While the final game of the tournament left much to be desired, it in no way diminished the excitement, suspense and positive play during the past two plus weeks. Well, minus that Aussie fiasco…
The
tournament provided viewers with clutch shots, upsets, new national heroes, glimpses
into future powers and a whole lot of rowdy supporters. I’m looking at you
Finland and Gilas fans!
After
sitting back to reflect and take a closer look into the games, these were my biggest
takeaways and parting thoughts…
The
parity of the field bodes well for the future of the sport
The play
during the Group Phase of the tournament was about as tightly contested as you
could have hoped for.
Obviously, it wasn’t without its share of blowouts and uninspired play but overall the end result struck a nice balance. Most of this of course, can be directly attributed to the growing parity among the basketball loving nations.
Thanks to more resources, better understanding of analytics & new technologies in sport, and increased knowledge sharing of proper developmental models, the world is catching up to the elite powers in basketball.
As the tournament progressed, you began to see the talent gap that still exists between the elite and the rest of the field, open up. Hard work clearly remains ahead but the competitive balance will continue to trend upwards after a strong display in Spain.
Obviously, it wasn’t without its share of blowouts and uninspired play but overall the end result struck a nice balance. Most of this of course, can be directly attributed to the growing parity among the basketball loving nations.
Thanks to more resources, better understanding of analytics & new technologies in sport, and increased knowledge sharing of proper developmental models, the world is catching up to the elite powers in basketball.
As the tournament progressed, you began to see the talent gap that still exists between the elite and the rest of the field, open up. Hard work clearly remains ahead but the competitive balance will continue to trend upwards after a strong display in Spain.
USA
dominance nearly historic
Leading
up to this September’s event, USA Basketball found itself heavily scrutinized for
what were perceived as “questionable decisions” concerning their roster selections.
The reality is that the circumstances dictated the end result. After losing key
players, including their core leadership from previous games, Coach K and his staff
put together a group of players they deemed the best suited for the
international game.
With no mega-superstars on the roster and tons of first timers, maybe the time
was finally right for another country to put an end to the 6-year reign. Fast-forward
two weeks and it’s the same old story. But following the 129-92 dismantling of
Serbia in the Championship final, this just felt like a completely different
USA championship.
Some will
continue to call this the United States’ “B” team that won.
I’m sure the players could care less with their gold medals now securely in hand, and the coaches and management know they brought the best team available. In any event, if this is indeed the 2nd tier team, what a scary thought that would be after watching these guys practically ran everyone out of the gym.
Throughout their 9 games in Spain, the US managed to outscore their opponents by an average of 33pts per game, while connecting on over 40% behind the arc (including 50% on 30 attempts in the finals). A remarkable stat only bested by their previous (since pros were eligible) yet much more accomplished regimes, the 1992 Dream Team (43.8pts - Barcelona) and the 2008 Redeem Team (37.75pts - Beijing).
I’m sure the players could care less with their gold medals now securely in hand, and the coaches and management know they brought the best team available. In any event, if this is indeed the 2nd tier team, what a scary thought that would be after watching these guys practically ran everyone out of the gym.
Throughout their 9 games in Spain, the US managed to outscore their opponents by an average of 33pts per game, while connecting on over 40% behind the arc (including 50% on 30 attempts in the finals). A remarkable stat only bested by their previous (since pros were eligible) yet much more accomplished regimes, the 1992 Dream Team (43.8pts - Barcelona) and the 2008 Redeem Team (37.75pts - Beijing).
Better
luck in Rio!
Tournament’s breakout players will be heading to the league
Zoran
Dragic, Miloš Teodosić and Petteri Koponen all have something in common.
They’re all on their way to inking fresh new contracts in the NBA.
They may
not all come over right away but expect to see them join the likes of fellow
Spain 2014 breakout players Bojan & Bogdan Bogdanovic (not related… or even
countrymen), Jonas Valanciunas, and most recently, Joe Ingles of Australia who signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.
According
to ESPN, reports out of Spain indicate Petteri Koponen is eying
the 2015 season as his NBA debut. The Finnish
point guard has one year remaining on his contract with BC Khimki of Russia and
currently has his rights owned by the Dallas Mavericks after they made a
draft-night deal with the Portland Trailblazers in 2007.
Like Koponen, Miloš Teodosić isn't exactly an up-and-coming YOUNG prospect (he’s 27), but there is certainly no denying his talent and on the heels of guiding Serbia to a 2nd place finish, his value has never been higher in the eyes of NBA executives. Miloš is said to be commanding a salary of over $3M per year to make the move overseas.
Like Koponen, Miloš Teodosić isn't exactly an up-and-coming YOUNG prospect (he’s 27), but there is certainly no denying his talent and on the heels of guiding Serbia to a 2nd place finish, his value has never been higher in the eyes of NBA executives. Miloš is said to be commanding a salary of over $3M per year to make the move overseas.
Major
changes are coming in basketball’s international landscape
Africa
Perennial
qualifier and 11-time FIBA Africa Champion including 7 of the past 8, Angola will be challenged by Senegal for the foreseeable future. Angola has had a stranglehold
on Africa since 1989 but their core is at the end of its prime and currently boasts
very few prospects waiting in the wings.
