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**Levenspiel** · 05-02-2006, 12:35 AM

DanMajerle
02-20-2006, 12:39 AM

1. Argentina
They play together for a long long time and have a great mix of shooting and athletic abilities, move the ball very well, have an MVP candidate in Ginobili.

2. USA
Well, somehow they'll manage to get to the Finals but they won't be dominating, will again have chemistry problems, alot will depend on how Kobe Bryant does on and off the court.

3. Spain
Gasol, Navarro, Lopez, Calderon, Fernandez, Garbajosa, Vasquez.... Always do very good in international competitions till Semifinals, won't be different this time.

4. France
Still desperately lack outside shooting but a strong defensive team, very athletic. Parker and Diaw are having a great season.

5. Greece
Very good defense, ugly to watch but successfull. Will cause a lot of problems for team USA with their slow play, big PG's, bulldozer Papadopolous and big men shooting three pointers like Kakiouzis or Fotsis. To win a medal Diamantidis and Papaloukas have to step up again as a leader, if not they could have problems to even qualify for Quarterfinals.

6. Germany
Will be strong again with three starters Hamann, Garris and Okulaja returning to the team and playing a good defense like in EC or Bamberg in EL. Nowitzki is almost unstoppable, even team Team USA had no idea how to defend him in 04.

7. Lithuania
Would be higher ranked with Jasikevicius and Macijauskas, but I doubt that they will play. However, still good players wih Lavrnovic brothers, Siskauskas, Salenga, Jankunas and hopefully Kaukenas. Good ball movement, good shooting, but they lack a leader without Jasikevicius.

8. New Zealand
They always did good in the last years in these tournaments with their great three point shooting ability.

9. Serbia Montenegro
Sakota said that maybe not the best players will take part, but the ones who really want to play for their country. Last years were a very big mess, I don't think that can change in just one year, rebuilding will take some years.

10. Turkey
Good, balanced frontcourt, Okur is playing a good season but too many difficult charakters in the team and too bad chemistry to go to Quarterfinals.

11. Slovenia
I don't really know about them. They are loaded with great talent and they showed that they do not necessarily disappoint in every big tournament in last EC, but somehow they lack a leader, the outstanding individual player you need to win a medal. Too balanced IMO with good, but not outstanding palyers.

12. Brazil
Varejao, Nene and Splitter form a very talented Frontcourt, Barbosa and Marcelinho are a good backcourt but do they have a go-to-guy on international level and can they play for the team instead of trying to win games on their own?

13. Italy
Italy is in a rebuidling process, they will be among best teams again in a few years but not this time. However, they can beat every team, especially the USA, as Basile, Bulleri, Belinelli and maybe Galanda if he plays can hit three pointers from everywhere.

14. Puerto Rico
Similar to New Zealand, can suprise with the three-point shooting but more potential to disappoint because of big egos.

15. Australia
Andersen, Nielsen and Bogut are one of the best frontcourts in the tournament on apper but Andersen did not outstanding in former international competitions so he will have to improve. Apart from that, the other players are nothing special.

16,17. Panama, Venezuela
Cota, Garces and Lloreda sound good but will they play? Don't know much about them though. Same goes for venezuela, don't know much of them but they managed to qualify so they are not a bad team.

18. China
They have Yao, that's it. He will maybe win one game alone for them against a team with weaker frontcourt, but that's it.

19. Angola
They improved a lot during last years and have quite an ok team. Can suprise, but the competition is really stroong this time.

20-24. Senegal, Nigeria, Lebanon, Quatar, Japan

I did not judge just on talent as talent does not win games but how the players work as a team is also important. Of course the final standings will be different because of the schedule but it's kind of a Power Ranking.

All in all it's a very strong competition, even stronger than Olympics or European Championships.
Now imagine Canada, Croatia and Russia playing instead of Senegal, Lebanon and Nigeria, that would be the hell of a tournament.
MVP candidates are Bryant, Nowitzki, Ginobili and Gasol, I would assume at this point of the year.

