FIBA World Championship: The Quarterfinals and Semifinals (Updated)
by Tim C. on Sep 7, 2010 8:00 PM CDT
in Outside the League
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Good show, Tiago. Now get back to San Antonio and start learning the playbook. But first, tell Barbosa he's a horrible teammate.
[image via turkey2010.fiba.com]
All the pretenders have been eliminated from the World Championship. Also, Greece and Brazil were eliminated. It only gets more intense now, as the 8 remaining teams have a chance to take home the trophy. It also helps that none of the teams that are left suck.
Quarterfinals Preview
Here's how things look after the round of 16:
And now, some game preview and predictions:
Serbia vs. Spain
Serbia has not yet lost a game in this tournament, although Croatia came very, very close to upsetting them. The Serbs predictably went to Nenad Krstic, Aleksandar Rasic and Milos Teodosic when the games started to count, and those guys are pretty damn good, but might not have enough to knock out their next opponent. Spain lost a couple of games in group play, but is notorious for not playing well until it's neccessary. It's neccessary now, so JC Navarro, Ricky Rubio, Marc Gasol and company seem to have woken up, as shown by their easier-than-the-box-score-indicates victory over Greece in the round of 16. The Spaniards should still be the odds-on favorites in the tournament, if you ask me. Then again, who the hell asked me?
Winner: Spain 
Slovenia vs. Turkey
Slovenia has done an admirable job in this tournament so far, with Goran Dragic and (maybe) Bostjan Nachbar as their only NBA-quality players. Their absolute demolition of the Aussies was impressive, but this team is inconsistent. One day they'll beat out Brazil, but the next time out, they almost blow it against Iran. When their shots are falling, this team can be devastating. But they're headed for a buzzsaw. Turkey's home court advantage has propelled them into some very inspired play. They blew out France in the last round, and only one team has even come close to beating them(Puerto Rico, oddly). Hedo Turkoglu woke up from his tournament-long slump just in time to pour in 20 points on over 60% shooting against the French, while Ilyasova, Erden and Asik give them loads of size and skill in the frontcourt. If Beno and Rasho were playing this summer, Slovenia might have a chance. They're not.
Winner: Turkey 
USA vs. Russia
The Americans have been as impressive as the host country, if not more so. Kevin Durant looks like every bit the type of leader needed to succeed in FIBA play, with Rose, Billups and(surprise!) Eric Gordon providing a lot of solid scoring support. Durant's frontcourt partners Lamar Odom and Kevin Love have done surprisingly well, enough to make American fans like me believe that this team might actually pull off a World Championship for the first time in 16 years. The USA has only been challenged once in this tournament, and their last 3 games have each been against worse opponents than the previous one. That trend changes now. Russia's monster frontcourt of Timofey Mozgov and Sasha Kaun have been dominant in their tournament run, and they've held every opponent to less than 50% shooting so far, thanks to the shotblocking they provide up front. The USA is going to have to make jumpshots to win this game, so it's a good thing they have the personnel to do it. The American defense should be good enough to hold on for a victory, but this game won't be a rout.
Winner: USA 
Lithuania vs. Argentina
And now we come to probably the most evenly-matched game of the quarterfinals. Both of these teams have an incredible scoring machine surrounded by quality support players. Linas Kleiza continues to play like a man possessed, scoring 30 in the win over China on 64%(!) shooting. This team has played even better defense than the Russians, and their frontcourt has recently been supplemented by the return of Spurs draftee Robertas Javtokas just in time for the elimination rounds. But they may have found their kryptonite. The Lithuanian offense has been pretty dismal outside of Kleiza, and Carlos Delfino is going to be the best defender he's faced in the tournament. Meanwhile, the man who has easily been MVP of the tournament so far, Luis Scola, now has solid frontcourt help in the form of Fab Oberto, who defended a certain Brazilian Spur very well in Argentina's win over their South American rivals. This team is good enough to earn a rematch of the 2008 Olympics semifinal match against Team USA.
