Draw for the FIBA World Cup [Manila, Philippines, Apr 29]

[tonia]

Lol. KAT gets two technicals and is ejected. Welcome to the world of FIBA my man. These refs don’t like NBA players at least you’re learning that lesson in an exhibition game. Spain now can breathe easy, any threat of being swept on their home court by the three best Americas teams this summer is impossible now.

I bet that Spain would breathe easy eitherway. Somehow, they find the way to win the crucial games and increase their medal collection. I don't know if they manage to win one this time, but for sure they shouldn't be underestimated. The real challenge for Spain is to reach semifinals, not to win the best Americas teams at friendly games.

[R1ou]

Lol. KAT gets two technicals and is ejected. Welcome to the world of FIBA my man. These refs don’t like NBA players at least you’re learning that lesson in an exhibition game. Spain now can breathe easy, any threat of being swept on their home court by the three best Americas teams this summer is impossible now.

Fiba refs a fcking trash, people have been compaining about awful calls every summer. To say they are biased against NBA players is wrong however, they are just plain bad and can't control the game.

[Darrell Armstrong]

Fiba refs a fcking trash, people have been compaining about awful calls every summer. To say they are biased against NBA players is wrong however, they are just plain bad and can't control the game.

Agree. But these weren't "FIBA" refs, as this was a FEB-sponsored tourney. The game was called by professional refs from the ACB, not amateurs from some random Asian league. They made their share of mistakes but did a good job all in all.

[Shawshank]

Australia vs France was real semifinal feel friendly game.

First time Yabusele and Exum was on same floor after incident

Like in 2019,2021 i see both Australia and France again in semifinal in 2023


Nice tallent,physicality and basketball IQ combination in those 2 teams thats what wins playoofs type games for NTs in fiba.

[Darrell Armstrong]

I bet that Spain would breathe easy eitherway. Somehow, they find the way to win the crucial games and increase their medal collection. I don't know if they manage to win one this time, but for sure they shouldn't be underestimated. The real challenge for Spain is to reach semifinals, not to win the best Americas teams at friendly games.

I'd be happy with a 5th place finish if that means punching a ticket to the Olympics.

[Darrell Armstrong]

Australia vs France was real semifinal feel friendly game.

First time Yabusele and Exum was on same floor after incident

Like in 2019,2021 i see both Australia and France again in semifinal in 2023


Nice tallent,physicality and basketball IQ combination in those 2 teams thats what wins playoofs type games for NTs in fiba.

This very same Australia lost against Brazil a couple days ago. And somehow nobody thinks Brazil could upset France (or Spain, for that matter).

[Shawshank]

This very same Australia lost against Brazil a couple days ago. And somehow nobody thinks Brazil could upset France (or Spain, for that matter).

Brasil is dark horse.But they got ridiculously bad draw and i dont trust in their basketball iq,they depending too much on emotions for my taste

Thats always was the diffrence between Argentina and Brasil. Brasil had tallent always too, but it was all about just emotions ,Argentina emotions+street smart iq combination

Results dont lie of last 20 years. When 1/4 type game come lack of basketball iq was brasil achilles heel

[tonia]

I'd be happy with a 5th place finish if that means punching a ticket to the Olympics.

I believe that US, one other non European team and 2 European ones will reach top4. So, if France is one of those 2 teams, then the 5th place will lead to the Olympics.

[Darrell Armstrong]

I believe that US, one other non European team and 2 European ones will reach top4. So, if France is one of those 2 teams, then the 5th place will lead to the Olympics.

There's even a chance none of the semifinalists claim one of the European spots. On our side of the bracket 3 of the most talented teams are Australia, Canada, and France. No surprises if two of them advance. On the other side Dominicana could be the surprise of the tournament. Lithuania, Italy, and Serbia will be fighting for that last spot in semis, and neither of them is safe from Dominicana with an engaged Towns.

[tonia]

There's even a chance none of the semifinalists claim one of the European spots. On our side of the bracket 3 of the most talented teams are Australia, Canada, and France. No surprises if two of them advance. On the other side Dominicana could be the surprise of the tournament. Lithuania, Italy, and Serbia will be fighting for that last spot in semis, and neither of them is safe from Dominicana with an engaged Towns.

There is also a chance that 3 European teams will advance to the semi finals. France, Germany and Serbia are possible candidates and alternatively there are also Italy and Spain capable enough to proceed instead of Germany and Serbia.

[Darrell Armstrong]

There is also a chance that 3 European teams will advance to the semi finals. France, Germany and Serbia are possible candidates and alternatively there are also Italy and Spain capable enough to proceed instead of Germany and Serbia.

Sure, but that scenario is a lot less fun for the teams eliminated in the QFs.

[tonia]

Sure, but that scenario is a lot less fun for the teams eliminated in the QFs.

It is less fun for the European teams that are eliminated in QFs and hope for a ticket to the Olympics but more fun to show that European teams are stronger than others

[usagre]

Germany +14 over the US with 15 minutes to go. I’ve said it for weeks, Germany is the best European team in the field. People are sometimes lazy and just rely on legacy and uniforms when discussing teams but don’t analyze the actual current rosters. Best team the US has played by a mile. Hopefully this apparent horrible loss by the US will serve as a wake up call, The new norm appears to be blemished preparation periods now for the US. Not ideal but winning the Gold erases it like in ‘21.

[Dtown]

Germany +14 over the US with 15 minutes to go. I’ve said it for weeks, Germany is the best European team in the field. People are sometimes lazy and just rely on legacy and uniforms when discussing teams but don’t analyze the actual current rosters. Best team the US has played by a mile. Hopefully this apparent horrible loss by the US will serve as a wake up call, The new norm appears to be blemished preparation periods now for the US. Not ideal but winning the Gold erases it like in ‘21.

Spoke a bit too soon, US winds up winning after Anthony Edwards takes over in the 4th. 99-91

Fantastic test and bounce back from the US, lots of teachable moments it's what you want before tournament starts.. Really though I think German fatigue played a large part as they utterly collapsed in the final minutes of the 4th.

[usagre]

Great comeback gut check win for the US. As I predicted yesterday this will be the Gold medal final in my opinion.
Anthony Edwards taking on the ‘10 Kevin Durant role apparently. Halliburton and Reaves off the bench were big time. Too many weapons.