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Saskibaloia
02-20-2006, 12:50 AM

Originally posted by DanMajerle

8. New Zealand
They always did good in the last years in these tournaments with their great three point shooting ability.

15. Australia
Andersen, Nielsen and Bogut are one of the best frontcourts in the tournament on apper but Andersen did not outstanding in former international competitions so he will have to improve. Apart from that, the other players are nothing special.

I know that I've created this thread to let everyone put forth their personal (subjective) opinion.
But I must say that bro, you definitely do not know the difference in talent between us Boomers (Aussie National Team) and the Tall Blacks.
Though you may disagree I'm sure alot of Tall Black fans would agree with me rather than you in placing the Boomers up ahead of their national team.

Cheers.

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Lietuvis
02-20-2006, 11:18 AM

Is that not his opinion?

And NZ did finish 4th in the last WC and beat Australia to get there. So what if they have that same run again?

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Saskibaloia
02-20-2006, 04:54 PM

They did beat us BUT we had a B grade team.
I'm more than happy 2 C the Tall Blacks do well. They're my 2nd favourite NT. However, objectively speaking from other sources the AUS NT has been the better team.
You just have to go to an Aussie or Kiwi Bball forum and see the evidence. Even the Kiwis would say that they're not as good as us.

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wardjdim
02-21-2006, 07:16 AM

Hmmm, not a great thread, since it's too early, no absences are known, no rosters are filled, no exhibitions are played, no competitions are finished... but surely a temptin one..

Let's see.

1. Spain
Starters: Calderon/Navarro/Fernandez/Garbajosa/Gasol, bench: Lopez/Cabezas/Jimenez/Reyes/Vasquez. This is the best team in International hoops right now. They underperformed in Beeograd and still made it one Dirk shot before the final game, even w/o Gasol. New coach. Very good group draw. Seem to have gotten rid of their losing mentality. Best season of almost all the roster.

2. Argentina
Final call for them? Ginobili/Scola is battling Navarro/Gasol for the best duo International basketball. Very deep, experienced and able to win. Very efficient basketball. Extremely strong mentally. Reach their potential. Doubtful PG and C position. Will Prigioni play? How is Oberto doing mentally? How is Wolkowisky?

3. Greece
Young, deep and experienced team. European Champions. Beat their losing mentality twice in Beograd. Excellent guard line, probably the best in the world. Papadopoulos rebounding from a disappointing Eurobasket performance. Nice combo forwards. Excellent defense and dedicating team spirit. Not a pleasure to watch.

4. Lithuania
Quite a question mark. Without Jasikevicius and Macijauskas, they are not as effective. A fine frontline and an even better backcourt. They have yet to show their dominant game, after the 1st round of the 2004 Olympics. Inside defense is a concern. Saras may not play in the summer. Tough group games.

5. USA
There is no question here about talent. By far the most talented in the world, but not in the International game. High spirit organization by Colangelo's invitations. Still unknown roster. Not many accepted. Concerns about the frontline. Recent results are quite worrying. Kszyzevski seems like a soft choice. High hopes may end up against them.

6. Serbia & Montenegro
Declining team. No Bodiroga. They are there because of a wild card. Full of unproven prima donnas. Zero team spirit. Zero coaching lately. No leader except maybe Rakocevic. Still, splendid talent. Magnificent shooting. Nice future, if Sakota works with them. Bad mentality. They are considered underrated outsiders and this could hurt their egoism. They are still defending their own crown (2 times in a row btw...).

7. Brazil
Young, motivated and talented. Nene returns. Excellent performance in the Pan-American games. Splitter on the rise. Fine but not deep back court. A bit inexperienced. Tough group games in a row could hurt mentality. Unknown potential performance in knock out games of such a high level vs an Italy, a Slovenia or even a USA.

8. Slovenia
Extremely deep roster. Nice offensive PG line. Strong inside defense. Finally a break-out tournament in Beograd improved their mentality. Still, not proven yet. Deeply, they kept undeperforming. Not an easy group. Question about players who will participate. Questionable offensive decision making. Not trustworthy team-play.

