Tokyo Olympics Basketball (July 25 - Aug. 7)

[Billy Dat]

To get back on topic, Spain lost to Slovenia in their last group stage game, so the US will face Spain in the quarterfinals tomorrow.

I bolded tomorrow, because it's 12:40AM after you (maybe) go to bed tonight. So, if you want to watch in the middle of the night, tonight is the night.

Here's a little optimism from True Hoop's David Thorpe

"Even with the off night against France, Team USA finished the qualifying round:

Second-best in scoring (after Luka Doncic and his team from Slovenia)

First in 3s made

First in 3-point percentage (43.4 percent)

First in assists

Second in field-goal percentage inside the 3-point line (60 percent)

They have done it with teamwork—only Jayson Tatum is in the tournament’s top 10 in points per game, and he’s tied for tenth."

[dudog84]

After lots of publicity, both Nigeria teams are out after losing all three games in group play. Since Duke players seem likely to continue to be involved on both sides, I hope that the teams continue to figure out how to be competitive on the world stage as both have started to dominate Africa with better players with American ties available each cycle. The federation still suffers from a serious lack of organization as they struggle with things like organizing youth teams. Both are certainly reminders to the American basketball community that it takes a lot more than familiar names to compete with the more established teams and neither team being able to live up to the hype was not really an overall surprise. Coaching will also have to be evaluated closely moving forward.

They should. They have over 15% of Africa's people, and almost twice as many as any other African nation.

(a little demography lesson in a sports thread)

[ice-9]

As in this summer’s Euros (footy), the men’s Olympic bball bracket looks way unbalanced, a result of, well, results, and luck of the draw, I guess. The FIBA-ranked top 4 are in the same side of the bracket, while France (#7) and Slovenia (#16) seem the top 2 in the other side. Are FIBA rankings as unreliable as FIFA’s, or is this just a case of anything can happen in international bball? Have to check out Slovenia’s Mike Tobey...

That Slovenia team has a decent player...some dude named Luka. They're 16-0 with him.

[OldPhiKap]

That Slovenia team has a decent player...some dude named Luka. They're 16-0 with him.

Does he live on the second floor?

[Steven43]

Here's a little optimism from True Hoop's David Thorpe.

Sounds like a lot of optimism to me!

I will be watching tonight, though it will be quite late. Probably not a smart decision, but hey, I’m working from home tomorrow.

[ClemmonsDevil]

Does he live on the second floor?

Lives upstairs from you.

[OldPhiKap]

Lives upstairs from you.

Yes I think I’ve seen him before.

Probably at Tom’s Diner.

[Steven43]

Lives upstairs from you.

Good album. And GREAT player.

[CrazyNotCrazie]

Yes I think I’ve seen him before.

Probably at Tom’s Diner.

Where Elaine Benes gets her big salads.

[OldPhiKap]

Where Elaine Benes gets her big salads.

But no soup. Two years!

[awhom111]

This is the bracket on the women's side:
Australia vs. United States
China vs. Serbia
Japan vs. Belgium
Spain vs. France

They should. They have over 15% of Africa's people, and almost twice as many as any other African nation.

(a little demography lesson in a sports thread)

It took them quite a while to have a better combined program than Senegal, which is not so populous and Tunisia probably had the strongest men's program for a while. Historically, Angola and Mozambique have had pretty strong programs on both sides, as Charles Barkley can attest to. Egypt is strong sometimes, but also has that population relative to their rivals.

We will se if the NBA investment in this area has additional impact for Nigeria.

[Steven43]

Team USA vs Spain is 43-43 at the break. This one likely to go down to the wire.

A very close game is not what I was hoping for. 🇺🇸

[Billy Dat]

Slept through my alarm, woke up at 2am, been watching this Q4. Tatum making a lot of plays. Rubio playing like an MVP. Let’s finish this thing.

[uh_no]

Slept through my alarm, woke up at 2am, been watching this Q4. Tatum making a lot of plays. Rubio playing like an MVP. Let’s finish this thing.

yeah we looked terrible for the first 15 minutes...then started getting some better shots.

[Billy Dat]

Nice finish - glad to see our guy Jayson Tatum making big plays on both ends in the 4th quarter. On to the semis, probably Australia. Time for some payback!

[bundabergdevil]

Congrats to Team USA!

I am still shocked that Pau Gasol was able to come back and compete in the Olympics this year. The Gasol brothers are retiring from the Spanish National team. Congrats to those two, too; they’ve had a heck of a run.

[heyman25]

Not a fan of Pop! Arrogant condescending man. Like Tatum, but would like to see Pop squirm if they don't get the Gold!

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

I'm secretly hoping for USA/Slovenia final.

[CrazyNotCrazie]

I'm secretly hoping for USA/Slovenia final.

If you write it here is it a secret? I mean, I will keep your secret because you seem like a good guy, but not sure about everyone else!

But I do agree with you.

[bundabergdevil]

I'm secretly hoping for USA/Slovenia final.

I’d tune in for that.

Luka has a very real shot of being the best NBA player, which will make for fun Olympic viewing the next 12-16 years. Team USA definitely has no guarantees. A good/fun thing.