COLOSSAL MATCH

Euro arch-rivals Turkey (left) and Greece
battle it out in day 4 of the FIBA World
Championships.

Day four could be one of the most anticipated days in the group stages of the FIBA World Championships as host Turkey battles arch-rivals Greece. Both teams are toting 2-0 win-loss cards in the six-team Group C. The game will see the return of Greek frontliners Antonios Fotsis and Sofoklis Schortsanitis from two-games suspension each for their role in the ugly brawl last week, which marred the Acropolis finals against Serbia. Greece head coach Jonas Kazlauskas  tries to hide his excitement as he downplayed the importance of the colossal match between the two European neighbors, according to FIBA.com.

“I understand the importance of the games between Greece and Turkey. It is like the games we had between Lithuania and Russia. But at the same time it’s one game.”

Video: HIGHLIGHTS OF USA WIN OVER BRAZIL, 70-68

Video: HIGHLIGHTS OF AUSTRALIA WIN OVER GERMANY, 78-43

SEIZE THE MOMENT

Nick Calathes of Team Greece in
file photo.

For Greek point guard Nick Calathes, he is loving every moment of the FIBA World Championships in Turkey. Calathes, who is the youngest player for Team Greece, plays with the same intensity regardless of minutes on the court. The 21 year-old Florida native is looking forward with excitement to their coming big game against arch-rivals and host Turkey, according to FIBA.com.

“Not many people get to play in the world championships, especially at my age. So I do what the team needs and the main thing is winning. Hopefully we can get a medal and go very far. It’s exciting to be here and I’m just trying to take everything in. 

“It’s going to be an exciting game. Obviously Turkey are at home and they’ve been playing very good basketball. It’s going to be tough but we have everyone now with two guys coming back (captain Antonios Fotsis and Sofoklis Schortsanitis) and we look forward to the game. I think we’re ready. 

“I think they (Fotsis and Sofo) will be ready. We’ve been going through our preparations for a month now, so these three or four days off aren’t going to hurt them. We’ll still have great chemistry as a team and they’ll be a big help. These fans love their basketball and they’re rooting against us because of the rivalry. This is a great arena and an unbelievable atmosphere.”

A SHOCKER

David Andersen of
Team Australia pops a
jumper off a German
defender.

Team Australia pulled off a shocker of a win over Germany by 35 big points, 78-43 in day three of the FIBA World Championships in Turkey. Tenacious defense by the Aussies limited the Germans to a low of 13 points in the first half (with only 7 points in the first period). Australia took advantage of the many miscues by Germany as they relentlessly scored off turnover points. Germany had earlier scored an upset win over highly regarded Serbia, 82-81 in double overtime. According to FIBA.com,  Australian head coach Brett Brown said their perfect scouting of Germany’s game was the key to the lopsided victory, which help them tied Serbia with two wins in three games behind unbeaten Argentina in Group A action.

“We spent a lot of time watching Germany and paid attention to their game structure. They resemble us with their performance yesterday. We tried to keep the energy for defending Germany and we managed. We look forward to day off tomorrow.”

BASKETBALL AS A RELIGION

Team Lithuania

If anyone thinks that the Philippines is the only country in the World where basketball is considered a religion, think again. Maurizio Gherardini, managing director of Team Canada in the ongoing FIBA World Championships in Turkey, said that basketball is the most important thing in Lithuania, according to TheStar.com. The former Soviet Socialist Republic treats the hoops game not only a sport but a philosophy in life as well and they believe that it’s the only way to present themselves to the rest of the world.

“Basketball is the most important thing in Lithuania, more than anything else. Basketball is not only the sport, basketball is life philosophy, it’s religion. They are all basketball people, they know the game, they are all coaches, they are all players, you feel and smell basketball everywhere. So every time you have an international competition, you have thousands of Lithuanians coming, wherever the competition is. It’s not just sport . . . it’s a country that found a way to present itself to the rest of the world from it.

“The one thing that you’re shocked about going to Lithuania is how much basketball is part of everyone’s life and how much they really found in basketball a way to express their pride, the way to express their values. You can imagine how crazy it will be next year when they play the European championships on their own court.”

