Showing posts with label Basketball World Cup 2019. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Basketball World Cup 2019. Show all posts
September 16, 2019
FIBA Grand Final 2019
At many basketball tournaments the semi-finals prove to be the best games and this tournament in China was no exception. The final between Spain and Argentina was a comfortable win for Spain. They hit the front from the start and were leading throughout the contest. Argentina tried everything but they didn't have the size or talent to match the Spanish. It all came down to defense, Spain shut down Argentina completely. Toward the end of the game, Spain seemed to block shots at will.
September 14, 2019
Australia v Spain @ FIBA World Cup 2019
Now THAT'S basketball. Disappointment for Australia to go down in double overtime, I couldn't believe I was rooting for Australia. In the end, they ran out of juice and Spain showed their class. Australia play an abrasive style, it looks ugly to my eye, but they're effective and are a team. Spain look more stylish, smooth, and when they needed to they upped the ante and put the stops on defensively.
September 13, 2019
US Basketball Aura of Invincibility Ends
The USA are going to playing off for 7th place at the FIBA World Cup taking place in China. The US had been beaten in the quarter-finals by France 89-79 and following that defeat the US lost to Serbia 97-89 to prole them down to the basement of world basketball.
Is it because of a lack of talent and quality coaching? Hardly, as the team is fully stacked. Maybe many of the players are not exactly household names, but you cannot question the Team USA pedigree, especially the coaching staff which includes Greg Popovich and Steve Kerr.
No, what happened is the rest of the world has caught up. They no longer fear the US, they see Team USA as beatable. Look at Turkey at this tournament, they lost by one point in overtime to the US, then lose to New Zealand and end up finishing in 21st place (or thereabouts). What I'm saying is that on the day any team can beat any other team and no outcomes are guaranteed. And as I write this the first quarter of the first semi-final has ended, Australia on 21, Spain on 20. Really close, the world of basketball just got intense.
Is it because of a lack of talent and quality coaching? Hardly, as the team is fully stacked. Maybe many of the players are not exactly household names, but you cannot question the Team USA pedigree, especially the coaching staff which includes Greg Popovich and Steve Kerr.
No, what happened is the rest of the world has caught up. They no longer fear the US, they see Team USA as beatable. Look at Turkey at this tournament, they lost by one point in overtime to the US, then lose to New Zealand and end up finishing in 21st place (or thereabouts). What I'm saying is that on the day any team can beat any other team and no outcomes are guaranteed. And as I write this the first quarter of the first semi-final has ended, Australia on 21, Spain on 20. Really close, the world of basketball just got intense.
September 06, 2019
NZ v Greece @ FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019
New Zealand's best performance by far, but a loss 97-103. NZ played with intensity throughout and the difference really came down to Greece's superior shooting skill. NZ won two quarters and only lost the final quarter by 1 point. So it was getting a little ragged in the first quarter that cost them the game. The verdict? They were under-prepared, going up against Euroleague and NBA players who have a lot more quality games under their belts. NZ are now out of the running for the title but still continue playing for a place at the Olympics. They'll likely regret not beating Brazil in their first game, they could have definitely won that game, shame as Brazil go through as the top team, having found their stride. For NZ it was so close and yet so far.
September 04, 2019
NZ v Montenegro @ FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019
New Zealand improved in beating Montenegro 93-83. Once again the stand out for the Kiwis was Isaac Fotu, along with Shea Ili's energy and speed.
The NZ performance was a more complete team effort, with their full court zone press creating several turnovers. But they still have things to work on; they need to stop the silly errors, such as stepping out of bounds, or trying to control the ball with one hand instead of getting two hands on it. The big men have got to learn to control the ball and stay on their feet, several times they fell over and lost possession.Shot selection improved but they still need to improve some more, with the hot hands getting the ball more.
The NZ team effort was assisted by the lack of discipline of the Montenegro coach who was ejected from the game.
Can NZ beat Greece? Why not, NZ is far better than its 38th rank in the world suggests. But they'll have to play a near perfect game, making their free throws count and not making stupid unforced errors.
