FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014

[Eddie20]

The Croatia/France game was really fun to watch.  I like France as a dark horse candidate to go far in the tournament, even without their two superstars.

Also, I was very impressed with Bogdanovic and Tomic for Croatia.  Does an NBA team have the rights to Tomic?  He should come over.  I know Bogdanovic is coming (man, is it going to be confusing when both Bogdanovices come over as rookies in the same season.

Saric is very good too. Further along than I thought. A lot of Kukoc to his game.

[Celtics18]

I don't think it's a given that Spain gets through to the final.  Their half of the draw looks much tougher than the US'.  They've got France next, and then whoever comes through Serbia/Greece and Argentina/Brazil.

Yeah, that bottom half is dangerous.  The US should get to the final.  Then, I think whoever makes it out of the other half of the field will give them a real dog fight. 

[Adelaide Celt]

Devastating 1 point loss against Turkey. 

Led for most of the game, went on a run in the 3rd quarter and led by 12. Plenty of chances to extend the lead further but missed free throws and silly turnovers allowed Turkey to close the gap to 4 points at 3 quarter time.

Went ahead by 5 with a minute to go, Emir Preldzic then scored a 3 and on our next possession Cameron Bairstow had the shot clock expire just before he made a shot, with 22 seconds left on the game clock. Preldzic hit another 3 to put them up by 1 with 5 seconds left. Our attempt at a game winner ended with Ingles fumbling the ball away.

Bitterly disappointing to go from an exhilarating win over perennial European powerhouse Lithuania to a tank job against Angola and a choke job against Turkey.

Just glad Baynes had a good tournament, surely he gets another NBA contract.

Joe Ingles has also had some media speculation about his chances of getting into the NBA. Apparently he had an offer from Memphis before last season but opted to play with Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel. I didn't follow him a great deal but judging by the stats he looks to be about 7th or 8th on the depth chart. Will see what happens, Memphis has been talked about as a possibility for him again as well as Philadelphia due to Brett Brown being the coach.

[ederson]

i didn`t see that coming..... France qualified over Spain! A depleted France mind you.... Well deserved win though. They destroyed Spain on the boards strangely enough

France vs Serbia will be a very interesting game .... Pretty much the real final of the tournament

[Adelaide Celt]

Didn't see that one coming either. Spain got very little from M.Gasol and Rubio. Silver and bronze medals wide open.

In the meantime I'm curious what sanctions FIBA might impose on Australia. Seeing as we're the only team to have ever strategically rested players

[Eddie20]

France wanted it more. Spain had very little ball movement. Gobert was a monster on the glass and defending the basket. Would love to see him in green. Just the type of player we need.

[Celtics4ever]

I don't think it's a given that Spain gets through to the final.  Their half of the draw looks much tougher than the US'.  They've got France next, and then whoever comes through Serbia/Greece and Argentina/Brazil.

So much for Spain.

[ederson]

France wanted it more. Spain had very little ball movement. Gobert was a monster on the glass and defending the basket. Would love to see him in green. Just the type of player we need.

i don`t think it is that simple ...France gambled allowing Spain take a lot of threes. And although Spain has a few ,at least, 3p takers they were all awful yesterday while Jordan took over Huertel`s body and make some tough clutch shoots

[Fafnir]

France wanted it more. Spain had very little ball movement. Gobert was a monster on the glass and defending the basket. Would love to see him in green. Just the type of player we need.

i don`t think it is that simple ...France gambled allowing Spain take a lot of threes. And although Spain has a few ,at least, 3p takers they were all awful yesterday while Jordan took over Huertel`s body and make some tough clutch shoots

Not just 3s, other than Pau Spain couldn't buy a bucket all game.

[Celtics4ever]

They were 2-22 from trey land.   I could shoot better than that blindfolded.  Their offense faltered.   Could have been France's D could have been Spain's shooting.   I knew the USA would be ok, when Barkley picked Spain to win it all.   I told my son that he is rarely right.

[CelticBalla32]

For anyone interested, check out my recap of today's USA vs. Lithuania semifinals matchup.

GAME RECAP --- USA vs. LITHUANIA

[Fafnir]

US just keeps playing a sluggish half and then crushing teams.

[Eddie20]

They were 2-22 from trey land.   I could shoot better than that blindfolded.  Their offense faltered.   Could have been France's D could have been Spain's shooting.   I knew the USA would be ok, when Barkley picked Spain to win it all.   I told my son that he is rarely right.

Spain beat France by about 25 less than a week ago though.

[ederson]

Teodosic is putting on  show against France... When he is focused he is the best pg in Europe.

[soulman]

We made it to the finals! Huge success for the team with 0 nba players on team.
Go Serbia. Can t wait for the final game against USA!