THIN LINE

Kevin Durant of Team USA being
harassed by a Brazilian defender.

Team USA veteran point guard Chauncey Billups is looking forward of playing Brazil once again in the medal round of the FIBA World Championships in Turkey, according to NBA.Fanhouse.com. The Brazilians, playing without the injured Anderson Varejao, nearly handed the Americans their first loss after absorbing a 70-68 defeat. Billups said it is a wakeup call for the team especially for the young guys. Team USA cruised to easy wins in their first two games against Croatia and Slovenia, winning by big margins, respectively.

“It is particularly good, a game like this, to know that you're not invincible, that you could be beat at any time. This team was good enough to beat you and they had their chances to do that, but we came out victorious. (It's good for) the young guys just to know how thin of a line it is.”

BIGGEST RANDOM DRUG TESTS AT FIBA WORLD MEET

FIBA announced that there would be more than 100 random drug tests that will be made to all 24 competing teams in the ongoing World Championships in Turkey, according to SportsIllustrated.com. FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann said it is so far the biggest random drug tests ever to be conducted by the sport’s governing body since 1990.

“Banish the myth that some teams are not tested. Everybody is treated exactly the same and there are no exceptions.”

Video: POST-GAME, USA VS. BRAZIL

Video: POST-GAME, USA VS. SLOVENIA

Video: POST-GAME, USA VS. CROATIA

NOCIONI CRIES OUT

Andres Nocioni announced that he is out
of the FIBA World Championships in a press
conference at Kayseri Hilton.

Andres Nocioni broke into tears as he announced that he will be out of Team Argentina in the FIBA World Championships, according to FIBA.com. It was supposed to be his last World cage stint but a severe sprained left ankle prevented him from seeing action. Adding to his woes is his NBA team, the Philadelphia 76ers. Nocioni said the Sixers exercised the option in his contract of  pulling him out of the Nationals due to injury. Nocioni suffered the injury during a team practice in late July. Marcos Mata was called up to replace Nocioni in the official Argentina lineup.

“It is with a lot of pain in my soul that I have to announce that I won’t play in the FIBA World Championship.   The Philadelphia 76ers exercised an option in my contract that when I get injured during national team activities they can prevent me from playing.

“I told everyone that I was playing 100% in the FIBA World Championship and the team (76ers) and the doctors advised me to not play because of the risks. A second MRI was made where damage was shown and I will have to be without doing any physical work for 4-5 weeks.  t is sad because this was going to be my last FIBA World Championship playing at a high level. It broke my dream of playing here for my country.”

TOUGH ROAD AHEAD

Team Canada

After nine rough tune-up games, some nasty defeats and injuries along the way, Team Canada tries to recover lost ground as they open their campaign in the FIBA World Championships against Lebanon, according to FIBA.com. The Canadians lost by 74 points to Greece, to Turkey by 31, to Argentina by 15 and to Lebanon by 12. if that is not enough, Andy Rautins,  Jermaine Bucknor and Aaron Doornecamp are still hurting plus NBA vet Matt Bonner’s second citizen rejection has given coach Leo Rautins some sleepless nights heading into Instanbul.

“It’s been a grind. Playing six games in nine days, including a total of about 24 hours of travel on the off days and practice, and it’s not easy. We just tried to get through the Lebanon game with no more injuries, gather information and try to get healthy and prepare for our next meeting when it counts.”

KRSTIC AND THREE OTHERS SUSPENDED

Serbian center Nenad Krstic throws a
chair to a Greek player during the
Acropolis finals in Athens, Greece.

Team Serbia center Nenad Krstic and three other players were meted suspensions by FIBA for their roles in the ugly brawl which took place in the Acropolis finals in Athens a week ago, according to ESPN.com. The melee cut short the championship game between Greece and Serbia with the former on top, 74-73. Krstic will sit out the first three games of Serbia in the FIBA World Championships which begins tomorrow. Krstic’s teammate Milos Teodosic will be grounded for two games. On the other hand, Greece will be handicapped with Antonis Fotsis and man-mountain Sofoklis Schortsanitis suspended for two games each.

