[btp13]

Wow there isn't a topic for the current European champion.

So these days there are many reports talking about the posibility of Nikola Mirotic and Serge Ibaka joining the NT team this summer. Mirotic already played with Spain in younger categories while Ibaka still doesn't have the citizenship, but he is expected to receive it before the summer.

What do you guys think about this? You think Spain really needs these kind of deals to be a winning team?

I'm not a big fan of the idea, even though I'm enjoying so much the devepolment of Mirotic, great propesct.

[Black Urum]

I think it's unfair competition... I think EU competition commissioner should look into this...

After all ACB itself reported Euroleague to the commission for Euroleague licenses...

Spain is huge country, for European standards, and basketball is developed there and there are more than enough Spanish talents... no need to steal and cheat...

Ibaka has even played for Congo NT... FIBA doesn't entirely rule out the possibility of a player playing for a different NT at some point, but only if that player playing for the 2nd NT would bring extraordinary interest and development of basketball in said country...

Call me weirdo, but I don't think Ibaka playing for Spain NT will take Spanish basketball to the next level.

Majority of European fans don't like Spain as it is... and now they will (with every right) dislike Spain even more...

[btp13]

Black Urum, on 14 January 2011 - 11:10 PM, said:

Call me weirdo, but I don't think Ibaka playing for Spain NT will take Spanish basketball to the next level.

Same here, I don't see him doing nothing that Vazquez can't do.

For me the situation is a joke, I find quite funny the guy stating that he wants to return to Spain in a Basketball court what Spain has given to him.

But this is it, the federation loves the guy and people love the guy (even though many didnt watch a whole game of him) and people (like me) who dont want this to happen are being called xenophobics in different boards. I just want to play by the rules, no Ibaka, no Mirotic. We dont need them though.

Spain is different.

This post has been edited by btp13: 15 January 2011 - 12:19 AM

[Black Urum]

If I was Greek Federation I would go to Eurobasket with Batiste, just to piss off Spain... (and Slovenia )

[suricata]

I don't like the naturalizing of players, but i also don't care much. I don't think that Spain needs any foreign players though, they have plenty to go around with. And I would like to see Mirotic play for Montenegro, in fact i want to see a very strong Montenegrin NT with pekovic, vranes, dasic, bjelica and mirotic.

[straight forward]

Basically Ibaka could bring Spain to another level. Having P. Gasol (athleticism, brains and talent) and Ibaka for cleaning the boards, making rock solid screen, would simply make Spain's frontcourt superior against any European NT. They would be most athletic team. But, he might struggle reading international BB, might not even find a place in the whole system.

As for me, Spain is still currently the biggest name in Europe if they bring back Pau. And I like their game when they show their best.

[Admirolas]

Hello,

If some spain fans are planning to come to Lithuania, to Panevezys to watch group phase games and have problems finding hotel or other place to stay then you can contact me, maybe i could help you to find some place.

[ZEUS]

I remember a young black lad playing for the Spanish young men's NT some season's ago in a European championship in Rhodes? Can't remember his name, but I'm guessing he's born and bred in Spain to be able to play on the NT of his age group?

I too don't agree with naturalizations of players on national teams. Spain certainly doesn't need it, being the traditional powerhouse that they are. Talking about Ibaka, I think the Gasol brothers together with Vazquez will make a rock solid front line of centers. Fran was in great shape playing in the Euroleague QF's against PAO, and Marc has become a much more dependable big man in the paint, but I'm sure Pau will still be the first violin in Spain's offense together with Navarro.

It would be interesting to see what new talent Spain will bring through as well, and no, I'm not talking about a certain buck-toothed man-child that was supposed to be Spain's next big player either

[Black Urum]

I hope Ibaka actually plays for Spain. Considering how he got pwned by Nowitzki both at the post and from outside shooting, this kid has no chance in international basketball.

[Raze Lupin]

Black Urum, on 30 May 2011 - 01:51 PM, said:

I hope Ibaka actually plays for Spain. Considering how he got pwned by Nowitzki both at the post and from outside shooting, this kid has no chance in international basketball.

Dirk has been some what of an unstoppable force in this NBA playoffs. There is no shame in not containing Dirk on a man to man match up. Dirk is taller and possibly stronger. Spain doesn't need Ibaka BUT you should be careful what you wish for because with Ibaka's new mid-ranged jumper and improved post play he has become extremely dangerous.

