The 2023 FIBA Men's Basketball World Cup group has been decided, and the Chinese men's basketball team in the sixth bracket is finally placed in Group B, with opponents from Europe, Serbia (3rd in Europe), 62nd in the world, South Sudan (7th in Africa) from Africa, and Puerto Rico (6th in the Americas) ranked 20th in the Americas.
The points based on this ranking are the results of intercontinental competitions in the past 8 years, and the calculation is very complicated; The FIBA official website was last updated on May 7, 2023, when all the World Cup qualifiers on five continents ended.
Regarding the results of the men's basketball group, in view of the fiasco of the 2019 World Cup, no one dares to say whether this signing is good or bad, because no matter how good the signing, for the current Chinese men's basketball team, there is no full certainty of qualifying.
But objectively speaking, compared with Japan, which is in Group E with Germany, Australia and Finland, the Chinese men's basketball team may be more relaxed.
However, this comparison does not make much sense, and the opponents of the Chinese men's basketball team are not only the host Japan, but also another host, the Philippines, as well as Iran, Jordan and Lebanon.
As we all know, for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, FIBA has only allocated one place in Asia, so in order to get an Olympic ticket, the Chinese men's basketball team must become the best team in Asia in this World Cup.
Considering that Asian basketball has lagged behind the Americas, Europe and even Africa as a whole, and it is very likely that all 6 Asian teams will not qualify, then the 6 teams will have a high probability of competing in the qualifying round, just like the 2019 World Cup, when Iran ranked 23rd with a 2-3 record with the Chinese men's basketball team with a 17-point advantage, just surpassing the 24th Chinese men's basketball team, becoming the only team in Asia to get a ticket to the Tokyo Olympics through the World Cup.
The opponents in the future 2023 World Cup qualifying tournament cannot be accurately predicted at present, but it is certain that once none of the six Asian teams qualify, then, according to the rules (AB, CD, EF, GH in turn), the Chinese men's basketball team will go head-to-head with the Philippines, Iran and Lebanon.
The two matches are crucial and almost determine the final ticket attribution.
Of course, despite the lack of strength, we don't have to be presumptuous, the game is not over, let alone started, everything is possible! The Chinese men's basketball team may not be absolutely incompetent! The Chinese men's basketball team may not necessarily play qualifying!
The reality is indeed cruel, but if you don't even have the courage to dream, that's the real cowardice before fighting.
Just as men's basketball coach Jordjevic set the goal for the Chinese men's basketball team in an interview with Xinhua News Agency after the World Cup group draw was determined on April 30: to rush out of Group B!
So, let's take a look at the opponents in Group B and qualifying? (Due to the length of the article, this article mainly talks about Serbia, and then analyzes South Sudan, Puerto Rico and the opponent that will be encountered if you play qualifying, the host Philippines)
There is no doubt that Serbia is the strongest team in the group stage, having finished runner-up in the 2014 World Cup, runner-up in the 2016 Olympics and fifth place in the 2019 World Cup, led Serbia to these achievements by the current head coach of the Chinese men's basketball team, Jordjevic. This may be the only good news for the Chinese men's basketball team.
Judging by the results of the past few years, Serbia is undoubtedly a world powerhouse and one of the contenders for the title of this year's World Cup.
However, their performances in the 2023 World Qualifiers and last year's European Championships were eye-catching.
In the World Preliminary Round, Serbia ranked 3rd in Group A with only 3 wins and 3 losses in the first round, stepped on the line to advance to the second round, and in the second round with Greece with a record of 6 wins and 4 losses, because of the win-loss relationship, finally ranked second (once defeated Greece led by Alphabet Brother in the second round through overtime), and also stepped on the line to get a World Cup ticket.
Before last year's European Championship, Serbia was the favorite to win the championship, ranking first in the FIBA power list, but the knockout round was 16 to 8 and was defeated by the Italian men's basketball team that lacked Gallinari, and Italy ranked 8th in the power list before the European Championship, is this also the "black eight miracle" on the European battlefield?
Of course, to be precise, there is no miracle in Europe, because European basketball is chasing the deer, the strong team is like a forest, success or failure is uncertain, and how can it be said that the miracle of weak victory over the strong is said?
Can you imagine that Serbia, who beat the U.S. men's basketball team in 5th to 8th place qualifying in the 2019 World Cup, did not qualify for the Tokyo Olympics? Because there are 2 places in Europe, Spain and France, also from Europe, are the champions and third runners-up respectively (the runner-up is Argentina from the Americas).
At present, excluding retired players, as many as 10 active players in Serbia have entered the NBA, of which 5 are currently playing in the NBA:
1. The Nuggets' dating teacher
He has been with the Nuggets since he was selected by the Nuggets with the 41st overall pick in the second round in 2016, winning the NBA regular season MVP for two consecutive seasons in 2020-21 and 2021-22, and was named to the NBA All-NBA Team four times.
He is the nuggets and the undisputed leader of the Serbian men's basketball team.