Serbia and Greece let it all hangout
in the ugly brawl.

“Nenad Krstic of the Oklahoma City Thunder has been suspended for Serbia's next three games for throwing a chair during last week's brawl with Greece.

"Basketball's governing body said Thursday that three other players will miss two games. FIBA also fined both national federations.”

ALL SET AND READY TO GO

A glamorous opening ceremony awaits the FIBA World Basketball Championships in Istanbul Turkey today, according to FIBA.com. Among the highlights of the ceremony is the rendition of the World Championship song to be sung by some 300 children from 110 countries. Actual competition starts Saturday.

“The FIBA World Championship will have a glamorous and exciting opening ceremony on Friday night at the Sinan Erdem Arena in Istanbul, Turkey.

The world famous Cirque du Soleil will be among the star attractions at the show, which gets underway at 9:15pm local time.

The event will be broadcast in 172 countries and will also be shown on fibatv.com.”

PBA IS STILL THE KEY

Miami Heat head coach
Erik Spoelstra

Recent Manila visitor Miami Heat Filipino-American head coach Erik Spoelstra said the PBA remains a vital factor in forming the National team, according to Quinito Henson in his column “Sporting Chance” in the PhilStar. Spoelstra believes that even with a great coach like Rajko Toroman, the inclusion of PBA players in Team Pilipinas holds the key to success. All because the best players in the country comes from the Asia's first play-for-pay loop.

“First of all, the national basketball federation and the PBA must be on the same page. I know coach Rajko Toroman and he’s an excellent coach. If there’s anyone who can bring the Philippines back on top of Asia, it’s coach Rajko. But I think he should be able to draw some players from the PBA because that’s where the country’s best players are. You can’t form a national team without the country’s best players.”

Video: YAO IS BACK

Trivia: 4 EX-PBA IMPORTS IN HISTORIC NBA GAME

Kelly Tripucka in file photo.

Believe it or not, four ex-Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) imports saw action in the highest scoring game ever in NBA history 0n a snowy December 1984 night in McNichols Arena in Denver, Colorado. The Detroit Pistons nipped the Denver Nuggets, 186-184, in a triple overtime thriller with four players scoring at least 40 points. Isiah Thomas led the Pistons with 47 points and Terry Tyler scored 41 points. Kelly Tripucka added 35 points for Detroit. Kiki Vandeweghe pumped in 51 points and Alex English hit 47 markers for the Nuggets.

Walker Russell, who was regular fixture for the Presto team in the 80’s, scored 2 points and David Thirdkill, who led Tanduay to a PBA title in 1987, did not score a single point for the Pistons. Thirdkill also saw action for Purefoods in 1988. Rob Williams, another ex-Tanduay import, who also won a PBA championship in 1986, scored 9 points for the Nuggets while ex-Shell import Howard Carter went scoreless for the Mile High City squad. Tripucka believes that the historic game would be up there with the other amazing NBA records such as Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 points and other monumental feats.

“I don’t care what you compare it to- whatever record you bring up, this game is up there with all of those. When is anyone ever going to break this record?”

STRANGE IGNORANCE

Team Germany slotman Tibor
Pleiss in file photo.

Team Germany center Tibor Pleiss has a strange ignorance that could work for his advantage in the coming FIBA World Championships, according to EuropeanProspects.com. He did not care if he do not know any player in the NBA and as well as in the International scene, all because the 7-1 Bergisch Gladbach native is not interested. Pleiss believes his ignorance would be a plus factor that would make him play his best at all times, regardless of the opposition.

“In general, I am not really interested in International or NBA Basketball. Most of the players I play against during this tournament or the World Championship, I have never heard of. For example, when we played Serbia last summer as a preparation game for the Eurobasket, it was the first time I saw Nenad Krstic play. My ignorance may sound strange to others, but it has the advantage that I go unbiased into the games and take every opponent serious.”

MENTAL PHILOSOPHY

Team USA Assistant Coach
Jim Boeheim

Syracuse University head coach and current Team USA assistant mentor Jim Boeheim thinks that it’s the American mental philosophy that says the Olympic basketball is bigger than the FIBA World Championships, according to HoopsHype.com. However, Boeheim pointed out that in other countries, the World Cup (soccer) and FIBA World is of equal importance with the Olympiad.

