FIBA 2006: Warriors World Championships

by Atma Brother ONE on Aug 8, 2006 11:23 PM PDT in News Comment 14 comments

Just because Baron Davis and Jason Richardson (BoomRich) were inexplicably not invited to the Team USA tryouts doesn't mean that the Warriors aren't well represented on the FIBA scene this summer.

Mickael Pietrus will be reppin' France!

Ikechukwa Somotochukwa Diogu (love that name!) will play the role of Nigerian Nightmare!

Recently drafted Kosta Perovic aka Kosta Coast (nickname coined here at GSoM!) will be rocking the Serbia and Montenegro threads!

Who wants a player or two on the USA team when you can have the international trifecta?

Check out NBA.com for a full list of NBA players holding it down for their countries. Zarko Cabarkapa is actually listed on the Serbia and Montenegro roster on the FIBA 2006 site, but not on NBA.com's list. Part of me is worried that it's some kind of cruel joke on the Zark-man where the league is saying he isn't a real NBA player.

This year's FIBA Championship is in Japan, so the games are going to be at some odd times of the day for us folk on PST and will be tough to keep track of. Make sure to post whatever you can find about how MP2, Ike, or Kosta Coast play in the tourney in a Diary. Definitely feel free to start discussions about anything else interesting that you might notice in the tourney. Extra credit for anyone who can uncover the story for the Zarko milk carton.

This is easily one of the flyest hoops posters to ever drop!

Which Warrior do you think will have the best run in the FIBA tourney?

Keep it locked on Golden State of Mind for FIBA 2k6 coverage so phat that it makes sumo wrestlers look skinny!

Also see:

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Comments

BD and J-Rich...

Do you REALLY think they deserved an invite to the US team? AI and Bibby weren't invited. Would you even WANT BD to play on team USA? The guy can't play a full season without getting hurt, so letting him play a bunch of games over the summer sounds like a bad idea. And J-Rich doesn't really bring anything to the table that Team USA doesn't already have. He's not a dead-eye shooter, not a talented passer, and doesn't have a quick first step. Both may be more athletic/talented than some players invited, but I don't think they fit in Colangelo's plan.

by LancerEvoV on Aug 9, 2006 12:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

J-Rich

I definetly think J-Rich should be there. He's as good as most of the guys there, and had an amazing year. I would put him in there over Joe Johnson. He's got to get recognition from somebody!

Big Ton

by tadams1080 on Aug 9, 2006 7:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No

Joe Johnson is the one pure shooter on a roster filled with athletic drive and dish type players. If anything the team needs another Joe Johnson type to take advantage of the shorter 3-point arch and international style of play.

I love me some J-Rich but he doesn't belong on that team.

by bigrobbieb on Aug 9, 2006 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

J-Rich is better than D-Wade

better shooter, more athletic, more skilled in general.

Lebron's better than both.

MY OPINION!

by Jeremy Belvins on Aug 9, 2006 9:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

JRich better than DWade?

Whoa!

by johnl on Aug 9, 2006 9:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm surprised that so many people are surprised

...when I say that. I honestly believe it, too. If D-wade hadn't made it to the Finals I doubt anyone would fancy him any more than Mello. Also, I think Wade is nowhere near Kobe.

Just MY OPNION, of course.

by Jeremy Belvins on Aug 9, 2006 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow...

Really? REALLY? DWade dominates or is equal to J-Rich in every category except 3pt% and TOs. Wade takes less shots, shoots better, and scores more. Wade gets to the line almost twice as often and makes a better %. But stats are just stats. Have you ever WATCHED him play? He can penetrate at will and single handedly dominate a game. I love J-Rich but he's got a ways to go before he's on Wade's level. Don't let being a fan cloud reality.

by LancerEvoV on Aug 9, 2006 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right on!

Moreover, who do you want with the ball with the game on the line? I love JRich, but -- on the basis of history -- I'll take Wade every time. Also, time after time Wade hits his clutch free throws; JR hasn't accomplished that yet (nor has anyone on the W's, for that matter, an almost unfathomable failure on a team with so many other weaknesses).
Finally, JR still needs to develop that "blow-by" first step for his drives; once he can get that -- and late-game free throws -- down he can think about being a true star in this league. (He would do well to crib from Wade's first-step; something Wade already had at Marquette.)
BTW, are we still operating under the delusion that Boom Fizzle should have made the Olympic team?????? It's one thing to be a "homer" but this really is beyond the pale of any reasoned analysis. Coach K knew very well what he was doing when he ID'd his top 24 for tryouts; I doubt BD would have been in his -- or any TEAM coach's -- top 100.

by johnl on Aug 9, 2006 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oy!

D-Fish (although no longer a member of the team) was the ONE guy who DID hit his freethrows. Don't forget about him, yo!

by Zorgon on Aug 9, 2006 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Richardson works on his freethrows

he surmounts Wade he'll likely catch up or pass Wade in most scoring categories.

by Jeremy Belvins on Aug 9, 2006 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

That poster owns, I really want one now.

I agree on no Davis, as he would just injure himself and isn't what they dont already have, and the last statement goes for Richardson too.

I think Richardson is not Superstar level IE Wade, James, but is a step below at say....Ray Allens current level, etc. He isn't noticed due to being on a losing team, and not scoring all of their points (IE Bryant). If not barred by his bad knee, I think he can take it up to their level next year, especially if we can have a decent team.

As for the other Ws, I have all of their teams out in round of 8. As far as best stats, I'd go with Diogu, since Congo will rely on him more so then the others. Perovic and Pietrus wil get about the same stats, since they play equal roles on their respective teams, and are equally as good at Int. basketball.

by Zorgon on Aug 9, 2006 4:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Does Latvia have a team?

If so I'm surprised Biedrins didn't make it. He's Latvian, right?

by jonathan on Aug 9, 2006 4:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes, but....

Latvia has a tem, it just didn't qualify for the World Championship. He is on the team, but he himself is not enough to spur them anywhere.

Bonus Trivia: He is the youngest Latvian millionaire.

by Zorgon on Aug 9, 2006 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Get off Kobe's and Wade's Nuts

Get off wade and kobes nuts mayne. I dont understand why u think these guys r so much better than J-Rich. First off tha reason they be scoring so much is because the refs give them every damn call. And defenses dont defend as hard because u know tha refs love wade and Kobe. Have u ever watched a game with Kobe or Wade, they get all tha calls. And dont tell me its jus because they drive half tha time its some little bitch ass touch fouls. J-Rich dont get tha calls and still puts up balanced numbers, plus he has no one else that really poses a threat to other defenses, while Wade had one of tha best benches and Shaq Diesel. And Kobe did have Odom, and he can give u a triple double and at any given moment. J-Rich had Baron put up tha numbers and even put up better numbers when he was out. Other than Baron there is no really consistent threat to take off preasure from J-Rich. Plus Kobe should be puttin up all these numbers since he shoots so much and gets calls and complains when he doesn't get one call. If J was on tha heat he would put up better numbers than Wade. And once J hits his free throws more consistently which he will he will be better. And Jason should of been on tha U.S team.

by JRichIsStillAGodButBiedrinsIsABeast on Aug 10, 2006 8:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs