Tuesday, 01.08.2006	posted by Georges Eddy 10:22 am
Category: FIBA World Championship

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KEYS TO WORLD SUCCESS!

Wow, I feel like my blogs have been the guiding light for Team USA and two NBA franchises as Toronto loads up on players I promoted like Anthony Parker and Jorge Garbajosa and Indiana adds Baston to another Maccabi alumnus, Jasekivicius, while announcing a new uptempo format that I've been pleading for (even though with Rick Carlisle, I'll have to see it to believe it)!

You'll see, these guys are all proven winners in Europe and will eventually break through. Now let's talk about the keys to success at the FIBA World Championship for two teams I follow closely, the USA and France.

Team USA is doing the right things to correct a lot of the mistakes in Athens starting with signing on Euro-expert D'Antoni as an assistant! He'll liberate the shooters psychologically (the contrary to the stress junkie who hates outside shots, Larry Brown)and, at least, he'll know how to bother guys like Diaw, Parker, Ginobili and Barbosa!

Coach K is used to seeing different zones which will be very useful in Japan and I suggest they run alot of baseline picks for corner shooters like Bowen and Battier as well as give the three point green light to Arenas at the top of the key.

The NBA guys should look at the FIBA three point shot as an easy chip shot compared to the NBA distance instead of stressing out about zone defenses!

You can't win at the international level without good outside shooting, it's a law!

This team USA is more balanced and complementary with role players and good people willing to sacrifice for the common goal and the Lebron-Wade generation ready to take the driver's seat (which is better than giving the keys to Marbury!).

Similar to France, they must use their advantageous athletic ability to pressure the opposing point guard to burn seconds off the 24-second clock.

The Americans, as in past international competitions, should feed off the offensive glass (decisive in Sydney), Howard, Stoudamire and Brand filling the roles of Garnett, Mcdyess and Abdur-Rahim in 2000.

Playing one on one, of course, will NOT be a problem Luck of the draw in the elimination round will once again play a major role but I see the Team USA making the final, I just hope France will accompany them!

Never has the French squad had such a golden generation of players weened on NBA games and dreams since their youth.

They were Euro-champs as juniors and have a solidary, selfless and winning attitude.

They should have similar problems attacking zones and prefer uptempo if they can impose that style on opponents.

The one-two punch of a matured tandem of Parker and Diaw will be key on offense and this is the first time they'll be able to align two seven-footers to protect the basket and maybe D-up in some zone too! The wings are more inconsistent on O but should be constantly strong on D.

Their stupid loss to Greece in last summer's Euro semi-final should keep players and staff on edge to not repeat the bone-headed plays in the last minute of an elimination game!

A repeat of the France-USA Olympic final in Sydney would be a dream come true for this Franco-American.

Poise and self-sacrifice will make the difference vs. teams like Argentina and Serbia which are more experienced playing together but possibly in danger of suffering from ego conflicts and posturing.

Outsiders like Spain and Greece are always dangerous due to their togetherness while Lithuania has taken a step back because of the absense of some stars.

In any case these championships permit us to discover some exotic teams from around the world and when the elimination round kicks in, some of the most passionate and intense games you'll see this side of the Olympics, and I feel very priviledged to be there to commentate the competition!