“It’s not because of basketball, it’s because of the mental philosophy of all americans. It’s Olympics. The rest of the world thinks about the soccer World Cup and the basketball World Championship. They tie them together. But when you’re growing up in the United States, the biggest thing is the Olympics. And it’s not just basketball, it’s any sport.”

READY TO PLAY

Andres Nocioni in file photo.

Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doug Collins said that Andres Nocioni will play in Argentina’s opening game against Germany in the FIBA World Championships on Saturday, according to the Philadelphia Daily News. The 6-7 Nocioni, who plays for the Sixers in the NBA, has not seen action since July 31 after suffering a sprain on his left ankle during a friendly game against Lebanon.

“He told me [last] Saturday that he was feeling much better, and that he hoped to be ready for the game against Germany. He assured me that he wouldn't do anything to hurt his ability to play for us this season. I'm counting on him to use good judgment.”

ALL SYSTEMS GO FOR YAO

Yao Ming is now cleared to play for
Houston Rockets next season. 

The doctors has finally cleared Yao Ming’s comeback bid next season, according to ESPN.com. That means the surgically repaired foot, which sidelined him in the entire 2009-10 season, is now fully healed. The 7-6 behemoth said he is very excited to resume his pro career with the Houston Rockets. Yao is also looking forward of seeing action in the Rockets two game exhibition series against the New Jersey Nets in China in mid-October.

“I am very excited. I am just looking forward to playing a great season. I think I can count on my foot now. That's just the confidence. I think everybody would have that after a foot injury, and [I'm] just still a little bit weak on that. I just need to continue to build on that. Compared to two months ago, it's really a lot better.

“That was really a hard month for me. I got a lot of phone calls from the Rockets staff, coaches, players, teammates and my friends and of course, my family will always be there to stay with me. That was the hardest time, [and it's] already passed. Now, we're looking forward and making something good.

“I'm really, really not in good shape right now. I'm probably a little bit away from game shape. The good news is we still have one month until training camp, and two months to the season. The doctors say, 'No, you need to slow down.'  'Step by step, you need to learn walking before you start running.' That's what they said. They said I've got to be patient with it. But I'm very happy.”

FOR REEL OR REAL?

Russell Westbrook of Team
USA goes strong to the hoop
off Greek defender Printezis
Giorgos. 

Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski knows very well the in-and-out of the international game. That is why he downplayed the 28 point victory by Team USA over Greece, 87-59, which completed the tune-up run for the FIBA World Championships set to start on Saturday in Istanbul, Turkey, according to FIBA.com. For him, it was just another friendly game and he maybe right after all. The Greeks did not play their big man Sofoklis Schortsanitis and it seems to many that they held back their true form. Greece did not display their devastating game, which crushed Canada a week ago by 74 points, 123-49. But still, Team USA’s game is peaking at the right time. And who knows, maybe the departure of Rajon Rondo has turned positive things into the team. Krzyzewski thinks that the team is now ready to go to war.

“We know it was a friendly game. The score is irrelevant because the opponent didn’t have their complete team. We are ready as we can be at this time and hope to improve ourselves every day at the World Championship.”

Video: HIGHLIGHTS OF TEAM USA TUNE-UP GAME WIN OVER GREECE, 87-59

AFTER FIFA WORLD CUP, SPAIN GUNS FOR FIBA WORLD CROWN

Pau Gasol in file photo.

Pau Gasol exudes strong confidence that even without him, Team Spain will repeat as champions in the coming FIBA World Championships in Turkey, according to USA Today. If Spain  goes on to win the FIBA title, it will be a double World Championship victories this year, following the success of their football squad in the FIFA World Cup in South Africa  last month. Gasol begged off from seeing action for the Nationals after playing for the Los Angeles Lakers in the grueling NBA finals against the Boston Celtics last June.

“They're a great team, whoever plays. They're preparing very well and I hope they can emulate that in the tournament. It'll be tough, but they look prepared to keep winning more titles.”

