Let's speculate on this a little bit. Who has 2 best bigs in the line-up?
Here's top contenders (marked already qualified), IMO:
USA: Cousins, Davis, Drummond, Jordan, Love, Turner, Griffin (from these I see Cousins and Davis as best due and also Turner, Griffin would probably also make a great contender). However, that's the situation if there's any clearance?
Serbia: Jokic, Bjelica
Spain: Marc Gasol, Mirotic (or sill Pau instead of Mirotic, that's close...)
France: Gobert, Lauvergne
Australia: Baynes, Thon Maker
Lithuania: Valanciunas, Sabonis
Latvia (not a good chances to qualify though): Porzingis, Bertans
Croatia (poor chances to qualify): Zubac, Saric
Canada: Thompson, Olynyc
That's how I see the hierarchy:
1. USA - well, if they will bring some elite players. Jordan, Love situation wouldn't impress me too much though. If I would have to pick I would take Turner and Davis, that would be deadly dynamo.
2. Lithuania - homer alert, but I think Valanciunas and Sabonis are best 2 bigs pair after USA combination. None of them are stars in NBA, but they both are elite bigs by impact and statistics, and (except maybe Spain) none other countries below can field that.
3. Spain - Marc still is a good player even if he's declining, while Mirotic is good, but not an elite option. I think he pushed on the stats pedal a little bit playing for a bad team, still very good player tough. So this is close. Yet this due is not so tough, physical and rebound, post scoring dominant as JV/Sabonis.
4. Serbia - Jokic is a beast, but Bjelica is just a role player in NBA. Some would say it's a perfect due, and most flexible and they would have a point, but also soft and unathletic due compared to others...Highest IQ combination probably though....
5. Croatia - I think Zubac is a very good young center and Saric is sort of a waking up...
Did I miss something from Africa or Asia? What's your opinion?
Here's top contenders (marked already qualified), IMO:
USA: Cousins, Davis, Drummond, Jordan, Love, Turner, Griffin (from these I see Cousins and Davis as best due and also Turner, Griffin would probably also make a great contender). However, that's the situation if there's any clearance?
Serbia: Jokic, Bjelica
Spain: Marc Gasol, Mirotic (or sill Pau instead of Mirotic, that's close...)
France: Gobert, Lauvergne
Australia: Baynes, Thon Maker
Lithuania: Valanciunas, Sabonis
Latvia (not a good chances to qualify though): Porzingis, Bertans
Croatia (poor chances to qualify): Zubac, Saric
Canada: Thompson, Olynyc
That's how I see the hierarchy:
1. USA - well, if they will bring some elite players. Jordan, Love situation wouldn't impress me too much though. If I would have to pick I would take Turner and Davis, that would be deadly dynamo.
2. Lithuania - homer alert, but I think Valanciunas and Sabonis are best 2 bigs pair after USA combination. None of them are stars in NBA, but they both are elite bigs by impact and statistics, and (except maybe Spain) none other countries below can field that.
3. Spain - Marc still is a good player even if he's declining, while Mirotic is good, but not an elite option. I think he pushed on the stats pedal a little bit playing for a bad team, still very good player tough. So this is close. Yet this due is not so tough, physical and rebound, post scoring dominant as JV/Sabonis.
4. Serbia - Jokic is a beast, but Bjelica is just a role player in NBA. Some would say it's a perfect due, and most flexible and they would have a point, but also soft and unathletic due compared to others...Highest IQ combination probably though....
5. Croatia - I think Zubac is a very good young center and Saric is sort of a waking up...
Did I miss something from Africa or Asia? What's your opinion?
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