Major roster shakeups for Team USA have led to speculation that the team may have lost its edge heading into the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Yes, the loss of names like Kevin Love, Manu Ginobili, and Paul George are a big deal. But after a little analysis, it’s clear that America is still the favorite to bring home a second consecutive FIBA gold medal.
The US national team has a few advantages heading into the tournament. The most important is an easy draw – being a part of Group C may be the single biggest factor in an American gold medal. This year’s American squad also has height on its side – the American side averages 6’7’’, within an inch of the biggest teams in the world.
Unfortunately, with the reigning NBA MVP himself Kevin Durant announcing his withdrawal from the team earlier this week, Team USA will have to rely more heavily on other sources of offense if they expect to make another deep run. While things may seem a little cloudy right now, I think that by the time the US team organizes its final roster they should still be in the driver’s seat to take home yet another FIBA title.
America’s easy FIBA draw
Every four years, FIBA (the international governing body of basketball) holds its World Cup. This tournament is made up of two dozen teams broken up into four groups. Each group consist of four teams, four of which will advance to the single-elimination section of the World Cup, from which the champion is drawn. The Group assignments are random, and this year the Americans found a lucky home in which to start their tournament play.
According to our sources at www.basketballbetting.co.uk, Team USA has been assigned to what is considered the least-powerful Group. Group C includes Turkey, the Dominican Republic, New Zealand, Ukraine, and Finland. If none of those sound like traditional FIBA powerhouses, it’s because they aren’t. Outside of Turkey and America, none of the other Group C teams are ranked in the top 20 in the world.
Once the US team plows through Group C’s competition, they will meet the champion of Group D. That Group’s collection of teams isn’t much stronger than C – Group D includes Lithuania, Angola, South Korea, Australia, Slovenia, and Mexico. Of those teams, only Lithuania, Australia, and Slovenia are top-20 squads.
America will most likely play Lithuania, a team that is admittedly a little bigger overall than the US side, just not enough to overcome a vast difference in talent. After the US team puts Lithuania away, it will almost assuredly face Spain in the gold medal game. That’s where this year’s World Cup starts to get tough for the Americans.
How the US can beat Spain
Spain’s draw in this year’s Cup is much tougher than America’s. To get to the gold medal game, Spain will have to beat France, Serbia, Argentina, and Brazil in Groups A and B. Those four teams are traditionally strong in FIBA terms, sharing 18 total World Cup medals between them. Spain will make it out of Groups A and B, but much worse for wear than the American team.
Why is Spain dangerous this Cup? Besides their roster (which includes household names from the NBA like Pau and Marc Gasol, Ricky Rubio, and Serge Ibaka), the Spanish team get to play on their home turf. Spanish sports crowds are traditionally loud even in early competition – this gives their side a distinct advantage not unlike home-court in the NBA Finals.
All that aside, Spain can’t match the talent of this year’s American Cup team. Even with three superstar bigs on their side, it will be tough for the Spanish starting five to keep up with the scoring ability of the American roster. But there’s an off-court reason to wager on the Americans to win it all.
Coach K – Team USA’s real “X-Factor?”
America’s head coach, known affectionately as Coach K, is the single biggest factor in Team USA’s likely gold medal outside the roster. More than a secret weapon, Mike Krzyzewski is a virtual sixth-man, thanks to his international record of 62-1 in World Championship and Olympic events. The man helmed two Olympic gold medal teams and was the coach of Team USA in 2010, when they won the FIBA World Cup and became the reigning champs.
Naysayers may look at the horrific Paul George injury, the withdrawal of Manu Ginobili, and Spain’s rising dominance in the sport and question if the US squad will even make it to the final game, but with an all-star roster, an easy group draw, and the force that is Coach K on their side, betting against the American team in this Cup is a mistake.
100% up to $3,000 Bonus
Bovada is our most recommended ONLINE CASINO and POKER ROOM for US players with excellent deposit options. Get your 100% signup bonus today.
Once the US team plows through Group C’s competition, they will meet the champion of Group D. That Group’s collection of teams isn’t much stronger than C – Group D includes Lithuania, Angola, South Korea, Australia, Slovenia, and Mexico. Of those teams, only Lithuania, Australia, and Slovenia are top-20 squads.
Lithuania is top 4.
America will most likely play Lithuania, a team that is admittedly a little bigger overall than the US side, just not enough to overcome a vast difference in talent. After the US team puts Lithuania away, it will almost assuredly face Spain in the gold medal game.
I wouldn’t be so sure if I were you. Lithuania has experience. They beat US before . And last 15 years competitive games are only +4.5 points towards the US. This could be the year JV exploded 29/16 and you don’t even have Demarcus to stop him.
You amateur.
Regards
Storulis
Besides this article sounds like a propaganda campaign for US nationalism.
I bet this comment (freedom of speech) wont be published.
….well by all means, tell me how you REALLY feel :/