Yanick Moreria enjoyed an impressive debut on the international stage (17.8 ppg & 8.2 rpg) and is undoubtedly the one expected to carry the torch for Angola's program. The 6’11 forward has an incredibly high ceiling which is aided by having one of the game's premier coach in Larry Brown at SMU.
If Angola wants to remain the team to beat in Africa, they’ll need Moreria to be at his best and build on his World Cup performance from Spain. At any rate, the road through Africa just got harder.
Despite nearly missing the tournament altogether had it not been for a last second, 4-point play to beat Ivory Coast by 1, Senegal's play in Spain showed they may be the team to beat in Africa.
With an intriguing nucleus led by the Minnesota Timberwolves forward Gorgui Dieng and Rutgers alum and current D-Leaguer Hamady N’Diaye, Senegal will be ready to go for its first FIBA Africa Championship since 1997 by the time the tournament starts in 2015.
Yanick Moreria enjoyed an impressive debut on the international stage (17.8 ppg & 8.2 rpg) and is undoubtedly the one expected to carry the torch for Angola's program. The 6’11 forward has an incredibly high ceiling which is aided by having one of the game's premier coach in Larry Brown at SMU.
If Angola wants to remain the team to beat in Africa, they’ll need Moreria to be at his best and build on his World Cup performance from Spain. At any rate, the road through Africa just got harder.
Despite nearly missing the tournament altogether had it not been for a last second, 4-point play to beat Ivory Coast by 1, Senegal's play in Spain showed they may be the team to beat in Africa.
With an intriguing nucleus led by the Minnesota Timberwolves forward Gorgui Dieng and Rutgers alum and current D-Leaguer Hamady N’Diaye, Senegal will be ready to go for its first FIBA Africa Championship since 1997 by the time the tournament starts in 2015.
Americas
There were
obvious signs of progress on the part of the lesser accomplished FIBA America
representatives. Especially during the Group Phase of the tournament.
Argentina, Brazil, Dominican Republic and Mexico all joined the US in the Round of 16 to make it an impressive 5/6 of its members to advance. Sorry, Costa Rica.
The United States would end up the lone rep after just the Quarters but it remained a strong showing by FIBA America nonetheless. More showcases like this are on the horizon but not until the federation endures a MASSIVE power shift.
Spain 2014 saw the end of the ‘Golden Generation’ in Argentinean basketball. Moving forward, Argentina will have a very difficult time maintaining its ranking among the world’s elite programs and any chance of building on the successes of the past decade are surely gone.
Unfortunately for Argentina, while some bright spots remain in the program (Facundo Campazzo), the next generation of stars is not of the same ilk as its predecessor and will take time to develop.
Perhaps the team most capable of taking Argentina’s place as top challenger to the US from the America’s is the very team who ousted them in Spain. Brazil, after years of struggling vs its neighbours to the south, finally got over the hump in Round of 16 play thanks to an emphatic 20-point beat down. Brazil boasts several notable NBA players on its roster and has a long history of being one of the top nations in the international game.
Then there is Canada, the wildcard of the group. With the 2nd most
NBA players in their system outside of the USA, Canada is getting extremely close
to fielding an All-NBA roster, including the previous two #1 overall picks in
the NBA Draft. 2015 will be one of the biggest years in the history of Canada
Basketball as it prepares for next year’s FIBA America Championships in
Monterrey, Mexico.
Argentina, Brazil, Dominican Republic and Mexico all joined the US in the Round of 16 to make it an impressive 5/6 of its members to advance. Sorry, Costa Rica.
The United States would end up the lone rep after just the Quarters but it remained a strong showing by FIBA America nonetheless. More showcases like this are on the horizon but not until the federation endures a MASSIVE power shift.
Spain 2014 saw the end of the ‘Golden Generation’ in Argentinean basketball. Moving forward, Argentina will have a very difficult time maintaining its ranking among the world’s elite programs and any chance of building on the successes of the past decade are surely gone.
Unfortunately for Argentina, while some bright spots remain in the program (Facundo Campazzo), the next generation of stars is not of the same ilk as its predecessor and will take time to develop.
Perhaps the team most capable of taking Argentina’s place as top challenger to the US from the America’s is the very team who ousted them in Spain. Brazil, after years of struggling vs its neighbours to the south, finally got over the hump in Round of 16 play thanks to an emphatic 20-point beat down. Brazil boasts several notable NBA players on its roster and has a long history of being one of the top nations in the international game.
Asia
After 40
long years, plus an overtime, the Philippians finally found their elusive win.
Before beating Senegal in pool play 81-79, the Gilas hadn't won on the world
stage since a 1974.
In the process NBA vet Andray Blatche will forever be remembered as a Gilas basketball legend after averaging an impressive 21.2 ppg & 13.8 rpg. Not a bad time to post stat lines like that when still an NBA free-agent. Way to capitalize, Dray!
Korea & Iran finished the tournament a combined 1-9 and don’t appear to be on the verge of a dynasty...
