We saw Team USA demolish Puerto Rico, and get to see them again tonight against China and tomorrow against Brazil — but what about the other top teams going to the world championships? Just how good are they?
Commenter Xavier, who lives in Barcelona (don’t you love the Internet, where would we have gotten this kind of info 15 years ago?), gave us a quick preview in the comments and I thought this was worth passing along.
The main front runners apart from the US are Argentina, Spain and France.
Argentina has a strong starting five, lead by Ginobili and Nocioni at the wings, Prigioni (a pass-first PG) and a frontcourt with two players that have dominated the paint in European basketball, Scola and Oberto. A tough team to play against.
Spain is one of the most explosive teams in this tournament. These guys have high basketball IQ and the press defense and different kind of zone defenses are the main characteristics of Spanish coach Hernandez. (Memphis’) Pau Gasol as main star but there are also NBA players at PG in Calderon and PF in Garbajosa (Raptors), plus NBA project Rudy Fernandez, the best shooting guard in the Euro-League JC Navarro and a solid backup for all of them.
This team loves the outside game — Navarro, Fernandez and Garbajosa have good three-point range. Watch out for Navarro, the first scoring option in this outside game, a terrific scorer, and Gasol, who has started this season to show more aggressiveness (not to mention his beard).
France will be with Spain, the most explosive team. Toni Parker is one of the quickest players and will have Mickael Pietrus and soon-to-be Sonic Gelabale who are both great athletes, the do-it-all sun Diaw and John Petro that will bring toughness to this team. Turiaf will be maybe 6th-7th man in rotation.
Xavier says
Thanks for quoting me again Kurt, it’s nice to see people like to read my opinions.
I’d like to know what you all think about other top teams in the world.
of course the US has the best team, but they dont know what they will have to battle as well as other international teams know.
Xavier says
recently i read (FIBA.com) that France Coach Bergeaud said he will start Frederic Weis and will have as a center backup Turiaf.
personaly i dont like Weis, he lacks of toughness you need as a C.
he is inone of the best International basketball highlights ever
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82RaIVGulNc
take your own conclusions…
Roland Lazenby says
Tex Winter’s Summer Report Cards Are In
http://lakernoise.blogspot.com/
All the best,
Roland Lazenby
author of The Show
Eric says
All I know is that Australia have no chance. They recently got defeated by New Zealand in a 4 game series. Andrew Bogut, the Milwaukee Bucks center will be present but the Boomers have lost most of their frontcourt depth with the absence of the injured former Bull and Maverick Chris Anstey and athletic big man Matthew Nielsen. The backcourt has taken a hit since the Boomers last major international outing with no Brett Maher or Shane Heal at the point guard position. Former Blazers pick CJ Bruton will man the one spot and while posessing a reliable jumper he showed recently at the Commonwealth games a lack of ability to penetrate against ‘b’ grade international opponents. Veteran swingman Jason Smith will be relied upon to supply much of the leadership for this side as will the slick scoring, NBA draft withdrawer, Brad Newley. All in all a finish higher than their 9th placed world ranking would be a bonus for them.