The 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup will be the 17th edition of the FIBA Basketball World Cup, the tournament previously known as the FIBA World Championship. To be hosted by Spain, it will be the last time the tournament will be held on the current four-year cycle. The next FIBA World Cup will be held five years later, in 2019, to reset the cycle on a different year than the FIFA World Cup. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FIBA_Basketball_World_Cup This will be the first time the new expanded free throw lane, the restricted arc, and extended 3-point line (6.6-6.75 m) take effect in the tournament. Venues Madrid will be the main venue, hosting the final and the most matches among host cities. The Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid will be the venue used for matches in Madrid. On April 17, 2010, Barcelona was added to the list of cities to hold games, bringing the total venues to six. This will be Barcelona's first time being part of a major international event in basketball since the 1997 EuroBasket, in which the Palau Sant Jordi hosted the final stages. Below is a list of the confirmed venues which will be used to host games during the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Connor Floor will be the official supplier of the basketball courts for each of the six sites. 1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palacio_de_Deportes_de_la_Comunidad_de_Madrid 2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palau_Sant_Jordi 3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palacio_Municipal_de_Deportes_de_Granada 4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bizkaia_Arena 5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palacio_Municipal_de_Deportes_San_Pablo 6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gran_Canaria_Arena Qualifying for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FIBA_Basketball_World_Cup_qualification Draw The draw will be held on February 3, 2014 at 19:00 CET at the Palau de la Música Catalana, Barcelona. On 2 February, FIBA released the pots on how the teams will be drawn. "Pot 1" includes the top 4 teams in the FIBA World Rankings for men, while the other pots are grouped via geographical and sporting reasons. On January 30, FIBA revealed the official ball that will be used in the World Cup. Designed by Molten, it "will be the first time ever a custom designed basketball has been developed exclusively for an individual event". On January 31, FIBA revealed the mascots of the World Cup: Olé and Hop. Olé and Hop's name came from the word "alley-oop"; they are directly inspired from the 2014 World Cup logo, and will have a tour of host cities leading up to the championship.
The FIBA Basketball World Cup, also known as the FIBA World Cup of Basketball or simply the FIBA World Cup, between 1950 and 2010 known as the FIBA World Championship, is an international basketball competition contested by the men's national teams of the members of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the sport's global governing body. It is considered to be the flagship event of world international basketball competitions. The championship has been held every four years since the inaugural tournament in 1950, except for two occasions. The tournament structure is similar, but not identical, to that of the FIFA World Cup; both of these international competitions have been played in the same year since 1970. A parallel event for women's teams, the FIBA World Championship for Women, is also held quadrennially, in the same year as the men's event, but in a different country. The current format of the tournament involves 24 teams competing for the title at venues within the host nation. The winning team receives the Naismith Trophy, first awarded in 1967. The current champions are the United States, who defeated Turkey in the final of the 2010 tournament. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIBA_Basketball_World_Cup The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_members_of_the_Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_players_in_the_Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_coaches_in_the_Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Collegiate_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIBA_Hall_of_Fame http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women's_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/14/wcm/p/index.html http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/presRele/p/newsid/71243/presReleArti.html
Group A: Spain, Serbia, France, Brazil, Egypt, Iran. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FIBA_Basketball_World_Cup_Group_A Group B: Philippines, Senegal, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Greece, Croatia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FIBA_Basketball_World_Cup_Group_B Group C: Dominican Republic, Turkey, United States, Finland, New Zealand, Ukraine. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FIBA_Basketball_World_Cup_Group_C Group D: Lithuania, Angola, South Korea, Slovenia, Mexico, Australia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FIBA_Basketball_World_Cup_Group_D Favorites of these groups are written with bigger font and highlighted with blue color. Not sure about the quality of all teams. Some teams really seem unknown. Anyway, first four teams will advance further. What is your opinion about these groups? Key favorites of entire competition are: Spain, France, United States, Lithuania and maybe Argentina.
Soccer is the most popular sport in Europa, but Europe has a slightly higher percent of the teams in the Basketball World Cup than in the FIFA World Cup.
