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awhom111
04-12-2012, 09:08 PM
I figured that a separate Olympic thread for non-USA related stuff would be a good idea as countries start announcing their squads and the final qualifying and exhibition games are played. Appropriately, our first news is that Team Great Britain has announced a 21 man preliminary squad:
http://www.gbbasketball.com/news/2114.php

Our own Luol Deng is obviously the big head-liner, but Eric Boateng (now playing in Greece for Peristeri) is also on the list. Here are the rest of the names, their teams, and any ties they have to the United States:

Kieron Achara, Manresa (Spain), Duquesne
Ogo Adegboye, APOEL Nicosia (Cyprus), St. Bonaventure
Robert Archibald, Zaragoza (Spain), Illinois and NBA (2002-2004)
Matthew Bryan-Amaning, Hacettepe (Turkey), Washington
Dan Clark, Estudiantes (Spain)
Joel Freeland, Unicaja Malaga (Spain), Drafted 30th by Blazers in 2006
Ben Gordon, Detroit Pistons, UConn
Kyle Johnson, APOEL Nicosia (Cyprus), LIU
Mike Lenzly, Nymburk (Czech Republic), Wofford
Andrew Lawrence, College of Charleston
Alex Marcotullio, Northwestern
Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Besiktas (Turkey), George Washington and NBA (2006-2011)
Byron Mullens, Charlotte Bobcats, Ohio State
Sullivan Phillips, Prievidza (Slovakia), Washington Adventist (DII)
Nate Reinking, Sheffield (Great Britain), Kent State
Ryan Richards, no team, Drafted 49th by Spurs in 2010
Ovie Soko, UAB
Andrew Sullivan, Leicester (Great Britain), Villanova
Devon van Oostrum, Tarragona (Spain)

gam7
04-12-2012, 09:22 PM
I figured that a separate Olympic thread for non-USA related stuff would be a good idea as countries start announcing their squads and the final qualifying and exhibition games are played. Appropriately, our first news is that Team Great Britain has announced a 21 man preliminary squad:
http://www.gbbasketball.com/news/2114.php

Our own Luol Deng is obviously the big head-liner, but Eric Boateng (now playing in Greece for Peristeri) is also on the list. Here are the rest of the names, their teams, and any ties they have to the United States:

Kieron Achara, Manresa (Spain), Duquesne
Ogo Adegboye, APOEL Nicosia (Cyprus), St. Bonaventure
Robert Archibald, Zaragoza (Spain), Illinois and NBA (2002-2004)
Matthew Bryan-Amaning, Hacettepe (Turkey), Washington
Dan Clark, Estudiantes (Spain)
Joel Freeland, Unicaja Malaga (Spain), Drafted 30th by Blazers in 2006
Ben Gordon, Detroit Pistons, UConn
Kyle Johnson, APOEL Nicosia (Cyprus), LIU
Mike Lenzly, Nymburk (Czech Republic), Wofford
Andrew Lawrence, College of Charleston
Alex Marcotullio, Northwestern
Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Besiktas (Turkey), George Washington and NBA (2006-2011)
Byron Mullens, Charlotte Bobcats, Ohio State
Sullivan Phillips, Prievidza (Slovakia), Washington Adventist (DII)
Nate Reinking, Sheffield (Great Britain), Kent State
Ryan Richards, no team, Drafted 49th by Spurs in 2010
Ovie Soko, UAB
Andrew Sullivan, Leicester (Great Britain), Villanova
Devon van Oostrum, Tarragona (Spain)

Biggest surprise to me is Ben Gordon. Didn't realize he had British ties. Also didn't know BJ Mullens was a Brit. I just thought he was a tall, American Buckeye with a face for radio.

UrinalCake
04-12-2012, 09:31 PM
Did Gordon and Deng ever play together in Chicago?

gam7
04-12-2012, 09:39 PM
Did Gordon and Deng ever play together in Chicago?

Yes, they actually were in the same draft (2004). Gordon was picked third by the Bulls and Deng seventh by the Suns, but was then immediately traded to the Bulls. They played together through the 08-09 season.

superdave
04-13-2012, 09:32 AM
Looks like Ricardo Rubio (http://news.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/other_nba/view/20120411timberwolves_ricky_rubio_faces_a_long_road _back_from_knee_injuries/srvc=home&position=recent)may not even be back for the beginning of the next NBA season.

awhom111
04-17-2012, 09:04 PM
The latest team to announce a preliminary roster is Lithuania and as expected, Marty Pocius is in the squad. Like Great Britain, Lithuania will be playing some exhibition games in Houston. They still need to qualify for the Olympics in the final tournament that decides the last three teams. Here is the article from the FIBA website for us English-language readers:
http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/51226/arti.html

Besides Marty, here is the rest of the team:

Mantas Kalnietis, Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania)
Sarunas Jasikevicius, Panathinaikos Athens (Greece), Maryland and NBA (2005-2007)
Rolandas Alijevas, Krasnye Krylia Samara (Russia)
Adas Juskevicius, Rudupis (Lithuania)
Zygimantas Janavicius, Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania)
Tomas Delininkaitis, Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania)
Martynas Gecevicius, Olympiakos Piraeus (Greece)
Renaldas Seibutis, Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania), Drafted 50th by Mavericks in 2007
Rimantas Kaukenas, Montepaschi Siena, Seton Hall
Deividas Dulkys, Florida State
Simas Jasaitis, Turk Telekom Ankara (Turkey)
Jonas Maciulis, Baltai (Lithuania)
Linus Kleiza, Toronto Raptors, Missouri
Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania)
Mindaugas Katelynas, Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania), Tennessee-Chattanooga
Paulius Jankunas, Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania)
Darius Songaila, Valladolid (Spain), Wake Forest and NBA (2003-2011)
Tadas Klimivicius, Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania)
Donatas Motiejunas, Asseco Prokom Gdynia (Poland), Drafted 20th by Timberwolves in 2011, rights held by Rockets
Ksistof Lavrinovic, Montepaschi Siena (Italy)
Robertas Javtokas, Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania), Arizona, Drafted 55th by Spurs in 2001
Antanas Kavaliauskas, VEF Riga (Latvia), Texas A&M
Jonas Valanciunas, Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania), Drafted 5th by Raptors in 2011

roywhite
04-17-2012, 09:13 PM
Lithuania with a population of 3.2 million, according to this profile from Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuania), what an amazing hoops story.

If there is such a thing, most basketball talent per capita?

Reminds me of Uruguay (almost exactly the same population) in soccer.

muzikfrk75
04-18-2012, 10:10 AM
Looks like Ricardo Rubio (http://news.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/other_nba/view/20120411timberwolves_ricky_rubio_faces_a_long_road _back_from_knee_injuries/srvc=home&position=recent)may not even be back for the beginning of the next NBA season.

This is a dang shame. Would've loved to see what the Spaniards would have been at full strength this summer, although they still would lose to USA :D

Has it been confirmed that Kyrie is playing for Australia?

CDu
04-18-2012, 10:28 AM
Yes, they actually were in the same draft (2004). Gordon was picked third by the Bulls and Deng seventh by the Suns, but was then immediately traded to the Bulls. They played together through the 08-09 season.

Yup, the Bulls began their resurrection with a starting lineup of Duhon, Hinrich, Deng/Nocioni, Antonio Davis, and Eddy Curry, with Gordon and Tyson Chandler coming off the bench. The following year they dumped Curry and started interchanging Gordon and Duhon as starters alongside Hinrich. Deng's role kept expanding each year (except when injuries sidelined him periodically), but Gordon never could shake his issues with streakiness, lack of defense, and lack of size at SG. So he kept bouncing in an out of the starting lineup as the staff tried to find the best way to maximize his talents. I think the Bulls would have loved to have simply made Gordon a permanent 6th man in the ~20 mpg range as instant offense, but they could never find a SG (or PG if they moved Hinrich to SG) good enough to keep Gordon off the floor.

The Bulls lucked out after the 2008 season when they struck it big and got the #1 pick. That allowed them to take Derrick Rose. They then moved Hinrich to the bench, started Gordon all season, and let Gordon walk after the year was over (thanking the Pistons for overpaying for Gordon's streakiness). Since leaving Chicago, Gordon hasn't reached 14ppg in 3 seasons since then.

But it was a nice run in Chicago for Gordon, Hinrich, and Deng. They went to the playoffs in 4 of their 5 seasons as a trio. And Deng has now become a key member of a team that has emerged as one of the top 3-4 teams in the NBA the last two years (with a little help from a guy named Rose, of course).

awhom111
04-26-2012, 09:09 PM
The latest squad announcement comes from Puerto Rico, which named a large preliminary squad for the large number of games they may play this summer:
http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/51411/arti.html

Here is the list with the Unites States ties as usual. Everyone whose team is listed as the Quebradillas Pirates is a current teammate of Shavlik Randolph.

Carlos Arroyo, Besiktas (Turkey), Florida International and NBA (2001-2011)
J.J. Barea, Minnesota Timberwolves, Northeastern
Andres Rodriguez, Obradoiro (Blu:sens Monbus) (Spain), American
Shabazz Napier, UConn
Denis Clemente, Nitra (Slovakia), Kansas State and Miami
Miguel Ali Berdiel, Bayamon Cowboys (Puerto Rico), Valparaiso
John Holland, Chorale Roanne (France), Boston University
Larry Ayuso, Arecibo Captains (Puerto Rico), USC
Mike Rosario, Florida
Johwen Villegas, Guaynabo Mets (Puerto Rico), Florida International
Javier Mojica, Bayamon Cowboys (Puerto Rico), Central Connecticut State
David Huertas, Quebradillas Pirates (Puerto Rico), Ole Miss
Edwin Ubiles, Dakota Wizards (D-League), Siena
Alex Galindo, Guayama Wizards (Puerto Rico), Florida International
Carmelo Lee, Bayamon Cowboys (Puerto Rico), Long Beach State
Kevin Young Morales, Kansas
Ricky Sanchez, Wuber Estudiantes de Bahia Blanca (Argentina), IMG Academy, Drafted 35th by Blazers in 2005, rights traded to Nuggets in 2005, traded to Sixers in 2007, and traded to Grizzlies in 2012
Ramon Clemente, Mayaguez Indians (Puerto Rico), Wichita State
Devon Collier, Oregon State
Tomas Vazquez, Guayama Wizards (Puerto Rico), Canisius
Carlos Lopez, UNLV
Nathan Peavy, Artland Dragons (Germany), Miami (Ohio)
Renaldo Balkman, no team, South Carolina and NBA (2006-2012)
Angel Garcia, Granada (Spain), Memphis
Matt Lopez, Utah State
Victor Davila, Virginia Tech
Jorge Bryan Diaz, Nebraska
Daniel Santiago, Arecibo Captains (Puerto Rico), New Mexico and St. Vincent (NAIA)
Peter John Ramos, Quebradillas Pirates (Puerto Rico), NBA (2004-2005)

SilkyJ
04-27-2012, 04:16 PM
Has it been confirmed that Kyrie is playing for Australia?

Kyrie confirmed about 6-8 weeks ago that he won't be playing for the Aussies. Link (http://espn.go.com/olympics/basketball/story/_/id/7650652/cleveland-cavaliers-kyrie-irving-play-australia-london-olympics).

He wants to be a part of team USA potentially in 2016, and this preserves that option for him. (BTW, how does that work if you have dual citizenship? Could you compete for one country in one olympics and another one 4 years later? I assume not, but I've never looked into the matter...maybe I should do a google search, but I have a meeting to go to right now.)

awhom111
04-27-2012, 08:43 PM
It is not possible to switch senior international teams. Once Kyrie plays for the United States full national team (not counting the U-18 or other youth teams) he cannot play for Australia and vice versa.

As publicized earlier in the year, Todd Zafirovski has been included in the preliminary squad for Macedonia's team for the final Qualifying Tournament. I will do the full list once it hits FIBA or another reputable English-language online source. Here is the announcement from the federation:
http://www.basketball.org.mk/?ItemID=68251D14431B54469E581BAF25F1D777
Here is the list using an alphabet system that the typical DBR reader is familiar with:
http://www.acb.com/redaccion.php?id=84298
While there are a number of Americans who have been naturalized on the list, keep in mind that only one is allowed to be on the final team and it is pretty much definitely going to be Bo McCalebb as long as he is healthy, due to the fact that he nearly single-handedly dragged them to a spot where they could even dream of qualifying for the Olympics.

Jon Scheyer's ex-coach Larry Blatt named his 16 player preliminary squad for the Olympic Qualifying tournament:
http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/51424/arti.html

Russia is also due to train and play a few exhibitions in the United States

Here are the player and their US ties:

Semen Antonov, Nizhny Novgorod (Russia)
Sergey Bykov, Lokomotiv Kuban (Russia)
Eugeny Voronov, CSKA Moscow (Russia)
Andrey Vorontsevich, CSKA Moscow (Russia)
Maxim Grigoryev, Lokomotiv Kuban (Russia)
Sergey Karasev, Triumph Lyubertsy (Russia)
Sasha Kaun, CSKA Moscow(Russia), Kansas, Drafted 56th by Sonics, rights traded to Cavaliers
Andrei Kirilenko, CSKA Moscow (Russia), NBA (2001-2011)
Timofey Mozgov, Denver Nuggets
Sergey Monya, Khimki Moscow (Russia), NBA (2005-2006)
Anton Ponkrashov, CSKA Moscow (Russia)
Vitaly Fridzon, Khimki Moscow (Russia)
Dmitry Khvostov, Khimki Moscow (Russia)
Viktor Khryapa, CSKA Moscow (Russia), NBA (2004-2008)
Alexey Shved, CSKA Moscow (Russia)
Artem Yakovenko, UNICS Kazan (Russia)

awhom111
05-02-2012, 09:26 PM
Here are two more preliminary squads:

First up is Australia, which will be in the other group and could be a potential quarterfinal opponent for the United States:

http://www.basketball.net.au/index.php?id=302&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=2437&tx_ttnews[backPid]=282&cHash=2b7403a40f

David Andersen, Montepaschi Siena (Italy), NBA (2009-2011)
David Barlow, UCAM Murcia (Spain), Metro State (DII)
Aron Baynes, Ikaros Kallitheas (Greece), Washington State
Anatoly Bose, Sydney Kings (Australia), Nicholls State
Ryan Broekhoff, Valparaiso
Peter Crawford, Townsville Crocodiles (Australia)
Mitch Creek, Adelaide 36ers (Australia)
Matthew Dellavedova, St. Mary's
Anthony Drmic, Boise State
Adam Gibson, Gold Coast Blaze (Australia)
Hugh Greenwood, New Mexico
Joe Ingles, FC Barcelona (Spain)
Nathan Jawai, UNICS Kazan (Russia), Midland (JC) and NBA (2008-2010)
Julian Khazzouh, Sydney Kings (Australia)
Daniel Kickert, PGE Turow (Poland), St. Mary's
Matt Knight, Perth Wildcats (Australia), Loyola Marymount
Aleks Maric, Panathinaikos Athens (Greece), Nebraska
Damian Martin, Perth Wildcats (Australia), Loyola Marymount
Patrick Mills, San Antonio Spurs, St. Mary's
Brock Motum, Washington State
Brad Newley, Valencia (Spain), Drafted 54th in 2007 by Rockets
Matt Nielsen, Khimki Moscow (Russia)
AJ Ogilvy, Valencia (Spain), Vanderbilt
Jesse Wagstaff, Perth Wildcats (Australia), Metro State (DII)
Mark Worthington, Gold Coast Blaze (Australia), Metro State (DII)

Here is Jordan's list for the qualifying tournament. There are not too many United States ties with this group and all of them play in the country's domestic league.

