2006 Basketball World Championships
January 24th, 2006
I’m a big basketball fan, and I’m looking forward to the World Championships this year. One thing I’ll be very interseted to see is how well the USA bounces back from a humiliating campaign in the 2004 Olympics, where they struggled for a third place finish. As many basketball fans would already be aware, one of the oft-cited reasons for this result was the lack of a decent preparation. The USA team (particularly since the 1992 Dream Team) have been thrown together with little practice and been expected to win as a result of their talent.
It should be noted this approach worked most of the time.
However, the rest of the world has gotten a lot better, particularly with many of the best players for the various international teams now making a name for themselves in the NBA.
Although I loved seeing the Americans get beaten (who doesn’t love an underdog victory?), I’m glad to see the Basketball USA treating the American national team far more seriously. Three year commitments from players, working to get a good team (as opposed to a collection of telented individuals) and removing the perception that playing for the national team is a neat junket and good for a players personal PR are all positive moves.
It should be an excellent tournament. I’m really hoping the Australian Boomers figure in the top three, but I’m sure I’m not making a shocking prediction that the USA will walk off court with the gold medal this time.