9. France
Athletic, young, motivated and continuously improving team. Deep backcourt, full of creative players in Diaw, Pietrus, Gelabale and Parker. Fair rebounding and patient game organization. Very intense and sustained defense. Not even one trustworthy big man. Limited offensive game due to that. Petro or Turiaf could be added there.

10. Italy
It's the end of the veterans' era, but there is not enough material to succeed them. Bulleri as the new captain and then only youngsters, or last chance for the other vets? It could be a top-16 or a top-4 team, given their decision. Recalcati is a dinasaur coach. They depend much on shooting and trap, intense defense. Incomplete opinion until the roster is known.

11. Turkey
Top-5 roster, but not a top-10 team. Getting old and slower. Terrible locker room environment. Constantly underperforming after 2001. Turkoglu is playing 10% of his potential in the NT since then. Okur and Turkcan also don't have a chemistry. A tough group round might get them together.

12. Germany
Extremely polished team. They have the best player in International basketball. One of the few teams which exceeded its own potential last summer in Beograd. Fight till the end. Extremely weak back-court. Only Dirk is a dangerous scorer. A fantastic, overperforming team mentality seems impossible to be repeated.

13. Puerto Rico

Nice team, with a very good back-court and a powered defensive game. Streaky shooters in Ayuso an Arroyo. Weak frontline after Ortiz's retirement. Coming off a disappointment PanAmerican tournament.They do not luck experience, but do not have much stability and potential. Very tough round and elimination games.

14. Australia
Young and talented. They have probably the best frontline around, led by Bogut, Andersen and Nielsen. Bogut will be fantastic in International hoops. Andersen's injury could slow his productivity. Inexperienced backcourt. Unknown shooting abilities. Disappointing Olympic performance in Athens. Very tough group games.

15. China
Yao Ming. Maybe the most effective big man in the history of International hoops. Once again, he will draw double and triple teams quite often. Decent PFs. Infinite potential. Absolutely untrustworthy perimeter shooting. Killing group games. They are not even a lock for the top-16. They will face extremely tough competition. Good for them they will be playing in Asia. Many fans will support them.

16. New Zealand
Overachievers of 2002 were "revealed" in Athens. Absolutely predictable game offensively. They have some interesting perimeter line, but hardly any refreshment in the frontcourt. Marks and Cameron are decent but old. Very good draw for them. They are close to top-16. Rosterwise they are not any better though.

17. Venezuela
18. Angola
19. Panama
20. Japan
21. Lebanon
22. Senegal
23. Nigeria
24. Qatar

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mvblair
02-22-2006, 02:56 AM

My Top Five Individual Talent Teams:

USA - USA is obviously the top team in terms of individual talent. But they were in 2002 and 2004 as well.
Serbia - They are stacked with talent. But they were in 2004 as well.
Spain - Their roster is chocked full of great individuals.
Slovenia - They have a wonderful roster, but every year it's the same with these fellows.
France - Come on...we can't forget about these individual talents, can we?

Now that's completely different from who I think the best teams are.

Matt

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egzex
02-27-2006, 01:01 AM

Originally posted by DanMajerle

7. Lithuania
Would be higher ranked with Jasikevicius and Macijauskas, but I doubt that they will play. However, still good players wih Lavrnovic brothers, Siskauskas, Salenga, Jankunas and hopefully Kaukenas. Good ball movement, good shooting, but they lack a leader without Jasikevicius.

I also doubt for Jasikevicius playing, but Macijauskas had already mentioned about playing for his NT - he has something to prove for himself after sitting in Hornets...

Also remember Songaila and Kleiza, who also gave the agreement for playing.
So the frontcourt should look - Javtokas, both Lavrinovic, Songaila, Kleiza, Jankunas... than Siskauskas, Macijauskas, Jasaitis, hope Mindaugas Zukauskas... even Kaukenas, but i doubt we need him, cause he isn't a playmaker that could run the team... The only problem that this team faces is to find the key how to replace Jasikevicius - both Gustas or Ginevicius weak, but it is better than nothing...

So i see very optimistical future... and the 7th place in your list is motiveless...