[Raze Lupin]

straight forward, on 20 January 2011 - 11:45 PM, said:

Basically Ibaka could bring Spain to another level. Having P. Gasol (athleticism, brains and talent) and Ibaka for cleaning the boards, making rock solid screen, would simply make Spain's frontcourt superior against any European NT. They would be most athletic team. But, he might struggle reading international BB, might not even find a place in the whole system.

As for me, Spain is still currently the biggest name in Europe if they bring back Pau. And I like their game when they show their best.

Agreed!! Spain doesn't need Ibaka BUT they would be more scary with him. He's developed his offensive game enough to be useful. It's still budding but formidable. Some of the Olajuwon like moves he's added this year were amazing to watch. On defensive (this may be the most impressive thing about his game) you have a guy who is athletic enough to close out on open defenders, block shots from behind and grab needed defensive rebounds. He obviously works on his game and has a desire to win. I would expect him to do well in Eurobasket, having some spectacular defensive games. If he keeps improving Serge Ibaka in the 2012 Olympics could be phenomenal. Marc + Pau + Ibaka = unfair I don't care much either way but Ibaka would do the Spanish team some good both now and the future.

[Black Urum]

Raze Lupin, on 31 May 2011 - 07:45 AM, said:

Dirk has been some what of an unstoppable force in this NBA playoffs. There is no shame in not containing Dirk on a man to man match up. Dirk is taller and possibly stronger. Spain doesn't need Ibaka BUT you should be careful what you wish for because with Ibaka's new mid-ranged jumper and improved post play he has become extremely dangerous.

No one can stop Dirk, but Ibaka's "defense" was just ridiculous. Especially the post move Dirk did where he turned his body, ran at the base and dunked...

Seriously, you consider this as a defensive effort? And he did this so many times... exact move.

[Raze Lupin]

Black Urum, on 31 May 2011 - 11:56 AM, said:

No one can stop Dirk, but Ibaka's "defense" was just ridiculous. Especially the post move Dirk did where he turned his body, ran at the base and dunked...

Seriously, you consider this as a defensive effort? And he did this so many times... exact move.

You're right Dirk made Ibaka look silly. Ibaka's defense is not mature enough to handle Dirk yet. Dirk was able to get many of the Thunder players in early foul trouble. In game 1 of the series Ibaka, Collison, Durant, Perkins all had fouls in the 1st Qtr. Ibaka has value other than just a defensive body so he couldnt go 100% for fear of fouling out. Ibaka played 80 regular season games and 18 playoff games with major majority of excellent defensive effort. Him looking silly a couple nights aganist one of the greatest offensive players of all time does not mean

Quote

he has no future in international competition.

Ibaka is 21 and needs to improve in all areas but he is no less impressive. He guarded Marc Gasol and Zack Randolph of the Memphis Grizzlies well during the playoff series. Ibaka averaged about 3 blocks a game in the playoffs and countless intimidations. He's improved drastically from last year proving himself more than just a raw talent. He's displayed hard work, skill, intellgence and coach-ability. I doubt Spain has a more versitile defender than Ibaka. Meaning Pau can guard a fellow bigman better but cant guard say a Dwayne Wade. Ibaka has proven he can guard both effectively. Well unless the bigman is Dirk Nowitzki!! Again its only his second year in the NBA and hes 21 we'll see how he is in 2012 Olympics....

[ZEUS]

Garbajosa retires from Spanish NT.

http://www.contra.gr...ain/328130.html

[Raze Lupin]

Now Vasquez withdraws from NT...

[ZEUS]

I wasn't expecting that for Vazquez. Still, the Gasol brothers can keep things running for the NT, even if it means they play 40 minutes each and every game

[Black Urum]

ZEUS, on 20 June 2011 - 03:11 PM, said:

I wasn't expecting that for Vazquez. Still, the Gasol brothers can keep things running for the NT, even if it means they play 40 minutes each and every game

Why not? TalkBasket had written about it some days ago.

[Rob Scott]

Marca says Mirotic would be selected if Ibaka doesn't get his papers in time.

[Raze Lupin]

Associated Press has reported that Ibaka has been named to the praliminary Spanish team!

Quote

Defending champion Spain included Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka in its preliminary team on Tuesday for the European championship. Ibaka, who was born in the Republic of the Congo, is still waiting to become nationalized by Spain before the championship begins on Aug. 31 in Lithuania. "We hope he can play, even though we are not sure that he will be able to," Spain coach Sergio...

[TeoTheGreek13]

After Nikola Mirotic, the Spaniards gave Spanish citizenship to Serge Ibaka too.

That's what I call "pride".