In some technical sense, basketball didn't evolved so much as football. European club basketball is still very popular, it can attract audience, but in case of national teams, I have seen many empty seats. It's hard to compete with NBA League. US players don't come with strongest NBA players. With more US players on World Cups and Summer Olympics, popularity would be much higher. Last US Dream Team was in 1992 Summer Olympics, when they played against Croatia in the final match. In 21st century basketball is not so popular like in periods since 70's-90's. It would be nice to see famous NBA names on this World Cup, although their group is not demanding in my opinion. Some European teams qualified through invitations or something similar to Wild Card. Like Finland, Serbia and maybe 1,2 teams more. I don't know anything about African and Asian basketball teams on this World Cup. Media sources say that Puerto Rico, Argentina, Brazil will have quality outside of USA and Europe. I don't know what could Mexico and Australia offer. I doubt that Andrew Bogut will play for Australia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Bogut It would be nice to see World Cups with quality like in 1990's and basketball on much higher branches of popularity than today. Which US players will participate on this World Cup? Usually we see speculations, who will accept, who won't.
I think Slovenia can challenge Lithuania for the top spot in their group. Both Dragic players are playing out of their minds and Lorbek will be back from his injury. I think he was a big reason why Slovenia didn't win a medal in this years Euro's.
I agree, Lithuania and Slovenia seem stronger than other teams. Angola and South Korea should decide about the 5th and 6th position. I don't know about the quality of Mexico and Australia. Australia has several NBA players: Patrick Mills (San Antonio Spurs) Matthew Dellavedova (Cleveland Cavaliers) Cameron Bairstow plays for University of New Mexico, maybe another NBA player in the future. Joe Ingles plays in good European club: Maccabi Tel Aviv. Two of them play in good Turkish clubs. Assitant is well known Luc Longley (ex-Chicago Bulls). Average performance on World Cups, slightly better on Summer Olympics. They seem good for 3rd position.
I just hope Slovenia can top their group in order to avoid the USA. I'd love to see more of Dario Saric this time around, I was quite dissapointed with his play in the EC. Any up and coming stars playing in this tournament?
For Slovenia, it's important to avoid position number four. USA will win in their group, I don't see anyone who could respond on their rhythm, tactical responsibility with nice amount of improvisation and attractive moves which is their trademark mostly. Same goes for Croatia, it's better to avoid Spain and France in my opinion, others seem easier in Group A. Dario Saric is proclaimed as best young European player by FIBA organization. http://www.abaliga.com/a7133/ABA_Co...is_FIBA_Europe_Young_Player_of_the_Year_.html "Dario Šarić received the huge honour on Thursday when FIBA Europe anounced him as Young Player of the Year 2013. It marks a constant rise for the Croatian wonderkid who was first nominated for the award in 2010, finishing sixth in the voting, before slightly missing a place on the podium 12 months later when the final count of the votes placed him in fourth position." He will be on NBA Draft. http://www.nbadraftinsider.com/2014-nba-draft-prospects/dario-saric/ http://www.nba.com/bobcats/2013-draft-prospect-profile-dario-saric This brings nice hope and reminds on those old Croatian players who played in NBA: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Croatian_NBA_players http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Croatian_basketball_players Croatian basketball league must return their club fame like before: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KK_Cibona http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KK_Split http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KK_Zadar http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KK_Cedevita Same thing is with Union Olimpija and Krka in Slovenia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KK_Union_Olimpija http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BC_Krka Without quality in national championship, there is not much to hope for. I don't know too much about new talents. But these ones seem as players with potential: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenan_Sipahi http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giannis_Antetokounmpo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Àlex_Abrines
I love me some Antetokounmpo, I follow him quite a bit in the NBA. I was sure Dario Saric will join the draft in 2013, but I guess he opted to stay one more year in Europe. I doubt Olimpia and Krka can amount to anything. There's just too much favourtism going on here. The coaching staffs are limited and there's just not enough quality. Olimpia had Danny Green(San Antonio Spusrs) play for them before the lock-out season and he was simply underperforming. Then he goes to the NBA and one year later is mentioned as a possibla MVP in the Finals.
