FIBA World Championships, Or the next place to see Grizzlies Players after Summer League. Options

[Yippee_Ki_ Yay_M...]

You're right, I misread it. Anyway, I hope NZ advances from the group round, I've always had a soft spot for them.

Plus, 6-7ft tall people performing a haka in a basketball court is always a sight to behold. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

lol (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

most people here definitely don't like it being done by basketballers, don't hate it but certainly don't like it at all....we all say leave it to the rugby and league boys!

[Reisen]

My thoughts about the world championship

USA chances of win are about 98%

1% chances of win for Spain

1% chances of win for the others

Spain versus USA

Very poor chances of win for Spain, but a team with Ricky Rubio, Juan Carlos Navarro/Rudy Fernandez and Marc Gasol is a very tough team

[Kenrae]

My prediction:

Team USA won't be in the finals.

I guessed the four first teams in order four years ago, let's see if I can manage the same (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) .

[Wells]

Notes and comments from the first day of USA Basketball practice.

http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/national...tice_07_20.html

[Reisen]

My prediction:

Team USA won't be in the finals.

I guessed the four first teams in order four years ago, let's see if I can manage the same (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) .

Will be a tremendous upset if USA cant reach the finals, like the thabeet pick by the grizzlies xdddd

[Wells]

Some Grizzlies photographs.

http://www.usabasketball.com/photos/10_mnt...ng_07-19_6.html

http://www.usabasketball.com/photos/10_mnt...ng_07-19_7.html

http://www.usabasketball.com/photos/10_mnt...g_07-19_11.html

http://www.usabasketball.com/photos/10_mnt...07-20-10_6.html

http://www.usabasketball.com/photos/10_mnt...07-20-10_7.html

http://www.usabasketball.com/photos/10_mnt...7-20-10_14.html

http://www.usabasketball.com/photos/10_mnt...ry_07-21_3.html

http://www.usabasketball.com/photos/10_mnt...ry_07-21_5.html

http://www.usabasketball.com/photos/10_mnt...ry_07-21_8.html

[ebevan91]

Now David Lee is out from an injury during practice.

STOP PRACTICING THERE'S GOING TO BE NOBODY LEFT!!! I'm joking of course...

[inyofacez55]

I predict the US to win it all. Closes game against Spain by 20. No reason to even compete its just practice for USA while other countries play for their lives.

[Wells]

Here's the breakdown of the players participating in the USA Basketball Summer Camp to determine the FIBA team currently.

Guards
Rajon Rondo
Chauncey Billups
Stephan Curry
Tyreke Evens
Eric Gordon
O. J. Mayo
Derrick Rose
Russell Westbrook

Forwards
Rudy Gay
Lamar Odom
Kevin Durant
Danny Granger
Jeff Green
Andre Iguodala
Kevin Love
Gerald Wallace

Centers
Tyson Chandler
Javale McGee
David Lee (injured)
Brook Lopez
Robin Lopez

With the injuries and withdrawal, the front court rotation I envisioned in my previous post is severely crippled. Reports from Vegas suggest the Coach K is considering shifting Rudy into the power forward spot on some rotations with Kevin Durant. That would be a very effective offensive lineup in my opinion, but I'm unsure how well Rudy could handle the more physical power forward out there on the international teams.

With STAT gone, and Lee injured, the focus shifts to O. J. being more on the bubble in my mind. D'Antoni, MacMillan and Coach K are going to need to jury-rig a front court. Chandler's knees are bad, as evidenced in this picture.

http://www.usabasketball.com/photos/10_mnt...y_07-21_14.html

McGee, while impressive physically, is not experienced enough. That gives us two centers, and now probably Odom and either Love or Granger for power forward support. Before, Stoudamire could have played either big position, so they could run a three person rotation. Lee was the closest to taking Amare's place, but he now has an injured finger, which takes him out of the current trials. He could be back by August 27, when the roster has to be finalized, but it doubtful in many people's minds. Personally, I hope he can make it back; it would increase O. J.'s chances.

