2024 Paris Olympics Basketball | IBN PH Discussion Thread

[ja.he]

They will just fishing for fouls to pull out either one of them... If they did.. France will have trouble...

That is if France uses drop D. If they use 2-3 zone against US, the Americans will have no choice but to shoot from deep and France would rather see the US shoot from that range.

[lem0nadi]

Goodluck on that... Brazil is on level of Puerto Rico (who beat Lithuania), DR with KAT and the Bahamas with all of NBA players...

I am curious, though. How did you all or maybe not all believe Gilas would beat Brazil (whom they really almost beat) but don't believe Japan will beat Brazil, who are obviously better and more complete than Gilas as of now?

[lem0nadi]

I'll still pick Brazil. Japan had a good showing last year but this year will be very different since teams participating in the Olympics are the world's top.

The teams who beat Japan are definitely better than Brazil. Spain, Slovenia, Argentina >>> Brazil.

[Giannis34GOD]

That is if France uses drop D. If they use 2-3 zone against US, the Americans will have no choice but to shoot from deep and France would rather see the US shoot from that range.

But they have LeBron, KD and even Edwards who are excellent finishers down the lane, they can draw fouls against Eiffel tower duos of France... Although the age of LBJ and Durant will be a concern... While Embiid might be not fitted in FIBA setting... With all the star studded line up of USA that most of them need their ball in their hands to be effective, guys like Embiid, Haliburton, Booker will be limited.. that's why picking Derrick white might be a good choice because he doesn't need a ball to be effective...

[Giannis34GOD]

I am curious, though. How did you all or maybe not all believe Gilas would beat Brazil (whom they really almost beat) but don't believe Japan will beat Brazil, who are obviously better and more complete than Gilas as of now?

I'm support Gilas but beating Brazil is a tall task... If you look at my post before, I have more concerns with Latinos such as Brazil than most of Europeans (except for France, Germany and Spain).. the reason is Latinos are too hefty, too athletic for Asians as of now... I have no illusions that Gilas will beat Brazil.. not for now... Remember this Brazil team beat Canada last year with all of NBA players Canada has... That's why it's almost impossible for Japan to beat Brazil

[Giannis34GOD]

The teams who beat Japan are definitely better than Brazil. Spain, Slovenia, Argentina >>> Brazil.

But it doesn't mean Brazil is weak... And also remember Brazil beat Canada... Canada is way better than Spain, Slovenia and Argentina...

[ja.he]

I don't know what's worse, the Kai hype or the Japan hype?

[JOI2dWorld]

I don't know what's worse, the Kai hype or the Japan hype?

Japan hype, people are willing to suck Japanese dick just to make Gilas look bad, everything about Japan now is well hype not just its national basketball team, basketball league, but also its boxing

[paolylo]

Japan hype, people are willing to suck Japanese dick just to make Gilas look bad, everything about Japan now is well hype not just its national basketball team, basketball league, but also its boxing

Which people? Them content creators and comments section warriors of peysbuk? Can't blame them, Japan earned it.

Does it make Japan better? Of course not, but given the parity of FIBA basketball with how World Cup results influence Olympic spots, it's really a by-product of their professional culture than it is their actual level. They beat Venezuela (which had to go through Argentina and the Bahamas in WC qualifying), Finland (who placed 2nd in their qualifying group with Germany and Slovenia), and Cape Verde (who knocked out perennial Olympians Nigeria in WC qualifying)... without Hachimura.

If it's a talent thing, let's go back to the old Continental Cup system where a single tournament every 2 years tells if an Asian country is good enough to get blown out in the Olympics/World Cup where it's assumed all the best players will play. In the grand scheme of things, Olympic berths now are rewards for countries who were consistent in the previous FIBA Calendar by making the World Cup on their own merit and performing well in it:

Germany: 10-2 in WC qualifying and 1st in their group, won the World Cup
Serbia: 6-4 in WC qualifying (lost to Belgium and Greece) managed to get 2nd in their group behind Latvia, World Cup runners up without Jokic
Canada: 11-1 in WC qualifying, World Cup Bronze medalists (only lost to Brazil and Serbia)
USA: 9-3 in WC qualifying with G-League players, the second best FIBA Americas team in the World Cup using young NBA players.
Australia: it was going to be either them or New Zealand despite both playing in FIBA Asia, but Australia made it out of their group
South Sudan: 11-1 in WC qualifying, didn't make it of their group but had a better W-L than Egypt in the World Cup
France: Olympic hosts, 10-2 in qualifying but didn't make it out of their World Cup group
Japan: WC co-hosts but still went 7-5 grouped with Australia and China, even lost to Iran in qualifying... but made it out of their WC group.

As for the 4 OQT winners Spain, Greece, Brazil, and Puerto Rico... all of them actually qualified for the World Cup last year, didn't have to go through OQT pre-qualifying like Croatia, Bahamas, or Bahrain, and had no excuses for not having their best players unavailable because of qualifying windows coinciding with whatever pro league season on-going.

Where does Gilas fit in all of this? For a team that's just been formed last Feb, they've made quite a few changes knowing they insist of keeping this group together for the next 4 years. Japan's Olympic team actually looks like a team that will still be together in 4 years. Same with China. I get the win-now scenario... but that will only get them to the FIBA Asia Cup and maybe another SEA Games Gold, but the next World Cup? the next Olympics? Is it too much to ask for the younger players except Kai to get bigger roles? It's probably a PBA thing where anyone under 24 is treated like a child.