I don't like that ABA Regional League. It's silly how they always create something that reminds on some previous state borders. It's better that all create their own league and enjoy in their state derby matches. ABA League exists since 2001/2002 season. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABA_League Obviously Olimpija and Krka were good before if they could play in the finals of this first season. Croatian club KK Zadar won the second edition, later they vanished from the scene. National teams of Slovenia and Croatia didn't achieved some major results on major competitions since this ABA League. Since 2001 Slovenia had 4th place at Euro Basket in 2009 and 8th place at World Cup in 2010. Croatia had 4th place at Euro Basket in 2013 and 6th place at Summer Olympics in 2008. Not much for something that creates better national leagues like ABA League. Compared with Ivo Daneu, Gregor Fučka, Jure Zdovc, not much was achieved since ABA League started. If they create regional football league, it would be terrible also. Something positive is changing in Slovene and Croatian national league. Regional league exists so far in basketball, handball and water polo. Croatian water polo club POSK Split was turned off in 2010. They were founded in 1937 year. This is all because of this silly regional league, some clubs can't follow others. They were European Champions in 1999. http://hr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaterpolski_klub_POŠK Same thing happened with handball club RK Metkovic, also became much more weaker since this regional league was created. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RK_Metković Clubs need to focus on their youth schools like in old days. Many European basketball teams depend on players from USA. They all have 2,3 players. They can't play in NBA, so they come in Europe. That's why European basketball leagues and Euro League are becoming weaker. Last years European Champion Olympiakos B.C. had seven US players. Someone could change the name of this competition: USA-Euro League. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympiacos_BC Real Madrid has two US players. Spanish clubs in every sport try to create players, that's why their NT teams are great in football, basketball, handball, water polo. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_Madrid_Baloncesto CSKA Moscow has four US players. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PBC_CSKA_Moscow Barcelona has mostly foreign players, completely opposite from Barcelona FC. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FC_Barcelona_Bàsquet Who has more US players, he achieves better results. Many European basketball national teams have US players. This is the key proof how European basketball is becoming much more weaker. European clubs had local players, even from the same city, they were talented and won European titles. Today nobody wants to invest in youth players, because this is not safe profit, everyone wants developed and finished player with all optimal characteristics.
Australia has pumped out some real ELITE talent recently. Dante Exum is entering the draft as the best PG in this class, top 5 pick solidified. Then you have Ben Simmons whose arguably the best player in high school for the 2016 class, he's easily as good as Exum, projects as a 2. Finally you have a true freak of nature in Thon Maker, whose regarded as the best player in the nation for the 2017 recruit class. He's 7'1 with freak athleticism and has already been compared to KG. Im tellin yall Australian hoops on the rise.
So we can expect a lot of underestimating before the World Cup, but during tournament many some coaches will think who could hire them in September. Those who consider themselves as "greater" teams, they will get some negative surprises. How is Honduras doing in basketball? Is basketball popular in Central America? http://www.latinbasket.com/Honduras/basketball.asp
Nope. Maybe popular to watch but definitely not to play. Majority of Central America love soccer followed by boxing and baseball. Honduras loves soccer and boxing aswell as track and field. Nicaragua love boxing and above all baseball, Panama love baseball and soccer and boxing. Guatemala loves soccer and track and field. El Salvador love soccer and really love beach soccer, Basketball might be on the come-up there though. Etc.
