Pot 1 and 2 teams are not in their favor.

I'm sure they will use that leverage to be in POT 1 as host.. Just look at Americup POT seedings, Nicaragua as host put themselves at POT 1 as their leverage... They have to be sure they will get Syria in POT 3, so that they have a chance to win atleast 2 games... Korea, Jordan and Taiwan will be difficult for them...

[JAMSKIE]

Are they better than KSA? That's a question only.. because they both split their matches in Gulf cup last year, that was Qatar already have Lewis and Harris while KSA doesn't have Abdurrakman (newest naturalized player) yet... I will give KSA slight edge.. they are more complete than Qataris... Qatar is like Guam to me, Guam also have 2 world level imports in Galloway and Ross, and they might have better talents than Qatar and even KSA.. don't be surprise if they will recruit players since this is their debut tournament... They will give their all, especially probably this is the last years of Tai Wesley, and maybe Ross and Cruz (both are 34 years old)..

Yes sir. I say slightly better even as Saudi Arabia now has a naturalized player who is a world import caliber (I think that NP played as an import in the Spanish ACB league). I think Qatar has gotten stronger with the addition of another world import in Tyler Harris, who mysteriously, is considered by FIBA as a local player. Hence, Qatar has the luxury of fielding both 6-foot-1 guard Mike Lewis (who is Qatar's naturalized player) & 6-foot-9 Tyler Harris at the same time. Then Qatar has another NP player in former NBA player 6-foot-9 Donte Grantham. Grantham played for Qatar together with Harris versus India in the 3rd window last month.

In the tournament that you described in which Qatar & Saud Arabia split their games against each other with the Saudis playing w/o a naturalized player while Qatar had both Lewis & Harris, I think Qatar was still adjusting with Harris being new to the team during that time. I think at present, Harris has already assimilated himself with the team, hence Qatar is expected to get even better.

I'm assessing a team's strength not just based on its current strength but more importantly yung ini expect kung maging strength ng team moving forward.

If I'm coach Tim & if I have to choose which to play against between Qatar & Saudi Arabia in a crucial game, I'll choose the latter.

[sroth3839]

Yes sir. I say slightly better even as Saudi Arabia now has a naturalized player who is a world import caliber (I think that NP played as an import in the Spanish ACB league). I think Qatar has gotten stronger with the addition of another world import in Tyler Harris, who mysteriously, is considered by FIBA as a local player. Hence, Qatar has the luxury of fielding both 6-foot-1 guard Mike Lewis (who is Qatar's naturalized player) & 6-foot-9 Tyler Harris at the same time. Then Qatar has another NP player in former NBA player 6-foot-9 Donte Grantham. Grantham played for Qatar together with Harris versus India in the 3rd window last month.

In the tournament that you described in which Qatar & Saud Arabia split their games against each other with the Saudis playing w/o a naturalized player while Qatar had both Lewis & Harris, I think Qatar was still adjusting with Harris being new to the team during that time. I think at present, Harris has already assimilated himself with the team, hence Qatar is expected to get even better.

I'm assessing a team's strength not just based on its current strength but more importantly yung ini expect kung maging strength ng team moving forward.

If I'm coach Tim & if I have to choose which to play against between Qatar & Saudi Arabia in a crucial game, I'll choose the latter.

Another thing worth pointing out: KSA's front court is quite thin.

They only have Mohd Alsuwailem (6'11) and Mohd Almarwani (6'8) who is 36 by August. Outside of these two, the remaining players are guards under 6'6. Once Saudi's front court gets into foul trouble, they are very vulnerable against teams with reliable bigs. This is why Jordan, NZ, Iran, and even Syria are such terrible match ups for them.

Qatar with Harris (6'7), Graham (6'9), Seydou (6'8), and Hadzibegovic (6'11) have better depth at the power forward and center position. Add to that, their wings with Abbasher (6'6) and Hashim Daoud (6'8) are taller and more athletic.