[FilWelsh]

I am not surprised with inclusion of JRue Holiday and Derrick White with Team Avengers, they both excel in perimeter defending and equally lock down stopper in low post. During NBA playoffs they demonstrated flexibility in defense switching that they even take on opposing centers. Yes they can guard from 1 to 5…. The question is - can they translate their defensive prowess in international arena?

[Dotch]

This team is beating Brazil. Also Yuki Kawamura is 5'8 btw.

Wait, they are not playing Brazil, they are grouped with France, Germany and P.R. right? But you mean hypothetically? P,R. is not equal to Brazil, so even if Japan managed to win vs PR, that doesnt mean they can beat Brazil.

If only Edey will develop that fast.
Speaking of defense, Embiid looks lost in FIBA rules

(friendlies lang i know i know)

Embiid : 12 mins - 5 fouls. my gawd. France must be laughing.

Speaking of Edey, he was in Okinawa and Manila last summer, he looked clueless at times, but the NBA vets were encouraging him,. His last season in Purdue, he really worked on his footwork, but his most admirable skills is his ability to "catch the ball and a make a shot."-- yes. as stupid as it sounds, that's a valuable skill that all big man must possess. Those entry passes come at you at all angles and varying speed. you should be able to catch it and decide what to do with it, in less than 3 secs. Edey has exceptional skill on that department. The term is "Good Hands"

[WinningGuy]

Which people? Them content creators and comments section warriors of peysbuk? Can't blame them, Japan earned it.

Does it make Japan better? Of course not, but given the parity of FIBA basketball with how World Cup results influence Olympic spots, it's really a by-product of their professional culture than it is their actual level. They beat Venezuela (which had to go through Argentina and the Bahamas in WC qualifying), Finland (who placed 2nd in their qualifying group with Germany and Slovenia), and Cape Verde (who knocked out perennial Olympians Nigeria in WC qualifying)... without Hachimura.

If it's a talent thing, let's go back to the old Continental Cup system where a single tournament every 2 years tells if an Asian country is good enough to get blown out in the Olympics/World Cup where it's assumed all the best players will play. In the grand scheme of things, Olympic berths now are rewards for countries who were consistent in the previous FIBA Calendar by making the World Cup on their own merit and performing well in it:

Germany: 10-2 in WC qualifying and 1st in their group, won the World Cup
Serbia: 6-4 in WC qualifying (lost to Belgium and Greece) managed to get 2nd in their group behind Latvia, World Cup runners up without Jokic
Canada: 11-1 in WC qualifying, World Cup Bronze medalists (only lost to Brazil and Serbia)
USA: 9-3 in WC qualifying with G-League players, the second best FIBA Americas team in the World Cup using young NBA players.
Australia: it was going to be either them or New Zealand despite both playing in FIBA Asia, but Australia made it out of their group
South Sudan: 11-1 in WC qualifying, didn't make it of their group but had a better W-L than Egypt in the World Cup
France: Olympic hosts, 10-2 in qualifying but didn't make it out of their World Cup group
Japan: WC co-hosts but still went 7-5 grouped with Australia and China, even lost to Iran in qualifying... but made it out of their WC group.

As for the 4 OQT winners Spain, Greece, Brazil, and Puerto Rico... all of them actually qualified for the World Cup last year, didn't have to go through OQT pre-qualifying like Croatia, Bahamas, or Bahrain, and had no excuses for not having their best players unavailable because of qualifying windows coinciding with whatever pro league season on-going.

Where does Gilas fit in all of this? For a team that's just been formed last Feb, they've made quite a few changes knowing they insist of keeping this group together for the next 4 years. Japan's Olympic team actually looks like a team that will still be together in 4 years. Same with China. I get the win-now scenario... but that will only get them to the FIBA Asia Cup and maybe another SEA Games Gold, but the next World Cup? the next Olympics? Is it too much to ask for the younger players except Kai to get bigger roles? It's probably a PBA thing where anyone under 24 is treated like a child.

I feel like it was a mistake for Gilas to not include Clarkson.

I understand the argument for continuity, but most of these guys are professionals. They can build a system and then adjust to one player who is brought into the system.

[ja.he]

Wait, they are not playing Brazil, they are grouped with France, Germany and P.R. right? But you mean hypothetically? P,R. is not equal to Brazil, so even if Japan managed to win vs PR, that doesnt mean they can beat Brazil.

Group B is composed of France, Germany, Brazil and Japan.

[ja.he]

Does it make Japan better? Of course not, but given the parity of FIBA basketball with how World Cup results influence Olympic spots, it's really a by-product of their professional culture than it is their actual level. They beat Venezuela (which had to go through Argentina and the Bahamas in WC qualifying), Finland (who placed 2nd in their qualifying group with Germany and Slovenia), and Cape Verde (who knocked out perennial Olympians Nigeria in WC qualifying)... without Hachimura.

Venezuela is nowhere near the level of Brazil. Finland is nowhere near the level of France and Germany.

Make no mistake about it, Japan had an impressive run last year. I'll give them that. However, the competition in the Olympics is quite high. I also love to see Japan winning games there but we have to be realistic here.

Brazil is arguably the top Latin American team which never had a downturn which Argentina is having right now.

Germany is the World Cup champions led by Schroder and the Wagner bros.

France is the silver medalist in Tokyo Olympics and it is led by Wemby, Gobert and Fournier.

[Dotch]

Oh wait what?

Australian basketball icon 6′ 5″ Lauren Jackson 43 y.o. returns to international play for her fifth Olympic Games

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