Friday, September 19, 2014
World Basketball Championships 2014-Spain
This year’s edition
of the World Basketball Championship wrapped up on Sunday night. Naturally, the
games were serious stuff here in Spain, as they took place in Barcelona and
Madrid. There was a serious setback for the local fans in the quarter-finals,
as the Spanish team fell to the French, 65-52. That was not supposed to happen,
as the Spaniards were ranked second in the tournament, and were supposed to
meet the other team in the final. That would be los Americanos.
The Spanish team is
composed of several NBA players of some repute, including former Toronto Raptor
Jose Calderon. The brothers Gasol also played for the Spaniards. Pau Gasol led
the team with 17 points before he fouled out. Calderon added 5 points, but only
played 14 minutes. There was a great hue and cry after the game, from the fans.
They were very critical of the coaching staff. They may have been some merit in
that; however, the home team made two shots from 22 attempts outside the arc.
Boris Diaw had an
awesome game for the French. He led the team with 15 points, knocking down
three from beyond the line in 7 tries. Rudy Gobert, who plays for the Utah
Jazz, added five points but pulled down 13 rebounds. The French were clearly
superior under the baskets, pouring it on in the second half after trailing at
half time. Thomas Heurtel pumped in 13 points, at critical times.
Coach Orenga put it
simply: “France played better. They controlled the boards, they shot better.
This loss saddens me. For the fans, for the organization, for my family, truly
sad.” He realizes heads must fall after such a humiliating defeat. His job is
in jeopardy.
The semi-finals took
place before the weekend championship game on Sunday: France and Serbia, USA
and Lithuania. The Serbians disposed of Brazil, 84-56. They were led by
Teodosic with 23 points, and Bogdanovic with 12. As is the usual case, the
Americans have breezed by their opposition, Mexico and Slovenia. On Saturday
night, the Serbs disposed of France, in short order. They jumped out to a large
lead, and France was never able to recover. Nic Batum had a huge game for
France, pumping in 35 points, going 8 for 10 outside the arc. Teodosic
countered with 24 points for Serbia, a strong game.
I watched the Americans
play against Slovenia. Needless to say, it was bittersweet for the Slovenian
fans. Many had made the trek to Barcelona, only to witness the thrashing by the
powerful US squad. Mind you, the American team could have been even stronger,
had Lebron, Duncan, Kobe and Wade come to play. The stars are not here. No
matter.
For the Europeans,
this is important stuff. To us, as Canadians, it is about as important as the
World Hockey Championships that they play during the Stanley Cup playoffs. You
know that tournament. It is for losers. If you do not make the playoffs, or if
you get knocked out early, you can be flown to some exotic European location to
pull on a team Canada jersey, take a few shifts, then head home for a long
vacation, and watch the Hawks and the Habs on TV.
The Americans crushed
the Serbians in the final, 129-92. There was a glimmer of hope for the Serbs
early in the game, and they led 15-7. The Americans regained their composure,
scored 15 straight points, and never looked back. They ran the floor, they
cleared the boards, they drove the lane, they shot out the lights. No contest.
The powers-that-be in
international basketball are tinkering with new formats. Good luck. Inevitably,
it will be a great contest, for second place. Not much fun in that.
James Hurst
Sportslices.blogspot.com
September 15, 2014
# posted by James Hurst @ 11:29 PM 
