2019 FIBA World Cup - General Discussion Thread

[christodoulou76]

Hello fellow bb fans, does anyone know where I can download or take possesion of the world cup prediction game excel sheet? A few of us would like to play the prediction game, but frankly we do not have the time to consteuct the excel.

Thanks

PM your email address to me and I'll send it to you

I will run a prediction game on IBN - hopefully you'll consider joining that as well.

[xenoloxy]

My prediction of semifinals. Australia, USA, Serbia, Lithuania

[Darrell Armstrong]

My prediction of semifinals. Australia, USA, Serbia, Lithuania

Maybe you want to take a look at the groups and brackets before making any prediction. So, you know, to have 2 teams from each side of the bracket. In Serbia's side the best remaining teams are Spain, Russia, Italy, Argentina and Nigeria. So one of them will make it to semis.

[Prancūzėlis_ZLD]

Maybe you want to take a look at the groups and brackets before making any prediction. So, you know, to have 2 teams from each side of the bracket. In Serbia's side the best remaining teams are Spain, Russia, Italy, Argentina and Nigeria. So one of them will make it to semis.

True, Australia, USA and Lithuania can't be all three in the semifinals. And Spain is maybe weaker than some previous years, but it's hard to imagine them not reaching the semi-finals considering this side of the bracket (especially because of group A and B being so weak compared to the other ones)

[Darrell Armstrong]

True, Australia, USA and Lithuania can't be all three in the semifinals. And Spain is maybe weaker than some previous years, but it's hard to imagine them not reaching the semi-finals considering this side of the bracket (especially because of group A and B being so weak compared to the other ones)

Group C is pretty weak as well. Actually it's hard to imagine an easier path to semis than Spain has this year. Depending on the results, it's even possible to qualify by just beating the three other teams within group C, losing against Italy and Serbia, and then beating Russia/Argentina/Nigeria in QFs. Just winning one hard game (and lots of luck) can place us in medal contention. Teams from groups F and H will have to fight through a much, much harder schedule.

[reamily]

hey christodolou.. when will you start creating the prediction thread?

[christodoulou76]

hey christodolou.. when will you start creating the prediction thread?

I'll post 7-10 days before the tournament starts.

[xenoloxy]

Sorry my bad, I remembered the brackets incorrectly.

[Darrell Armstrong]

Sorry my bad, I remembered the brackets incorrectly.

No worries. Actually, I'm with you in the sense that probably 3 out of the 4 top teams have all been placed in the same side.

[Prancūzėlis_ZLD]

Group C is pretty weak as well. Actually it's hard to imagine an easier path to semis than Spain has this year. Depending on the results, it's even possible to qualify by just beating the three other teams within group C, losing against Italy and Serbia, and then beating Russia/Argentina/Nigeria in QFs. Just winning one hard game (and lots of luck) can place us in medal contention. Teams from groups F and H will have to fight through a much, much harder schedule.

Yes, group C is pretty weak too except Spain, but then you have to deal with Serbia and Italy (even though they've just lost Melli).
Group A and B are crazy because even in second phase there is no major team in my opinion. It's hard for me to correctly value Argentina for the moment, but this wouldn't be a major surprise if a team like Poland finish first of second round group, while they would have a hard time in any other one during second phase.

[Darrell Armstrong]

...but then you have to deal with Serbia and Italy...

Sure, more likely we would need to beat at least one of them in order to advance. But this year's system is so half-assed that a team with a lucky draw such as Spain could reach semis without facing one single tough match. Just imagine that Italy has just one bad day and loses against one of the other group D teams, and then, as expected, is unable to beat Serbia. They would be out of the tournament. And even if there's a three-way tie Italy would advance with only 1 point, while both Serbia and Spain start with 3. So even if they manage to beat Spain they would be out of the tournament if Spain beats Serbia in a meaningless game (as Serbia would have secured first place no matter what), or lose again to the other team from group C. I mean, all are quite unlikely scenarios but you add them all together and it looks quite unfair to me.

And then in QFs, as you say we may very well face Poland or any other team from groups A and B, which is quite difficult to predict.

[christodoulou76]

Do you guys think it's better for teams to take only 12 players to China for their final round of friendlies or should they take 13 or 14 in case someone gets injured and in order to give more players experience that they can use in future tournaments? In other words, should teams make their finals cuts at the end of this week or the next? (not sure when final rosters have to be submitted)

[usagre]

Do you guys think it's better for teams to take only 12 players to China for their final round of friendlies or should they take 13 or 14 in case someone gets injured and in order to give more players experience that they can use in future tournaments? In other words, should teams make their finals cuts at the end of this week or the next? (not sure when final rosters have to be submitted)

For me the current format with 12 is just fine. No team has a 12 player rotation is in actuality that’s what roster spots 11 and 12 are for. Insurance and backup plans in case of injuries.

[christodoulou76]

For me the current format with 12 is just fine. No team has a 12 player rotation is in actuality that’s what roster spots 11 and 12 are for. Insurance and backup plans in case of injuries.

I like the current format too. My query was about the timing of the final cuts from 13/14 to 12. Should it be in the next few days or just before the tournament. Do you have a preference for when those cuts should be made?

[CoachZ]

I think it is irrelevant. They can let's say make it 2 weeks before the tournament, so the hosts can do the marketing, record some videos, make nice graphics etc. Then leave an option for teams to replace a player or two in those final two weeks, only in case of injury. That is fair.

I agree 100% with usagre, 12 man roster is perfect and any team that can say that they utilize a 12 man rotation, actually doesn't have a rotation. Most of the successfull teams go with 8 man rotation in key games, 10 man rotation is pretty much the max you can see on the highest level of basketball. 12 man roster, is more than enough...