At the very least, shout out to Hamed Haddadi of Iran after his strong performance of 18.8 ppg & 11.4 rpg throughout his 5 games.
In the process NBA vet Andray Blatche will forever be remembered as a Gilas basketball legend after averaging an impressive 21.2 ppg & 13.8 rpg. Not a bad time to post stat lines like that when still an NBA free-agent. Way to capitalize, Dray!
Korea & Iran finished the tournament a combined 1-9 and don’t appear to be on the verge of a dynasty...
At the very least, shout out to Hamed Haddadi of Iran after his strong performance of 18.8 ppg & 11.4 rpg throughout his 5 games.
Europe
This was
supposed to be Spain’s year. Everything lined up perfectly for their MASSIVE opportunity
to capture its 2nd World Cup championship and first ever on home soil. With a formidable backcourt and the Gasol brothers giving every other frontcourt nightmares, coupled with a US roster seemingly at its weakest in years, this WAS
their time. Then the France-Spain quarterfinal game happened. With Spain being
dealt a decisive blow in front of their home crowd, so too was any hope of an
American take-down.
No
disrespect to Serbia, France after downing the Spaniards was probably thought
of as the next in line to give the US a scare. Although even the biggest French
supporter would have to admit their squad would need everything to break right.
Like having the US announce they've decided to start Coach K at point. Regardless
of the situation, there is little reason to think they would have fared any
better than Serbia.
So what does this all mean for the future of European basketball? Serbia and France appear well-positioned to make a run, starting next year at EuroBasket 2015, and will battle against the likes of Lithuania, Slovenia and Croatia as well.
So what does this all mean for the future of European basketball? Serbia and France appear well-positioned to make a run, starting next year at EuroBasket 2015, and will battle against the likes of Lithuania, Slovenia and Croatia as well.
Where
does this leave Spain? Much like the Argentineans but perhaps not as drastic,
Spain should begin to see its basketball ‘Golden Generation’ pass and with it,
its hold on Europe. The latter of which was tenuous at best given their 2013 EuroBasket
performance. However, any country that boasts a high-caliber professional
league such as the Liga ACB will never fade away completely.
Europe should be fairly wide-open in the foreseeable future, which has all the makings of an outstanding EuroBasket Championships next summer!
Europe should be fairly wide-open in the foreseeable future, which has all the makings of an outstanding EuroBasket Championships next summer!
Oceania
The
Oceania Basketball Federation saw both representatives (Australia, New Zealand)
reach the bracket rounds in Spain. Unfortunately for both, that would be very
short-lived as both teams were bounced in the Round of 16.
Australia
was stunned by a late…very late three from Turkey's Emir Preldzic,
rendering their intentional loss to Angola to setup a more favourable draw, pointless.
Still, the Aussie's at times looked very solid and with the young prospects in
the pipelines, the future does appear very bright.
New Zealand earned a lot of respect for their hard fought style of play and if
the development of Steven Adams in OKC is successful, this squad should
continue to challenge Australia in the coming years. The edge still remains
with the Aussie’s who have defeated NZL in 18 of 20 Oceania qualifying championships.
All
things considered, even with the impending merger between Oceania & Asia to
form the Asia-Pacific Zone, these two programs should face little issues
qualifying for future games.
My All-Tournament Team
C – Paul Gasol, Spain
F – Kennith Faried, USA
F – Nicolas Batum, France
G – Miloš Teodosić, Serbia
G – Kyrie Irving, USA
HM: Bojan Bogdanovic (Croatia), Goran Dragic (Slovenia), Jonas Valanciunas (Lithuania), Klay Thompson (USA)
FINAL STANDINGS
My All-Tournament Team
C – Paul Gasol, Spain
F – Kennith Faried, USA
F – Nicolas Batum, France
G – Miloš Teodosić, Serbia
G – Kyrie Irving, USA
HM: Bojan Bogdanovic (Croatia), Goran Dragic (Slovenia), Jonas Valanciunas (Lithuania), Klay Thompson (USA)
FINAL STANDINGS
1. USA
(9-0)
2. Serbia
(5-4)
3. France
(6-3)
4.
Lithuania (6-3)
5. Spain
(6-1)
6. Brazil
(5-2)
7.
Slovenia (5-2)
8. Turkey
(4-3)
9. Greece
(5-1)
10.
Croatia (3-3)
11.
Argentina (3-3)
12.
Australia (3-3)
13.
Dominican Republic (2-4)
14.
Mexico (2-4)
15. New
Zealand (2-4)
16.
Senegal (2-4)
17.
Angola (2-3)
18.
Ukraine (2-3)
19.
Puerto Rico (1-4)
20. Iran
(1-4)
21.
Philippines (1-4)
22.
Finland (1-4)
23. Korea
(0-5)
24. Egypt
(0-5)
Starting in 2017, all of
FIBA’s continental championships will be held on a four-year cycle. The continental
championships will no longer be part of the qualifying process for either the
World Cup or Olympics but for the 2017 World Cup, the field is set to expand from
24 to 32 teams.