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/51479/arti.html

Wesam Al-Sous, ASU Sports Club (Jordan)
Mousa Alawadi, ASU Sports Club (Jordan)
Islam Abbaas, ASU Sports Club (Jordan)
Mohammad Hadrab, ASU Sports Club (Jordan)
Abdallah Abuqoura, ASU Sports Club (Jordan)
Mahmoud Abdeen, ASU Sports Club (Jordan)
Mohammad Hussein, ASU Sports Club (Jordan)
Sam Daghles, Orthodox Amman (Jordan), Midwestern State (DII)
Zaid Abbas, Orthodox Amman (Jordan)
Fares Saqf-AlHait, Orthodox Amman (Jordan), Calumet (NAIA)
Hasan Sinan Sen, Orthodox Amman (Jordan)
Enver Soobzokov, Orthodox Amman (Jordan), CSU-San Bernardino (DII)
Khaldon Abu Ruqayah, Kofer Yoba Irbid (Jordan)
Hani Alfaraj, Kofer Yoba Irbid (Jordan)
Ibrahim Bassam, Kofer Yoba Irbid (Jordan)
Ahmad Alhamarsheh, Kofer Yoba Irbid (Jordan)
Fadel Al Najjar, Kofer Yoba Irbid (Jordan)
Ali Zaghab, Al Riyadi Amman (Jordan)
Mohammad Jamal, Al Riyadi Amman (Jordan)
Ahmad Al Dwairi, Al Riyadi Amman (Jordan)

UrinalCake
05-02-2012, 10:54 PM
Here is Jordan's list for the qualifying tournament. There are not too many United States ties with this group and all of them play in the country's domestic league.

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/51479/arti.html


For each one of those guys I bet I can guess who their favorite player was growing up.

awhom111
05-03-2012, 08:42 PM
For each one of those guys I bet I can guess who their favorite player was growing up.

I'll bet they are all Duke fans and frequently rooted for the Western Conference winners in numerous Finals series in the 1990s.



Here is the latest squad, South Korea's for the qualification round. I was unable to find current teams for all of the players but it seems that some of them play for Korean universities and one appears to still be in high school. There are few American ties outside of the ones born here, but there are a pair of ACC connections:

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/51484/arti.html

Ji-Hyun Park, Wonju Dongbu Promy (South Korea)
Kwang-Jae Lee, Wonju Dongbu Promy (South Korea)
Dong-Geun Yang, Ulsan Mobis Phoebus (South Korea)
Byung-Hyun Kang, Jeonju KCC Egis (South Korea)
Young-Sam Jung, Incheon ET Land Elephants (South Korea)
Chan-Hee Park, Anyang KGC (South Korea)
Tony Akins, Jeonju KCC Egis (South Korea), Georgia Tech
Tae-Sool Kim, Anyang KGC (South Korea)
Jung-Hyun Lee, Anyang KGC (South Korea)
Sun-Hyung Kim
Sung-Min Cho, Busan KY Sonicboom (South Korea)
Joo-Sung Kim, Wonju Dongbu Promy (South Korea)
Ji-Hoon Ham, Ulsan Mobis Phoebus (South Korea)
Ho-Young Yoon, Wonju Dongbu Promy (South Korea)
Hee-Jong Yang, Anyang KGC (South Korea)
Eric Sandrin, Seoul Samsung Thunders (South Korea), Seattle Pacific (DII), also known as Seung-Jun Lee
Dong-Wook Kim
Jin-Soo Choi, Goyang Orions (South Korea), Maryland
Min-Gu Kim
Seung-Hyun Lee
Jong-Kyu Kim
Jun-Il Kim
Jong-Hyun Lee
Se-Keun Oh, Anyang KGC (South Korea)

awhom111
05-09-2012, 08:42 PM
France has named their 18 man preliminary squad and listed 6 players that would be called in as replacements. DeMarcus Nelson has one of his Cholet teammates on the list. Here is the article:
http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/51548/arti.html

Here are both the lists of 18 and 6 players with their teams and any American ties:
Andrew Albicy, BCM Gravelines (France)
Rodrigue Beaubois, Dallas Mavericks
Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
Steed Tchicamboud, Elan Chalon (France)
Yannick Bokolo, BCM Gravelines (France)
Fabian Causeur, Cholet (France)
Nando De Colo, Valencia (Spain), Drafted 53rd by Spurs in 2009
Nicolas Batum, Portland Trailblazers
Yakhouba Diawara, Varese (Italy), Pepperdine
Mickael Gelabale, Khimki Moscow (Russia), NBA (2006-2008)
Charles Kahudi, Le Mans Sarthe (France)
Boris Diaw, San Antonio Spurs
Florent Pietrus, Valencia (Spain)
Ali Traore, Lokomotiv Kuban (Russia), Southern Idaho (JC)
Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls, Florida
Ian Mahinmi, Dallas Mavericks
Kevin Seraphin, Washington Wizards
Ronnie Turiaf, Miami Heat, Gonzaga

Alexis Ajinca, Strasbourg IG (France), NBA (2008-2011)
Evan Fournier, Poitiers (France), Declared for 2012 NBA Draft
Thomas Heurtel, Caja Laboral Baskonia (Spain)
Edwin Jackson, ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne (France)
Mickael Pietrus, Boston Celtics
Kim Tillie, ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne (France), Utah

awhom111
05-21-2012, 08:41 PM
Brazil's 13 players have been announced. They will not be in the same group as the United States in the Olympics.

English:
http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/51662/arti.html
Portuguese:
http://www.cbb.com.br/noticias/showrelease.asp?Artigo=9788

Marcelo Huertas, FC Barcelona (Spain), Coppell High School (Texas)
Larry James Taylor Jr, Bauru (Brazil), Missouri Western State (DII)
Raul Togni Neto, Lagun Aro (Spain)
Leandro Barbosa, Indiana Pacers
Marcelo Machado, Flamengo (Brazil)
Marcus Vinicius Vieira De Souza, Pinheiros (Brazil), NBA (2006-2008)
Alex Ribeiro Garcia, Brasilia (Brazil), NBA (2003-2005)
Anderson Varejao, Cleveland Cavaliers
Guilherme Giovannoni, Brasilia (Brazil)
Tiago Splitter, San Antonio Spurs
Rafael Hettsheimeir, Zaragoza (Spain)
Nene, Washington Wizards
Caio Torres, Flamengo (Brazil)

UrinalCake
05-21-2012, 10:58 PM
France has named their 18 man preliminary squad and listed 6 players that would be called in as replacements.

That could actually be a pretty decent team, with a starting lineup of all NBA players. If I'm not mistaken, all of these guys are starters or solid rotation players.

PG Tony Parker
SG Mickael Pietrus
SF Boris Diaw
PF Ronnie Turiaf
C Joakim Noah

Plus four other NBA guys (none of whom I'm familiar with)

Billy Dat
05-22-2012, 03:46 PM
That could actually be a pretty decent team, with a starting lineup of all NBA players. If I'm not mistaken, all of these guys are starters or solid rotation players.

PG Tony Parker
SG Mickael Pietrus
SF Boris Diaw
PF Ronnie Turiaf
C Joakim Noah

Plus four other NBA guys (none of whom I'm familiar with)

All four of these guys are LEGIT NBA players.

Rodrigue Beaubois, Dallas Mavericks
Nicolas Batum, Portland Trailblazers
Ian Mahinmi, Dallas Mavericks
Kevin Seraphin, Washington Wizards

If these 9 got used to playing with each other, they have the talent to win the whole thing, no question.

awhom111
05-22-2012, 10:50 PM
France finished as runners-up in Eurobasket 2011 even without Turiaf, Pietrus, Beaubois, and Mahinimi on the team. UC's starting five there would certainly be the defensively oriented version of the team. Batum has showed plenty of scoring ability along with ex-NBA player Gelabale. Do not sleep on players like Nando De Colo and DeMarcus Nelson's teammate and French League MVP Fabien Causeur on the wing and Ali Traore down low.



Marty has survived Lithuania's first cut down to 19 players. Here are the other players still in contention:
http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/51674/arti.html

Tomas Delininkaitis, Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania)
Deividas Dulkys, Florida State
Paulius Jankunas, Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania)
Simas Jasaitis, Turk Telekom Ankara (Turkey)
Sarunas Jasikevicius, Panathinaikos Athens (Greece), Maryland and NBA (2005-2007)
Robertas Javtokas, Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania), Arizona, Drafted 55th by Spurs in 2001
Adas Juskevicius, Rudupis (Lithuania)
Mantas Kalnietis, Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania)
Rimantas Kaukenas, Montepaschi Siena, Seton Hall
Antanas Kavaliauskas, VEF Riga (Latvia), Texas A&M
Linus Kleiza, Toronto Raptors, Missouri
Tadas Klimivicius, Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania)
Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania)
Jonas Maciulis, Baltai (Lithuania)
Donatas Motiejunas, Asseco Prokom Gdynia (Poland), Drafted 20th by Timberwolves in 2011, rights held by Rockets
Renaldas Seibutis, Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania), Drafted 50th by Mavericks in 2007
Darius Songaila, Valladolid (Spain), Wake Forest and NBA (2003-2011)
Jonas Valanciunas, Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania), Drafted 5th by Raptors in 2011

Here is Angola's 17 player list for the qualifying tournament:
http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/51671/arti.html

Leonel Paulo, Primeiro de Agosto (Angola)
Carlos Almeida, Primeiro de Agosto (Angola)
Armando Costa, Primeiro de Agosto (Angola)
Kikas Gomes, Primeiro de Agosto (Angola), Valparaiso
Felizardo Ambrósio, Primeiro de Agosto (Angola)
Carlos Morais, Petroleos de Luanda (Angola)
Paulo Barros, Petroleos de Luanda (Angola)
Roberto Fortes, Petroleos de Luanda (Angola), Illinois State
Divaldo Mbunga, Petroleos de Luanda (Angola), Montana State
Paulo Santana, Petroleos de Luanda (Angola), Southeastern (JC)
Jorge Tati, Interclube de Luanda (Angola)
Eduardo Mingas, Interclube de Luanda (Angola)
Milton Barros, Interclube de Luanda (Angola)
Olímpio Cipriano, Libolo (Angola)
Luís Costa, Libolo (Angola)
Yanick Moreira, South Plains (JC)
Valdelicio Joaquim, Hawaii

throatybeard
05-22-2012, 11:23 PM
That Luol Deng just finished his eighth NBA season is one of the myriad factors that makes me feel older than homemade dirt.

awhom111
05-24-2012, 01:48 AM
John Calipari has named his preliminary squad for the Dominican Republic and he even managed to include one of his own players and possible future recruiting:
http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/51684/arti.html

Edgar Sosa, Fabi Shoes Montegranaro (Italy), Louisville
Manuel Quezada, Leon (Spain), San Francisco
Ronald Ramon, Limeira (Brazil), Pittsburgh
Gerardo Suero, Albany
Juan Coronado, Domingo Paulino Santiago (Dominican Republic)
Luis Flores, Budivelnyk Kiev (Ukraine), Manhattan
Victor Liz, North Jersey Pros (Atlantic Coast Professional Basketball League
Manuel Fortuna, Leones de Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic)
Dagoberto Pena, Marshall
James Feldeine, Breogan (Spain), Quinnipiac
Sammy Mejia, CSKA Moscow (Russia), DePaul
Ricky Greer, Strasbourg IG (France), Pittsburgh
Francisco Garcia, Sacramento Kings, Louisville
Charlie Villanueva, Detroit Pistons, UConn
Eulis Baez, Joventut Badalona (Spain), Western Illinois
Jack Michael Martinez, Cocodrilos de Caracas (Venezuela), Artesia High School (California)
Alejandro Salas, Capitanes de la Bahia (Dominican Republic), East Oklahoma State (JC)
Eloy Vargas, Kentucky
Orlando Sanchez, Monroe (JC)
Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks, Florida
Josh Asselin, Assignia Manresa (Spain), Michigan
Manuel Guzman, Cupes de los Pepines (Dominican Republic), Bemidji State (DII)
Karl Towns, St. Joseph's High School (New Jersey)

awhom111
05-26-2012, 07:44 PM
Here is Tunisia's preliminary squad:
http://www.fibaafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2107%3Atun-londres-2012-la-preselection-pour-les-jo&catid=121%3Aaccueil&Itemid=128&lang=en

They will be in the same group as the United States and will meet in the second game.

Radhouan Slimane, Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia)
Hamdi Braa, Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia)
Amine Rezig, Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia)
Marouene Kechrid, Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia)
Salah Mejri, Antwerp Giants (Belgium)
Marouene Laghnej, JS Kairouan (Tunisia)
Mohamed Amine Maghrebi, Ezzahra Sports (Tunisia)
Mourad El Mabrouk, Ezzahra Sports (Tunisia)
Lassaad Chouya, Club Africain Tunis (Tunisia)
Mokhtar Ghayaza, Ezzahra Sport Rades (Tunisia)
Makaram Ben Romdhane, Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia)
Zied Toumi, Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia)
Aymen Bouzid, Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia)
Nizar Kenioua, Stade Nabeulien (Tunisia)
Mohamed Ali Ben Ammar, Toulouse (France)
Sofiane M’rad, Cuesta (JC)

awhom111
05-30-2012, 08:58 PM
Here is South Korea's final 12 players for the qualifying tournament, where they will at least face Russia and the Dominican Republic:
http://www.fibaasia.net/NewsDetails.aspx?id=2289

Credit to poster CKR13 at the Interbasket forums for a couple of teams that I was missing before.

Dong-Geun Yang, Ulsan Mobis Phoebus (South Korea)
Chan-Hee Park, Anyang KGC (South Korea)
Tae-Sool Kim, Anyang KGC (South Korea)
Sun-Hyung Kim, Seoul Knights (South Korea)
Ho-Young Yoon, Wonju Dongbu Promy (South Korea)
Hee-Jong Yang, Anyang KGC (South Korea)
Eric Sandrin, Seoul Samsung Thunders (South Korea), Seattle Pacific (DII), also known as Seung-Jun Lee
Dong-Wook Kim, Goyang Orions (South Korea)
Jin-Soo Choi, Goyang Orions (South Korea), Maryland
Jong-Kyu Kim, Kyung-Hee University (South Korea)
Jong-Hyun Lee, Kyungbokgo High School (South Korea)
Sek-Eun Oh, Anyang KGC (South Korea)

awhom111
06-03-2012, 10:53 PM
Nick Horvath did not make the New Zealand preliminary squad for the the qualifying tournament as they prepare to face Angola and Macedonia. The lone naturalized player slot is now currently being held by ex-Northern Arizona player Casey Frank with ex-Georgetown player Kevin Braswell and Nick's Manawatu Jets teammate and ex-Oregon State player Marcel Jones trying to get citizenship in time to compete for a spot. Here is the rest of the squad, not including four young players there for the experience:
http://www.basketball.org.nz/news/tall-blacks-trialists-named/

Hayden Allen, Auckland Pirates (New Zealand)
Josh Bloxham, Nelson Giants (New Zealand)
Everard Bartlett, Bay Hawkes (New Zealand)
Isaac Fotu, Attending Hawaii in Fall
Casey Frank, Wellington Saints (New Zealand), Northern Arizona
Leon Henry, Otago Nuggets (New Zealand), Southern Idaho (JC)
Jeremy Kench, Wellington Saints (New Zealand)
Jarrod Kenny, Bay Hawks (New Zealand)
Robert Loe, Saint Louis
Morgan Natanahira, Bay Hawks (New Zealand)
Alex Pledger, Auckland Pirates (New Zealand), Belmont Abbey (DII)
Lindsay Tait, Auckland Pirates (New Zealand)
Jeremiah Trueman, Manawatu Jets (New Zealand), Alaska-Anchorage (DII)
Mika Vukona, Nelson Giants (New Zealand)
Tai Webster, Auckland Pirates (New Zealand)

awhom111
06-04-2012, 08:55 PM
Todd Zafirovski has reportedly already started training in Macedonia and most of the rest of the team is going to join in this week.


