Eurobasket 2011

[iamamac]

I've created this thread for all of us Europeans (and Americans, Africans, Asians, Australians, South Americans, Antarcticans, too ) to discuss Eurobasket 2011, hosted by Lithuania. Post your predictions, comments, and news in this thread.

This tournament is quite different from Eurobasket 2009. Take a look:



Number of teams:
Eurobasket 2009: 16
Eurobasket 2011: 24

Number of players allowed on a single team:
Eurobasket 2009: 12
Eurobasket 2011: 14

Percentage of teams qualifying to the next round from the preliminary round:
Eurobasket 2009: 75%
Eurobasket 2011: 50%

And here are the teams:
Group A:
- Lithuania
- Great Britain
- Turkey
- Spain
- Poland
- ????

Group B:
- Serbia
- Italy
- Germany
- France
- Latvia
- Israel

Group C:
- Croatia
- Macedonia
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Greece
- Montenegro
- ????

Group D:
- Russia
- Bulgaria
- Georgia
- Slovenia
- Ukraine
- Belgium

[Murat]

Our group is harder than others. I wouldn't want to play against Lithuania and Spain if I had a pick.

BTW Macedonia vs Greece again as they played against in Eurobasket 2009.

[Martti.]

I hope Deng, Mensah-Ponsu (and Gordon, though I doubt it) beast it up for Great Britain and they make a deep run. I remember a game where Deng had 30-10 and Ponsu had 30-20. Add Gordon and they'll have a solid team.

Though Spain with both Gasols, Rubio, Fernandez, Navarro and Ibaka are one tough team.

[Houndy]

Go Germany

[Mavs4Life]

Go Germany

Or as I call them "Dirk & Friends"

[deihatein]

Go Germany

[rise]

Spain is going to be INSANE.

[George7]

We're going to beat the hell out of everyone we're going to face!!

Go Greece!!!

[Murat]

(...)Though Spain with both Gasols, Rubio, Fernandez, Navarro and Ibaka are one tough team.

Ibaka? Playing for SPAIN???

Otherwise there is an Enes Kanter that will destroy others.

[Martti.]

Ibaka will play.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/21 ... ional_Team

[Murat]

Oh no... but we have an Enes Kanter and Semih Erden. I don't mind it.

[iamamac]

The hosts are in trouble with the loss of Kleiza and Maciulis.

I think this fourteen-man roster will be ideal:

C: Robertas Javtokas, Jonas Valanciunas, Donatas Motiejunas
PF: Paulius Jankunas, Darius Songaila, Ksystof Lavrinovic
SF: Simas Jasaitis, Martynas Pocius
SG: Rimas Kaukenas, Renaldas Seibutis, Martynas Gecevicius
PG: Sarunas Jasikevicius, Mantas Kalnietis, Tomas Delininkaitis

No Lukauskis, because he's quite old and inefficient (he averages like 10-11 points per game in 30 minutes per game in some weak German team). Gecevicius can be considered a younger version of him. No Petravicius, because he's not much of a rebounder, and Lithuania needs centers that can rebound the ball well. And no Darjus Lavrinovic, because, unlike his twin brother Ksystof, who played consistently well for Montepaschi Siena this season, Darjus's game wavered towards the end of the season. He isn't a very consistent player, and that will hurt Lithuania.

---

At least France is getting weaker. Yannick Bokolo, Rodrigue Beaubois, Mickael Pietrus and Joakim Noah might not play for France. Man, I don't like Noah. He just dunks on people and then screams like a gorilla. And then he swears like a sailor. I don't like his attitude. He'll bring trouble to all opponents. If he plays, then strong teams like Turkey, Greece and Lithuania will get beat up. Trust me, you don't want him to play in this championship . Spain is obviously a threat to all countries (but I believe Ibaka can be stopped), Turkey will bring their A game. Serbia and Greece can play really well. Should be an interesting championship .

[x-uNdErRaTeD-z]

Should be fun and interesting. Im betting on Spain or Turkey. Does anyone know where I can watch these games online?

[rise]

Man, I don't like Noah. He just dunks on people and then screams like a gorilla

So basically Chris Bosh with more hair?

[shadowgrin]

Noah isn't a vagina like Bosh.

I believe Ibaka can be stopped

Ibaka isn't supposed to be stopped, he's the one doing the stopping.

[rise]

Noah isn't a vagina like Bosh.

Just a hairier vagina.

[Kenny]

Speaking of vaginas, is Sasha Vujacic playing for Slovenia?

[The X]

Groups A & B look strong. Can't say some for other groups.

[iamamac]

Speaking of vaginas, is Sasha Vujacic playing for Slovenia?

lol, no, he's not even on the candidate list. Though he could play - he's coming to Turkey this summer, playing for Anadolu Efes.

Noah is kind of like Bosh, but more energetic and aggressive. There would be no match for him in Eurobasket. He's, like, one of the best centers in NBA, but swears a lot. Take a look - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDYTAxQFxYM

[Martti.]

Noah and Bosh are not similar at all. Bosh is offensive-minded, loves the mid-range jumper, Noah hustles, grabs more rebounds and is a better passer. If the Bulls had landed Bosh, that front-line would have worked pretty well I think, better then Noah and Boozer.

[shadowgrin]

That's what I was trying to say to that clown z02.

[rise]

Man, I don't like Noah. He just dunks on people and then screams like a gorilla

So basically Chris Bosh with more hair?

Noah isn't a vagina like Bosh.

Just a hairier vagina.

Where and when did I mention their playing styles?

I know that Noah and Bosh have two different playing styles.

[iamamac]

Noah will play for France despite injury . Go ahead, Noah, and injure yourself out of the tournament .

[shadowgrin]

Where and when did I mention their playing styles?

I know that Noah and Bosh have two different playing styles.

vagina = plays soft like a pussy, like a Bosh; that doesn't describe Noah's playing style.

You refer to basketball players as 'vaginas' based on their physical appearance? That's not gay but sick and disturbing.

[Andrew]

Particularly given Noah's hairstyle.