[Wells]

Additional news: Robin Lopez out at USA Basketball trials due to back problems. Also, Dirk Nowitzski has withdrawn from the German Team.

Story by Marc Spears: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AnzN...usainjury072110

[lilojmayo]

With the injuries and withdrawal, the front court rotation I envisioned in my previous post is severely crippled. Reports from Vegas suggest the Coach K is considering shifting Rudy into the power forward spot on some rotations with Kevin Durant. That would be a very effective offensive lineup in my opinion, but I'm unsure how well Rudy could handle the more physical power forward out there on the international teams.

With STAT gone, and Lee injured, the focus shifts to O. J. being more on the bubble in my mind. D'Antoni, MacMillan and Coach K are going to need to jury-rig a front court. Chandler's knees are bad, as evidenced in this picture.

http://www.usabasketball.com/photos/10_mnt...y_07-21_14.html

McGee, while impressive physically, is not experienced enough. That gives us two centers, and now probably Odom and either Love or Granger for power forward support. Before, Stoudamire could have played either big position, so they could run a three person rotation. Lee was the closest to taking Amare's place, but he now has an injured finger, which takes him out of the current trials. He could be back by August 27, when the roster has to be finalized, but it doubtful in many people's minds. Personally, I hope he can make it back; it would increase O. J.'s chances.

At the end of the day, if OJ Mayo doesn't have one heck of a game at saturday's showcase he isn't going to get picked. It is obvious ( at least the media) is picking favorites and experience, and OJ is feeling the disadvantage of playing in a small market. I really hope he let's his talent and game do the talking on saturday to shut up the media who all don't have him making the team.

I mean Rajon Rondo, are you serious. How the heck can he look better in workouts and game then OJ Mayo, Westbrook, Evans. The guy can't even hit a freaking free throw. He is only getting in because he is a boston celtic.

Chauncey Billups is another guy I don't see why he should be in. I understand he is a vet and has a little international experience, but at the end of the day he isn't better than Mayo, Evans, Curry.

OJ game was built for international play, a scorer and playmaker that is an excellent shooter and outside shooter. Anyone with brains would pick him, He needs to let his game do the talking on saturday.

[Yippee_Ki_ Yay_M...]

At the end of the day, if OJ Mayo doesn't have one heck of a game at saturday's showcase he isn't going to get picked. It is obvious ( at least the media) is picking favorites and experience, and OJ is feeling the disadvantage of playing in a small market. I really hope he let's his talent and game do the talking on saturday to shut up the media who all don't have him making the team.

I mean Rajon Rondo, are you serious. How the heck can he look better in workouts and game then OJ Mayo, Westbrook, Evans. The guy can't even hit a freaking free throw. He is only getting in because he is a boston celtic.

Chauncey Billups is another guy I don't see why he should be in. I understand he is a vet and has a little international experience, but at the end of the day he isn't better than Mayo, Evans, Curry.

OJ game was built for international play, a scorer and playmaker that is an excellent shooter and outside shooter. Anyone with brains would pick him, He needs to let his game do the talking on saturday.

i'm trying to think of a polite way to call you a complete idiot...

[Grizz Glory]

I'm surprised ZBo hasn't gotten an invite. He has said previously that he would love to represent his country. I know he has a history, but considering the injury situation in the post, you would think he would at least get to tryouts.

How cool would that be if 4 out of our 5 starters were playing for their respective national team? What team can boast such a thing?

[fanboyslim]

I'm surprised ZBo hasn't gotten an invite. He has said previously that he would love to represent his country. I know he has a history, but considering the injury situation in the post, you would think he would at least get to tryouts.