China has been adding and cutting players over the course of the spring. Here are the 17 players they have right now:
http://www.fibaasia.net/NewsDetails.aspx?id=2272

China will be on the other side of the draw from the United States.

Wang Zhizhi, Bayi Rockets (China), NBA (2001-2005)
Yi Jianlian, Dallas Mavericks
Zhang Zhaoxu (aka Max Zhang), Shanghai Sharks (China), Cal
Su Wei, Guangdong Southern Tigers (China)
Han Dejun, Liaoning Dinosaurs (China)
Wang Zhelin, Fujian Xunxing (China)
Zhou Peng, Guangdong Southern Tigers (China)
Zhu Fangyu, Guangdong Southern Tigers (China)
Yi Li, Jiangsu Dragons (China)
Zhang Bo, Bayi Rockets (China)
Ding Jinhui, Zhejiang Bulls (China)
Zhai Xiaochuan, Beijing Ducks (China)
Liu Wei, Shanghai Sharks (China)
Wang Shipeng, Guangdong Southern Tigers (China)
Chen Jianghua, Guangdong Southern Tigers (China)
Sun Yue, NBA (2008-2009)
Guo Ailun, Liaoning Dinosaurs (China)

awhom111
06-05-2012, 09:12 PM
Here is an article on Todd Zafirovski and his first few practices with the team. I would highly suggest running the article through a translator.
http://www.basketball.org.mk/default.asp?ItemID=C55770875380AD44918033DBC63E4B4 F

Here was the preliminary squad that Macedonia called up. They will at least be playing Angola and New Zealand in their quest for one of the final three spots in the Olympics. Remember that they can only select one of the naturalized players (it should be obvious which five those are).

Vlado Ilievski, Lokomotiv Kuban (Russia)
Ognjen Stojanovski, MZT Skopje (Macedonia)
Damjan Stojanovski, Lukoil Akademik (Bulgaria)
Vojdan Stojanovski, Donetsk (Ukraine)
Pero Antic, Olympiakos (Greece)
Todor Gecevski, MZT Skopje (Macedonia)
Gjorgi Cekovski, MZT Skopje (Macedonia)
Predrag Samardziski, Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania)
Kiril Nikolovski, Feni Industries (Macedonia)
Darko Sokolov, Feni Industries (Macedonia)
Dime Tasovski, Lirija Skopje (Macedonia)
Jane Petrovski, Rabotnicki (Macedonia)
Aleksandar Kostoski, Kumanovo (Macedonia), on loan from Brasov (Romania)
Ivica Dimceski, Torus Skopje (Macedonia)
Dimitar Mirakovski, Rabotnicki (Macedonia)
Marko Simonovski, Feni Industries (Macedonia)
Gorjan Markovski, Torus Skopje (Macedonia)
Bojan Trajkovski, Torus Skopje (Macedonia)
Bojan Krstevski, Torus Skopje (Macedonia)
Nikola Karakolev, Torus Skopje (Macedonia)
Riste Stefanof, Ilysiakos (Greece)
Todd Zafirovski, Duke
Stojan Gjuroski, Lousiana Tech
Bo McCalebb, Montepaschi Siena (Italy), New Orleans
Kennedy Winston, Oostende (Belgium), Alabama
Jeremiah Massey, Lokomotiv Kuban (Russia), Kansas State
Darius Washington, Quebradillas Pirates (Puerto Rico), Memphis
Marques Green, Avelino (Italy), St. Bonaventure

awhom111
06-06-2012, 08:32 PM
Venezuela has been assembling their squad in a piecemeal manner for the South American Championships and the Olympics qualifying that they will host. They have home-court advantage, but face Lithuania and Nigeria in a tough group. Here is the 29 player list they had from last month:
http://www.fevebaloncesto.com/index.php/noticias/item/7-todo-listo-para-afrontar-el-suramericano

David Cubillán, Carabobo Trotamundos (Venezuela), Marquette
Gregory Vargas, Anzoategui Marinos (Venezuela)
Heissler Guillent, Lara Guaros (Venezuela)
Jesús Centeno, Caracas Cocodrilos (Venezuela)
Greivis Vásquez, New Orleans Hornets, Maryland
Jhornan Zamora, Valladolid (Spain)
Rafael Pérez, Carabobo Trotamundos (Venezuela)
Dwight Lewis Padrón, Carabobo Trotamundos (Venezuela), USC
John Cox, Le Havre (France), San Francisco
Daniel Herrera, Duquesne
Michael Flores, Miranda Panteras (Venezuela)
José Vargas, Anzoategui Marinos (Venezuela)
Oscar Torres, Anzoategui Marinos (Venezuela)
Michael Carrera, Montrose Christian (Maryland)
Anthony Pérez, Monteverde Academy (Florida)
Jorge Rondón, La Guaira Bucaneros (Venezuela)
Luis Valera, La Guaira Bucaneros (Venezuela), Texas Pan-American
Juan Coronado, Palm Beach (JC)
Francisco Centeno, Zulia Gaiteros (Venezuela)
Luis Bethelmy, Caracas Cocodrilos (Venezuela)
Néstor Colmenares, Caracas Cocodrilos (Venezuela), Campbellsville (NAIA)
Jesús Urbina, Aragua Toros (Venezuela), George Mason
Axiers Sucre, Anzoategui Marinos (Venezuela)
José Bravo, Guayana Gigantes (Venezuela)
Héctor Romero, Carabobo Trotamundos (Venezuela), New Orleans
Heberto Guanipa, St. Thomas(NAIA)
Windi Graterol, Caracas Cocodrilos (Venezuela)
Gregory Echenique, Creighton
Miguel Marriaga, Anzoategui Marinos (Venezuela)

awhom111
06-07-2012, 09:07 PM
Here is the Greek preliminary team for the qualifiers. Their group contains Puerto Rico and Jordan. Translation will be helpful on the link:
http://www.basket.gr/press/article.asp?id=8169

Antonis Fotsis, Emporio Armani Milan (Italy), NBA (2001-2002)
Ioannis Bourousis, Emporio Armani Milan (Italy)
Nikos Zisis, Montepaschi Siena (Italy)
Vassilis Spanoulis, Olympiakos Piraeus (Greece), NBA (2006-2007)
Kostas Sloukas, Olympiakos Piraeus (Greece)
Giorgos Printezis, Olympiakos Piraeus (Greece), Drafted 58th by Spurs in 2007, rights traded to Raptors, Mavericks, then the Knicks
Kostas Papanikolaou, Olympiakos Piraeus (Greece)
Evangelos Mantzaris, Olympiakos Piraeus (Greece)
Nick Calathes, Panathinaikos Athens (Greece), Florida
Ian Vougioukas, Panathinaikos Athens (Greece), Saint Louis
Kostas Kaimakoglou, Panathinaikos Athens (Greece)
Kostas Vasiliadis, Gescrap Bilbao (Spain)
Dimitrios Mavroeidis, Gescrap Bilbao (Spain)
Michael Bramos, Gran Canaria (Spain), Miami of Ohio

awhom111
06-08-2012, 09:13 PM
Here is Nigeria's preliminary squad for the qualifiers, where they will face Lithuania and the hosts Venezuela. The federation does not appear to have a website, so this is from a newspaper:

http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=164496:nbbf-invites-aminu-diogu-alabi-for-olympic-qualifier&catid=5:sports&Itemid=5

Olumide Oyedeji, Qingdao Eagles (China), NBA (2000-2003)
Michael Eric, Temple
Solomon Alabi, Toronto Raptors, Florida State
Akin Akingbala, Nancy (France), Clemson
Ike Diogu, Arecibo Captains (Puerto Rico), Arizona State
Ejike Ugboaja, Jahesh Tarabar Qom (Iran), Drafted by Cavaliers 55th in 2006
Ike Ofoegbu, Quintana Roo Pioneers (Mexico), SMU
Ezenwa Ukeagu, Sparta Bertrange (Luxembourg), Washington State
Anagonye Aloysius, Valladolid (Spain), Michigan State
Koko Archibong, Giessen 46ers (Germany), Penn
Al Farouk Aminu, New Orleans Hornets, Wake Forest
Melvin Ejim, Iowa State
Ekene Ibekwe, Bayreuth (Germany), Maryland
Ade Dagunduro, Leuven Bears (Belgium), Nebraska
Stanley Gumut, Customs Lagos (Nigeria)
Derrick Obasohan, Caracas Crocodiles (Venezuela), Texas-Arlington
Richard Oruche, Academica de Coimbra (Portugal), Illinois-Springfield (DII)
Tony Skinn, Ironi Ashkelon (Israel), George Mason
Usman Abubakar, Customs Lagos (Nigeria)
Mike Ohiero, Royal Hoopers (Nigeria)
Noruwa Agho, Columbia

awhom111
06-11-2012, 11:05 PM
Todd Zafirovski has been included in a squad of 12 players heading to Lithuania for an exhibition on Saturday. A number of key players are not going along, but it should be a great experience for him if he can get to see the court. Marty Pocius probably will not be involved, even if Real Madrid finishes thing off on Wednesday.

awhom111
06-14-2012, 10:28 PM
Does anyone know why there has not been more coverage of Todd Zafirovski playing with the Macedonian team? I would assume that someone on staff is in contact with him and we would be able to get more firsthand English-language news.

Apparently he made his national team debut today in their loss to Russia as the four European teams fighting for qualification are all playing in Lithuania this weekend. Apparently he is wearing number 12. I am still looking for a boxscore or more information. Russia is playing their full strength team while Macedonia is still waiting for some of the stars to be available. Next up is Lithuania on Saturday.

awhom111
06-15-2012, 09:50 PM
Here is the Dominican Republic's 12 man squad that will first compete for the Central American championship before trying to qualify for the Olympics:
http://www.dominicanosenbasket.com/2012/06/seleccion-dominicana-de-baloncesto-2012.html

Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks, Florida
Francisco Garcia, Sacramento Kings, Louisville
Eulis Baez, Joventut Badalona (Spain), Western Illinois
Jack Michael Martinez, Cocodrilos de Caracas (Venezuela), Artesia High School (California)
Josh Asselin, Assignia Manresa (Spain), Michigan
Ronald Ramon, Limeira (Brazil), Pittsburgh
Gerardo Suero, Albany
Juan Coronado, Domingo Paulino Santiago (Dominican Republic)
Amaurys Fermin, Cal Poly-SLO
Karl Towns, St. Joseph's High School (New Jersey)
Manuel Guzman, Cupes de los Pepines (Dominican Republic), Bemidji State (DII)
Manuel Fortuna, Leones de Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic)

Here is Argentina's 15 man preliminary squad as they are in the same group as the United States and are a likely challenger to move on to the next round:
http://www.cabb.com.ar/noticia_ficha.php?id=5852

Pablo Prigioni, Caja Laboral Baskonia (Spain)
Nicolas Laprovittola, Lanus (Argentina)
Facundo Campazzo, Penarol de Mar del Plata (Argentina)
Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs
Carlos Delfino, Milwaukee Bucks
Paolo Quinteros, Regatas Corrientes (Argentina)
Andres Nocioni, Caja Laboral Baskonia (Spain), NBA (2004-2012)
Hernan Jasen, Banca Civica Sevilla (Spain)
Marcos Mata, Penarol de Mar del Plata (Argentina)
Luis Scola, Houston Rockets
Federico Kammerichs, Flamengo (Brazil), Drafted 51st by Blazers in 2002
Leonardo Gutierrez, Penarol de Mar del Plata (Argentina)
Leonardo Mainoldi, Fuenlabrada (Spain)
Juan Pedro Gutierrez, Obras Sanitarias (Argentina)
Martin Leiva, Penarol de Mar del Plata (Argentina)

awhom111
06-16-2012, 02:09 PM
Todd Zafirovski played for 2 seconds as Macedonia shocked Lithuania again 78-74 even though they were still missing a number of key players and did not have any naturalized players. Of note for Lithuania, Deividas Dulkys got the start, but did not do much, Linus Kleiza had 19 points and 10 rebounds to lead the team, and Jonas Valanciunas had 10 points and 8 rebounds. Lithuania plays Greece tomorrow before being one of a number of teams headed to Houston for training. Macedonia will return home before heading to the Americas in preparation for Venezuela at the start of next month. Here is the boxscore:
http://www.musukrepsinis.lt/public/files/20120616-Lietuva-Makedonija.pdf

China and Australia played a three-game series last week with Australia sweeping all 3 games. Here are the live stats for those games:
http://www.fibalivestats.com/matches/13/05/65/22/465awNYeHJ9Bo/
http://www.fibalivestats.com/matches/13/05/65/21/20Nj28oIyxPI/
http://www.fibalivestats.com/matches/13/05/65/20/77r5w7L2H1s/

Jordan was playing competitive games at the WABA Championships in an attempt to qualify for the Asian Championships while training for their Olympic qualifiers. Here are the boxscores to their games:
http://www.fibaasia.net/PDFUpload/PDF01201261120156.PDF
http://www.fibaasia.net/PDFUpload/PDF012012612193443.PDF
http://www.fibaasia.net/PDFUpload/PDF012012613195728.PDF
http://www.fibaasia.net/PDFUpload/PDF012012614202956.PDF
http://www.fibaasia.net/PDFUpload/PDF012012615221231.PDF

awhom111
06-19-2012, 12:36 AM
Puerto Rico has named a 12 player squad with 1 alternate for this week's Centrobasket, which features teams from Central America and the Caribbean. There may be changes between this squad and the one used later for Olympic qualifying.
http://www.fbpur.org/masculina-adulta/los-12-para-el-centrobasket-masculino/