Winner: Argentina 
So, that's how I see it going down. Use this thread to talk about the quarterfinals games, and I'll update it with the new matchups when it's time for the semifinals.
[Update] Semifinals
Serbia vs. Turkey
I sold Serbia short up above, and for that I am truly sorry. They took the silver at Eurobasket last summer, losing the final to Spain. But the Spaniards had Pau Gasol at that time, which is quite the advantage to have in these type of competition. Serbia exacted its revenge this year via an incredible shot by Teodosic with under 4 seconds left, sending Spain home early. They're going to need all the firepower they can muster in their semifinal matchup, because they're going up against a team that's played as if they were possessed. Turkey has been running roughshod over the competition, and showed no signs of slowing down in a 28-point thrashing of Slovenia. Hedo had a rough time in the group stage, but has now put together two stellar games in the elimination rounds. He is helped by fellow NBA-ers Ersan Ilyasova(Bucks), Semih Erden(Celtics) and Omer Asik(Buls), completing what has been a dominant frontcourt so far in the competition. The host nation is not going to be beaten easily, and I just don't think Serbia has enough to get it done.
Winner: Turkey
USA vs. Lithuania
Team USA made their fans sweat on Thursday, when they had trouble figuring out Russia in the first half. The second half was much better, and the Americans were eventually able to relax. But this team is pretty troublesome, and they can't afford to have the first-half issues that they did against Russia with their next opponent. They're up against a traditional FIBA powerhouse, and a team that actually plays together rather well. Kevin Durant is going to need some quality help in this game, and the USA needs to move the f5g ball instead of counting on him to do everything. The star of the Lithuanian team, Linas Kleiza, was right when he said this about the US: "They're definitely not beatable in a seven-game series. But in one game, who knows what can happen? A lot of things can go right and a lot of things can go wrong. But they're a very good team.'' As for his team, they utterly destroyed Argentina on Thursday in one of the best performances any team has put in during this tournament. If the Americans want to win their first title in 16 years, it's going to be extremely difficult to get it done. But, I'm a homer. I have faith.
Winner: USA
It's only going to get more intense from here.
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whatta ya mean barbosa is a bad teamate…if you want some one to put it up regardless he’s your man, otherwize ya problay don’t want him to touch it.
"I’ve been in the league 14 years and I don’t think I’ve been called for a carry yet. It’s news to me," "I’ve never heard anyone complain about me carrying the ball. The best coach in the league Gregg Popovich didn’t have a problem with it last week."
sucks
Biggest coach Pop/Tiago Splitter homer on the internet™
by Josh Guyer (completely deck) on Sep 7, 2010 9:26 PM CDT up reply actions
a portent of doom?
free malik hairston!
perth wildcats - 2009/2010 nbl champions baby!
by sleep research facility on Sep 7, 2010 11:37 PM CDT up reply actions
that’s his boxer briefs. He wouldn’t want to embarass the other players now would he.
You are only young once, but you can be immature for a lifetime
by the little o on Sep 10, 2010 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions
I have a question about your writing. Did you write the whole thing tonight or did you write as the match ups where decided?
"If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert"
- DBG
::Channeling his inner Gino20::
My key to Argentina’s game against Lithuania is:
Delfino must dominate Barbosa
I’m trying to rediscover verbosity. - LatinD
That will be key. Delfino channeling his inner Gino20, that is.
by Gino20 on Sep 8, 2010 1:13 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
if your predictions are correct, this could be a very watchable set of semi-finals and beyond.
glad to see that our USA homeboys finally put together a full tip-to-buzzer effort against angola. i know it was a walk-over game and all that, but they were a lot more energized and focused than at any time during the prelims.
man that ARG-BRA game was a donnybrook.
Serbia’s trying to make me look bad. They’ve been beating Spain from the beginning, continuing now in the second half.
Tony apologist since 2010.
So, does anyone know Tiago’s stats from the ARG-BRA game? From what I have heard, he was held in check by a man who is ten years his senior :(
He made half his shots in only 25 minutes. I wouldn’t say he was held in check.
