All roads lead to Spain: FIBA World Cup Group A preview

The 2014 FIBA World Cup of Basketball is closing in. After 36 years, a Filipino team is once again among the teams participating, and Pinoy hoop nuts the world over eagerly await how Gilas Pililipinas will fare against the world’s best basketball talents.

There’s no question that Spain is the heavy favorite in this group. Aside from the fact the Spaniards are playing on home soil, they also boast one of the most NBA-loaded teams in the entire tournament. There are six NBAers in this roster — the Gasol brothers Marc and Pau, plus Jose Calderon, Serge Ibaka, Victor Claver, and Ricky Rubio.

The Gasols and Ibaka should form the most dominant frontline in the World Cup (counting even Team USA’s), and that should be their main weapon as they rack up the wins. It’s also worth noting that ESP has, so far, won all of its tune-up games leading up to the World Cup. (RELATED: Spain to give US a tough fight)

Challenging Spain’s dominance here would probably be Brazil, France, and Serbia. Brazil has four NBAers in its roster (Leandro Barbosa, Anderson Varejao, Nene and Tiago Splitter — all of whom were absent when Brazil had a disappointing finish in the 2013 FIBA Americas), while France, despite not having Tony Parker, is still a solid team with the likes of Nicolas Batum, Boris Diaw, and Eurobasket veteran Mickael Gelabale. Serbia is a bit of a dark horse, but it should advance to the second round over Iran and Egypt.

Milos Teodosic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Nenad Krstic will be Serbia’s main weapons here, while Iran and Egypt will both rely heavily on their big men — Hamed Haddadi (IRI) and Haytham Khalifa (EGY). It is worth noting that Assem Marei, Egypt’s top player, will not be present as he is still recovering from a knee surgery he had in May. 

Top four prediction: Spain, Brazil, Serbia, France 

Eliminated: Iran, Egypt

Overview 

– Rappler.com