J.J. Barea, Minnesota Timberwolves, Northeastern
Andres Rodriguez, Obradoiro (Blu:sens Monbus) (Spain), American
Filiberto Rivera, San German Athletics (Puerto Rico), UTEP
Peter John Ramos, Quebradillas Pirates (Puerto Rico), NBA (2004-2005)
Daniel Santiago, Arecibo Captains (Puerto Rico), New Mexico and St. Vincent (NAIA)
Angel Garcia, Granada (Spain), Memphis
Ricky Sanchez, Wuber Estudiantes de Bahia Blanca (Argentina), IMG Academy, Drafted 35th by Blazers in 2005, rights traded to Nuggets in 2005, traded to Sixers in 2007, and traded to Grizzlies in 2012
David Huertas, Quebradillas Pirates (Puerto Rico), Ole Miss
Mike Rosario, Florida
Alex Galindo, Guayama Wizards (Puerto Rico), Florida International
Alexander Franklin, Mayaguez Indians (Puerto Rico)
Edwin Ubiles, Dakota Wizards (D-League), Siena

Here are 13 players that Venezuela brought to Argentina last week in preparation for the South American Championships. They could still make some changes for the Olympics:
http://www.fevebaloncesto.com/index.php/component/k2/item/39-definida-plantilla-para-el-suramericano-de-argentina

Greivis Vásquez, New Orleans Hornets, Maryland
Héctor Romero, Carabobo Trotamundos (Venezuela), New Orleans
David Cubillán, Carabobo Trotamundos (Venezuela), Marquette
Gregory Vargas, Anzoategui Marinos (Venezuela)
Windi Graterol, Caracas Cocodrilos (Venezuela)
Jhornan Zamora, Valladolid (Spain)
Miguel Marriaga, Anzoategui Marinos (Venezuela)
José Vargas, Anzoategui Marinos (Venezuela)
Jesús Urbina, Aragua Toros (Venezuela), George Mason
Axiers Sucre, Anzoategui Marinos (Venezuela)
Michael Flores, Miranda Panteras (Venezuela)
José Bravo, Guayana Gigantes (Venezuela)
Jesús Centeno, Caracas Cocodrilos (Venezuela)
Gregory Echenique, Creighton

Both of those tournaments started today. Venezuela used a balanced effort to beat Chile 86-61 and Uruguay pounded Bolivia 122-36. Brazil and Argentina are focusing on the Olympics and have sent weakened squads to compete. Brazil has no players from its Olympic squad and squeaked past Paraguay 67-63. Argentina has a couple of Olympic hopefuls but none of their big names as they beat Colombia 87-68. At Centrobasket, a relatively strong Jamaica team opened with a 91-61 win over Costa Rica, the Bahamas beat Cuba 80-68, and Mexico beat the US Virgin Islands 75-67. Puerto Rico used a number of players to beat Panama 92-60. These tournaments determine 8 spots in next summer's FIBA Americas tournament which will help determine who represents the continent in the next World Championships.

Greg_Newton
06-19-2012, 12:59 AM
All four of these guys are LEGIT NBA players.

Rodrigue Beaubois, Dallas Mavericks
Nicolas Batum, Portland Trailblazers
Ian Mahinmi, Dallas Mavericks
Kevin Seraphin, Washington Wizards

If these 9 got used to playing with each other, they have the talent to win the whole thing, no question.

Yeah, that's pretty impressive. Their NBA players alone could actually make up a decent NBA starting 5, with Diaw, Mahinmi and Turiaf providing frontcourt depth:

6'2 PG - Tony Parker (18.2 PPG, 7.7 APG)
6'8 SG - Nicolas Batum (13.9 PPG, 4.6 RPG)
6'6 SF - Mickael Pietrus (6.9 PPG, 3.1 RPG)
6'9 PF - Kevin Seraphin (7.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG)
C - Joakim Noah (10.2 PPG, 9.8 RPG)

Those are probably significantly better and deeper NBA numbers than even Spain will have.

awhom111
06-19-2012, 10:22 AM
Beaubois and Mahinimi are pretty much not going to be a part of the team and Pietrus is only one of the alternates. There are other post injuries and issues to deal with as Turiaf is still cheerleading for the heat and Noah is still trying to recover. With Ali Traore injured as well and first alternate Kim Tillie out, the team has dipped into the alternate pool and added one player according to this article:
http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/51987/arti.html

Now DeMarcus has two teammates, Fabien Causeur and future draft prospect Rudy Gobert, training with the French team.

awhom111
06-19-2012, 11:27 PM
New Zealand has named their 12 for the qualifiers against Macedonia and Angola:
http://www.basketball.org.nz/tall-blacks/newcomers-named-in-tall-blacks/

Hayden Allen, Auckland Pirates (New Zealand)
Josh Bloxham, Nelson Giants (New Zealand)
Everard Bartlett, Bay Hawkes (New Zealand)
Casey Frank, Wellington Saints (New Zealand), Northern Arizona
Leon Henry, Otago Nuggets (New Zealand), Southern Idaho (JC)
Jarrod Kenny, Bay Hawks (New Zealand)
Robert Loe, Saint Louis
Alex Pledger, Auckland Pirates (New Zealand), Belmont Abbey (DII)
Lindsay Tait, Auckland Pirates (New Zealand)
Jeremiah Trueman, Manawatu Jets (New Zealand), Alaska-Anchorage (DII)
Mika Vukona, Nelson Giants (New Zealand)
Tai Webster, Auckland Pirates (New Zealand)

Spain has named 13 players to their squad and put it together in this handy PDF:
http://www.feb.es/Documentos/Archivo/Upload/LISTASELECCIONSM.pdf

Jose Manuel Calderon, Toronto Raptors
Sergio Rodriguez, Real Madrid (Spain), NBA (2006-2010)
Victor Sada, FC Barcelona (Spain)
Juan Carlos Navarro, FC Barcelona (Spain), NBA (2007-2008)
Sergio Llull, Real Madrid (Spain), Drafted 34th by Nuggets in 2009, rights traded to Rockets
Rudy Fernandez, Denver Nuggets
Fernando San Emeterio, Caja Laboral Baskonia (Spain)
Victor Claver, Valencia (Spain), Drafted 22nd by Trailblazers in 2009
Felipe Reyes, Real Madrid (Spain)
Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers
Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder
Rafa Martinez, Valencia (Spain)

It was the second day of action at Centrobasket and the South American Championships. Venezuela suffered a disappointing 90-87 loss to Argentina as Greivis Vasquez fouled out late after scoring 26 points. Brazil's weakened team barely survived again as they beat Uruguay 77-73, Chile beat Colombia 76-66, and Paraguay beat Bolivia 81-62. In Centrobasket action, John Calipari and the Dominican Republic opened with an 85-67 win over Mexico as Al Horford led the way. The other team trying to qualify for the Olympics, Puerto Rico, eventually rolled over the Bahamas 88-71. Jamaica beat the US Virgin Islands 80-64 and Cuba beat Nicaragua 80-47.

awhom111
06-20-2012, 11:07 PM
The top 4 are set in South America after Venezuela defeated Colombia 101-66, Brazil beat Bolivia 95-46, Argentina beat Chile 88-64, and Uruguay beat Paraguay 82-70.

Meanwhile at Centrobasket, the US Virgin Islands beat Costa Rica 92-64 and Panama beat the Bahamas 78-70. The two Olympic hopefuls are rounding into form as Al Horford continues to drive the Dominican Republic on with an 80-64 win over Jamaica and Puerto Rico pounded Nicaragua 107-67.

As a reminder, several teams are making their way over to the United States to train. Great Britain, Russia, and Lithuania will all be in Houston and playing games over the weekend.

awhom111
06-21-2012, 04:48 PM
Those in the Houston area can go see Great Britain face Nigeria for free at Houston Baptist University tonight at 7pm CDT. Some of these teams are more organized than others in planning these games.

Macedonia has chosen its final 12 man squad that will travel to Atlanta, then Puerto Rico, and then Venezuela for the qualifiers. As expected, Todd Zafirovski did not make the final cut, although I suspect that they are still allowing him to return to the United States, even if it's not with the team. Here is their list:

Bo McCalebb, Montepaschi Siena (Italy), New Orleans
Darko Sokolov, Feni Industries (Macedonia)
Aleksandar Kostoski, Kumanovo (Macedonia), on loan from Brasov (Romania)
Vlado Ilievski, Lokomotiv Kuban (Russia)
Marko Simonovski, Feni Industries (Macedonia)
Damjan Stojanovski, Lukoil Akademik (Bulgaria)
Vojdan Stojanovski, Donetsk (Ukraine)
Pero Antic, Olympiakos (Greece)
Gjorgi Cekovski, MZT Skopje (Macedonia)
Todor Gecevski, MZT Skopje (Macedonia)
Predrag Samardziski, Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania)
Kiril Nikolovski, Feni Industries (Macedonia)

awhom111
06-21-2012, 11:15 PM
A crowd of 116 (as reported by one journalist) got extra free basketball as Nigeria defeated Great Britain 86-80 in overtime. No Luol Deng tonight, but Eric Boateng was involved as he led the team with 6 first-half points.

The Centrobasket picture is becoming a little more clear as the top two teams in each group are slated to gain entry into next year's FIBA Americas tournament. Jamaica won a 76-74 thriller over Mexico to clinch one spot as Samardo Samuels had 23 points and 15 rebounds in the win as Gustavo Ayon had 20 points and 10 rebounds in the loss. The Dominican Republic clinched the top spot in that group after beating Costa Rica 69-51 without needing either Al Horford or Francisco Garcia. Puerto Rico finished undefeated in their group after beating Cuba 95-61. Since the tournament is in Puerto Rico, 5 Cuban players decided to defect, leaving the team with 7 available. Unfortunately for our entertainment value, three players did not manage to foul out. Panama beat Nicaragua 93-60 to keep themselves in leading position to move on as well.

In South America, Paraguay used a late comeback to beat Chile 93-88 for 5th place. This is a big deal for them as it theoretically puts them in line to make the FIBA Americas tournament next year once the United States vacates their spot after winning Olympic Gold. Venezuela advanced to the final game after beating Brazil 86-70 as they continue to build momentum for a tough qualifying group in a couple weeks. They will face Argentina again after a close 88-81 win over Uruguay as the two main South American powerhouse had good and bad moments with squads excluding most of their stars and prospective Olympians.

awhom111
06-22-2012, 10:49 PM
Eric Boateng scored 13 points for Great Britain yesterday in their exhibition as they were led by College of Charleston player Andrew Lawrence. Ike Diogu had 33 points in the win.

Australia and Jordan have each named their 12 player squads, Jordan for the qualifying tournament and Australia for the Olympics, where they will be on the other side of the draw from the United States and a possible quaterfinal opponent. Some players have already signed with a new team for next season, but all clubs given are the ones where they played most recently.

Australia:
http://www.basketball.net.au/index.php?id=302&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=2522&tx_ttnews[backPid]=1&cHash=bf35ccce22

Patrick Mills, San Antonio Spurs, St. Mary's
Matthew Dellavedova, St. Mary's
Joe Ingles, FC Barcelona (Spain)
Adam Gibson, Gold Coast Blaze (Australia)
Peter Crawford, Townsville Crocodiles (Australia)
Brad Newley, Valencia (Spain), Drafted 54th in 2007 by Rockets
David Barlow, UCAM Murcia (Spain), Metro State (DII)
David Andersen, Montepaschi Siena (Italy), NBA (2009-2011)
Matt Nielsen, Khimki Moscow (Russia)
Mark Worthington, Gold Coast Blaze (Australia), Metro State (DII)
Aleks Maric, Panathinaikos Athens (Greece), Nebraska
Aron Baynes, Ikaros Kallitheas (Greece), Washington State
Jordan:
http://www.fibaasia.net/NewsDetails.aspx?id=2353

Sam Daghles, Orthodox Amman (Jordan), Midwestern State (DII)
Mousa Alawadi, ASU Sports Club (Jordan)
Fadel Al Najjar, Kofer Yoba Irbid (Jordan)
Mahmoud Abdeen, ASU Sports Club (Jordan)
Sinan Eid, Orthodox Amman (Jordan)
Enver Soobzokov, Orthodox Amman (Jordan), CSU-San Bernardino (DII)
Zaid Abbas, Orthodox Amman (Jordan)
Khaldon Abu Ruqayah, Kofer Yoba Irbid (Jordan)
Issa Kamel, Al Riyadi Amman (Jordan)
Mohammad Shaher, ASU Sports Club (Jordan)
Ali Jamal, Al Riyadi Amman (Jordan)
Abdallah Abuqoura, ASU Sports Club (Jordan)

Things are now settled in the South American Championships after Argentina got their revenge on Venezuela and won 79-56. The few Olympic hopefuls involved for Argentina hoped that they made an impression while Venezuela will try to regroup from the sudden change in momentum as they prepare to host a pair of tough teams in their qualifying group. Uruguay beat Brazil 80-68 for the Bronze as Brazil has to be a little disappointed, even after naming a younger team of players not quite ready for the full senior squad, including a few future draft hopefuls.

Back at Centrobasket, the Bahamas ended on a winning note after blasting Nicaragua 116-62 and Mexico did the same with an 89-62 win over Costa Rica. Panama clinched the last spot in the top 4 after beating the 7 non-defecting Cubans 94-66. Olympic hopefuls Dominican Republic ended their group with a 78-73 win over the US Virgin Islands.

awhom111
06-24-2012, 12:34 AM
Marty Pocius played for Lithuania for the first time since his club season finished. They edged past Great Britain 63-61 at the University of Houston. Marty got the start and had 10 points and 5 rebounds in 32 minutes. Eric Boateng did not do much in 7 minutes as Luol Deng is still not suiting up for the team yet. Here is the boxscore:
http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/5061/lithgb.png

At Centrobasket, the two Olympic hopefuls Dominican Republic and hosts Puerto Rico will face off the final tomorrow. Puerto Rico used a balanced effort to beat Jamaica 103-89. The Dominican Republic beat Panama 79-62 after a slow start as Al Horford and Francisco Garcia got back in the act after some time off.

awhom111
06-25-2012, 09:37 PM
Luol Deng will probably sit out the rest of the British tour in Texas even though he is practicing with the team. Today they lost to Russia 87-51. I have not found a boxscore yet, but this report has Eric Boateng with 11 points and 14 rebounds:
http://www.gbbasketball.com/fixtures/2503.php

John Calipari has collected another trophy for himself after the Dominican Republic beat Puerto Rico 80-72 to win Centrobasket on Sunday. His two NBA players had relatively quiet games while J.J. Barea had 18 points and 6 assists. Both teams may make some changes before qualifying next week as players like Carlos Arroyo are joining in this week. Jamaica beat Panama 78-54 for third place. Here are the two boxscores:
http://www.fibaamerica.com/fnabox.asp?g=24&n=A&r=9117
http://www.fibaamerica.com/fnabox.asp?g=23&n=A&r=9117

Other teams are also playing various warmups. Tunisia has been playing and beating the Ivory Coast, but no boxscores are available. Australia has been beating what is essentially the Greek B team while China is winning against youth teams from the Balkans. Macedonia split a pair of games in Atlanta over the weekend against unidentified American teams/players.

awhom111
06-27-2012, 01:03 AM
Puerto Rico has picked a final 12 player squad for the qualifiers:

J.J. Barea, Minnesota Timberwolves, Northeastern
Carlos Arroyo, Besiktas (Turkey), Florida International and NBA (2001-2011)
Andres Rodriguez, Obradoiro (Blu:sens Monbus) (Spain), American
David Huertas, Quebradillas Pirates (Puerto Rico), Ole Miss
Mike Rosario, Florida
Alexander Franklin, Mayaguez Indians (Puerto Rico)
Alex Galindo, Guayama Wizards (Puerto Rico), Florida International
Ricky Sanchez, Wuber Estudiantes de Bahia Blanca (Argentina), IMG Academy, Drafted 35th by Blazers in 2005, rights traded to Nuggets in 2005, traded to Sixers in 2007, and traded to Grizzlies in 2012
Nathan Peavy, Artland Dragons (Germany), Miami (Ohio)
Renaldo Balkman, no team, South Carolina and NBA (2006-2012)
Daniel Santiago, Arecibo Captains (Puerto Rico), New Mexico and St. Vincent (NAIA)
Peter John Ramos, Quebradillas Pirates (Puerto Rico), NBA (2004-2005)

Brazil has added 3 more players from the squad that played in the South American Championships and Rafael Hettsheimeir is no longer on the list:
http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/52171/arti.html
http://www.cbb.com.br/Noticias/Show/9986

The 3 new players are:
Wellington dos Santos (Nezinho), Brasilia (Brazil)
Vitor Alves Benite, Flamengo (Brazil)
Augusto Cesar Lima, Unicaja Malaga (Spain)

Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Jordan, and Angola are playing a few games in Venezuela this week. The first game saw Angola use a late run to beat the Dominican Republic 72-67. John Calipari got to see a pair of former Big East players in game action for the first times as Edgar Sosa (Louisville) and Ronald Ramon (Pitt) joined the team. Gerardo Suero led the team with 17 points in the loss. The other game saw Venezuela blow out Jordan 81-42. No boxscores are available yet.

Three days of games are also happening in Brazil as Greece, Nigeria, and New Zealand join the hosts. The first game feature Greece and Nigeria with Greece needing a big rally to overturn a deficit to win 88-76. Vassilis Spanoulis had 20 points in the win and Nick Calathes had 12 points. In the loss, Alade Aminu had 16 points and 10 rebounds (does anyone know when the last time he and his brother got to play together), Ike Diogu had 17 points, and Tony Skinn had 11 points. The second game saw the hosts pound New Zealand 73-49 as ex-NBA player Marcus Vinicius had 14 points as none of the visitors reached double figures. Here are the boxscores:
http://legado.cbb.com.br/competicoes/ev1814/tabelajogo.asp?jogo=1&host=
http://legado.cbb.com.br/competicoes/ev1814/tabelajogo.asp?jogo=2&host=

awhom111
06-28-2012, 11:27 PM
There were a number of other warmup games on Wednesday and Thursday.

Marty Pocius and Lithuania faced Russia at the University of Houston and lost 77-68. Marty had 3 points in 16 minutes as Linus Kleiza and Jonas Valanciunas had 12 points each and ex-Seton Hall player Rimantas Kaukenas had 11 points. For Russia, Sasha Kaun had 21 points, Andrei Kirilenko had 15 points and 8 rebounds, and Timofey Mozgov and ex-NBA player Sergey Monya had 10 points each. Here is a boxscore:
http://www.musukrepsinis.lt/public/files/20120627-Ltu-Rus.jpg

On Thursday, Russia took on Great Britain and won 76-54 after the Brits kept it close for a half. Luol Deng did not play, but Eric Boateng had an assist in 1 minute while Joel Freeland, who is likely to finally join up with the Blazers this season had 18 points. Andrei Kirilenko had 16 points and 8 rebounds and ex-NBA player Viktor Khryapa had 10 points and 7 rebounds. Here is a poor resolution picture of the boxscore:
http://twitgoo.com/5ycfmo

In Brazil, Greece blasted New Zealand 99-69 with Kostas Papanikolaou chipping in with 10 points as he awaited potentially being drafted. The hosts got a huge win of their own as they beat Nigeria 104-65. Ex-Oregon and Illinois State player Chamberlain Oguchi had 21 points and Al Farouq Aminu had 14 points. In the win, Anderson Varejao had 18 points and 11 rebounds, Marcus Vinicius had 15 points, another brief NBA player, Alex Ribeiro Garcia had 17 points, and Nene had 10 points. On Thursday, Nigeria took it easy and beat New Zealand 74-66 in a poor effort from both teams. Al Farouq Aminu had 16 points to lead all scorers and ex-Cavs draft pick from 2006, Ejike Ugboaja, had 10 points. The final game saw Brazil edge past Greece 78-71. Marcus Vinicius had 17 points in the win while Vassilis Spanoulis and Kostas Papanikolaou had 11 points each as the latter was still waiting to hear draft news, which finally came an hour after his game.

In Venezuela, Jordan and the Dominican Republic opened things up on Wednesday and the Dominican backups managed an 89-80 win with a balanced effort. Zaid Abbas had 29 points in the loss as he was the main force for Jordan as they wait for Sam Daghles to return. Venezuela beat Angola 90-83 as a late run narrowed the final margin. Angola got their win 90-73 over Jordan on Thursday as Zaid Abbas had 27 points in another loss. The final game was a thriller as Venezuela and the Dominican Republic went to overtime before John Calipari's guys pulled away to win 88-84. Ronald Ramon had 22 points and Al Horford had 13 points in the win as Greivis Vasquez had 31 points and 7 rebounds and Greg Echenique had 13 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.

France played two games in a row against an experimental Italian squad missing all of its big names, but hoping to do something ahead of qualifying for the next Eurobasket. France came out sluggish both days, but eventually got the wins, 74-54 on Wednesday and 76-62 on Thursday. With the squad in flux, a couple of extra players got playing time, including DeMarcus Nelson's teammate and possible 2013 NBA draft prospect Rudy Gobert, who had 6 points in 5 rebounds on Wednesday as another of their teammates Fabien Causeur, who has already signed in Spain for next season, had 8 points. Kevin Seraphin was the only player in double figures with 15 points and 7 rebounds. In Thursday's game, France got 13 points from yet another Spurs draft-and-stash player, Nando De Colo, 11 points each from Kevin Seraphin and Boris Diaw, 10 points from ex-NBA player Mickael Gelabale, and 8 points from Fabien Causeur.

Todd Zafirovski-less Macedonia played two straight games against Puerto Rico. They lost 96-77 on Tuesday as Bo McCalebb was finally able to join the team and had 13 points. Pero Antic, who claimed his number 12 back from Todd had 19 points and 8 rebounds. A balanced effort led to the win as Alex Galindo and David Huertas had 15 points each, Nathan Peavy, Daniel Santiago, and Peter John Ramos had 12 points each, J.J. Barea had 11 points and 10 assists, and Renaldo Balkman had 9 points. Thursday's game was a bit closer, but Puerto Rico still won 84-72. Peter John Ramos had 16 points, Nathan Peavy had 13 points, David Huertas had 12 points and 7 rebounds, and J.J. Barea had 11 points and 7 assists. Bo McCalebb had 15 points and 10 assists in the loss.

awhom111
06-30-2012, 09:13 PM
There was one more game on Thursday as Argentina beat Uruguay 86-65. Luis Scola had 14 point and Manu Ginobili had 9 points. They played again on Saturday and Argentina won again 78-57 after getting 12 points and 7 rebounds from Andres Nocioni.

France demolished the Ivory Coast 74-41 on Friday in a game that was not even that close. Fabien Causeur had 18 points, ex-Pepperdine player Yakhouba Diawara had 12 points, and Kevin Seraphin had 11 points and 8 rebounds as no Ivorians reached double figures.

Lithuania and Great Britain battled for a final time in Houston and Lithuania won 90-80. Marty Pocius led the team with 18 points after going 4 for 4 from distance. Eric Boateng played 4 minutes, but did not do anything of note. Sarunas Jasikevicius had 16 points in the win while ex-LIU player Kyle Johnson had 18 points and 6 rebounds, Pops Mensah-Bonsu had 16 points adn 6 rebounds, Joel Freeland had 14 points and 7 rebounds, and ex-Kent State player Nate Reinking had 12 points. Here is the boxscore:
http://www.musukrepsinis.lt/public/files/20120630_LTU-GB.jpg

Here is Lithuania's the rest of Lithuania's squad besides Marty:
Mantas Kalnietis, Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania)
Sarunas Jasikevicius, Panathinaikos Athens (Greece), Maryland and NBA (2005-2007)
Tomas Delininkaitis, Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania)
Rimantas Kaukenas, Montepaschi Siena, Seton Hall
Deividas Dulkys, Florida State
Jonas Maciulis, Baltai (Lithuania)
Linus Kleiza, Toronto Raptors, Missouri
Paulius Jankunas, Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania)
Darius Songaila, Valladolid (Spain), Wake Forest and NBA (2003-2011)
Robertas Javtokas, Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania), Arizona, Drafted 55th by Spurs in 2001
Jonas Valanciunas, Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania), Drafted 5th by Raptors in 2011

Games for the final qualification start Monday and I will try to round up any missing rosters.

awhom111
07-02-2012, 10:17 PM
Final squads for the 12 teams in qualifying should be here:
http://london2012.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/12/olym/p/asid/6232,6229,7915,5195,5203,7526,5210,8509/eid/6232/lid//rid//sid/6232/team-search.html#BUKWA_6232

Qualifying opened today with Russia beating South Korea 91-56. Andrei Kirilenko had 16 points and 6 rebounds, ex-NBA player Sergey Monya had 14 points and 6 rebounds, Timofey Mozgov had 12 points and 7 rebounds, and ex-Kansas player Sasha Kaun had 12 points. Ex-DII player Eric Sandrin had 15 points in the loss and ex-Maryland player Jin-Soo Choi had 6 points. Here is the boxscore:
http://london2012.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/12/olym/p/eid/6232/gid/1/grid/C/rid/9050/sid/6232/game.html

The second game saw Greece blast Jordan 107-63. Recent Knick draftee Kostas Papanikolaou had 19 points in 19 minutes, Giorgos Printezis, whose rights also belong to the Knick after a series of trades in the past 5 years, had 16 points and 7 rebounds, and brief NBA player Antonis Fotsis and ex-Florida player Nick Calathes had 12 points each. Ex-DII player Enver Soobzokov had 14 points, Zaid Abbas had 11 points and 7 rebounds, and star ex-DII player Sam Daghles had 9 points in the loss. Here is the boxscore:
http://london2012.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/12/olym/p/eid/6232/gid/1/grid/A/rid/9050/sid/6232/game.html

There was finally a good game in the late session as Angola and Macedonia squared off. Angola took the lead early and ended up holding off a late charge for an 88-84 win. Ex-Valparaiso player Joaquim Gomes had 13 points and rebounds in the win and former New Orleans player Bo McCalebb had 21 points in the loss. Here is the boxscore:
http://london2012.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/12/olym/p/eid/6232/gid/1/grid/D/rid/9050/sid/6232/game.html

The final game was great as well as Nigeria and Venezuela went back and forth before the hosts took the lead for good and held on 71-69. Greivis Vasquez had 24 points, ex-Marquette player David Cubillan had 13 points and 6 assists, and ex-New Orleans player Hector Romero had 10 points in the win. In the loss, Ike Diogu had 14 points and 10 rebounds, ex-Maryland player Ekene Ibekwe had 12 points, and Al Farouq Aminu and ex-George Mason player Tony Skinn had 10 points each. Here is the boxscore:
http://london2012.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/12/olym/p/ct/0/gid/1/grid/B/rid/9050/sid//game.html

There are 4 more games tomorrow as Marty and Lithuania start their tournament. The top 2 teams in each group of 3 move on to the quarterfinals.

awhom111
07-03-2012, 10:23 PM
I had thought that Nick Horvath might have retired from international duty, but this article states otherwise and interviews him about his disappointment about being frozen out of the team:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/basketball/7186635/League-MVP-Horvath-shut-out-of-Tall-Blacks

The article also has a picture of him teaching, which is apparently his day job when not playing basketball. I do not know how things will turn out in the next few years, but it would be great to see him internationally one more time for the 2014 World Championships. Without him, New Zealand started their qualifying earlier today.

The first game today was between the Dominican Republic and South Korea, which would be eliminated with a loss. John Calipari may have wanted to spend a little more time last week preparing for this tournament and not the NBA Draft because his team, with 2 NBA players and a number of other players with good experience, took a very long time to get going against a team whose leading scorer played for Seattle Pacific before playing a total of 3 NBA preseason games and had a brief stint with the Harlem Globetrotters. The Dominican Republic finally took the lead for good in the 2nd half and ended up winning 95-85. Al Horford had 30 points and 12 rebounds, Jack Michael Martinez, who once was involved in a mildly infamous high school scandal, had 16 points and 25 rebounds, Francisco Garcia had 13 points, and ex-Western Illinois player Eulis Baez had 11 points. The aforementioned leading scorer Eric Sandrin had 21 points and 6 rebounds and Jin-Soo Choi had 10 points in the loss. South Korea has been eliminated and the Dominican Republic and Russia face off tomorrow for the top spot in the group as both teams keep their Olympic hopes alive. Here is the boxscore:
http://london2012.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/12/olym/p/eid/6232/gid/2/grid/C/rid/9050/sid/6232/game.html

In the second game, Macedonia sought to avenge yesterday's early loss and blasted off to a great start against New Zealand and maintained the lead to end up winning 84-62. The margin of their victory ensures that they will move on to the next round, but which place will be determined after tomorrow. Bo McCalebb had a better game with 23 points and 11 rebounds as Macedonia needs him to be as sharp as he was last summer to give them a shot. Ex-DII player Alex Pledger had 11 points and 11 rebounds in the loss as Casey Frank, who is occupying the spot that could have gone to Nick Horvath, had 5 points and 8 rebounds. New Zealand faces Angola tomorrow knowing that they would be eliminated with a loss, a result that would leave Angola in first and Macedonia in second as they head to the quarterfinals. If New Zealand wins, that would create a three-way tie in the group and there would be tiebreakers based on game margins to pick out the top two teams, although as stated earlier, Macedonia would definitely be one of the top 2 teams in that scenario. Here is the boxscore:
http://london2012.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/12/olym/p/eid/6232/gid/2/grid/D/rid/9050/sid/6232/game.html

The third game saw Puerto Rico make their debut and mercifully end Jordan's tournament with a 93-52 win. Sam Daghles was the only player who could get anything done as he had 17 points and 7 rebounds in the loss. In the win, Shavlik Randolph's teammate and brief NBA player Peter John Ramos had 20 points and 9 rebounds in only 17 minutes after going 9 for 9 from the field. Ricky Sanchez, a product of the IMG Academy who has seen his NBA rights traded around a few times, had 12 points and 7 rebounds, ex-Miami of Ohio player Nathan Peavy had 11 points, ex-New Mexico and NAIA player Daniel Santiago had 10 points and 7 rebounds. The results mean that Puerto Rico and Greece both advance and their game tomorrow will determine the final group order. Here is the boxscore:
http://london2012.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/12/olym/p/ct/0/gid/2/grid/A/rid/9050/sid//game.html