I’m trying to rediscover verbosity. - LatinD
Splitter actually came off the bench with Giovanonni being the starter. Giovannoni played for 19 minutes and had only a 3 point basket and no rebounds (sounds like coming off the bench for Bonner). Since Fab started for Argentina, and was out of the game for one stretch while Tiago was in, I imagine the amount of time they matched up was something less than 20 minutes. During that time Fab was called for 3 fouls on Tiago.
yeah – but it was our boy fab doing the honors right? he has the ability to make a lot of guys look ugly….including himself.
by bones on Sep 8, 2010 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
Wow, Coach K is really ticked off. The guy’s from Kentucky, but he has a job to do… I can unerstand his reasons for saying what he did.
Tony apologist since 2010.
Turkey is looking very, very good right now. Up by 16, 3 minutes into the second quarter.
Tony apologist since 2010.
Rereading your paragraph from above, you were right, Tim. Turkey has been an absolute buzzsaw. Of course, it doesn’t hurt when you shoot 70% from the field either.
don’t discount their defense either – i had them down to meet USA in the championship – based on their great D
"Mr. Gilmore deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html
yes it will- i hope that USA can meet them there – in Turkey, it will be electric
"Mr. Gilmore deserves to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame damnit. Highest field goal percentage EVER"
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilmoar01.html
With apologies to LD, and the rest of The Argentine Contingent, that’s what I’m rooting for now.
I’m trying to rediscover verbosity. - LatinD
Those green with yellow trim Brasil jerseys are the sh^t.
The Spurs = Not your granddaddies 7th seed !
Yeah, that’s a good looking jersey. There aren’t a lot of good national team basketball jerseys. USA’s is cool I guess, and I like Lithuania’s and China’s. Argentina’s is awful, though. You’d think that after such a good run they’d design a good jersey…
"Deep down we all know that swagger comes hand in hand with insecurity. We strut not to convince competitors of our dominance; we strut to convince ourselves."
Matthew Powell
i hope to see some at spurs games this season….you always see some Manu Argentina ones and these are pretty non-NBA colors too…I guess don’t wear this to a Celtics or “weird” jazz game (do they were their green on the road or home?). I’m not sure if I’ve seen a Manu national jersey at a Denver @ SA game.
Russia doing a better job pushing the tempo than the USA, and playing superior defense. 23-20 Russia.
"You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas." -Davy Crockett
"Give me an army of West Point graduates, and I'll win a battle. Give me a handful of Texas Aggies, and I'll win a war." -Gen. George S. Patton
Russia all over the glass—USA with too many fruitless one shot possessions. Russians leading 29-25. USA in a 2 minute scoring drought.
"You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas." -Davy Crockett
"Give me an army of West Point graduates, and I'll win a battle. Give me a handful of Texas Aggies, and I'll win a war." -Gen. George S. Patton
Wassup Tim C.? Yeah, I had a feeling we’d be in a dogfight.
"You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas." -Davy Crockett
"Give me an army of West Point graduates, and I'll win a battle. Give me a handful of Texas Aggies, and I'll win a war." -Gen. George S. Patton
Russia has the one thing that might be this USA team’s achilles heel: size. USA needs better ball movement to utilize their speed advantage.
Tony apologist since 2010.
Russia keeping the Americans at bay, and the Americans are obliging by playing sloppy defense and forcing up horrible shots. Russians making USA pay on the other end. 35-30 Russia.
"You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas." -Davy Crockett
"Give me an army of West Point graduates, and I'll win a battle. Give me a handful of Texas Aggies, and I'll win a war." -Gen. George S. Patton
USA getting outhustled in this 2nd quarter thus far. 23-15 rebounding edge. That will doom the USA if it keeps up.