The NZ performance was a more complete team effort, with their full court zone press creating several turnovers. But they still have things to work on; they need to stop the silly errors, such as stepping out of bounds, or trying to control the ball with one hand instead of getting two hands on it. The big men have got to learn to control the ball and stay on their feet, several times they fell over and lost possession.Shot selection improved but they still need to improve some more, with the hot hands getting the ball more.
The NZ team effort was assisted by the lack of discipline of the Montenegro coach who was ejected from the game.
Can NZ beat Greece? Why not, NZ is far better than its 38th rank in the world suggests. But they'll have to play a near perfect game, making their free throws count and not making stupid unforced errors.
September 02, 2019
NZ v Brazil @ FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019
The New Zealand men got off to a bad start, losing 94-102 to Brazil. They won two of the four quarters, but the third quarter decided the final outcome, with a bad display for the Kiwis despite a promising start in the second half.
For me it came down to the quality of the shooting from the field and from the free throw line. The Kiwis lost it in both departments, their shot selection was poor at times, players were often bombing away from long range without a single Kiwi in a rebounding position. And they didn't make the free throws count despite getting Brazil into foul trouble. I haven't seen the exact stats but I wouldn't be surprised if NZ's missed free throws were the difference between the teams. By contrast the Brazilians shot the lights out.
I don't see Brazil going deep in this tournament, they looked to be a team that preferred to shoot from the perimeter, eschewing the rough stuff inside the keyhole. I liked the Kiwis physical style of play and on attack their up tempo style, that alone kept them in the game.
For individuals, I like Alex Garcia for Brazil. He's a defensive specialist and his intensity turned the game for them. For New Zealand, Corey Webster looked useful, but the best of the Kiwis had to be Isaac Fotu. It's a shame the Kiwis don't have more like him. Contrast his efforts with those of Tai Webster who was playing hero ball the whole time. He needed to settle and play sensibly, he pushed too hard, forcing his shots and ending up looking awful. Then Tom Abercrombie looked out of his depth. However, Shea Ili and Ethan Rusbatch looked full of energy, they both chimed in well.
Where to for NZ now? They have to beat Montenegro (possible) and Greece (unlikely) to advance. They've got to sort out their shot selection and sink those free throws. Then stop playing hero ball. More importantly, continue to play physically and fast. Good luck Kiwis. Oh and don't expect to get the referee calls go your way, they're clearly favouring the more fancied teams, so put the result beyond doubt.
For me it came down to the quality of the shooting from the field and from the free throw line. The Kiwis lost it in both departments, their shot selection was poor at times, players were often bombing away from long range without a single Kiwi in a rebounding position. And they didn't make the free throws count despite getting Brazil into foul trouble. I haven't seen the exact stats but I wouldn't be surprised if NZ's missed free throws were the difference between the teams. By contrast the Brazilians shot the lights out.
I don't see Brazil going deep in this tournament, they looked to be a team that preferred to shoot from the perimeter, eschewing the rough stuff inside the keyhole. I liked the Kiwis physical style of play and on attack their up tempo style, that alone kept them in the game.
For individuals, I like Alex Garcia for Brazil. He's a defensive specialist and his intensity turned the game for them. For New Zealand, Corey Webster looked useful, but the best of the Kiwis had to be Isaac Fotu. It's a shame the Kiwis don't have more like him. Contrast his efforts with those of Tai Webster who was playing hero ball the whole time. He needed to settle and play sensibly, he pushed too hard, forcing his shots and ending up looking awful. Then Tom Abercrombie looked out of his depth. However, Shea Ili and Ethan Rusbatch looked full of energy, they both chimed in well.
Where to for NZ now? They have to beat Montenegro (possible) and Greece (unlikely) to advance. They've got to sort out their shot selection and sink those free throws. Then stop playing hero ball. More importantly, continue to play physically and fast. Good luck Kiwis. Oh and don't expect to get the referee calls go your way, they're clearly favouring the more fancied teams, so put the result beyond doubt.