The last game had Marty Pocius and Lithuania making their debut against the hosts. They got off to a good start before letting Venezuela back in a bit before stretching the lead out for a 100-82 final. The margin of the win puts the team in great shape tomorrow against Nigeria where a solid effort will grant them the top spot in the group. Venezuela will be hoping that Lithuania takes care of business and ensures their own passage to the quarterfinals. Marty had 12 points and 5 steals in 27 minutes. Linus Kleiza led the way with 28 points and Sarunas Jasikevicius had 11 points and 7 assists as he showed his Maryland counterpart that he still has something at his age. Greivis Vasquez had 24 points and 7 assists, ex-USF player John Cox had 14 points, and Greg Echenique had 12 points and 6 rebounds. Here is the boxscore:
http://london2012.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/12/olym/p/ct/0/gid/2/grid/B/rid/9050/sid//game.html

awhom111
07-04-2012, 10:02 PM
The first game today was between New Zealand and Angola with New Zealand needing a big win to stay in the tournament. They got that lead early in the game, but then let Angola cut the lead down, and a 68-64 win was not a big enough margin to move on. Macedonia finishes 1st in the group and Angola is 2nd. Ex-JC player Leon Henry had 15 points and Saint Louis player Rob Loe had 13 points. Casey Frank, who was chosen in the spot that could have gone to Nick Horvath, had 2 points. Here is the boxscore:
http://london2012.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/12/olym/p/ct/0/gid/3/grid/D/rid/9050/sid//game.html

The next game had Russia and the Dominican Republic square off for group supremacy. The Dominican Republic kept it close for a while before letting Russia extend the lead and finish 1st in the group ahead of John Calipari's team by a final margin of 84-69. Andrei Kirilenko had 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists, ex-NBA player Viktor Khryapa had 14 points and 6 assists, and Sasha Kaun had 10 points and 7 rebounds. In the loss, Al Horford had 22 points and 9 rebounds and Jack Michael Martinez had 13 points and 12 rebounds. Here is the boxscore:
http://london2012.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/12/olym/p/ct/0/gid/3/grid/C/rid/9050/sid//game.html

Marty and Lithuania needed a decent performance against Nigeria to advance and a close game that turned into an 86-80 loss was enough to win the group and see Nigeria go through as well. Marty had 13 points in 26 minutes. Linus Kleiza led the team again with 22 points, Sarunas Jasikevicius had 14 points, and Jonas Valanciunas had 10 points. In the win, ex-UT Arlington player Derrick Obasohan had 20 points, Al Farouq Aminu had 16 points and 9 rebounds, Tony Skinn had 15 points, and Ike Diogu had 11 points and 8 rebounds. Here is the boxscore:
http://london2012.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/12/olym/p/ct/0/gid/3/grid/B/rid/9050/sid//game.html

The final game of the day was also between two teams who had already qualified and Greece and Puerto Rico played a pretty entertaining game as Greece broke it open late to win 98-84. Greece's key player Vassilis Spanoulis, who played in the NBA for a short time, had 27 points and Giorgos Printezis had 16 points. In the loss, Peter John Ramos had 15 points and 7 rebounds, J.J. Barea and Renaldo Balkman had 13 points each, and Nathan Peavy had 10 points. Here is the boxscore:
http://london2012.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/12/olym/p/eid/6232/gid/3/grid/A/rid/9050/sid/6232/game.html

4 more teams will be eliminated on Friday after these quarterfinal matchups:
Russia vs Angola
Greece vs Nigeria
Macedonia vs Dominican Republic
Lithuania vs Puerto Rico

awhom111
07-05-2012, 04:17 PM
Great Britain named their final 12 man squad for the Olympics and Luol Deng as well as Eric Boateng are both included. They will be in the other group during the Olympics and are a possible quarterfinal opponent for the United States.
http://www.gbbasketball.com/news/2523.php

Here is the squad besides Luol and Eric:
Kieron Achara, Assignia Manresa (Spain), Duquesne
Robert Archibald, Zaragoza (Spain), Illinois and NBA (2002-2004)
Dan Clark, ASEFA Estudiantes (Spain)
Joel Freeland, Unicaja Malaga (Spain), Drafted 30th by Blazers in 2006
Kyle Johnson, APOEL Nicosia (Cyprus), LIU
Andrew Lawrence, College of Charleston
Mike Lenzly, Nymburk (Czech Republic), Wofford
Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Besiktas (Turkey), George Washington and NBA (2006-2011)
Nate Reinking, Sheffield Sharks (Great Britain), Kent State
Andrew Sullivan, Leicester Riders (Great Britain), Villanova

sagegrouse
07-05-2012, 05:52 PM
Great Britain named their final 12 man squad for the Olympics and Luol Deng as well as Eric Boateng are both included. They will be in the other group during the Olympics and are a possible quarterfinal opponent for the United States.
http://www.gbbasketball.com/news/2523.php

Here is the squad besides Luol and Eric:
Kieron Achara, Assignia Manresa (Spain), Duquesne
Robert Archibald, Zaragoza (Spain), Illinois and NBA (2002-2004)
Dan Clark, ASEFA Estudiantes (Spain)
Joel Freeland, Unicaja Malaga (Spain), Drafted 30th by Blazers in 2006
Kyle Johnson, APOEL Nicosia (Cyprus), LIU
Andrew Lawrence, College of Charleston
Mike Lenzly, Nymburk (Czech Republic), Wofford
Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Besiktas (Turkey), George Washington and NBA (2006-2011)
Nate Reinking, Sheffield Sharks (Great Britain), Kent State
Andrew Sullivan, Leicester Riders (Great Britain), Villanova

Only Clark and Freeland did NOT play college ball in the USA.


sage

awhom111
07-05-2012, 09:03 PM
Here is the final French squad barring injuries keeping Ali Traore or Tony Parker out as various issues have already kept a number of players from being a part of the team:
http://www.ffbb.com/_actu/page_m.php?d=actu&p=actu&id=8700

Nicolas Batum, Portland Trailblazers
Yannick Bokolo, BCM Gravelines (France)
Fabian Causeur, Cholet (France)
Nando De Colo, Valencia (Spain), Drafted 53rd by Spurs in 2009
Boris Diaw, San Antonio Spurs
Mickael Gelabale, Khimki Moscow (Russia), NBA (2006-2008)
Charles Kahudi, Le Mans Sarthe (France)
Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
Florent Pietrus, Valencia (Spain)
Kevin Seraphin, Washington Wizards
Ali Traore, Lokomotiv Kuban (Russia), Southern Idaho (JC)
Ronnie Turiaf, Miami Heat, Gonzaga

awhom111
07-06-2012, 10:23 PM
Friday's quarterfinals would keep the hopes of four teams alive while eliminating the other four. The first game matched up Russia and Angola. The heavily favored Russians took a little while to pull away, but eventually did so for an 80-65 win. Sasha Kaun had 17 points and Andrei Kirilenko had 14 points. Here is the boxscore:
http://london2012.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/12/olym/p/ct/0/gid/A/grid/15/rid/9051/sid//game.html

The next game was likely to be a good one as Greece faced off with Nigeria. The teams started evenly before Greece built a lead into halftime only to see Nigeria spend the entire second half fighting back to tie the game. Things got exciting late in the game as ex-Nebraska player Ade Dagundoro and Kostas Papanikolaou traded three pointers before Dagundoro knocked down two critical free throws for an 80-79 win. Ike Diogu had 17 points and 12 rebounds, Ade Dagundoro finished with 14 points, Al Farouq Aminu had 13 points before fouling out, Chamberlain Oguchi had 10 points, and Alade Aminu had 9 points and 7 rebounds. In the loss, Vassilis Spanoulis had 25 points and 7 rebounds to drive his team on again, but his 6 for 12 performance from the stripe proved costly in the end with some poorly timed misses and Giorgos Printezis had 10 points. Getting Greece out of the picture means one less clear medal hopeful has been eliminated. Here is the boxscore:
http://london2012.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/12/olym/p/ct/0/gid/A/grid/13/rid/9051/sid//game.html

The third game had Macedonia facing John Calipari and the Dominican Republic. Macedonia got off to a very solid start that carried into a 13 points halftime lead, but Francisco Garcia caught fire in the second half and his supporting cast did enough to help out as they won 86-76. Bo McCalebb did everything he could as he had 35 points in the loss. In the win, Francisco Garcia had 28 points, Al Horford had a strong second half and finished with 14 points and 15 rebounds, Jack Michael Martinez kept the team fighting in the first half and finished with 14 points and 13 rebounds, and Ronald Ramon had 13 points. This result ensures that it will not be 3 more teams from Europe at the Olympics. Here is the boxscore:
http://london2012.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/12/olym/p/ct/0/gid/A/grid/16/rid/9051/sid//game.html


Marty and Lithuania were last up as they faced Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico had the stronger start, but Lithuania fought back to take the lead by halftime. Both teams played close in the second half with Lithuania keeping the lead for most of the half. It was back and forth right up to the end before veteran Sarunas Jasikevicius got the key points to seal the 76-72 win. Marty had 9 points in 22 minutes as Linus Kleiza had 14 points and 7 rebounds, and Sarunas Jasikevicius had 11 points. Jonas Valanciunas managed to foul out in 6 minutse without scoring. In the loss, ex-FIU player Alex Galindo had 17 points and 6 rebounds and Carlos Arroyo and J.J. Barea had 13 points each.

All these results create the following semifinal pairings:
Russia vs Nigeria
Lithuania vs Dominican Republic

The winners of the two semifinals move on to the Olympics in the same group as the United States. The losers play for one final spot in the other group.

awhom111
07-07-2012, 09:58 PM
The two semifinals were today with two spots in the Olympics on the line. Russia took on Nigeria first and took a quarter get going before breaking the game open in the second quarter and hanging on late for an 85-77 win. Alexey Shved, who is trying to land in the NBA next season had 22 points and 6 assists, Andrei Kirilenko had 19 points and 8 rebounds, and Sasha Kaun had 11 points. In the loss, Ike Diogu had 16 points and 14 rebounds, Ade Dagunduro had 16 points, Al Farouq Aminu had 13 points, Tony Skinn had 11 points, and Chamberlain Oguchi had 10 points. Here is the boxscore:
http://london2012.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/12/olym/p/ct/0/gid/A/grid/17/rid/9052/sid//game.html

Marty and Lithuania were involved in the second game as they faced the Dominican Republic. The game was close for a little while before Lithuania was able to build its lead and roll to a 109-83 win and keep up their Olympic qualification streak. Marty had 12 points in 17 minutes. Jonas Valanciunas had 17 points and 7 rebounds and Linus Kleiza had 13 points and 6 rebounds. In the loss, Jack Michael Martinez had 13 points and 10 rebounds, Al Horford had 12 points, and Francisco Garcia had 11 points. Here is the boxscore:
http://london2012.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/12/olym/p/ct/0/gid/A/grid/18/rid/9052/sid//game.html

Luol Deng made his summer debut with Great Britain as they faced France today. They got off to an incredible start to build an 18 point halftime lead before France used the entire second half to come back and win it 79-74. Luol had 23 points and 12 rebounds in 35 minutes and Eric Boateng had a quiet 5 minutes. Ex-Kent State player Nate Reinking and ex-Wofford player Mike Lenzly had 11 points each. In the win, Boris Diaw and ex-Pepperdine player Yakhouba Diawara had 14 points each, former Spurs draft pick Nando De Colo had 13 points, and Kevin Seraphin had 11 points.

Bluedog
07-08-2012, 09:43 PM
Nigeria leading by 5 with less than three minutes to go over Cal-coached Dominican Republic. Would be quite a feat for them to get the last spot after shocking Greece earlier in the tournament. Go Nigeria!

awhom111
07-09-2012, 01:03 AM
They ended up breaking it open and winning 88-73. Ike Diogu had 25 points and 10 rebounds, Al Farouq Aminu had 14 points and 7 rebounds, and Derrick Obasohan had 11 points. In the loss, Francisco Garcia had 17 points, Jack Michael Martinez had 16 points and 9 rebounds, Eulis Baez had 13 points and 8 rebounds, and Al Horford had 12 points and 7 rebounds. Here is the boxscore:
http://london2012.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/12/olym/p/ct/0/gid/A/grid/19/rid/9053/sid//game.html

China, Tunisia, and B teams from Russia and Australia are playing in China right now. China beat Tunisia 85-54 after getting 22 points and 10 rebounds from Yi Jianlian.

Some other teams are playing against weakened teams including Argentina against a young Spanish team. The full Spanish team will open their warmups against Luol Deng and Great Britain.

awhom111
07-09-2012, 09:49 PM
Spain opened up their campaign against Luol Deng, Eric Boateng, and Great Britain today in Valladolid. Spain got off to a good start as they got the British bigs in early foul trouble before letting the visitors hit a barrage of 3s to get back into the game. The game stayed close for a while before Spain did enough near the end to pull ahead and finish with a 78-74 win. Great Britain was able to hang with their stronger opposition even though Luol had a 3 for 14 effort from the floor to score 12 points and grab 6 rebounds. Eric had 2 points and 4 rebounds in 6 minutes. Joel Freeland had 15 points, Mike Lenzly had 13 points and 7 rebounds, and Pops-Mensah-Bonsu had 11 points and 8 rebounds. Spain's scoring came from its frontcourt as Pau Gasol had 16 points and 11 rebounds, Marc Gasol had 16 points, and Serge Ibaka, who will be the biggest difference for Spain compared to the last couple times they have been in the same tournament as the United States, had 11 points. Here is the boxscore:
http://www.feb.es/Documentos/Archivo/Upload/ESPGB.pdf

Argentina has been hosting a mini-tournament featuring Brazil, Chile, and a Spanish B team. Brazil beat Chile 110-64 and lost to Argentina on 80-76 while Argentina also beat Spain B twice. Against Chile, Leandro Barbosa had 18 points and Tiago Splitter had 15 points. In the Brazil-Argentina game, Manu Ginobili had 33 points, Andres Nocioni had 11 points, and Luis Scola had 10 points in the win. In the loss, Leandro Barbosa had 17 points, Marcelo Huertas had 15 points, and Alex Ribeiro Garcia had 11 points. Here are recaps in Portuguese from Brazil's side:
http://www.cbb.com.br/Noticias/Show/10015
http://www.cbb.com.br/Noticias/Show/10021

awhom111
07-10-2012, 10:02 PM
Spain had their second game in a row today as they faced France in Madrid. They jumped out to an early lead before letting France back in before taking control again on their way to an 81-65 win. Clearly the venue suited a few Real Madrid players as Kyle and Marty's teammates did plenty of damage with former NBA draft pick Sergio LLULL (try to pronounce that) scoring 15 points, Felipe Reyes providing 12 points and 7 rebounds, and returning Madrid man Rudy Fernandez adding 10 points. Pau Gasol had 11 points in 15 minutes as he got plenty of rest and Jose Calderon had 10 points. In the loss, Nando De Colo had 13 points and Florent Pietrus, who got into it with Serge Ibaka (wonder if his little brother Mickael will get revenge next NBA season), had 11 points and 8 rebounds. Here is the boxscore:
http://www.feb.es/Documentos/Archivo/Upload/ESPFRAN.pdf

China has made their final cuts:
http://www.fibaasia.net/NewsDetails.aspx?id=2428

Zhang Zhaoxu (aka Max Zhang), Shanghai Sharks (China), Cal
Zhou Peng, Guangdong Southern Tigers (China)
Zhu Fangyu, Guangdong Southern Tigers (China)
Wang Shipeng, Guangdong Southern Tigers (China)
Chen Jianghua, Guangdong Southern Tigers (China)
Yi Jianlian, Dallas Mavericks
Wang Zhizhi, Bayi Rockets (China), NBA (2001-2005)
Yi Li, Jiangsu Dragons (China)
Ding Jinhui, Zhejiang Bulls (China)
Sun Yue, Beijing Ducks (China), NBA (2008-2009)
Liu Wei, Shanghai Sharks (China)
Guo Ailun, Liaoning Dinosaurs (China)

Normally I would not bring anything up about front page articles since most of them are so great, but the one about Olympians with NBA experience was a bit off in its numbers. Poor NBA champion Ronny Turiaf got left off of the list entirely with a number of other players with past NBA experience are also left out. Oddly, Darius Songaila and Juan Carlos Navarro are actually mentioned in another DBR article, but do not appear on the list. While one can forgive people for forgetting the NBA careers of Robert Archibald or Sarunas Jasikevicius (despite his legendary status in Europe) or Sergey Monya or Mickael Gelabale or Marcus Vinicius or Alex Ribeiro Garcia or Olumide Oyedeji or Sergio Rodriguez, it seems like a bigger deal to leave off Andres Nocioni since he was in the NBA for nearly a decade and has played in a few games and scored a few points in his time. Also, Jonas Valanciunas has been drafted, but does not have any actual NBA experience, and if we are including all those guys on the list, it grows significantly. Even Tunisia's Salah Mejri is getting some NBA Summer League experience right now with the Utah Jazz.

awhom111
07-11-2012, 09:05 PM
Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Spain B have moved on to Brazil to play a couple games. Argentina beat Chile 96-62 while giving plenty of time to backup players.

