FIBA: Brazil invited to the Worlds in September

[ElNono]

Might have implications for Splitter...

MANILA, Philippines – FIBA’s Central Board finally announced the four wildcards on Saturday night (Manila Time) that completed the 24-nation cast in the FIBA World Cup later this year.

Basketball powerhouses Brazil, Greece, Turkey and longshot Finland joined qualifiers defending champion USA, host Spain, Argentina, Angola, Australia, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Egypt, France, Lithuania, Mexico, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Senegal, Serbia, Slovenia, Ukraine and Asia’s Iran, Philippines (Gilas Pilipinas) and Korea.

Long-time FIBA World Cup participant China, which finished fifth in the last FIBA Asia qualifiers, reportedly withdrew its wildcard bid.

Read more:
http://www.philstar.com/sports/2014/...world-cup-cast

[Venti Quattro]

Finland making it

How much money and sponsorships did they pay FIBA off?

[TE]

Should be a good WC, tbh. The fact that it takes place in Spain's backyard will give them hairy Spaniards a chance to pull off the upset.

[Splits]

Egypt

Maybe their fans can pitch tents at center court, get shot and killed by their own military, and then overthrow whoever wins the Cup in a violent coup.

[Dex]

We all know US is going to win, with Spain and Argentina fighting for silver and bronze.

[Dex]

Also wonder why China withdrew?

[Venti Quattro]

Also wonder why China withdrew?

Also wondering about that, so I searched on Google. I read they got cucked pretty hard in Manila last August at the Asian championships...

[testies]

We all know US is going to win, with Spain and Argentina fighting for silver and bronze.

don't know about that.. remember US lost 3 in a row in 2002-2004-2006 and it was pretty tight in 2008-2012 with heat check 3 pointers saving US in the late quarters

If durant doesn't play in the WC I fancy Spain to win

[Mr Brown]

Finland making it

How much money and sponsorships did they pay FIBA off?

Don't mess with Finland. http://www.alternativefinland.com/wp...-be-afraid.jpg

Finland has already won France (Parker 4/2), Russia, Turkey, Greece, Italy and Germany

[barakz21]

Also wondering about that, so I searched on Google. I read they got cucked pretty hard in Manila last August at the Asian championships...

Yes they were. To be fair though, I read some article that said they were basically tuning out their coach. Seemed like he was a bit like Scott Skiles. And iirc, it didn't help that Yi got injured.

And as a pinoy, I realistically know the Philippines has no real shot of winning, but I seriously hope they don't get embarrassed either and put up a decent showing.

[smaka]

Group A is the death group. USA's group is a cupcake. I hope for Usa-Slovenia semi-finals. I mean, I can dream!

[elemento]

I care about this World Championship as much as Nene, Leandrinho and cia care about the Brazilian team.

[ABC]

Group A is the death group. USA's group is a cupcake. I hope for Usa-Slovenia semi-finals. I mean, I can dream!

Seriously. How does Group A happen? Seems like they need a new way to select groups.

[smaka]

Seriously. How does Group A happen? Seems like they need a new way to select groups.

This delegated draw is bull . They put Spain in A and USA in C so cannot meet before finals. And what you get? You get one group that is 10 times harder than any other.

[Das Texan]

USA could send their G team to the group stage and still win all of those games, tbh.

[eric365]

Seriously. How does Group A happen? Seems like they need a new way to select groups.

"On 2 February, FIBA released the pots on how the teams will be drawn. "Pot 1" included the top 4 teams in the FIBA World Rankings for men, while the other pots were grouped via geographical and sporting reasons."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FI...ball_World_Cup

FIBA has nothing to learn from Stern and his basketball reasons

[Brazil]

Yeah I'm gonna have a dominant world championship run tbh

[Brazil]

I care about this World Championship as much as Nene, Leandrinho and cia care about the Brazilian team.

Gostei do and cia RS

[ABC]

This delegated draw is bull . They put Spain in A and USA in C so cannot meet before finals. And what you get? You get one group that is 10 times harder than any other.

"the other pots were grouped via geographical and sporting reasons."

You'd think having balanced groups would be important for "sporting reasons."

[freetiago]

Brazil has a deep frontcourt and they barely play Splitter
he wont be worn out like Tony/Manu are

[Venti Quattro]

And as a pinoy, I realistically know the Philippines has no real shot of winning, but I seriously hope they don't get embarrassed either and put up a decent showing.

Who is the Philippine coach? Spoelstra...?

[testies]

don't four teams qualify per group?

there is no such "group of death" then.. unless you have trouble beating Iran and Egypt..

[Venti Quattro]

don't four teams qualify per group?

there is no such "group of death" then.. unless you have trouble beating Iran and Egypt..

Because too many people are dying in Egypt and Iran, hence it's still considered as a Group of death.

[barakz21]

Who is the Philippine coach? Spoelstra...?

Chot Reyes. Spoelstra's had nothing to do with PI basketball, except when he visits and does some clinics and stuff.

[smaka]

don't four teams qualify per group?

there is no such "group of death" then.. unless you have trouble beating Iran and Egypt..

That's true, but one of the top teams will be only ranked 4th, so they will face a tough opponent in 2nd round, that's why it is the group of death.

Because too many people are dying in Egypt and Iran, hence it's still considered as a Group of death.

C'mon son...