**Levenspiel** · 05-02-2006, 12:35 AM

canastad3
02-27-2006, 03:15 PM

1-Argentina:
The best team I have ever seen in this country: Ginobili, Pepe Sanchez, Scola... Anyway you see it, it's an all-star team

2-Spain
Pau is up there, an Calderon, and Navarro... With two players per position, with Pau, who makes any team he is an aspirant to all... And, also, look where I am! :spain: :spain:

3-Serbia
Great team, but too selfish. Their players make me put Serbia in third place, but the team doesn't.

4-USA
"FIBA sucks!". Strong people, but... the field is smaller.

5-Greece
Strong, hard game for this country. I like them so much.

6-France
T.Parker, and many other players make this team a favourite, but I don't think they will win.

7-Germany
You know... That bit, blond guy, who shoots pretty good from anywhere in the court? He is the team. But only with him, they can win the WC

I'd bet on Argentina.

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Phantim3dx
02-27-2006, 06:46 PM

each time i think of nowitzki i for some reason think of him as a viking more than a german terrorizing the basketball courts in a true traditional fashion of rape, pillage and burn. that is with him on germany's squad he pretty much is a leif ericsson. first he is going to be unstoppable raping(sorry) to use this word the oppononents onth e court, pillage the low and high posts. and burn people when they think he cant take anything in the perimeter shots. this guy imho is the best player right now in the world. he can play any position and dominate for a good portion. so you germans on this board even this yank has to admit it.

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Türkcan
03-22-2006, 08:55 PM

1) USA: It seems they are trying to bring the dream team back. On paper, they have the best squad but even they have the chance to lose...

2) Argentina: Manu, Nocioni, Scola, Prigioni, etc.......

3) Spain: They won't be the champs, but very big chance of winning a medal. Gaso&Navarro...

4) Greece: As always, they got no stars but team play. They will do something good.

5) Lithuania: Getting old... They are still good but I believe this will be their last tournament that they will do good. Don't expect something great from this team after 2006, for 10 years...

6) France: Parker&Diaw duo does not sound bad. They are good. Very athletic team but they lack the fundementals of basketball.[no good shooting, Parker sucks crunch time...] They wouldn't go further than 6th spot I guess.

7) S&M: Full of talents but no team play. Until they learn how to play as a team, [which might take a couple tournaments], they won't be back as champs...

8) Turkey: Our team is again full of talents, very good frontcourt.[Okur, Turkcan, Kuqo, Peker, Gonlum etc...] I would actually put Turkey for a higher spot but let's not hope so much now. But I can say that I am expecting a huge comeback from Turkey. We should make the top-8. We've had enough with all the chemistry problems. If you were to evaluate the teams of their strength of rosters, we would definitely be in 5. [US, Argentina, S&M ..?]
I don't think we will have the problems as we've been having. If we still have those problems, then by 2010, you will probably see a new Turkey without Memo, Hedo, Turkcan, Kutluay etc...

9) Germany: Dirk, Dirk, Dirk... Is one person enough to win a championship?

10) Italy: Has been good at basketball everytime. They won't do too bad.

11) Brazil: Looks they have a good roster; Nene, Splitter, Barbosa, Varejao. But 11th spot is good enough for them.

12) Slovenia: Very overrated here. I don't understand how some of you put this team ahead of Turkey, Italy, France etc... They have good players, but none of them is even as good as our Memo...

13) Australia: not a bad team, but don't expect too much from them this tournament. maybe the next one, huh?

14) Puerto Rico: Interesting team, insane players

Arroyo, Ayuso, Santiago etc... Good but not good enough.

15) China: Yao will be able to carry China to 15th spot, further? I don't think so...

The rest:

I don't care :turkey:

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Zalgirinis
03-23-2006, 12:43 AM

Originally posted by Türkcan

5) Lithuania: Getting old... They are still good but I believe this will be their last tournament that they will do good. Don't expect something great from this team after 2006, for 10 years...