This is something that I thought had been absorbed by the US NT by now: wanting to represent your country and committing long term to it beats piling superstars the majority of which are more concerned with screen time / personal legacies / selling more sneakers in China than they are about what a NT represents. And it's not a matter of patriotism, it's a matter of building a team across multiple years despite only getting together for a month a year at most. I would take a motivated ZBo (or Lamar Odom for that matter) over a star-struck Chris Bosh every time.

Remember the 2006 roster that was beaten by an NBA-less Greek team (who happened to have been playing together for years): Joe Johnson, Hinrich, LeBron, Jamison, Battier, D-Wade, CP3, Bosh, Dwight Howard, Brad Miller, Elton Brand and Melo. Not exactly no-names or unproven youths, but playing together for the first time. The results came in 2008 when this core was complemented with Kobe and others and more experience playing together (especially the 2007 Americas tournament).

Now this is a complete reset of the team after that cycle. I think the USA can still win the Worlds based on talent, motivation and the right coaching staff, but I wouldn't be shocked if they didn't. The question is, will the coaching staff keep this new core and build on it with 2012 (and beyond) as a target or will they cave in to the star power and let in all those big names that feel like spending a summer in London? Because if they do the latter they will still be favorites, but it would be a return to the system that brought repeated failure for US hoops in the international competition.

[SC Grizz]

At the end of the day, if OJ Mayo doesn't have one heck of a game at saturday's showcase he isn't going to get picked. It is obvious ( at least the media) is picking favorites and experience, and OJ is feeling the disadvantage of playing in a small market. I really hope he let's his talent and game do the talking on saturday to shut up the media who all don't have him making the team.

I mean Rajon Rondo, are you serious. How the heck can he look better in workouts and game then OJ Mayo, Westbrook, Evans. The guy can't even hit a freaking free throw. He is only getting in because he is a boston celtic.

Chauncey Billups is another guy I don't see why he should be in. I understand he is a vet and has a little international experience, but at the end of the day he isn't better than Mayo, Evans, Curry.

OJ game was built for international play, a scorer and playmaker that is an excellent shooter and outside shooter. Anyone with brains would pick him, He needs to let his game do the talking on saturday.

I needed a good laugh.

Thank you.

[Wells]

Former Grizzly Juan Carlos Navarro has been named captain of the Spanish National Team. Marc Gasol confirmed as the low post main threat for Spain.

http://turkey2010.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/10...28/article.html

Spain also announced their 15 man preliminary roster. This is the team that will play the US Team in a practice game prior to the Wold Championships.

http://turkey2010.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/10...28/article.html

Beno Udrih quits Slovenian team following dispute with coach over playing time.

http://turkey2010.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/10...28/article.html

Andrei Kirilenko pulls out of World Championships.

http://turkey2010.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/10...28/article.html

Washington Wizards first round draft pick Kevin Seraphin cut from French team.

http://turkey2010.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/10...28/article.html

[bystander]

He already was the captain last year after Carlos Jimenez quit the NT.

(IMG:http://www.terra.es/addon/img/feed/deportes/20090920/72342306017cdg.jpg)
^^^ Him raising the Eurobasket 2009 trophy last year as the captain of Spain

[Wells]

I needed a good laugh.

Thank you.

LilOJ gives me giggles a lot. Something else that made me snort was finding out Tyson Chandler's full name on the FIBA website.

Tyson Cleotis Chandler

Cleotis?

Closest etymology I could find was Cleatus which is Greek for Illustrious.

[SeaMayo]

http://www.usabasketball.com/video/

There are a few Mayo videos on that page. He said Spain would be the toughest competition beacuse of Marc Gasol.

[Wells]

Grizzlies Pics from Day 3 in Vegas.

http://www.usabasketball.com/photos/10_mnt...ry_07-22_3.html

http://www.usabasketball.com/photos/10_mnt...ry_07-22_4.html

http://www.usabasketball.com/photos/10_mnt...y_07-22_10.html

http://www.usabasketball.com/photos/10_mnt...y_07-22_17.html