10 most relevant issues in the Basketball World Cup
37 points, seven rebounds and six assists in Slovenia’s triumphant debut against Venezuela. 34 points, 10 rebounds, six assists in the win in his second appearance against Georgia. Doncic is the most outstanding player so far in the World Cup: oblique passes, unexplored angles, fantasy plays. Fat, skinny or whatever you want, when he’s inspired he’s the Aleph of basketball. Everything different, the unexpected, the wonderful, sale from his hands. Only Cape Verde remains to enjoy it in the group stage.
Luckily for all of us, this story is just beginning.
The dream of the revolution in the Dominican Republic
“I know FIBA, listen to me,” Néstor ‘Che’ García yelled at Karl-Anthony Towns in a timeout to stop him. And boy was he right. The Argentine coach is always an attraction in FIBA global competitions. Basketball globetrotter, resourceful tactician, Néstor García has already led his team to two victories in two appearances.
Although due to a combination of results he is not yet classified, his performance in this World Cup is already excellent. The Dominican Republic will define its future in the championship against Angola on Tuesday.
We are optimistic for the second round.
Say hello to basketball’s new kid wonder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
His production in the World Cup, especially in the second half against France, served to confirm that what we saw in the NBA season with the Oklahoma City Thunder was only a preamble to what we will see in the immediate future. We are talking here, without exaggeration, about the new star of world basketball: energetic, with surprising versatility and a unique attacking ability, Gilgeous-Alexander is the benchmark for a Canadian team that intends to go all out.
With a record of assists in the 128-73 win against Lebanon, Jordi Fernández’s team, deep, full of NBA talent and with a solidity above the rest, has everything to win the grand prize in the city of Japan, Philippines and Indonesia.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, the Kobe Bryant impersonator
It was great to watch: Hollis-Jefferson, with an NBA past with the Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors and Portland Trail Blazers, made a variety of plays in a Jordan jersey that reminded us of Kobe Bryant like never before.
It was not only his movements, but also his leading role: although he could not avoid the defeats of his Selection in the first two current games, the forward of the Vaqueros de Bayamón in the Puerto Rican League made fans around the world sigh with its top-level musical productions.
The obvious difference from Bryant: Hollis-Jefferson is left-handed. Otherwise, we could be talking about the same person.
Austin Reaves, the hope of Team USA.
15 points, six assists and five rebounds in a 109-81 win over Greece. Against New Zealand he was already the favorite of the home crowd. The Lakers guard is a shock from the bench and he always brings solutions to those led by Steve Kerr. At the moment, he is THE player from the United States.
What do we think of Team USA? In the two games they played in the World Cup it went from less to more. Observe first, calibrate later and break games in the second half. It is a combative team, that has desire and that for the moment is fulfilling the forecasts. It is not news: his tournament begins in the second round.
Spain is still… Spain
Beyond the indisputable victory against the Ivory Coast, last champion Spain defended its credentials as a candidate with an impressive victory against Brazil. Without Ricky Rubio, but with the Hernangómez brothers as protagonists, Sergio Scariolo’s team changes its name but not its physiognomy or group rhythm.
Pay attention to Juan Núñez in the preparation for the game: 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists against Yago Santos and Marcelinho Huertas. He is only 19 years old.
Rudy Gobert, France and an unexpected goodbye
Oh la la, Paris… What happened? A farewell that no one had on the planes for the French. First they suffered against Canada (a possible loss) and then Latvia beat them in an informal game with Kristaps Porziņģis watching from the stands. With Rudy Gobert out of tune, France said goodbye in the group stage of a tournament that had him as a serious candidate.
The time will come to activate the emergency plan that includes Victor Wembanyama and Joel Embiid. There’s no tomorrow.
Isn’t Nikola Jokic here? No problem
We didn’t really know what to expect from Svetislav Pesic’s team at the World Cup, but it’s clear that while Nikola Jokic continues to party in Serbia, his compatriots are at a very high level heading into the second round.
17 points from Bogdan Bogdanovic, 17 from Nikola Jovic and 12 and 15 rebounds from Nikola Milutinov in the resounding victory against Puerto Rico 94-71 to extend his unbeaten record. World basketball school par excellence, Serbia crushed China on their debut and now travel to South Sudan to clinch first place in Group B.
Germany builds from silence
The victory against Japan (81-63) on Friday was expected, but the one that occurred against Australia (85-82) was seen as a bell. Dennis Schroder is playing at a very high level for the Germans, to the point that against the Boomers he had 30 points, eight assists and four steals. Gordie Herbert’s national team, with Daniel Theis, Mo and Franz Wanger in their ranks, is one of the teams that flies under the radar at the Japan-Philippines-Indonesia event.
Can they do more than qualify for the second round? Be careful: they play well and have what.
To quickly forget: Raúl Neto’s injury in Brazil
“Raúl suffered a break in the jump. He was immobilized and is now in the hotel with the delegation and under the care of the medical department. He is out for the rest of the World Cup.” This was reported by the Brazilian National Team in a statement on social networks.
Injuries are the worst in sports and this case is food for thought: beyond the serious injury, the match against Iran was over. They were minutes only to comply. Brazil suffers in its entirety.
We all feel it.