Guess who won World U21 Championship and were second in European U20 Championship in 2005? Yea, no future team

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Vilius
03-23-2006, 05:17 AM

Yes true. We have many young talented players. And some of them already have Euroleague experience like Jasaitis, Jankunas or Maciulis. I don't think that Lithuania will have much problems during the change of generations as some young players are already good. And to add to that we are basketball country

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whatever...
03-23-2006, 08:09 AM

Originally posted by Vilius

Yes true. We have many young talented players. And some of them already have Euroleague experience like Jasaitis, Jankunas or Maciulis. I don't think that Lithuania will have much problems during the change of generations as some young players are already good. And to add to that we are basketball country

you forgot some

: Linas Kleiza 21 years old (Nuggets), Renaldas Seibutis 21 years-old (Olympiacos), Martynas Andriuskevicius 20 years old (Cavaliers), Martynas Pocius 19 years old (Duke university), great potential in Mantas Kalnietis smth around 19 playing in Zalgiris as point guard, Arturas Jomantas 21 years old, extremly versatyle player, a leader of 3rd team in Lithuania after Zalgiris and Rytas, not to forget some others: Darius Silinskis 21 years old, very big (216 cm or smth), can shoot from anywhere, stepped up few times when Beard was abcent and played very good, also Stepas Babrauskas 21, Povilas Ciukinas 23, showed that he can play very good (imho he outplayed Scola totally in last game), Martynas Gecevicius 20 - young Macijauskas, but a bit more versatyle, Antanas Kavaliauskas 21 , Javtokas type, and many many others, not even mentioning 16 year old kids who despite beeing 10-20 kilos lighter in every position (northern people grow slower) still manage to trash everyone around

dont be naieve everyone, Lithuania with years passing will become better and better

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Sashikas
03-23-2006, 09:27 AM

Lack of a true leader... That may be the main problem for Lithuania in the World Championship in Japan. I hope, that if Saras gets pissed off about how he is treated in Pacers, he will agree to join the national team to prove his worth and the effectiveness of the style of teamplay he offers. Then Lithuania should be among favorites.

Else there is a serious problem at #1 spot and in the place of the team leader.

Ginevičius is unreliable, though can provide with some sparks in both offence and defence. Gustas plays more like a shooting guard. A point guard of the youth world champions - Marius Prekevičius does not shine in Poland. At least I do not hear anything about his performances for Anwil. What position is Pocius playing in? Kalnietis is surprising this season, but I think his place is still in the youth teams.

All other positions are packed with solid players, that have been already mentioned here in the posts above.

What about the leader?
Šiškauskas seemed to become one in EC'05, but he failed to performe in the most important game of the tournament. He always was considered as Barney not Fred, Luigi not Mario. That's what he proved once again last year in Serbia and Montenegro.

Macijauskas? Maybe. But he will arrive to the preparation camp without playing real basketball for whole year. I hope he will arrive as soon as the very first camp begins.

During the Olympics in Athens the masseuse of the team was asked, who has the potential to become a team leader. One of his mentioned was Robertas Javtokas. Maybe he has the mental abilities, but he is not consitent on court. He is more a defensive tipe of a center - but we need a player who can take all the responsibility on himself and do something on his own to help the team, when other players are in somewhat of stagnation. I can't see him doing that.

Can't tell much of the youngsters. But I hope, that someone from them could do such things, as Šarūnas Jasikevičius did in the quaterfinal of EC'99 against Spain - nomater, that he was only 23 years old, nomater, that there were more experienced players on the team.

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Matiz
03-23-2006, 09:40 AM

Originally posted by Türkcan

12) Slovenia: Very overrated here. I don't understand how some of you put this team ahead of Turkey, Italy, France etc... They have good players, but none of them is even as good as our Memo...

I don't really have some kind of good opinion about Memo... since in quite some games I can remember he was actually overplayed by Nesterovič...

forget NBA, euro-bball is a whole lot different...

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sariss
03-23-2006, 02:27 PM

besides, our Memo played not as half well as Kraljevic would play in the last EC.

**morsphd** · 10-24-2007, 04:20 PM

interesting

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