This has been the longest summer I’ve experienced in quite a while with the limited amount of NBA news. While the NBA and the Players Union are billions of dollars apart in their negotiations right now, we can take some solace in the fact that actual basketball is going to be played with the FIBA Americas and FIBA Euro Basket tournaments starting this week.
Tomorrow, the FIBA Americas tournament starts at 10:30 a.m. ET on ESPN3.com with a Dominican Republic vs. Cuba match. At 5 p.m. ET, you might want to check out Paraguay vs. Argentina as the Argentinians are the most experienced team and boasting NBA Players Manu Ginobili, Luis Scola and Carlos Delfino.
On Wednesday, FIBA’s Euro Basket tournament begins at 8:15 ET (5:15 for those of us out West) with two games: Serbia vs. Italy and Spain vs. Poland. Of course, I’ll be watching the Spain vs. Poland game for obvious reasons (Pau amongst many more fantastic players). A little later that morning, France’s tips off their first game against Lativa. France’s team is looking nice with the likes of Tony Parker, Mickael Pietrus, Boris Diaw, Joakim Noah, Ian Mahinmi and Nicalos Batum.
I’m also excited to see Turkey, Greece, Great Britan, The Dominican Republic, and Brazil play. A lot of NBA guys playing with their home countries on those teams. Expect a lot of beautiful basketball in these games, which will be a great change of pace from all of the summer league pick up games we’ve been subjected to this summer.
To see the full viewing schedule for this week’s games, head over to ESPN3.com and click on the “Upcoming” tab to find out what times the teams you want to see play.
MannyP says
In other news… looks like poor decision-making has ruined another promising player’s life:
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/6906139/javaris-crittenton-fbi-obtains-arrest-warrant
Renato Afonso says
Actually, the game to watch will be Serbia-Italy. Spain will pound Poland and I think that Spain will win by 15+… On the other hand, I believe that Serbia is the best team in the tournament and no one can beat them except themselves (those Serbs, specially Teodosic, are crazy). It will be a very though game… Looking forward to it.
Kaifa says
Go Dirk! I’m rooting for my native Germany to play a good tournament and qualify for London 2012.
Snoopy2006 says
(Almost) World Peace on Dancing With the Stars!! Now I’ll have to watch that awful, hellacious show (or at least Youtube clips of Ron dancing).
Touching story that he’s doing it for his daughter, though.
Darius Soriano says
A new post is up.
http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2011/08/30/reasonable-doubt-kobe-bryant/
JT's Hoops Blog says
It’s a shame that I will not be able to see it. I’m sure that it will be awesome–the best ball outside of the NBA, especially when there is a lockout happening. Just my luck 🙁
Mathew says
Check FIBA Americas Championship 2011 Details and also check who are the squads here Fiba Americas Championship Players List