The Top 25 European players ever http://hoopshype.com/galleries/thelighterside/the-top-25-european-players-ever Andrei Kirilenko, Arvydas Sabonis, Danilo Gallinari, Detlef Schrempf, Dino Radja (Croatia), Dirk Nowitzki, Drazen Petrovic (Croatia), Hidayet Turkoglu, Joakim Noah, Marc Gasol, Pau Gasol, Predrag Danilovic, Predrag Stojakovic, Rik Smits, Sarunas Marciulionis, Toni Kukoc (Croatia), Tony Parker, Vlade Divac, Zydrunas Ilgauskas - See more at: http://hoopshype.com/galleries/thelighterside/the-top-25-european-players-ever#sthash.06ftd8mM.dpuf 16. Dino Radja. NBA stats: 16.7 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 17.4 PER in four seasons. The talented Croatian center was a bright spot in very tough years for the Boston Celtics in the mid-90s. Came close to averaging 20 and 10 in 1995-96 - a feat no Euro player has yet accomplished. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dino_Rađa 11. Toni Kukoc. NBA stats: 11.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 17.3 PER in 13 seasons. Smooth player with tremendous basketball IQ. Successful role player for the legendary Bulls that probably could have garnered more individual accolades in a weaker squad. Made basketball look too easy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toni_Kukoč 4. Drazen Petrovic. NBA stats: 15.4 ppg, 2.4 apg, 16.4 PER in four seasons. The first NBA star with a true European upbringing. A legend oversas, Petro excelled in New Jersey after a disappointing experience in Portland. Was not the most versatile player, but had a winning character and could destroy teams with his one outstanding skill: shooting. His premature death left you wanting more. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dražen_Petrović
I'm sure the opponents in the US's group must be very, very happy, given the complete disinterest the US players are showing towards this tournament. I imagine after Paul George's injury, a lot more US players are going to be saying they're suddenly "too tired" to continue playing for Team USA.
The quality is still there. And with Rose looking like he's got something to prove, they're still the team to beat.
In America's team sports, the USA rarely fields its best teams (excluding the Olympics), because their clubs in the NBA quietly nudge their players into not participating for financial reasons. Money usually trumps any kind of patriotism American athletes may have. Why risk careers playing against nobodies and scrubs from places, like Lithuania, Slovenia, Nigeria or New Zealand basketball? Excluding Spain, the basketball world flat out sucks against the US and stands no chance at all of being even remotely competitive. This is also why you see USA basketball having to shame players into representing their own country for the FIBA World Cup. At the end of the day, money talks. As far as representing their country in basketball goes when they are actually interested, Americans in general hold the Olympics as the highest sporting event Americans can compete in. The Olympics are used by Americans to assert their total dominance in sports over the world in general, not just in basketball. Taking this into account, the Olympics also have a great financial and marketing impact for the US basketball players who compete in it. This is why you see the best USA basketball players there, and not the FIBA World Cup. FIBA's "World Cup "is considered a nuisance, a joke, and a distraction from the "real" season, meaning the NBA regular season and playoffs.
Kevin Durant won't be able to play for USA. He declared that he doesn't have enough energy. They are preparing themselves in Las Vegas. Long distance running through the desert I guess. These players are competing for USA: Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls), James Harden (Houston Rockets), Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans), DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings), DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors), Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons), Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets), Gordon Hayward (Utah Jazz), Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers), Kyle Korver (Atlanta Hawks), Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers), Chandler Parsons (Dallas Mavericks), Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors) i Mason Plumlee (Brooklyn Nets). Is this World Cup getting stronger attention in USA?
I agree with everything you wrote. Yet still, the USA can field their ''3rd best'' team, with players such as Cousins, Drummond and whoever and still be the team to beat IMO. The only team that have a shot of defeating, even a low motivated USA team is Spain. France probably have an outside shot too, but saying as Parker won't be playing, they're out of the picture too. Which brings me to my next point. Americans aren't the only one's reconsidering participating in the FIBA World Cup. You have Manu and Parker, who have already droped out. Dragic was also reconsidering. So basically more and more players who are earing their bread in the NBA are having a sour taste in their mouth regarding the World Cup.
No Noah or Parker.... Again. Such a talented team, too bad they never seem to be able to play together at once due to injuries, commitment issues, etc.
We won't see actual Dream Team ever again. Last time: Summer Olympics 1992 in Barcelona. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_at_the_1992_Summer_Olympics