"You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas." -Davy Crockett
"Give me an army of West Point graduates, and I'll win a battle. Give me a handful of Texas Aggies, and I'll win a war." -Gen. George S. Patton
Wow, judging by the box score, the only reason USA is even in this game is the 11 made free throws. As compared to 1 made FT for Russia.
Tony apologist since 2010.
Gordon providing a spark off the bench—authoritative block on one end, then forcing the issue on the other.
"You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas." -Davy Crockett
"Give me an army of West Point graduates, and I'll win a battle. Give me a handful of Texas Aggies, and I'll win a war." -Gen. George S. Patton
Sick shot from Durant puts the USA up 3, 38-35. They appear to be weathering the storm that has been the 2nd quarter.
"You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas." -Davy Crockett
"Give me an army of West Point graduates, and I'll win a battle. Give me a handful of Texas Aggies, and I'll win a war." -Gen. George S. Patton
Iguodala with another 3 point play opportunity—safe to say the USA has grabbed the momentum back………
"You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas." -Davy Crockett
"Give me an army of West Point graduates, and I'll win a battle. Give me a handful of Texas Aggies, and I'll win a war." -Gen. George S. Patton
Russia ends a 4 minute scoring drought, stopping a 12-0 USA run. 42-37 USA as time winds down in the first half.
"You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas." -Davy Crockett
"Give me an army of West Point graduates, and I'll win a battle. Give me a handful of Texas Aggies, and I'll win a war." -Gen. George S. Patton
Kevin Durant is really freaking awesome!
With all due respect, gentlemen, we're not as crazy as she is.
Good defense from Team USA to force the 24 second violation. Billups’ layup puts the US up 56-47.
"You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas." -Davy Crockett
"Give me an army of West Point graduates, and I'll win a battle. Give me a handful of Texas Aggies, and I'll win a war." -Gen. George S. Patton
From the box score, it looks like the US now has the game in hand. And can anyone explain to me why Coach K refuses to play his best big man, Love, significant minutes?
No good reason, IMO. Although I do believe Love picked up a bad, quick foul when he came in during the 2nd quarter. Still, benching him perplexes me.
"You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas." -Davy Crockett
"Give me an army of West Point graduates, and I'll win a battle. Give me a handful of Texas Aggies, and I'll win a war." -Gen. George S. Patton
I think he’s been the most productive big man for the US, yet has been ridiculously underutilized. Of course, you could replace “the US” with “the Timberwolves” and that statement would still be true.
Agreed—he’s been absolutely lights out. Not sure what Coach K is looking at, but he’s been extremely productive every minute he’s been on the floor.
"You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas." -Davy Crockett
"Give me an army of West Point graduates, and I'll win a battle. Give me a handful of Texas Aggies, and I'll win a war." -Gen. George S. Patton
I think it’s because Durantula is being used as a PF. Can’t argue with the results, even though I think he would be just as dominant at SF.
Tony apologist since 2010.
Play Durant wherever you like: PF, SF, SG, EM (Equipment Manager*) and he’ll be as effective as you’d like him to be.
*sorry, Tim Kness, but it’s true.
I’m trying to rediscover verbosity. - LatinD
Goodbye, Argentina. That score hurts to look at, and I’m not even Argentine.
Tony apologist since 2010.
Lithuania really played inspired basketball today.. If they play that way against the US, better look out. But what was that ugly zone defense by Argentina in the second half?
"Ginobili. . .He's weaving, he's throwing up triple axels in sneakers, he's willing the ball into the basket. It's Cirque du Soleil with refs." Dan Oshinsky / KENS 5
And the final will be USA vs. Turkey. Really dramatic finish to the Serbia-Turkey game a few minutes ago, giving us proof that the Turks and their home-count advantage are not invincible. Also, Kevin Durant is a god among men.
Tony apologist since 2010.
Didn’t it look as if there was a foul on the final shot of the Serbia-Turkey game that did not get called? I guess that was the home court advantage factor. I don’t recall how many times the lead changed hands in the final minute, but it seemed like there were at least a couple of times that Serbia had gone ahead and I thought that was the game.
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