Giving the 2nd Olympic Slot for Asia Now: yes or no?

[aidah]

Yes, it's evident that Asian teams are improving, as shown in the FIBA 2010 World Champs. Considering this progress, granting Asia an additional slot in the Olympics seems reasonable, especially given Asia's representation and competitiveness in global basketball.

[R1ou]

I hope FIBA will be wise enough to bring back classification games for this not to happen

Imagine Europeans complaining while being out at 1/4 and China with the rest of Asia counting the - point differential from the group stage.



Jokes aside,it'd suck to see us trying to make it to the top-4 teams from Europe,which means that with one or the other way you'll need to be at least at the semis to have a guaranteed place,while Asians and Africans(they're more competitive imo) will play 24-32 classification games against each other for Olympic spots

[Mindozas]

I'm pretty sure FIBA will bring the classification games back, just probably for the top 8 or top 16 though. For everything else, well, there's the win-loss record and the Goal Point Average.

If few Asian teams will have the same record, would you like that your Olympic ticket would be decided by points difference? Especially imagine if Philippines will be grouped with USA.
IMO it'd be just plain wrong. All that clssification games meant nothing before, final standings were made just for that useless FIBA ranking, but now the stakes will be waaaay higher

[judasmartel]

I hope FIBA will be wise enough to bring back classification games for this not to happen

I'm pretty sure FIBA will bring the classification games back, just probably for the top 8 or top 16 though. For everything else, well, there's the win-loss record and the Goal Point Average.

[Mindozas]

Don't really know if I could agree in this.If I were Philippines,I'd prefer one hundred times to win the Asian championship rather than competing in a group with Europe's and America's powerhouses and having to make to the next round.Frankly,I don't see again Asian teams advancing to the knockout stage.Everything will be determined if you are able to win against same level teams from Africa and America.I could see the Asians making it to the Olympics just based on their performances at the group stage.

I hope FIBA will be wise enough to bring back classification games for this not to happen

[R1ou]

I have said this before, I like our chances at the Olympics this time, as we only have to at least get to Round of 16 in the Worlds and get the best WC ranking by an Asian team to get to the Olympics, unlike before where we have to play to win every single time 'cause only the champs will get in.

Don't really know if I could agree in this.If I were Philippines,I'd prefer one hundred times to win the Asian championship rather than competing in a group with Europe's and America's powerhouses and having to make to the next round.Frankly,I don't see again Asian teams advancing to the knockout stage.Everything will be determined if you are able to win against same level teams from Africa and America.I could see the Asians making it to the Olympics just based on their performances at the group stage.

[judasmartel]

-snip-

This time, however, the US must participate in the home-and-away qualifying tournaments to make it to the World Cup, then make it to Top 2 Americas WC teams to make it to the Olympics. Only one slot shall be provided to each of Asia and Oceania, so there are still 2 Asian teams in Tokyo, and Australia and New Zealand cannot qualify directly at the same time, only one can qualify directly.

I have said this before, I like our chances at the Olympics this time, as we only have to at least get to Round of 16 in the Worlds and get the best WC ranking by an Asian team to get to the Olympics, unlike before where we have to play to win every single time 'cause only the champs will get in.

But until an Asian team becomes capable of actually beating European and Americas teams on a consistent basis, no more Olympic slots will be given to Asia. I don't see a U23 Olympic basketball because Olympic medals matter more to NBA stars than WC medals, so FIBA got around that by making the WC the ONLY direct qualifier for the Olympics. Besides, the US would probably wreck everybody in U23 basketball.

[R1ou]

That means Australia will qualify every time, NO ASIAN TEAMS IN THE OLYMPICS.

The IOC is simply too adamant to increase the teams to 16, but for now the system ain't broken, it just so happens that Asia is the weakest zone due to lack of quality competition. Adding Australia and New Zealand to form the Asia-Pacific zone is the first step to increasing the competition in the region. Now teams will adjust to the quality of Australia and New Zealand.

