2023 WC - 2nd Round Games

[Serbian_Layup]

Let's see. The lack of ball-handlers for Italy might be an issue against strong ball-pressure, but USA's perimeter defence is terrible and we know Italy (who moves the ball really well) has the tendency to catch fire from three at least once in the tournament. They have not done so yet, so....

They have tendency to catch fire only vs Serbia.

[tonia]

Let me tell you this, if someone told me to draw results before this day even began, I wouldn't have done it better than how they turned out for Serbia. We almost died and we got our life back, so it should be a different game for us now. Much less stresful and with much less pressure. But I'm still not sure whether this team has what it takes to really step up. It's still unexplicable how we managed to lose to Italy. Maybe only for this to happen LOL

I believe that all the weight falls on Lithuania due to their great win against USA. If they manage to win Serbia then I think they will make it to the final. However, I believe that everything turned out this way so that Serbia will proceed to the semi finals.

[Killer Bob]

Or maybe there is also the chance to admit that this Slovenian team is inferior by a wide margin to this German team (without its best player) and had no chance to begin with.

I am very happy that Germany is doing what they are doing without any naturalised player also. I am also very happy that Spain is doing what they are doing without any naturalised player. Cannot stand the super-overrated Hernangomez brothers, very low IQ players that got exposed without an incredible point guard to do their homework.

Any news on Lorenzo Brown's plans for next year?

Look, Slovenia is missing more or less everyone playable on 3 and 4, so they for sure aren't in the best position, hopefully Blazic is back for the Qs. But the problem was not there, but in total lack of energy, which started with Luka loosing temper in Q2. After that all players played like zombies.

But on the other hand, this game was meaningless, it was really close that loser would get everything, no USA and Latvia. Knowing Slovenia, this loss might be positive in the end. This was exactly the game they could lose without consequence and hopefully they come out with totally different attitude next game.

Germany was better team today, but if you remember Eurobasket, those wins means very little. The real tournament starts on Wednesday.

[usagre]

I could of sworn somebody here told me Sergio Llull would be on the court during crunch time. Some people just can’t let go of the past. You don’t put washed players on the court during crunch time. As I outlined in an earlier post he might be the most inefficient three point shooter in the history of FIBA, but 1/16 in this tournament took it to another level.

i also recall somebody saying Scariolo was drinking wine and laughing at Canada after he got beat by them in the preparation game because they apparently showed their cards in a meaningless game.

I also recall someone saying the genius coach would never in a million years allow SGA to beat him. All his exotic defenses at his disposal blah blah blah.
Some people here think that he invented the box and one when famously John Thompson implored it against Chris Mullin in 1985 NCAA final 4 but that’s another story.

I’ll give you a hint who said all these things. The same guy who downplayed Germany and Canada while hyped up France and Australia. Of course it can only be the one and only my Lithuanian buddy.

[Shawshank]

I believe that all the weight falls on Lithuania due to their great win against USA. If they manage to win Serbia then I think they will make it to the final. However, I believe that everything turned out this way so that Serbia will proceed to the semi finals.

I will bet money on Serbia.If they win i get money,if they lose i will get drunk from hapiness and Olympic ticket

Its never good idea have your best shooting game before 1/4 game like ltu did and go through group stage with no losses

Serbs already had their painful lose and have second life now.Serbs will be in less pressure mental place for sure


For Lithuania to beat americans and lose in 1/4 would be just painfull hearbreak,but that how things looks right now

[tonia]

I will bet money on Serbia.If they win i get money,if they lose i will get drunk from hapiness and Olympic ticket

Its never good idea have your best shooting game before 1/4 game like ltu did and go through group stage with no losses

Serbs already had their painful lose and have second life now.Serbs will be in less pressure mental place for sure


For Lithuania to beat americans and lose in 1/4 would be just painfull hearbreak,but that how things looks right now

I don't know how easy it is for someone to enjoy watching their team's game when they have bet on them losing over a specific point difference.
You start by supporting your team to win and when it doesn't turn this way you end up praying for the opponents to score so that you win at least the bet..

[usagre]

6 Euro teams and 2 American in 4finals. Spain was very close to knock out Canada. Nothing new, too little spots for Europe in Olympics.

What do you mean ? It’s the Olympics you have to have representation from Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Then you have two Americas teams which happen to have the best basketball talent on the planet 1-2. So they’ll be 7/12 European teams in Olympics. Assuming they win the qualifying tournaments. That’s perfect.

[Straight forward]

I’ll say this about the Lithuanian win. More than their fabulous start to that game I found the fact that they answered every single call when the US cut it to around 4 multiple times as being the more impressive of the two. The start can be fluky in many ways but answering every US run and not folding was big time. A lesser team would have caved.

Very good insight. That's underrated. Liths stood it's ground even when USA's defensive intensity reached the peak and barely any other team can provide such intensity in the tournament (maybe Canada can be close). And we just re-established the control of the game several times. This gives me hope that this LTU team is for real and their solidity is sustainable. While the shots felt amazingly, the key perimeter players as Jokubaitis and Brazdeikis had relatively quiet night, their usual driving and mid range game was contained. The game against Serbia will show how consistent this LTU team is and I don't really think Serbia has an upper hand generally. This LTU team simply functioning well. Taking down Montenegro +20 and taking down USA is a real deal. The only concern is that we have been playing nearly ideally so far and one worse shooting game kinda feels logical. So that's my main concern. I doubt this team can lose their swagger and correct mentality. They have that coherence, they have that good spirit. You can't brake it now. It doesn't go anywhere. Team spirit is strong as fuck. The mentality will be there. Only tragic shooting night can cause the collapse of LTU, Like when you fight, you hustle, you make right decisions, but keep missing open shots. That's the only concern I have generally.

