FIBA semi-FINAL

The FIBA World Basketball Championships are finally under way.  You may have heard about some games that were being played here and there during the last couple of weeks, and even seen some on TV, but the games that are actually deciding the outcome just started a couple of days ago.  Only six or seven teams ever had a realistic glimmer of a hope to win it all, and we're now down to four of those.

Yes, Spain is out.  The pre-tournament favorite faltered from the outset, as did co-contender Greece.  Argentina is also out, who many believed had the best shot at winning once Spain started stumbling.  Despite the impressive play of Luis Scola, they just couldn't hang with the elite this year.

And what more can we say about home-court advantage..?  Turkey glides into the semifinals undefeated, winning by mostly comfortable margins.  I can't wait to witness the hysteria that will surround the USA-Turkey final.

Which brings me to the USA-Lithuania semifinal.  In my opinion, this will be the game that determines the winner of the tournament.  I can't see our boys doing any less than winning it all in convincing fashion, but Lithuania should give them a run for their money.

Give that cat a TEAM USA jersey!  Then get me a Simit!

True, this is the same Lithuania team that we beat just a few weeks ago.  But they've stepped up their game in a big way since then, going undefeated in the tournament thus far.  Luckily, we've recently seen them up close, and we know what their strengths are.  If we can block out, pull rebounds, and defend the three point line, we'll be world champs once again. 

Take that to the bank.

The only question that remains is, what do we call this team..?  Redeem Team II? 

Below the FIBA radar

Hmmm... the FIBA World Championships are in full swing, and where has all the Rudy Fernandez talk gone?  Nowhere, I say, which is exactly where Rudy will be going before the season starts.

Mi amigo, vamos a ganar

There's no doubt in my mind that ol' Rudy has grossly overvalued himself as an NBA player.  He doesn't seem to be helping his case much in Turkey, either.  If he thinks he'll be traded to a team where he'll be starting, I can tell him right now that the Washington Generals don't have the pieces for a trade, and I can't see him starting anywhere else.

Of course, anything can happen once the season starts.  Players get injured.  Unexpected teams start to make a run.  Before you know it, somebody needs some shooting and energy off the bench for their playoff push. 

Rest easy in Stumptown, Rudy.  You'll get your ticket out when the time comes.  You may even get a chance to play with one of your Spanish buddies once Sasha Vujacic wears out his welcome...