Video: 2010 FIBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS- THE JOURNEY

SETBACK FOR SPAIN: CALDERON OUT, LOPEZ IN

Raul Lopez saw action for Spain during
the 2009 FIBA Euro Championships.

A major setback hit Team Spain as starting point guard Jose Calderon is ruled out for the entire FIBA World Championships after suffering a muscle injury in his left leg during the exhibition game against Team USA, according to FIBA.com. Raul Lopez, an NBA veteran like Calderon, will replace the Toronto Raptors quarterback in Spain’s official line-up. The Spanish backcourt brigade will now consists of Ricky Rubio, Juan Carlos Navarro, Sergio Llull and Lopez. The 6-1 Lopez played two seasons for the Utah Jazz and was the 24th pick over-all during the 2001 draft but he didn’t see action until 2003. He has career averages of 6.5 ppg and 3.8 apg in 113 total games for the Jazz.

“I am surprised because I could not watch the game last night and I didn't know what had happened until this morning.  I have mixed feelings because you don't want to go into the team after another teammate has injured himself, but I am very happy to be able to play at the World championship with this group of players. Last year, I already had the luck to be a part of this group. Now I need to adapt as fast as possible to the team.”

DOOMED

Rajon Rondo.

As expected, egos got in the way anew for Team USA as Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo withdrew from the team with only few days left before the start of the FIBA World Championships in Turkey, according to ESPN.com. Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s decision not to play Rondo in the exhibition game against Spain in Madrid was said to be the reason behind the withdrawal. With an abundance of backcourt men, Krzyzewki said it’s not about talents but what the team needs as the thing behind his game decisions. With this latest brouhaha, the Americans campaign looks doomed even before their first tip-off outing in Istanbul gets underway. This only means that the players are not in the same page after all. That’s the price USA Basketball has to pay for tapping these spoiled brats from the NBA.

“I think I'm on the bubble. Just looking at the obvious -- I got a DNP last game. That pretty much speaks for itself. It's what's best for the country. It's part of it. We knew coming in it was still tryouts until we make the team that goes to Turkey.”

Video: TEAM USA - YOUNG AND HUNGRY

SLAM PRESENTS: WORLD HOOPS 2010

I got my copy of SLAM PRESENTS WORLD HOOPS 2010 magazine today. It came just in time before the start of the FIBA World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey this coming Saturday. The magazine contains a team-by-team preview of  all participating countries in the quadrennial event together with special features on cover boy Kevin Durant of TeamUSA,  the World Basketball Fest in New York, Yi Jianlian of China, Carlos Arroyo of Puerto Rico, Michael Jordan, the original USA dream team of 1960 and a lot more. Over-all, it serves a complete guide for the FIBA tourney. Matt Lawyue of SLAM Magazine sums it all.

“Six months later, the World Hoops 2010 issue is here with Kevin Durant gracing the cover (on newsstands this coming week in New York City). Throughout the season and Playoffs, the gold medal winning “Redeem Team” had wavered about reppin’ USA for the World’s. One man who didn’t was the increasingly popular Durant. The Thunder superstar, who was cut from that ‘08 team as a 19-year-old rookie, had as great a shot as anyone to make Jerry Colangelo’s and Coach K’s squad. He was coming off a fantastic season, averaging 30.1 ppg while pushing the Lakers to a six-game first round series.

“Besides the Durant cover story, which Norman MacLean, I mean Lang, obviously kills, I try my hand at my first multiple-page feature about Yi Jianlian and his varying degrees of success with Team China and the NBA. I also penned the four group, 24 team preview for the World’s. It includes some history, what to expect and who to look for in Turkey. There are also stories on Carlos Arroyo, Team USA history (an Old School by Michael Bradley at that), and in-depth coverage of the upcoming World Basketball Festival in New York City about two weeks from now. And of course, there are spreads of the new Nike Hyper Elite Uniforms; fresh Nike, Converse and Jordan kicks for 2010; and a lot more apparel reflective of the impending World’s. Everything you will need to know in preparation for the World Basketball Festival and World Basketball Championship is in the pages of this issue. Enjoy.”