With that said, Redirculous is wrong - Lithuania pretty close to be one of the best teams in this tournament. Top 3 team in the tournament by points, efficiency, rebounding, 2 and 3 shooting, blocks. Leads in rebounding, 3pts shooting.

I would be concerned if I'm USA fan though. I don't see a single guy on the roster who is true glue guy and true guts and grit guy on the roster. They sort of have go to guy, but Edwards can be pretty inefficient and he doesn't make others better. Generally I feel that USA lacking true leaders. USA can easily be left not only without gold, but also without medals. There's nothing extra solid about this USA team. Off course, it can still win gold, but I disagree that USA and Canada hold ultimate favorites title. Favorites yes, but it's slippery. Very slippery.

[Straight forward]

What do you mean ? It’s the Olympics you have to have representation from Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Then you have two Americas teams which happen to have the best basketball talent on the planet 1-2. So they’ll be 7/12 European teams in Olympics. Assuming they win the qualifying tournaments. That’s perfect.

I probably would be thinking of snatching one spot from Asia and Africa and give those 2 to Europe as additional spots. It doesn't really make sense to have those sweeping games while stud NTs from Europe are forced to be left aside from Olympics. Few more spots for Europe wouldn't hurt Olympcs at all.

[usagre]

Straight forward

Unfortunately I think the days of running through this tournament undefeated like the US did in ‘10 and ‘14 are pretty much over. I think they should be expected in the Olympics when the US sends their usually powerhouse team but not in the Worlds. So I think a loss similarly for Canada is not the end of the world. It’s a perfect wake up call to focus and realize these games end in a blink of an eye so don’t take starts for granted.
The coach worries me especially his rotations and the fact that he hasn’t clearly defined the roles this deep in much like his mentor did is troubling. But like with Popovich in ‘21 I think there’s enough there for them to win it all despite the coach.

[Joško Poljak Fan]

Or maybe there is also the chance to admit that this Slovenian team is inferior by a wide margin to this German team (without its best player) and had no chance to begin with.

I would argue about the chances, since worse things tend to happen from time to time in a tournament, but other that that, it's not remotely arguable-> Germany is a better team.

Čančar, Murič and Blažič not playing, with our depth, are just too much too handle when it comes to playing against medal contenders. Slovenia benefits a lot from chemistry, which makes up for some individual shortcomings, but can't do that with Prepelič, Čebašek and Z.Dragič getting the minutes of the trio mentioned above.

I don't think we are without chances against Canada, but it would be a notable upset to pass them.

Congrats to Germany, well deserved!

Also, congrats to Lithuanians! Glad to see your NT functioning again the way it used to (untill/if we meet, of course )

...and i am also glad we avoided Latvia. Games against them are traditionaly too much to handle emotionaly, win or lose.

[usagre]

I probably would be thinking of snatching one spot from Asia and Africa and give those 2 to Europe as additional spots. It doesn't really make sense to have those sweeping games while stud NTs from Europe are forced to be left aside from Olympics. Few more spots for Europe wouldn't hurt Olympcs at all.

Look if I had my way I’d have top 8 to Europe, 2 to Americas and let the other two spots be up for grabs in qualifying tournaments regardless of geography. But I get it it’s a world event so everyone has to be represented. I’ve been watching the Olympics since ‘84 and if you want a good laugh go look at the makeup of the ‘88 tournament. Lol. That was sad.

[Straight forward]

Look if I had my way I’d have top 8 to Europe, 2 to Americas and let the other two spots be up for grabs in qualifying tournaments regardless of geography. But I get it it’s a world event so everyone has to be represented. I’ve been watching the Olympics since ‘84 and if you want a good laugh go look at the makeup of the ‘88 tournament. Lol. That was sad.

Totally. That would make sense.

[Obina]

I don't think that old Kari Pesic can beat Maksvytis and to be honest, this is max for this team without Jokic, Micic, Kalinic, Poku, Smailagic...

Another think is that we failed some important games last few years and I have lost faith in our NT. But if nothing else there is some hope now.

[Serbian_Layup]

I don't think that old Kari Pesic can beat Maksvytis and to be honest, this is max for this team without Jokic, Micic, Kalinic, Poku, Smailagic...

Another think is that we failed some important games last few years and I have lost faith in our NT. But if nothing else there is some hope now.

I understand the scepticism around Pesic due to his age. What we have learned so far is that he is still great at game planning. He sets the game really well and we usually build comfortable lead. The trouble is when we inexplicably stop playing or when opponent brings more energy we tend to lay our weapons. That's when Pesic is little bit late to react and make timely adjustments. But not everything is on him, we don't have any kind of continuity with the same core of players because basically every year we are missing half roster. That has something to do with mental lapses and lack of focus for the most part of the game. He just doesn't have the time to work with the same group of players for more than just one summer.

I agree that Maksvytis proved to be a serious coach though. He is also going to make a great game plan for Lithuania, no doubt about that.