Feb 3, 2010, 12:41 pm
Let's make some predictions. I'll put my opinion and will wait for yours.
Group stage should rank like this, IMO:
A.
Argentina (The quality of starting lineup is huge- Scola, Nacioni, Delfino, Quinteros. Even if Manu won't play, they are so dangerous).
Serbia (This team might surprise again, but IMO this year they will lack extra leadership while all their players are still under progression).
Australia (If they will bring Nielsen, Bogut, A. Baynes they will have very solid frontline. That might be enough to overcome some team of the group)
Germany (All depends on Dirk. If he'll play, they have Kaman as well. In this case I rank Germany was more dangerous).
Angola (always quality, dangerous and competitive though always lacking discipline and extra qualities for big goals).
Jordan (Sorry, I don't have a picture of this team. You should help me here. I heard they are pretty competitive though).
B.
USA (Well, even if they won't get all the biggest names they will run fast and jump high anyway).
Slovenia (Depeneds who will play, but they have promissing things like Lorbek, Dragic was potential leaders and a great list of quality players).
Croatia (IMO, this team might dominate in this decade later on- Ukic, M. DelaÅ¡, Zubcic. A. TomiÄ- nice generation coming. Now they will be competitive with UkiÄ, Tomas, PopoviÄ, BaraÄ, but I doubt this will be anough for big goals).
Brazil (Depends what they bring. Nene, Barbosa, Varejao would mean something promising. They will be competitive that's for sure).
Tunisia (You should advise me how to rank these two last teams).
Iran (Judging from Olympics they might be dangerous, but nothing really more I guess (?)).
C.
Turkey (The home court will mean a lot for Turkey. If they'll bring Hedo and Iliasova they will have enough leadership. Will be highly tough to overcome them).
Greece (The possible comeback of DD and Papaloukas might bring them to another level while other players despite Spanoulis don't show too many signs of huge progression. Sill on of the most solid and equal teams in international arena. With a smart coach surely <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />)
Russia (Kirilenko, Khriapa and even Holden should be here. That means a nightmare for some powehouses some particular day. More over, new young players is coming - Mazgov, S. Kaun. They will be fucking hard under the boards <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />)
Puerto Rico (Can't say much about their current power, but they always have quality offensive players. Arroyo, Sontiago, Ayuso are coming?New talents?)
Cote d'Ivoire
D.
Spain (Pau Gasol will likely miss this show, but they have everything they need to compete with any team).
Lithuania (Depends on what kind of players Lithuania will bring in the backcourt. The come back of JasikeviÄius and KaukÄnas would mean a lot).
France (NBA type of European team might play very well as well as to fail any construction and team play schemes. They will have qualities, that's for sure).
Lebanon (They will have a lot of motivation that for sure. That's why I hope they will qualify)
Canada (They should bring Nash to make something, but that won't happen I guess).
New Zealand (From what I heard their potential is limited, but you never know).
Group stage should rank like this, IMO:
A.
Argentina (The quality of starting lineup is huge- Scola, Nacioni, Delfino, Quinteros. Even if Manu won't play, they are so dangerous).
Serbia (This team might surprise again, but IMO this year they will lack extra leadership while all their players are still under progression).
Australia (If they will bring Nielsen, Bogut, A. Baynes they will have very solid frontline. That might be enough to overcome some team of the group)
Germany (All depends on Dirk. If he'll play, they have Kaman as well. In this case I rank Germany was more dangerous).
Angola (always quality, dangerous and competitive though always lacking discipline and extra qualities for big goals).
Jordan (Sorry, I don't have a picture of this team. You should help me here. I heard they are pretty competitive though).
B.
USA (Well, even if they won't get all the biggest names they will run fast and jump high anyway).
Slovenia (Depeneds who will play, but they have promissing things like Lorbek, Dragic was potential leaders and a great list of quality players).
Croatia (IMO, this team might dominate in this decade later on- Ukic, M. DelaÅ¡, Zubcic. A. TomiÄ- nice generation coming. Now they will be competitive with UkiÄ, Tomas, PopoviÄ, BaraÄ, but I doubt this will be anough for big goals).
Brazil (Depends what they bring. Nene, Barbosa, Varejao would mean something promising. They will be competitive that's for sure).
Tunisia (You should advise me how to rank these two last teams).
Iran (Judging from Olympics they might be dangerous, but nothing really more I guess (?)).
C.
Turkey (The home court will mean a lot for Turkey. If they'll bring Hedo and Iliasova they will have enough leadership. Will be highly tough to overcome them).
Greece (The possible comeback of DD and Papaloukas might bring them to another level while other players despite Spanoulis don't show too many signs of huge progression. Sill on of the most solid and equal teams in international arena. With a smart coach surely <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />)
Russia (Kirilenko, Khriapa and even Holden should be here. That means a nightmare for some powehouses some particular day. More over, new young players is coming - Mazgov, S. Kaun. They will be fucking hard under the boards <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />)
Puerto Rico (Can't say much about their current power, but they always have quality offensive players. Arroyo, Sontiago, Ayuso are coming?New talents?)
Cote d'Ivoire
D.
Spain (Pau Gasol will likely miss this show, but they have everything they need to compete with any team).
Lithuania (Depends on what kind of players Lithuania will bring in the backcourt. The come back of JasikeviÄius and KaukÄnas would mean a lot).
France (NBA type of European team might play very well as well as to fail any construction and team play schemes. They will have qualities, that's for sure).
Lebanon (They will have a lot of motivation that for sure. That's why I hope they will qualify)
Canada (They should bring Nash to make something, but that won't happen I guess).
New Zealand (From what I heard their potential is limited, but you never know).