Don’t get me wrong, the World Championships was exciting, but I’m not surprised that USA is back on top of the global basketball scene. All that talk about the ‘B-Team’ being underdogs is nothing but rubbish. Even without the members of the 2008 Olympic team, Team USA pretty much owns the most talented roster in the tourney. Other participating countries could only put up little resistance against the American delegation since key personalities like Tony Parker (France), Manu Ginobili (Argentina) and Pau Gasol (Spain) were missing in action.
Never mind that previous representatives of Uncle Sam had early exits in the World Championships albeit as talented as this one. There are no prima donnas in 2010 and that secured the gold medal for the US.
In addition, the biggest threat to USA’s mission for redemption, the Spaniards, were eliminated earlier than expected, thanks to a dagger by Serbia’s Milo Teodosic.
Still, the tournament turned out to be a success. Part of me getting bored with the Worlds can be attributed to the fact that I prejudged the youngsters of Team USA as a boring group. Not incapable of winning but boring. Call me crazy, but as a fan, if 4 out of the 5 flashy members of the 2009-10 All-NBA First Team saw action in Olympics, I’d only expect something better, like probably all five of ‘em, in the 2010 Worlds.
Instead, we only got one. But as they say, one is greater than zero, and in Kevin Durant’s case, even greater than four. While the rest of his First Teammates decided to take a break during the off-season, Durantula was busy leading Team USA’s offense to the tune of 22.1 ppg. They defeated almost every opponent by 10 points or more, and though the Angola game may have caused some to doubt, KD made sure that the Americans will prevail.
Did someone say boring? I know I did, and Andre Iguodola and Russell Westbrook made a fool of me as they wowed fans with high-flying and jumping-out-nowhere dunks.
Blowouts aren’t exactly a recipe for entertainment. Good thing Serbia gave us enough thrillers to keep us hanging onto the Worlds. A resurrected Hedo Turkoglu (Turkey), a scrappy Luis Scola (Argentina), plus feisty Lithuanians and Russians were also fun to watch.
Not as appealing as the Olympics but equally entertaining, the FIBA 2010 World Championships merely served as a stage where the USA once again reminded the rest of the world that they are still the supreme basketball country.
And that wraps up basketball in September. And even if we got the UAAP and the NCAA here in the Philippines, I’m looking forward to October.
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