Brazil beat Spain B 101-68 in the second game. Leandro Barbosa had 15 points and Marcelo Huertas had 10 points in the win.

awhom111
07-12-2012, 11:23 PM
France returned home to face Belgium and got off to an extremely sluggish start before a late run in the 2nd quarter gave them a halftime lead. Instead of using it to build momentum for the second half, they let Belgium get a run going to re-take the lead. France cut the deficit to one late in the fourth quarter, but could not score for the rest of the game and fell 63-57. At this stage in the process, even with Tony Parker still wearing the goggles, this is a pretty poor result for France as Belgium is just starting to prepare for their upcoming Eurobasket qualifiers. Nando De Colo had 15 points and Kevin Seraphin had 13 points and 6 rebounds to lead France.

Argentina and Brazil squared off and played a good game that was close for a while before Brazil pulled away to win 91-75. Argentina was without Manu Ginobili, but Luis Scola had 19 points and 6 rebounds, Andres Nocioni had 13 points, and the new old rookie in the NBA, Pablo Prigoni, had 11 points and 8 assists. For Brazil, Tiago Splitter had 19 points and 8 rebounds, Anderson Varejao had 17 points, naturalized American Larry Taylor had 16 points, and Marcelo Huertas had 14 points and 7 assists. Here is the boxscore:
http://legado.cbb.com.br/competicoes/ev1826/tabelajogo.asp?jogo=4&host=cbb.com.br

Here are the boxscores for the other games of the tournament:
Chile vs Spain B:
http://legado.cbb.com.br/competicoes/ev1826/tabelajogo.asp?jogo=3&host=cbb.com.br

Brazil vs Spain B:
http://legado.cbb.com.br/competicoes/ev1826/tabelajogo.asp?jogo=2&host=cbb.com.br

Argentina vs Chile:
http://legado.cbb.com.br/competicoes/ev1826/tabelajogo.asp?jogo=1&host=cbb.com.br

awhom111
07-13-2012, 08:33 PM
France had another game against a weaker opponent as they faced Belarus and started slowly yet again. Tony Parker continued to drive the team and they built up the lead to win 84-64. Tony Parker had 17 points and 12 assists, Kevin Seraphin had 16 points, Fabien Causeur had 14 points, and Nando De Colo had 13 points.

Spain was back in action in Salamanca as they faced Tunisia and eventually got going to blow them out 95-56. Pau Gasol had 16 points and 8 rebounds and Serge Ibaka had 13 points and 7 rebounds. The rest of the Real Madrid contingent was key again (wonder if Kyle has provided us with a scouting report on his former teammates) as Felipe Reyes had 12 points and 9 rebounds, Sergio Rodriguez had 12 points, Sergio Llull had 11 points, and Rudy Fernandez had 10 points. Here is the boxscore:
http://www.feb.es/Documentos/Archivo/Upload/ESPTUN.pdf

awhom111
07-14-2012, 01:41 PM
Luol Deng, Eric Boateng, and Great Britain finally got to return home to play a few games and used a strong 3rd quarter to beat Portugal, who are ready to start their own series of international games for the summer, 83-68. Luol led his team with 21 points and 6 rebounds in 31 minutes and Eric had 6 points and 4 rebounds in 16 minutes. Pops Mensah-Bonsu had 12 points and 12 rebounds and Mike Lenzly had 10 points. Ex-Nevada player Joao Santos had 16 points and 6 rebounds to lead Portugal in the loss.

awhom111
07-15-2012, 01:30 PM
Great Britain played Portugal again and won 86-66. Luol had 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in 29 minutes and Eric had 11 points and 5 rebounds in 13 minutes. Ex-LIU player Kyle Johnson led the team with 21 points.

France hosted Spain in a pretty good game that was close throughout before Spain built a second half lead and closed it out 75-70. Pau Gasol had 22 points and 10 rebounds and Serge Ibaka had 16 points and 10 rebounds to lead the way as Juan Carlos Navarro made his debut for the summer. In the loss, Kevin Seraphin had 12 points, Tony Parker had 11 points and Mickael Gelabale had 10 points. Here is the boxscore:
http://www.feb.es/Documentos/Archivo/Upload/ESPFRANC.JPG

awhom111
07-17-2012, 04:49 PM
Spain hosted Australia in Granada today without the services of Marc Gasol. The game stayed very close well into the 4th quarter before Spain took the lead for good and held on for a 75-69 win. Pau Gasol had 22 points and 6 rebounds and Felipe Reyes had 12 points after getting the starting nod. In the loss, former draft pick Brad Newley had 16 points, Patrick Mills had 14 points, and ex-NBA player David Andersen had 12 points. Here is the boxscore:
http://www.feb.es/Documentos/Archivo/Upload/ESPAUST.pdf

subzero02
07-17-2012, 08:40 PM
Thanks for the updates... I am surprised that france played spain so closely while getting well under 20 points from Tony Parker.

awhom111
07-18-2012, 08:41 PM
To be fair, every team seems to be playing Spain very close right now.

Spain and Australia played again today, this time in Malaga. The game went pretty much the same way as the last one as Spain did not have a clear lead until the 4th quarter and they were forced to hold on again for an 81-75 win. Pau Gasol had 16 points before fouling out as his brother was not playing again. Jose Calderon had 16 points and 6 rebounds, Sergio Llull had 14 points, Serge Ibaka had 10 points and 9 rebounds, and Felipe Reyes had 10 points and 7 rebounds. In the loss, Patrick Mills had 15 points, David Andersen had 12 points, and ex-DII player David Barlow had 11 points and 6 rebounds. Here is the boxscore:
http://www.feb.es/Documentos/Archivo/Upload/ESPAUSM.pdf

Lithuania has shuffled their squad for their final 12 and Deividas Dulkys is one of the players to miss out. Here is their new list from their site:
http://www.musukrepsinis.lt/lt/index;info;show,id.280

Along with Marty, here are the other guys:
Mantas Kalnietis, Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania)
Sarunas Jasikevicius, Panathinaikos Athens (Greece), Maryland and NBA (2005-2007)
Rimantas Kaukenas, Montepaschi Siena, Seton Hall
Renaldas Seibutis, Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania), Drafted 50th by Mavericks in 2007
Simas Jasaitis, Turk Telekom Ankara (Turkey)
Jonas Maciulis, Baltai (Lithuania)
Linus Kleiza, Toronto Raptors, Missouri
Paulius Jankunas, Zalgiris Kaunas (Lithuania)
Darius Songaila, Valladolid (Spain), Wake Forest and NBA (2003-2011)
Antanas Kavaliauskas, VEF Riga (Latvia), Texas A&M
Jonas Valanciunas, Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania), Drafted 5th by Raptors in 2011

awhom111
07-20-2012, 08:06 PM
Spain and Argentina faced off in the first game of the set that the United States will be joining on Sunday. Spain came out firing and built a big lead even without Marc Gasol again and with Sergio Rodriguez sidelined again. While they did not stop scoring, they did let Argentina cut the deficit back down to single-digits with Manu Ginobili and Carlos Delfino catching fire as Serge Ibaka and Luis Scola got into it with one another. Eventually the lead expanded again for a final margin of 105-85. Pau Gasol had 17 points and 6 rebounds, Jose Calderon had 16 points, new Blazer Victor Claver had 13 points, Felipe Reyes had 10 points and 8 rebounds, and Juan Carlos Navarro had 10 points. In the loss, Manu Ginobili had 19 points, Luis Scola had 18 points and 7 rebounds, Andres Nocioni had 16 points and 7 rebounds, and Carlos Delfino had 14 points. Here is the boxscore:
http://www.feb.es/Documentos/Archivo/Upload/ESPARG.pdf

awhom111
07-21-2012, 11:26 PM
Tunisia apparently beat a weakened Great Britain 73-69, but I have not been able to find stats.

France beat Brazil 78-74. In the win, Tony Parker had 22 points, Nando De Colo had 13 points, and Mickael Gelebale had 10 points and 6 rebounds. In the loss, Marcelo Huertas and Nene had 12 points each and Tiago Splitter had 11 points.

China stopped over in Poland on their way to London and played the host team, which is getting ready for their own competitive games later in the summer. It was a close one, but China prevailed 73-72. Yi Jianlian had 22 points and 10 rebounds and Wang Zhizhi had 10 points in the win. Ex-Mississippi State player Michal Ignerski had 21 points and Marcin Gortat had 10 points in the loss. Here is the boxscore:
http://www.pzkosz.pl/m/file/210712/Polska_-_Chiny.pdf

awhom111
07-22-2012, 03:21 PM
There were a few more games today. Great Britain is still short-handed and has a few issues as it lost 79-56 to Belgium. Pops Mensah-Bonsu had 18 points and Eric Boateng had 12 points and 15 rebounds.

Russia beat Lithuania 101-79. Marty had 2 points in 11 minutes. Jonas Valanciunas had 12 points and Darius Songaila had 10 points. In the win, Andrei Kirilenko had 19 points, Sasha Kaun had 11 points, and Timofey Mozgov and Viktor Khryapa had 10 points each. Here is the boxscore:
http://www.basket.ru/basketball/game/statistics/?bskgam=e8133f50-3963-4511-9f7a-80edbbb70d4a&lc=1033

China shuffled its lineup in the second game against Poland and they lost 81-79. Wang Zhizhi had 15 points in the loss. In the win, Marcin Gortat had 18 points and 9 rebounds and Michal Ignierski had 17 points.

In France, Brazil beat Australia 87-71. Tiago Splitter had 17 points, Nene had 12 points and 10 rebounds, Marcus Vinicius had 12 points, and Alex Ribeiro Garcia had 11 points in the win. In the loss, David Andersen had 16 points and 10 rebounds, Patrick Mills had 14 points, and ex-Washington State player Aron Baynes had 11 points.

awhom111
07-23-2012, 08:39 PM
Australia held off a late charge by France to win 69-67. In the win, Patrick Mills had 13 points, Aron Baynes had 11 points and 10 rebounds, and David Andersen had 10 points. In the loss, Nando De Colo had 17 points and Nicolas Batum had 14 points.

awhom111
07-25-2012, 09:59 AM
Marty and Lithuania played in the other final exhibition game yesterday as they rolled over Iceland 101-51. Marty got the start and had 9 points and 5 rebounds in 19 minutes. Antanas Kavaliauskas had 16 points and 9 rebounds, Jonas Valanciunas had 12 points and 7 rebounds, Rimantas Kaukenas had 12 points, and Renaldas Seibutis had 10 points and 7 assists. Here is the boxscore:
http://www.musukrepsinis.lt/public/files/20120724Lithuania-Iceland.pdf

Billy Dat
07-25-2012, 05:57 PM
Non Team USA Parlour Game:

If the Spanish National Team, with a healthy Ricky Rubio, played in the NBA, where would they finish? You can pick your conference and coach, or have them coached by their current maestro, the Italian stallion, Sergio Scariolo.

You've got current NBA players Pau and Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, Ricky Rubio and Jose Calderon. You've got Rudy Fernandez, Sergio Rodriguez and Juan Carlos Navarro who played in the NBA and had success. You've got Victor Claver who is about to start his NBA career plus Sergio Llull who may come over sometime soon. Rounding out that group are guys like Felipe Reyes and Victor Sada who can ball.

I'll think about it myself and reply.

awhom111
07-27-2012, 12:23 AM
Non Team USA Parlour Game:

If the Spanish National Team, with a healthy Ricky Rubio, played in the NBA, where would they finish? You can pick your conference and coach, or have them coached by their current maestro, the Italian stallion, Sergio Scariolo.

You've got current NBA players Pau and Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, Ricky Rubio and Jose Calderon. You've got Rudy Fernandez, Sergio Rodriguez and Juan Carlos Navarro who played in the NBA and had success. You've got Victor Claver who is about to start his NBA career plus Sergio Llull who may come over sometime soon. Rounding out that group are guys like Felipe Reyes and Victor Sada who can ball.

I'll think about it myself and reply.

I have been thinking about this for a bit. Since you put Ricky Rubio back on the team, I figured I would make a couple more player changes. Here is the new look roster (not-FIBA compliant since I added Nikola Mirotic and internationally he is not allowed to be in the team at the same time as Serge Ibaka):

Jose Calderon
Ricky Rubio
Sergio Rodriguez
Juan Carlos Navarro
Sergio Llull
Rudy Fernandez
Nikola Mirotic
Pau Gasol
Victor Claver
Fran Vazquez
Serge Ibaka
Marc Gasol

For the coaching staff, I decided on Don Nelson flanked by Paul Westhead and Pablo Laso (Real Madrid). As I see it, this team has a pretty solid frontcourt and point guards who can get the job done at the NBA level. At the 2 and 3, I think they can score the basketball, but it would be the most (alarmingly) unathletic backcourt in the NBA by quite a lot. I think the team would be short of the elite teams, but I think they could make the playoffs in both conferences.

Back to the real world, does anyone have some predictions as we are only two days away?

flyingdutchdevil
07-27-2012, 09:14 AM
Back to the real world, does anyone have some predictions as we are only two days away?

Yeah - the US is going to steamroll by. I'm not American, so I am unbiased as possible. Basketball isn't soccer or rugby, where there are 8-10+ elite teams in the world. Hell, it isn't baseball, where countries like Japan and half the Caribbean have been playing for sport for decades. Basketball, while it is the world's fastest growing sport (fact check?), is still completely dominated by the US. Anything less than a gold would be considered a huge disappointment. If the media (and citizens) of France, Brazil, Italy, Argentina, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and probably ten other countries rip on their teams whenever they lose a major soccer tournament, I would completely expect the US media to do the same for basketball.

On another note, I think that Spain will not make the finals. While they are second best country in the world, Argentina and Brazil aren't that far behind and can play more aggressive then Spain.

