Olympic basketball discussion

[SamH]

Ok, it's a few weeks away still, but there isn't much else in the way of on-court action going on, so I thought I'd put this up now in case anyone wants to give their thoughts ahead of the event beginning.

Details as follows:

Men’s Groups

Group A: Australia, Canada, Spain, Greece.

Group B: Germany, France, Japan, Brazil.

Group C: United States, Serbia, South Sudan, Puerto Rico.

Women’s Groups

Group A: China, Spain, Serbia, Puerto Rico.

Group B: Australia, Canada, France, Nigeria.

Group C: United States, Belgium, Japan, Germany.


Schedule

Group stage: Men, July 27-Aug. 3. Women, July 28-Aug. 4.

Quarterfinals: Men, Aug. 6. Women, Aug. 7.

Semifinals: Men, Aug. 8. Women, Aug. 9.

Medal games: Men, Aug. 10. Women, Aug. 11.

[SamH]

My first thought checking out the groups was, I thought there would be more countries than that in it! Only 12, with 8 advancing to the quarter finals. I thought there would have been 4 groups of 4, so 16 teams, with the top 2 from each group advancing. The fact that 2 teams can finish last in their group and still advance is a bit daft IMO. But perhaps they are limited for time and venues to get all the games in.

Obviously you expect USA gold for men and women but we have seen in the past the men's team can be vulnerable. I think the women's basketball is about as sure a thing as you could find in the Olympics, up there with Chinese diving and table tennis. Can't see them dropping the ball, but the men? You never know - France could be a strong threat to them this year.

[hayesboy]

That cannot be final line up? The qualifying tourney for the final spots doesn’t start until 2nd July…….

[hayesboy]

This is the strongest USA team since 2012 though.
They have a genuine big, the ultimate zone buster and some lock down defenders.
Lots of strong teams.
FIBA World Cup and Olympics are my favourite basketball to watch. So much easier to digest than NBA games. Games decided by players on court and not endless time outs.

[cosbyrider]

That isn’t the final line-up

The references to Spain, Greece, Latvia and Puerto Rico are the hosting nations of the final qualifier tournaments. These taking place over 2-7 July

The format is silly though - might as well play two groups of six with semi-finals at the end than only four teams being eliminated after the group stage

[SamH]

Ah ok I misread it then, I thought they were the countries that had most recently qualified. I'll update it when we have the final lineup then, but it does look like it's only 12 teams involved. Anyone remember if that's always been the case?

[gerry]

Has been the case for quite a while. IOC want to limit total number of athletes in the games so all the team sports are smaller than their respective world or European championships.

[spacejammer]

I imagine we won't get the qualifiers anywhere except that Courtside website if your willing to pay for it.
I wonder if Eurosport will show matches from the actual games again?

I got to admit BBC's coverage at the last Olympics I thought was quite poor as it was mainly just highlights of the same sports which led to me mainly following the games on Eurosport.
Whilst I don't plan on just watching the basketball I would like to be able to look around and take a look in at sports I don't usually follow like Canoe Salmon Greeco Wrestling or shooting just to see what their like and if they can suprise me.

[dexter]

Jun 30, 2024 9:29:56 GMT spacejammer said:

I imagine we won't get the qualifiers anywhere except that Courtside website if your willing to pay for it.
I wonder if Eurosport will show matches from the actual games again?

I got to admit BBC's coverage at the last Olympics I thought was quite poor as it was mainly just highlights of the same sports which led to me mainly following the games on Eurosport.
Whilst I don't plan on just watching the basketball I would like to be able to look around and take a look in at sports I don't usually follow like Canoe Salmon Greeco Wrestling or shooting just to see what their like and if they can suprise me.

BBC Olympic Games coverage is dismal.

[SamH]

I remember in the past, couldn't you choose from multiple different sports on the bbc red button? I am not so sure about last time as I mainly watched on Eurosport, who laid on a bunch of extra channels dedicated purely to broadcasting a variety of different sports and I thought that was better/easier to navigate. But I do recall the beeb used to be quite good if you used the red button? Usually the basketball is available somewhere as there is only one match on at a time, so it will get streamed.