Despite his average athleticism, known as "walking pork belly", his high ball intelligence, top-notch vision and well-rounded skills make him an NBA star.
Mr. Yo is a little out of business, as the No. 5 position, many times he does the No. 1 job, in the national team, he is both a scoring machine and a soul of control, participating in a total of 2 games in the World Qualifiers, averaging 26.5 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists per game.
In the future, Zhou Qi and Wang Zhelin will be in the inner line with Teacher Yo, and a few days ago, Zhou Qi said in an interview: Teacher Yao is very comprehensive, will do his best to limit, currently watching some national teams and NBA videos, can only say try to defend.
2. Bogdanovic of the Eagles
Bogdanovic was selected by the Suns with the 27th pick in the first round in 2014, but the Suns did not sign him, and in 2016 the signing was traded to the Kings, who did not sign him immediately until he made a name for himself in the European League.
In 2017, Bogdanovic helped Fenerbahce win the Turkish League and Euroleague Basketball double championships, and was named the best team in the Euroleague Basketball team with 14.6 points, 3.8 boards and 3.6 assists, and was elected the Turkish League Finals MVP.
After that, the king gave him a "big contract" of 3 years and 27 million US dollars.
Now, Bogdanovic has switched to the Hawks in 2020. In the 2022-23 season, he averaged 14 points, 3.1 boards and 2.8 assists per game, shooting 40.6% from 3-point range, and in the playoffs against the Celtics, he averaged 13.3 points per game in 6 games, and even shot 45.5% from 3-point range, and he was still averaging 5.5 3-point shots per game.
Bogdanovic plays as the No. 2 but is 1.98 meters tall. In the possible lineup of the Chinese men's basketball team, the guards who can be opposed to it are Cui Yongxi of 199 and Zhao Rui of 195, and it is simply unrealistic to take Zhang Zhenlin of No. 3 or Zeng Fanbo of 208 to change defense, because the characteristics of the Serbian men's basketball team are tall, the shortest main guard is 192 is Avramovic, and the shortest main forward is 202 Kalinic.
So, switching defences will mean that Serbia's forward line will be stress-free – all misplaced.
There is no doubt that against Serbia, the heavy responsibility of limiting Bogdanovic will most likely be given to Choi Yongxi or Cho Rui, fortunately, the two not only have height, but also excellent defensive ability, at least, at home.
3. Boban of the Rockets;
Although the 2.22-meter Boban has never been able to play enough fame in the NBA, it may not be reused by Serbian head coach Svetislav Pešic, nor may he play more defensively than the NBA under FIBA rules.
Boban is certainly not Serbia's main center, in addition to Jokic, there are 213 Pokushevski and 216 Koprivica, but what Boban can bring is that at some necessary moments, Svetislav Pešić can put on a big lineup where Jokic plays 4, it depends on who Pešić is going to challenge? Anyway, it's certainly not the Chinese men's basketball team.
But if facing the Chinese men's basketball team Serbia to put Boban, Zhou Qi and Wang Zhelin have few chances to attack on the inside, unless they shoot 3 points from the outside.
However, the outside projection ability of the two centers is relatively average, Wang Zhelin still retains a little projection, and Zhou Qi has simply degenerated into the appearance of a traditional center, leaving the box and losing almost all of his skill package.
4. Pokushevsky of the Thunder;
Pokuszewski was selected by the Timberwolves with the 17th pick in the first round in 2020 and then traded to the Thunder, has played three seasons and has enjoyed a steady career of playing time, averaging 8.1 points, 4.7 boards and 1.3 steals in 20.6 minutes per game in 2022-23.
Despite being slightly skinny and thin, he doesn't lack flexibility, and it's his routine to grab shots from the top of the line — it's really hard for the average person to interfere, and 36% of the 3-point 2022-23 season is pretty good among the big men. In addition, Pokushevsky has good dribbling and passing skills.
The Chinese men's basketball team is more than 2 meters 10 only Wang Zhelin and Zhou Qi, but the two can not go to the outside to watch him all the time, Pokuszewski is generally not sent to the No. 5 position, in that case, the Serbian interior will be exploded, so, in terms of height, there is really no one in the domestic forward line who can really match it effectively.
5. Jovic from the Heat
Jovic is a power forward, 2.08 meters tall, was selected by the Heat in the first round of 27th pick in 2022, and has just spent his rookie season in the NBA, averaging 5.5 points and 2.1 boards per game, like most European forwards, Jovic's main offensive method is shooting, half of his rookie season is 3 points, but the shooting percentage is relatively average, only 22.3%.
The other 5 are players who played for the NBA and later moved to Europe:
1. Teodosić, the "European splash" who played for the Clippers
Teodosic played two consecutive seasons with the Clippers in 2017-19, and he was 30 years old when he first appeared in the NBA, which is indeed a rare occurrence, but it also shows Teodosic's strength - allowing the NBA to ignore his age disadvantage.
Before landing in the NBA, he was definitely a full-blown star in the Europa League.