NSDukeFan
07-27-2012, 09:46 AM
Yeah - the US is going to steamroll by. I'm not American, so I am unbiased as possible. Basketball isn't soccer or rugby, where there are 8-10+ elite teams in the world. Hell, it isn't baseball, where countries like Japan and half the Caribbean have been playing for sport for decades. Basketball, while it is the world's fastest growing sport (fact check?), is still completely dominated by the US.
The US is the strongest nation in the world in basketball, much like New Zealand is in rugby and Brazil used to be in soccer, though Spain is now. None of the these teams steamroll their opposition though and I believe the last time the US steamrolled the opposition for a full international tournament was 1996 or 16 years ago. I do also think the US will win gold, but would not be shocked if Spain, Brazil, Argentina, France or Russia was able to upset them in one crazy game.

Anything less than a gold would be considered a huge disappointment. If the media (and citizens) of France, Brazil, Italy, Argentina, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and probably ten other countries rip on their teams whenever they lose a major soccer tournament, I would completely expect the US media to do the same for basketball.

On another note, I think that Spain will not make the finals. While they are second best country in the world, Argentina and Brazil aren't that far behind and can play more aggressive then Spain.

I agree that anything less than gold would be considered a huge disappointment and I would take the US vs. the field, but the field isn't bad and there are some dangerous opponents out there who are more used to playing together and are more used to the international game. I also wouldn't be surprised if Spain was not in the final as the difference between #2 and #3, 4 and 5 is still smaller than the current gap between #1 and #2. Should be an exciting tournament.

flyingdutchdevil
07-27-2012, 09:56 AM
The US is the strongest nation in the world in basketball, much like New Zealand is in rugby and Brazil used to be in soccer, though Spain is now. None of the these teams steamroll their opposition though and I believe the last time the US steamrolled the opposition for a full international tournament was 1996 or 16 years ago. I do also think the US will win gold, but would not be shocked if Spain, Brazil, Argentina, France or Russia was able to upset them in one crazy game.


I agree that anything less than gold would be considered a huge disappointment and I would take the US vs. the field, but the field isn't bad and there are some dangerous opponents out there who are more used to playing together and are more used to the international game. I also wouldn't be surprised if Spain was not in the final as the difference between #2 and #3, 4 and 5 is still smaller than the current gap between #1 and #2. Should be an exciting tournament.

In rugby nor soccer would anyone ever take a team over a field. Ever. As someone who follows soccer closer than basketball, I can vouch that the Brazil / Spain analogies are completely off (and having been to a Rugby World Cup, the New Zealand one cannot be used either). A team that is favored in a World Cup or Euro Cup rarely has a 20% chance of winning. This past Euro Cup, for instance, Spain had a 25-30% of winning the Euro (and a lot of bookies had Germany as the favorite) Take a look at the US roster. 10 are All-Stars, 2 of which will finish their NBA careers as 2 of the 10 team players EVER. The other teams have maybe 5-6 All-Stars combined, the two best of which are Pau Gasol and Manu Ginoblli, two great players who won NBA titles but neither can be considered the best player on their respective team.

If you take a look at this year's NBA All-Star teams, the 10 starters were all American (of which 5 are on Team USA). 19 of the 24 overall players are American. Of the remaining 5 players, they all come from different countries.

There are very few competitive sports out there where a team has higher odds than the field. In 10 years, this may change for Team USA. But right now, they are the best, and losing with this team will be shocking.

Billy Dat
07-27-2012, 12:04 PM
RE: Parlour Game
I am going to base my prediction on last season because there's been so much player movement that this coming season is too hard to judge. Also, I am assuming guys like Pau and Marc would have twins and thereby still be playing on their old teams and the Spain team. Anyway, that being said, I think the Spain team, barring injuries, would be a playoff team as awhom111 indicated. But, how good would they be? Here is how the teams ended last year, pre-playoffs; Chicago, San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Miami, Indiana, LA Lakers, Memphis, LA Clippers, Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Orlando, New York, Dallas, Utah and Philadelphia. The primary questions are (A) How well can they defend and (B) How much would their experience playing as a team make up for their athletic deficiencies. I am going to weight B pretty heavily and say they'd be the 7th best team in the NBA behind Miami, OKC, San Antonio, Chicago, Boston and the Lakers.

RE: Olympic Outlook
Group A - USA, France, Argentina, Tunisia, Nigeria, Lithuania
Group B - Spain, Australia, Brazil, China, Great Britain, Russia

I am going to go with the following as making the Medal Round:
USA, France, Argentina, Lithuania, Spain. Brazil, Australia and Russia. My upset picks are Nigeria and China in place of Lithuania and Russia.

I am not sure how the medal round gets seeded, so I'll go pretty conventional with:
Gold - USA
Silver - Spain
Bronze - Argentina

I think Brazil has the best shot out of the rest to medal.

NSDukeFan
07-27-2012, 12:28 PM
In rugby nor soccer would anyone ever take a team over a field. Ever. As someone who follows soccer closer than basketball, I can vouch that the Brazil / Spain analogies are completely off (and having been to a Rugby World Cup, the New Zealand one cannot be used either). A team that is favored in a World Cup or Euro Cup rarely has a 20% chance of winning. This past Euro Cup, for instance, Spain had a 25-30% of winning the Euro (and a lot of bookies had Germany as the favorite)
Do you disagree that Brazil was the best team in soccer for a number of years and that Spain is now and that they are favored in the tournaments they are in? I have also been to a rugby world cup, one of the many in which New Zealand was favored but didn't win, even though there are really only 3-6 teams in the world that could possibly beat them at any time.

Take a look at the US roster. 10 are All-Stars, 2 of which will finish their NBA careers as 2 of the 10 team players EVER. The other teams have maybe 5-6 All-Stars combined, the two best of which are Pau Gasol and Manu Ginoblli, two great players who won NBA titles but neither can be considered the best player on their respective team.

If you take a look at this year's NBA All-Star teams, the 10 starters were all American (of which 5 are on Team USA). 19 of the 24 overall players are American. Of the remaining 5 players, they all come from different countries.

There are very few competitive sports out there where a team has higher odds than the field. In 10 years, this may change for Team USA. But right now, they are the best, and losing with this team will be shocking.

I have looked at the US roster and agree it is a great and talented team with by far the most talent of any team at the Olympics. I also agree with you that it is not common for a team to be favored vs. the field. What I disagree with is your assertion that the US will win easily.

For comparison sake, in 2004, the all-NBA teams included 12 Americans instead of the 13 on the current all-NBA teams, the all-star teams included 19 Americans (same as this year, and again 5 non-Americans all from different countries), Yao Ming was the lone non-American starter compared to none this year. Both teams had 2 of the best players EVER (similar to this year, 1 was in his prime and the other was not.) The 2004 team only had 3 all-NBA players and 3 current all-stars, though this young team did have 9 players who would eventually make at least 2 all-star games and this team may not have had as good a coaching staff.

Yet, even with this overwhelming advantage in talent vs. the other teams in the world, that 2004 USA team lost to Puerto Rico (featuring 2 NBA players), Lithuania (featuring 1) and Argentina (with 1 NBA player at the time.) No US team since that time has won all its games by double digits, and this year's team has already had a reasonably close game vs. Brazil. I hope to see this USA team hitting on all cylinders, but I expect someone to give them a challenge in the semifinals and/or finals, as has happened in every tournament the US has entered since 1996.

subzero02
07-27-2012, 01:08 PM
In rugby nor soccer would anyone ever take a team over a field. Ever. As someone who follows soccer closer than basketball, I can vouch that the Brazil / Spain analogies are completely off (and having been to a Rugby World Cup, the New Zealand one cannot be used either). A team that is favored in a World Cup or Euro Cup rarely has a 20% chance of winning. This past Euro Cup, for instance, Spain had a 25-30% of winning the Euro (and a lot of bookies had Germany as the favorite) Take a look at the US roster. 10 are All-Stars, 2 of which will finish their NBA careers as 2 of the 10 team players EVER. The other teams have maybe 5-6 All-Stars combined, the two best of which are Pau Gasol and Manu Ginoblli, two great players who won NBA titles but neither can be considered the best player on their respective team.

If you take a look at this year's NBA All-Star teams, the 10 starters were all American (of which 5 are on Team USA). 19 of the 24 overall players are American. Of the remaining 5 players, they all come from different countries.

There are very few competitive sports out there where a team has higher odds than the field. In 10 years, this may change for Team USA. But right now, they are the best, and losing with this team will be shocking.

I assume you are talking about Kobe and Lebron. ( Durant could easily be in this conversation in another 2-3 years). Kobe is already amongst the 10 best all time, Lebron has more work to do.

flyingdutchdevil
07-27-2012, 01:25 PM
Do you disagree that Brazil was the best team in soccer for a number of years and that Spain is now and that they are favored in the tournaments they are in? I have also been to a rugby world cup, one of the many in which New Zealand was favored but didn't win, even though there are really only 3-6 teams in the world that could possibly beat them at any time.


I have looked at the US roster and agree it is a great and talented team with by far the most talent of any team at the Olympics. I also agree with you that it is not common for a team to be favored vs. the field. What I disagree with is your assertion that the US will win easily.

For comparison sake, in 2004, the all-NBA teams included 12 Americans instead of the 13 on the current all-NBA teams, the all-star teams included 19 Americans (same as this year, and again 5 non-Americans all from different countries), Yao Ming was the lone non-American starter compared to none this year. Both teams had 2 of the best players EVER (similar to this year, 1 was in his prime and the other was not.) The 2004 team only had 3 all-NBA players and 3 current all-stars, though this young team did have 9 players who would eventually make at least 2 all-star games and this team may not have had as good a coaching staff.

Yet, even with this overwhelming advantage in talent vs. the other teams in the world, that 2004 USA team lost to Puerto Rico (featuring 2 NBA players), Lithuania (featuring 1) and Argentina (with 1 NBA player at the time.) No US team since that time has won all its games by double digits, and this year's team has already had a reasonably close game vs. Brazil. I hope to see this USA team hitting on all cylinders, but I expect someone to give them a challenge in the semifinals and/or finals, as has happened in every tournament the US has entered since 1996.

I will absolutely agree with you that Brazil was the best team between 1994-2002 and that torch has now been passed to Spain. But I will not say that Brazil nor Spain won those tournaments easily. As a matter of fact, both teams went to numerous penalty kicks, which is equivalent to flipping a coin. Look at Team USA in 2008. They beat their opponents by an average of 28 points!!! I call that winning easily. Yes - Spain put up a great fight, but even when it was close, I didn't hesitate for a second.

In 2004, that team was talented no doubt. But why did they bring in Jerry and Coach K? To find better talent? Absolutely not. They brought in the staff to manage egos and play to the team's strengths. If you couple talent like the US has with great management, you have a winning formula. And Team USA knows this. I'm sure Coach K always refers to 2004 and tells the team that you are the most talented team in the world but talent without structure is meaningless. And I'm sure the team buys into that, which is why they're crushing it in international play. Other teams have that coaching ability (Spain, Argentina, and Brazil all seem to have great coaching), but no one compares to Team USA's talent. And because of that, Team USA won in 2004 by 28 points. I will happily make a wager that Team USA doesn't win a game by less than 10 points.

Basketball, while growing in popularity internationally, is still dominated by American athletes. You cannot say the same thing about soccer or rugby or sports where there isn't one truly amazing team but a collection of amazing teams.

NSDukeFan
07-27-2012, 01:34 PM
I will absolutely agree with you that Brazil was the best team between 1994-2002 and that torch has now been passed to Spain. But I will not say that Brazil nor Spain won those tournaments easily. As a matter of fact, both teams went to numerous penalty kicks, which is equivalent to flipping a coin. Look at Team USA in 2008. They beat their opponents by an average of 28 points!!! I call that winning easily. Yes - Spain put up a great fight, but even when it was close, I didn't hesitate for a second.

In 2004, that team was talented no doubt. But why did they bring in Jerry and Coach K? To find better talent? Absolutely not. They brought in the staff to manage egos and play to the team's strengths. If you couple talent like the US has with great management, you have a winning formula. And Team USA knows this. I'm sure Coach K always refers to 2004 and tells the team that you are the most talented team in the world but talent without structure is meaningless. And I'm sure the team buys into that, which is why they're crushing it in international play. Other teams have that coaching ability (Spain, Argentina, and Brazil all seem to have great coaching), but no one compares to Team USA's talent. And because of that, Team USA won in 2004 by 28 points. I will happily make a wager that Team USA doesn't win a game by less than 10 points.

I agree with almost everything you say here and my point was not that Brazil or Spain won the tournaments that it was favored in easily, just that it is not easy to win even if you are the favorite. Brazil did not win a few championships where it was the favorite to begin with. I also agree with you that the difference between Brazil at that time and #2 is much less than the current difference between the US and the #2 basketball country.

The reason that I would gladly take your final sentence wager is not because of talent, but that there is more than talent involved in individual games; sometimes, teamwork, familiarity with teammates and the international game and how it is officiated, chemistry, luck, etc. can affect an individual game (see the Olympics examples I have cited and unfortunately Duke-Lehigh, upsets happen.)


Basketball, while growing in popularity internationally, is still dominated by American athletes. You cannot say the same thing about soccer or rugby or sports where there isn't one truly amazing team but a collection of amazing teams.
I agree, though New Zealand rugby usually only has a few competitors that can match it, was favored in the past however many world cups, but only won the last one, even though their talent level exceeded other teams in the previous 3 World Cups.

flyingdutchdevil
07-27-2012, 01:51 PM
I agree with almost everything you say here and my point was not that Brazil or Spain won the tournaments that it was favored in easily, just that it is not easy to win even if you are the favorite. Brazil did not win a few championships where it was the favorite to begin with. I also agree with you that the difference between Brazil at that time and #2 is much less than the current difference between the US and the #2 basketball country.

The reason that I would gladly take your final sentence wager is not because of talent, but that there is more than talent involved in individual games; sometimes, teamwork, familiarity with teammates and the international game and how it is officiated, chemistry, luck, etc. can affect an individual game (see the Olympics examples I have cited and unfortunately Duke-Lehigh, upsets happen.)


I agree, though New Zealand rugby usually only has a few competitors that can match it, was favored in the past however many world cups, but only won the last one, even though their talent level exceeded other teams in the previous 3 World Cups.

Lithuania absolutely proves this point - probably the best example of how team talent trumps individual talent (interestingly enough, basketball is the most popular sport in Lithuania. This must be the only country where this is the case. In China, it's still soccer).

There certainly are intangibles as you have listed, but I still believe that US talent will trump all of these intangibles. Plus, like every team, Team USA is still figuring it out. The staff will tweak, the players will learn, and the under-performers known as Love (and...Paul?) will figure it out.

We clearly aren't getting anywhere with this debate (as entertaining as it is writing it), but I'll finish with a side note: the reason the US is so good at basketball is because they take a very similar approach to how Europeans approach soccer - they essentially groom players at an early age, put them in clubs and teams (AAU, summer camps, other summer leagues, and then college, where basketball is essentially a job), and never stop developing them. While this approach is with basketball done in Spain, Argentina, Italy, etc, soccer still gets 99% of the resources. As a result, the US will always have an amazing basketball team (and, unfortunately, an underwhelming soccer team because this structure is nowhere in place. Side side note: how has the US somehow taken a step back under Klinsmann?).