FIBA 2010: Summary
With the FIBA World Championship lurking just around the corner, there are several interesting questions to consider:
- Is Argentina worthy of the No. 1 ranking it has been given by FIBA heading into the World Championship in Turkey?
- Is Iran a serious contender after usurping China as the team to beat in Asia?
- Is Greece finally ready to break through after reaching the 2006 final?
- Is Germany really a dangerous wild-card team?
- Is the friendly between the United States and Spain that is slated to take place in Spain in August most definitely a preview of the FIBA World Championship final?
FIBA 2010: Highlighting Group D
Spain
Spain is the defending FIBA World Champion after taking the gold medal in Japan in 2006, and will go to Turkey ranked No. 3 in the FIBA World Rankings. Spain reached the gold-medal game of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, only to lose to the United States, 118-107. Spain is loaded with talent, and boasts the one team that can at least come close to the United States in that department. When Spain won the 2006 FIBA World Championship, center Pau Gasol (Los Angeles Lakers) led the charge. Four years later, it’s Gasol again. Gasol averaged 18.7 points and 8.3 rebounds in the EuroBasket Championship. Other key players for Spain include guard Rudy Fernandez, who averaged points at EuroBasket and Juan-Carlos Navarro (Memphis Grizzlies), who averaged 13.2 points. Marc Gasol and Ricky Rubio also could play big roles for Spain as it tries to repeat as FIBA World Champions. Spain opens against France in Izmir when the World Championship begins Aug. 28.
FIBA 2010: Highlighting Group C
Greece
Greece is coming off a fifth-place finish in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and is fourth in the FIBA World Rankings. Greece boasts a talented, experienced squad that could make a run at the gold medal. Leading the charge for Greece is veteran Vasileios Spanoulis, who made the all tournament team at the EuroBasket Championship, where he averaged 14.1 points and 4.2 assists. Other key players for Greece include centers Sofoklis Schortsianitis, who averaged 11.9 points at EuroBasket, and Ioannis Bouroussis, who averaged 10.4 points and 7.2 rebounds. There are questions about whether Dimitris Diamantidis will play because he has dealt with injuries recently. Diamantidis is a long-armed guard who is considered by many to be the best defensive player in Europe.
FIBA 2010: Highlighting Group B
United States of America
The United States has named a 27-man national team roster that should be good through 2012, and it is rather daunting. All the top members of the 2008 team, which won the gold medal at the Beijing Olympics are back, including Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony. Coach Mike Krzyzewski, who has been a steadying force since taking over in 2005, also is slated to be back for the United States, which is No. 2 in the FIBA World Rankings. However, the team’s roster for the FIBA World Championship is not set, as injury situations and contract negotiations have to be ironed out. In any case, the United States figures to be in the hunt for the gold medal. The United States has not won a FIBA World Championship since 1994, when “Dream Team II,” led by MVP Shaquille O’Neal, captured the gold medal. The United States opens the World Championship against Croatia in Istanbul Aug. 28.
FIBA 2010: Highlighting Group A
Argentina
Four of Argentina’s NBA players, Carlos Delfino, Manu Ginobili, Fabricio Oberto and Andres Nocioni, were not on hand when the team squeaked out a bronze medal finish at the FIBA Americas Championship last year. But Luis Scola was, and he sparked the team after some early losses.
Due to some injuries and age, it is unclear who will be present for Argentina in Turkey, but the team is bound to be successful because its players are known for their dedication and commitment to the team. If Nocioni and Ginobili return from injuries and are able to compete alongside Scola, Argentina should be among the best again. Argentina opens the FIBA World Championship against Germany in Kayseri Aug. 28 in what could be one of the most intriguing first-round matchups.
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