Group A, Day 1, Australia vs. Jordan

[stuart]

Group A, Day 1, Australia vs. Jordan

When: Sat, Aug 28 @ 16h30 (GMT+3)
Where: Kayseri
Watch the game: ESPN, ESPN3

Watch World Championship of Basketball online...

[eliooo93]

Australia by 15

[Saskibaloia]

I have been following Asian Basketball since 1999 and I am very much impressed with the rise of Middle Eastern Basketball in particular Jordan's rise in Asia. Their star player: Wright is a great asset for the team and looks like a handful for the thinly built Brad Newley or Joe Ingles who will both start for the Boomers at the 2 and 3 spot. It'll be interesting on who will get the nod to match up against Wright who looks more like a Running Back for an NFL team than a shooting guard for an international basketball team.

The Aussie will want to make a strong statement to the other teams in the group by winning by a huge margin rather than to win by only a few points. The Aussies or also known as the Boomers are coming into the World Championship with a stronger squad than four years ago and though they may not have the services of NBA star Andrew Bogut and former NBA player and now European bound monster Nathan Jawai (6'10 & 285lbs), the Boomers have enough depth to ensure passage to the next round and to defeat Jordan. In addition, comparing the 2006 squad to this year's squad, this squad has 10 out of their 12 players playing in Europe or in the NBA, thus, these lads are playing higher quality basketball compared to the Australian local league: National Basketball League (NBL).

My prediction is that Jordan will definitely put up a strong fight but it will not be enough for the deeper and more experienced Aussies. I could imagine Portland Trailblazer's Patty Mills coming up with a strong performance to lead the way.

Aussies defeat Jordan by 15-20 points.

[CKR13]

Australia by 15-20 points.

[Straight forward]

I've read some overview of the tournament and Jordan was described as hopeless team of the tournament. Australia is big favorite here anyway, but is Jordan potentially worse team of the WC?

[sinobball]

Like Jordan, Australia actually has been quite inconsistent recently (shooting lots of 3's that are nowhere close) but they defend well, protect the boards and do the little things. I'll be shocked if Jordan steals this one.

[Saskibaloia]

I've read some overview of the tournament and Jordan was described as hopeless team of the tournament. Australia is big favorite here anyway, but is Jordan potentially worse team of the WC?

It's an interesting question of whether or not Jordan is the worst team in the tournament.

In my opinion, I thought either the Ivory Coast or Tunisia were the worst. However, I'm more familiar with Asian Basketball than African Basketball thus, I cannot really have an opinion on the African nations.

I'm hoping that Jordan and Lebanon does well in this tournament as well as Iran so that the profile of basketball continues to rise in the "Football Crazy" Middle East.

[Saskibaloia]

I'm confident to say that Coach Brown most likely will start the following five lads for the majority of the tournament.

At Centre: either David Andersen or Aleks Maric will start depending on the opponent. If Coach Brown is looking for a more free flowing offensive movement where the five spot needs to be filled with someone with 3 point range then Andersen would get the nod but if Coach Brown wants immediate inside presence, I'm sure that he would want Maric in the starting five.

At Power Forward: it's definite that the captain, Matty Nielsen who is one of the players on the squad with the most international experience will once again start the 4 spot.

At Small Forward: who else to put than European based and former NBA prospect Joe Ingles, the lad brings versatility as he can play the 1, 2 and 3 spots and has the height to match up with the 4s of the international game at 6'8". He will definitely be a strong contributor on the offensive end as he has the shooting range, skills and abilites to provide that offensive power at the 3 spot.

At Shooting Guard: this spot is definitely for Newley, like his team mate Joe Ingles, this lad was a former NBA prospect, though he has been drafted into the NBA, he has been showing his skills and abilities in Europe. It will be interesting to see whether him or Ingles takes up some responsibility of taking on the opponents' best player if that player plays the 2 or 3 spot.

At Point Guard: this position is definitely Patty Mills. He has owned it after his amazing showing at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

[aussieasker]

Brett Brown actually likes to play Damian Martin and Adam Gibson as SGs.

It's going to be awesome waking up on a Sunday morning and watching this game!

[Jordan First]

Jordan have a great team and they did a great job by taking the bronze medal in the Asian cup 2009 ,, we have a lot of good and Professional players like Sam Daghlas, Rashim Wright, Ayman Idais, Zaid Abbas and the last one is playing in the chinese league ,,, i also have to mention Enver Soobzokov which he is very good in three point as well as the most of the team.
I wish for my national team to play a good games especially this is our first participation in the world cup ,, and i think they can make it to the second round ..

[Saskibaloia]

and i think they can make it to the second round ..

That would definitely be a surprise if Jordan is able to get out of this group but who knows, with basketball and many other sports anything can happen.
Who ever thought that Uruguay would reach the semi-finals of the Football World Cup or Argentina finishing 3rd in the 2007 Rugby World Cup or New Zealand finishing undefeated (0 wins 3 draws 0 losses) in the Football World Cup.

[superdeki13]

Australia is in my opinion huge faorite in this game ( to win with spread, more than 20 points difference).With Maric in Ausie squad rebounds will be much better for Australia.Also Jordan will be with out Islam Abbass, and they also dont have internacional experience.Australia must stop main Jordan power Rashem Wright and the job is done .

[dxjayrock2008]

Go Boomers!

[arturcia]

There is no doubt Australians will win. if boomers will not underestimate opponents they will win safely. about 88 - 68

[Perseus]

Australia +20

[AirBall]

Australia by 20 at least... Big class difference there...

[g.g]

Australia by 10+

[each way]

Boomers should win pretty easily

[John.AbouElias]

It's an interesting question of whether or not Jordan is the worst team in the tournament.

In my opinion, I thought either the Ivory Coast or Tunisia were the worst. However, I'm more familiar with Asian Basketball than African Basketball thus, I cannot really have an opinion on the African nations.

I'm hoping that Jordan and Lebanon does well in this tournament as well as Iran so that the profile of basketball continues to rise in the "Football Crazy" Middle East.

maybe football has more fans in the middle east
but it's certainly not the best-played games by middle easters

and in Lebanon's case, not the most popular game, when it comes to local leagues and NT. We're good at basketball and rugby, but we suck at soccer for many reasons , most having to do with the corrupt federation (problem that could have existed in basketball but we got lucky)

rationally Lebanon's chances are a bit better then Jordan. It has to do with the preparations, the group conditions, the experience (it's Lebanon's 3rd WC) and the persistence. but surprises can be made.
I personally do not want to see Jordan going far, because i do not respect a NT going far because some naturalised players.

[Oshafaamri]

My Heart Says Jordan but My Mind Says Australia

Hope our "Nashama" show their Game Today and prove that we deserve to be in the World Class level ......