Germany or Latvia in the SF? Huge for them wow. But huger for usHere's the bracket
Germany or Latvia in the SF? Huge for them wow. But huger for usHere's the bracket
Lost on the glass 43-27. Lithuania started off on fire from 3.They lost?
with Ant on their team?
Too small?
I've gone back and forth on Ingram a dozen times. On the one hand, his lousy defense has often cancelled out his very good offense. On the other hand, the best offensive player on a lottery team is almost a stone cold lock to be a lousy defender (and he's been to the playoffs just once in his 7 seasons), and habits are hard to break - just because he's dropped onto a team with a lot of talent doesn't mean he'll suddenly become a passable defender. I hope Zion figures it out because I would like to see Ingram in the playoffs more - his one experience (2022 against the Suns) was excellent.Really pathetic showing here.
I've always hated Ingram and he is really showing why today - good individual stats, team getting destroyed while he is out there.
Especially when we send the B team, which always seems to happen in FIBA. The 2020 (really 2021) US olympic team had just two players that were on the 2019 FIBA team, Middleton and Tatum (and Tatum was a completely different player with 2 more years of experience). The full national team can overcome hot shooting nights from decent opponents and can blow most countries off the court just by showing up, but that's not the case with this group and their combined 4 all-star games and 0 all-NBA appearances.Lost on the glass 43-27. Lithuania started off on fire from 3.
Honestly if you get outrebounded double digits and the other team is hot from 3 it's hard to win.
The talent gap just isn't that big anymore.
Isn't this, like, our D team? Maybe Edwards makes the B team.I've gone back and forth on Ingram a dozen times. On the one hand, his lousy defense has often cancelled out his very good offense. On the other hand, the best offensive player on a lottery team is almost a stone cold lock to be a lousy defender (and he's been to the playoffs just once in his 7 seasons), and habits are hard to break - just because he's dropped onto a team with a lot of talent doesn't mean he'll suddenly become a passable defender. I hope Zion figures it out because I would like to see Ingram in the playoffs more - his one experience (2022 against the Suns) was excellent.
Especially when we send the B team, which always seems to happen in FIBA. The 2020 (really 2021) US olympic team had just two players that were on the 2019 FIBA team, Middleton and Tatum (and Tatum was a completely different player with 2 more years of experience). The full national team can overcome hot shooting nights from decent opponents and can blow most countries off the court just by showing up, but that's not the case with this group and their combined 4 all-star games and 0 all-NBA appearances.
If you forced all US players to play, probably. If we recognize that a large % of top US players are either too old or too injury prone to realistically play internationally, I think calling the FIBA group the B team is fair. The Athletic just finished up their preseason NBA tier list, and they've got 39 players in their top 3 tiers. The only members of the FIBA team on that list are Haliburton, Bridges, Brunson, JJJ and Edwards, all in tier 3. Here are the other US players in their top 3 tiers (I just eyeballed this list, hopefully accurate):Isn't this, like, our D team? Maybe Edwards makes the B team.
I doubt anyone would think Edwards was out of his league on an A team.Isn't this, like, our D team? Maybe Edwards makes the B team.
Didn't the Cs have Caboclo for a couple of minutes too?Best player ratings. I see a former Celtics draft pick at 15.
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Tough matchup vs Slovania. Doncic vs SGA has potential to be epic.Canada survived. Ballsy move by Canadian coach to sit Olynyk who was really struggling at both ends. Brooks and Dort were difference makers. If Murray plays in Paris they have a good chance. If Wiggins is willing to play his GS 3rd wheel role even better.
AI would welcome someone putting together what their ideal set of 12-man rosters would be for our A, B etc teams, assuming everyone was available.
I wouldn’t go that far but did want to mention that the USA did bring the A team of coaches. Kinda goes to show you what the true value of coaching is. Not as much as some would believe.I will be rooting for Italy. The USA team is not very likable.
Thanks for the reminder, I thought it started an hour later. ESPN2 for those who can watch thereBump for USA-Italy quarterfinal starting right now.
I brought two laptops to work today just so I can double screen this. If anyone needs a stream link let me know.
When we're throwing guys like Bobby Portis out there... you would think it might be time for plan B?Shouldn't Kessler get more run against a big team like Lithuania?
Portis played 10.5 minutes and had 7 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and was -1 in those minutesWhen we're throwing guys like Bobby Portis out there... you would think it might be time for plan B?
That’s like your normal wake up time, right? (5:40)Next USA game is 8:40AM EDT on Friday morning.
Shaved and showered by thenThat’s like your normal wake up time, right? (5:40)
can’t make money without commercials.https://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2023/game/0609/Germany-Latvia#tab=boxscore
It was a one- or two-possession game for the final minute, and there were no timeouts! Great flow. The NBA should take notes.
I admit I haven't been following basketball for very long, but wasn't the coach of the local team at some point in the team's history killed for not calling TOs down the stretch?Bertans pulls up with time running down and tries to win it with a long, contested 3-pointer. No go. Germany advances, despite a 4-for-26 effort from Schroder.
https://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2023/game/0609/Germany-Latvia#tab=boxscore
It was a one- or two-possession game for the final minute, and there were no timeouts! Great flow. The NBA should take notes.
Or maybe Latvia should have called a timeout at some point?Bertans pulls up with time running down and tries to win it with a long, contested 3-pointer. No go. Germany advances, despite a 4-for-26 effort from Schroder.
https://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2023/game/0609/Germany-Latvia#tab=boxscore
It was a one- or two-possession game for the final minute, and there were no timeouts! Great flow. The NBA should take notes.
Do you get the ball at midcourt in FIBA if you call a timeout immediately after a defensive rebound? Latvia continued play after Schroder's final miss and had to settle for Bertans' shot. In that situation, a timeout would have been wiser, assuming it would have advanced the ball to midcourt.Or maybe Latvia should have called a timeout at some point?
I believe so, I saw several instances of that late in USA - Lithuania.Do you get the ball at midcourt in FIBA if you call a timeout immediately after a defensive rebound? Latvia continued play after Schroder's final miss and had to settle for Bertans' shot. In that situation, a timeout would have been wiser, assuming it would have advanced the ball to midcourt.
Yes but it used to be only to halfcourt and not the frontcourt.....of course it's been over 30 yrs since I played a FIBA rules game so not sure exactly.Do you get the ball at midcourt in FIBA if you call a timeout immediately after a defensive rebound? Latvia continued play after Schroder's final miss and had to settle for Bertans' shot. In that situation, a timeout would have been wiser, assuming it would have advanced the ball to midcourt.
To be clear, I understand the value and importance of strategically called timeouts, and I like to see the C's use them. But as a fan with no rooting interest in Germany or Latvia, I didn't mind one bit that the final minute of a close, gripping game basically played out in real time.Yes but it used to be only to halfcourt and not the frontcourt.....of course it's been over 30 yrs since I played a FIBA rules game so not sure exactly.
Edit: 36 years. Good lord.
The fall really is the best time to get ESPN+, but I just can't pull the trigger.Slovenia/Canada on now. This should be a banger!! Probably my most anticipated game to watch of this tournament so far.
Joe has, and gets endlessly roasted for it.It was a one- or two-possession game for the final minute, and there were no timeouts! Great flow. The NBA should take notes.
The dude has never been to Italy. Nor has his father. His great great grandfather moved to Seattle from Italy. He should in no way be playing for Italy.But I'm still reiterating how much I hate that Banchero is playing for US (good for us) and not Italy. Double-f**ed Italy though (although wouldn't have mattered in teh result.
Would be better for the international game if he played for Italy.