[dexter]

Jun 30, 2024 14:29:03 GMT SamH said:

I remember in the past, couldn't you choose from multiple different sports on the bbc red button? I am not so sure about last time as I mainly watched on Eurosport, who laid on a bunch of extra channels dedicated purely to broadcasting a variety of different sports and I thought that was better/easier to navigate. But I do recall the beeb used to be quite good if you used the red button? Usually the basketball is available somewhere as there is only one match on at a time, so it will get streamed.

The BBC didn't have that last time. I would describe their coverage as being basically the One Show. They would talk about sports but hardly show anything. I watched most of it on Eurosport which just showed the sport and didn't have any presenters which wasn't ideal but a lot better than what the BBC was showing.

[spacejammer]

Jun 30, 2024 14:29:03 GMT SamH said:

I remember in the past, couldn't you choose from multiple different sports on the bbc red button? I am not so sure about last time as I mainly watched on Eurosport, who laid on a bunch of extra channels dedicated purely to broadcasting a variety of different sports and I thought that was better/easier to navigate. But I do recall the beeb used to be quite good if you used the red button? Usually the basketball is available somewhere as there is only one match on at a time, so it will get streamed.

Yes they had that at London 2012 and Rio 2016 as well as the Commonwealth Games in 2022 which was great for if you want to flick between sports and see what else is on.

But at the last games they usually just focused on swimming and track and field.
Then only briefly go to another sport like Judo or Fencing if the contest featured a GB athlete or their wasn't much exciting for them to choose from.

[SamH]

Oh also don't forget there's the 3x3 basketball, half court. No idea who the teams or players are for that, but I did quite enjoy watching it last time as a filler, if nothing else. It isn't real basketball obviously, but we've all played pickup ball at some point out in the parks or on a half court when there weren't enough people there for 5 on 5, so I think we can all relate to it and it's a bit of fun over a shorter distance. Plus USA aren't dominant at that (well, the men anyway) so it's more interesting in terms of who might medal!

[spacejammer]

Jun 30, 2024 15:27:41 GMT SamH said:

Oh also don't forget there's the 3x3 basketball, half court. No idea who the teams or players are for that, but I did quite enjoy watching it last time as a filler, if nothing else. It isn't real basketball obviously, but we've all played pickup ball at some point out in the parks or on a half court when there weren't enough people there for 5 on 5, so I think we can all relate to it and it's a bit of
fun over a shorter distance. Plus USA aren't dominant at that (well, the men anyway) so it's more interesting in terms of who might medal!

Right now I would rather watch 3v3 then this abysmal England football performance! ☹️

[dexter]

Jun 30, 2024 17:26:49 GMT spacejammer said:

Jun 30, 2024 15:27:41 GMT SamH said:

Oh also don't forget there's the 3x3 basketball, half court. No idea who the teams or players are for that, but I did quite enjoy watching it last time as a filler, if nothing else. It isn't real basketball obviously, but we've all played pickup ball at some point out in the parks or on a half court when there weren't enough people there for 5 on 5, so I think we can all relate to it and it's a bit of
fun over a shorter distance. Plus USA aren't dominant at that (well, the men anyway) so it's more interesting in terms of who might medal!

Right now I would rather watch 3v3 then this abysmal England football performance! ☹️

It's better now.

[cosbyrider]

BBC doesn’t have the rights to do the multi sport coverage anymore (that and saving a shed load of cash). Eurosport / Discovery plus do - a lot of it is through their app

[jt]

Really excited for this, going out to see 4 of the Mens game in a day!

Definitely seeing Canada v Australia, Japan v France, then Germany vs a qualifier winner, and another game of two qualifier winners

My only fear is the rumour that there won't be any beers sold at venues..

[SamH]

So the latest controversy is Jaylen Brown not being on team USA, and not picked to replace Kawhi Leonard who isn't healthy. Sounds like it might have to do with Brown not being a fan of Nike, who I'm guessing are providing the kits. Bit churlish of them/Grant Hill if true!

[milehigh]

It seems Serbia did well in their warm-up game against France denversports.com/2113755/jokic-on-fire-against-wemby-and-gobert-in-olympic-tune-up-game/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR17JstFF26XI0m-GclmHr_C2_IAPq0vJ0dXAaXtUBZddl3tA2R7uJRsu48_aem_59WOZdHjzpO1PtdPkPI3Vg

[SamH]

I thought Jokic wasn't going to be playing?