With the enlargement of the teams I could see 7(4+3 from the OQTs)teams from Europe.Serbia,France,Greece,Lithuania,Spain,Italy, Croatia
Australia and New Zealand for Asia.Brazil,Canada and Argentina from America,probably Senegal or Nigeria from Africa+US and Japan as hosts.There will be one group in which won't have a powerhouse as well but some solid teams like Russia/Turkey and Latvia.So yes,it's 90% site from my side than until Asians make some really remarkable success(don't see that happening in a 4 year period) won't have Olympic participation at basketball.Looks fair only because with the chances given to China at 00's they only managed to reach 1/4s and with squads 10 times better than the current squad.If you want the best of the best to be there,that's the most ideal solution.No way China/Nigeria/Venezuela provide more resistance than the likes of Italy/Canada/Greece.It's sad,I can understand how you actually feel now,but we feel the same thing and we actually deserve it much more than these three do.Otherwise adjust basketball like football with the U-23 rule and let equal participation.

[judasmartel]

Should be just one Asia/Oceania spot.

That means Australia will qualify every time, NO ASIAN TEAMS IN THE OLYMPICS.

The IOC is simply too adamant to increase the teams to 16, but for now the system ain't broken, it just so happens that Asia is the weakest zone due to lack of quality competition. Adding Australia and New Zealand to form the Asia-Pacific zone is the first step to increasing the competition in the region. Now teams will adjust to the quality of Australia and New Zealand.

[JGX]

Should be just one Asia/Oceania spot.

[Mojado]

Today's answer is simply: No. (Judging from the results)

[R1ou]

Well, if China always qualifies for the Olympics every time, I'm in for giving one more slot for Asia, but we might as well give one more for Africa as well.

I understand where some people came from though.

Europe is the most competitive FIBA zone, where even the 16 seed can beat the 1 seed with regularity.

Americas get two slots because Team USA, even after USA keeps qualifying for every WC and Olympic without going through FIBA Americas.

Africa is capable of upsetting top level teams in the Worlds.

Asides China, there hasn't really been any good Asian team on the world stage. But then again, how is Asia going to compete if it's not exposed to stronger competition?

I get it that only the best deserve to be in the Olympics, but the spirit of the Olympics IMO is in just being able to participate in the biggest stage of them all. If you can win it all here, why not?

And that's why World cup is going to be the major competition since Olympics are about equal participation but the conditions don't allow it.

[R1ou]

Asian can compete with Europeans.

I hope you are kidding here.Let's write below some teams European teams that can win even with a 20P of they play seriously,with all their stars participating.


Spain
France
Serbia
Greece
Lithuania
Italy
Turkey
Slovenia
Germany
Russia
Croatia


Even the average Asian teams don't have a single chance against


Latvia
Czech Republic
Israel
Poland
Finland
Belgium
Ukraine etc


Don't try to prove something from this.European continent is the most competitive one,it's not even close with the Asian teams

[judasmartel]

Well, if China always qualifies for the Olympics every time, I'm in for giving one more slot for Asia, but we might as well give one more for Africa as well.

I understand where some people came from though.

Europe is the most competitive FIBA zone, where even the 16 seed can beat the 1 seed with regularity.

Americas get two slots because Team USA, even after USA keeps qualifying for every WC and Olympic without going through FIBA Americas.

Africa is capable of upsetting top level teams in the Worlds.

Asides China, there hasn't really been any good Asian team on the world stage. But then again, how is Asia going to compete if it's not exposed to stronger competition?

I get it that only the best deserve to be in the Olympics, but the spirit of the Olympics IMO is in just being able to participate in the biggest stage of them all. If you can win it all here, why not?

[acklium]

Those who voted YES must all be Filipinos. Seriously.

Look at 2008; the 2nd Asian team (Iran) went winless. Enough said.

I do agree with the expansion to 16 though.

and i think this year you Chinese will now also vote "YES" you know what i mean. bye bye powerhouse..