Who's in for some offseason Basketball? Aug 31 - Sep 17 2017 Defending Champions: Spain Group A (Helsinki, Finland) Poland, Greece, France, Finland, Iceland, Slovenia Group B (Tel Aviv, Israel) Ukraine, Israel, Lithuania, Georgia, Italy, Germany Group C (Cluj, Romania) Croatia, Czech Republic, Spain, Montenegro, Romania, Hungary Group D (Istanbul, Turkey) Great Britain, Russia, Serbia, Latvia, Turkey, Belgium The top 4 of each group qualify for the knockout stage. Some noticable players (final rosters are not set yet): Croatia: Dario Saric (76ers), Mario Hezonja (Magic) France: Evan Fournier (Magic), Boris Diaw (Ex-Jazz), Joffrey Lauvergne (Spurs) Germany: Dennis Schröder (Hawks), Isaiah Hartenstein (Rockets) Georgia: Zaza Pachulia (Warriors) Greece: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks), Georgios Papagiannis (Kings) Israel: Omri Casspi (Warriors) Italy: Danilo Gallinari (Clippers), Marco Belinelli (Hawks), [no Gentile] Latvia: Kristaps Porzingis (Knicks) Lithuania: Donatas Motiejunas (needs no introduction), Jonas Valanciunas (Raptors), Domantas Sabonis (Pacers) Montenegro: Nikola Vucevic (Magic), Marko Todorovic (Khimiki / Rockets hold his NBA rights) Serbia: Milos Teodosic (Clippers), Boban Marjanovic (Pistons), Bogdan Bogdanovic (Kings) Spain: Pau Gasol (Spurs), Ricky Rubio (Jazz), Sergio Llull (not the Rockets) Slovenia: Goran Dragic (Heat), Luka Doncic (Real Madrid / top prospect of 2018 draft) Turkey: Furkan Korkmaz (76ers), Cedi Osman (Cavaliers) Ukraine: Alex Len (Suns)
Ibaka is not on the preliminary squad, Mirotic won't play as well due to his uncertain status in the NBA. Some news from the German team: - Schröder publicly criticized players withdrawing this summer. He didn't say any names but obviously meant Paul Zipser (Bulls) and Maxi Kleber (now with the Mavs), says it should be an honor to play for the national team. His critics are a little hypocritical though, since Schröder himself didn't play the qualifiers last year. I'm a little worried that he turns into the Anti-Dirk, character-wise. - One of our veteran bigs got hurt and is out for the tournament, so I see good chances for Hartenstein to make it to the final roster. Would love to see him around.
Rooting for DMo to get his career back on track... He can still become a serviceable NBA big. Dude got ****ed by injuries and shitty agents.
I wish there was a way we could nab Doncic. Really feel like he'll be special. Guess there are downsides to being good every year lol
Preparation tourney with Germany, Serbia, Poland and Russia this weekend, you can watch some of the games on Youtube. Hartenstein with a nice move against Russia. He had 5 and 2 in 13 minutes.
****... Giannis is out. Was so looking forward to see him in this tournament. Greek Federation blames the Bucks.
