2010 FIBA World Championship

[Alpha]

Are you following the basketball world championship?

Who do you think will win? What/who are you excited by? General comments?

I haven't been following it greatly, because I don't have television that you pay for. So I've been catching the progress of the NZ team on the news. We're doing well too! Kirk Penney, the NZ shooting guard, is the tournament's second-highest point scorer. He is an amazing player. Watch him! I think few people associate New Zealand with basketball, but we've had notable successes. For instance, we came fourth in the 2002 FIBA World Championship. So far NZ's record stands at:

NZ - Lithuania (L 79-92)
NZ - Spain (L 84-101)
NZ - Lebanon (W 108-76)
NZ - Canada (W 71-61)
NZ - France (W 82-70)

That game against France was a victory by a crucial 12-point margin. Without that point differential, we would be progressing on to Turkey in the first knock-out stage. Instead, we will be playing an easier game against Russia.

But, uh, if we win that (which is likely, as we have recently defeated Russia), we will probably face the USA (who is playing Angola in their first knock-out). That will almost certainly be a defeat, but one I hope to watch.

Basketball was my code in high school. I was the captain of my high school's Senior A team, and played point guard. So I'm pretty keen on it.

So, discuss.

Please note, only post if you actually care, just like the 2010 FIFA World Cup thread.

[Xanatos]

This year I do keep track of basketball, even though I'm not a huge fan of it in the first place, it's mostly due to Croatia. After 16 long years and the World Cup in Canada (1994) they're finally among the big guys, the basketball lives once again in this small country.

U-16 made us proud this year as they won the competition, and left us with promise of bright future in basketball, the same was expected from A-team, though they haven't left a great impression so far. Croatia barely passed the group after a shameful defeat against Brazil, Slovenia and USA, and now we have to face Serbia, one of the toughest teams, and our sworn rivals. If they give it all I think Croatia can pass to the next round, though it will be difficult.

As for who might win this tournament, my vote goes to Spain. even though they finished second in their group they still look mighty impressive.