Sep 25, 2011, 7:44 pm
(This post was last modified: Sep 25, 2011, 7:53 pm by straight forward.)
TeoTheGreek13, I noticed you underrate Lithuania somehow, unless you have inside information that Kemzura is going with the same strategy and roster picks, than I agree
However, if we'll have healthy Kleiza on the roster and Mačiulis, Lithuania is favourite in this tournament.
Greece will improve with Spanoulis (leadership), but your 3 position and even 4 is pretty weak. You'll have serious proplems against both Russia and Lithuania because of that. Also, Greece is lacking shooters as always. Since DD is gone, now that is even more obvious. Calathes basically can't shoot, Zisis is unstable, Spanoulis' strongest spot also is not perimeter game. However, I rank Greece as top favourites with Lithuania in this tournament.
Russia is very solid, but to be honest they are unpredictable. Just look how they choked in 2008 Olympics and 2009 Eurobasket. However, with full roster they can beat anybody, just as well as to lose.
Macedonia will face the thing which is called reality ticket. It's one thing to have some good tournament, another - to deliver year by year. Lithuania, Greece and even Russia will come up rock solid and highly motivated against them.
No idea how Puerto Rico looks these days, but they should be among the better teams.
However, if we'll have healthy Kleiza on the roster and Mačiulis, Lithuania is favourite in this tournament.
Greece will improve with Spanoulis (leadership), but your 3 position and even 4 is pretty weak. You'll have serious proplems against both Russia and Lithuania because of that. Also, Greece is lacking shooters as always. Since DD is gone, now that is even more obvious. Calathes basically can't shoot, Zisis is unstable, Spanoulis' strongest spot also is not perimeter game. However, I rank Greece as top favourites with Lithuania in this tournament.
Russia is very solid, but to be honest they are unpredictable. Just look how they choked in 2008 Olympics and 2009 Eurobasket. However, with full roster they can beat anybody, just as well as to lose.
Macedonia will face the thing which is called reality ticket. It's one thing to have some good tournament, another - to deliver year by year. Lithuania, Greece and even Russia will come up rock solid and highly motivated against them.
No idea how Puerto Rico looks these days, but they should be among the better teams.