He was named FIBA UEFA European Under-20 Youth Championship MVP in 2007, UEFA Europa League championship in 2016, UEFA Europa League MVP in 2010, UEFA All-First Team 3 times, Europa League All-Team Second Team 3 times, Greek Cup MVP twice, VTB League Playoff MVP 2 times, FIBA European Player of the Year in 2010 and Euroscar Player of the Year in 2016.
On September 8, 2010, the 23-year-old Teodosic made a name for himself with a long-range 3-pointer in the final five seconds of the World Championships quarterfinals.
Teodosic peaked in CSC, and his backfield combination with French star Nando de Colo is known as the "European Splash Brothers", and the two helped CSKA win quite a few titles in the VTB League.
In the 2023 World Qualifiers, veteran Teodosic played only two games, averaging 17.5 points and 8.5 assists per game, and shooting 45.5% from 3-point range.
Although Teodosic is 36 years old this year, with his current form, he is likely to be selected for the Serbian national team and play as the main player in the backcourt, the old guard is 195 tall, and he is also not short, so this is why Giordjevic likes big guards after coming to the Chinese men's basketball team, because the world is increasing the height of backcourt players.
2. Goodurić, who played for the Grizzlies
Goodurić is also a high guard, born in 1995, 197 tall, and spent one season with the NBA Grizzlies in 2019-20, averaging 3.9 points per game before moving to the Turkish league. He played 4 games in the 2023 World Qualifiers, averaging 12.5 points and 4.8 assists per game, shooting 50% from 3-point range.
3. Nedovic, who played for the Warriors
Nedovic is also a veteran guard, currently 32 years old, 191 tall, was drafted by the Suns in the 30th round in 2013 and then traded to the Warriors for a year before leaving the NBA to join Red Star Belgrade. Because of the age and mediocre ability, the probability of being selected for the national team is not large, so there is no need to pay too much attention.
4. Smajrajic, who played for the Warriors
Born in 2000 and 208 tall, Arun Smajrajić was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the 39th overall pick in the second round of the 2019 draft and played for two seasons in 2019-2021, averaging 3 points per game in his NBA career before moving to the Serbian league.
Warriors coach Kerr once commented: "Aaron Smailagic is the No. 5 in the box, he is big, he has good three-point shoots and skill."
5. Belitsa, who played for the Timberwolves, Kings, Heat and Warriors
Belitsa is an 88-year veteran who is 2.09 meters tall, was selected by the Wizards with the 35th overall pick in the second round in 2010, and from 2015 to 2022, he played for the Timberwolves, Kings, Heat and Warriors, averaging 7.6 points and 4.6 boards and 38.4% 3-pointers per game in his NBA career. Once the 2014-15 Euroleague Basketball MVP, he moved to Fenerbahce in Turkey last season.
In addition, there are 6 people selected in the NBA Draft (2017, 58th pick, Knicks), Mizić (2014, 52 pick, 76), Malenkovic (2019, 60th pick, King), Mitrovic (2015, 60th pick, 76), Koprivica (2021, 57th pick, Hornets) and Petroyev (2021, 50th pick, 76ers), but did not sign a formal contract. The same situation as the Chinese men's basketball team Wang Zhelin.
Wang Zhelin was selected by the Grizzlies with the 57th overall pick in the second round in 2016, and now the signing rights have changed hands several times, and he was traded to the Lakers in 2021 and the Knicks in 2022.
The above 10 players who have played or are currently playing in the NBA are all the core of Serbia, and there is a high probability that Serbia will be selected for the 2023 World Cup squad, but in addition to these 10 players with good resumes, there are still 2 people who need special attention.
They are:
1. Avramovic who plays for the Serbian league
Born in 1994, 192 tall, integrated offensive and defensive, he is Serbia's main scorer in the 2023 World Qualifiers, averaging 17.3 points per game in 7 games, averaging 2.3 steals per game, averaging 5.9 3-point shots per game, and shooting 41.5% from the field.
2. 2.16m center forward Koprivica for the Serbian League
Born in 2000, Koprivica is 216 tall and a professional center, played for two years at NCAA Florida State University from 2019 to 2021, averaging 6.8 points and 3.9 boards per game, before being selected by the Hornets in 2021 with the 57th overall pick in the second round, but did not sign a contract and currently plays in the Serbian league.
In the 2023 World Qualifiers, he played 1 game (against Slovakia), played 16 minutes and scored 8 points and 5 boards, only the front board had 4 goals, and also sent 4 blocks, reflecting strong athleticism.
After the introduction, everyone should have a preliminary understanding, the overall strength of the Serbian men's basketball team is high, the lineup is characterized by tall and spatial, except for individual centers, almost all hands 3 points, they ranked first in Europe in the 2023 World Preliminary Round outside shooting rate.
In contrast, the Chinese men's basketball team has almost no chance of winning, and can only go all out and minimize the gap through outside defense and inside offense in a maneuverable space.
At the same time, it is also necessary to prepare for the subsequent games against South Sudan and Puerto Rico, there is no need to be overly excited and exhausted, after all, Serbia is not a possible target for the Chinese men's basketball team.