The Basketball World Cup starts today in China with two-time defending champions the US missing their biggest stars and looking vulnerable after surrendering their long winning streak.
The chief threat to the LeBron James-deprived Americans looks likely to come from Serbia, but Spain, France, Australia and Greece — led by NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo — are all snapping at Team USA’s heels.
A total of 32 nations are to begin in eight groups of four spread across cities in China, from Shenzhen to Beijing, where the final is to be held on Sept. 15.
Photo: AP
Just a few days ago, the US under coach Gregg Popovich were favorites to win for the third time in a row, no matter the opponent.
However, last weekend they were stunned 98-94 by Australia in Melbourne, the hosts ending the US’ run of 78 consecutive wins in major competitions and exhibition games.
Then followed another setback with Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma ruled out with an ankle injury.
San Antonio Spurs mastermind Popovich has been forced to name a young squad after numerous NBA stars opted out, including James, Kawhi Leonard, Stephen Curry, James Harden, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook and Paul George. Kevin Durant, Kyle Lowry and Klay Thompson are injured.
The US bounced back in Australia to beat Canada 84-68 in their last warmup match, but their aura of invincibility has dimmed and the players have admitted that they are still getting to know each other.
Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner said that his teammates need to adapt fast to the international game.
“A lot of times in the NBA you sort of wait until the fourth quarter to turn it on,” Turner said. “And these teams, everybody wants to beat the USA. We’re the top dog and everybody’s gunning for us.”
The US begin their title defense in Shanghai tomorrow, when they play the Czech Republic in Group E, which also contains Japan and Turkey.
If anyone is going to dethrone the US, many believe it could be Serbia, beaten by the US in the final in 2014.
Serbia are able to call upon most of their big names from the NBA, including All-Star Nikola Jokic.
Coach Aleksandar Djordjevic warned his side, who are to play the first match of the tournament against Angola, not to be “exhibitionist.”
“They should play simply, together, very responsibly,” Djordjevic told local media.
While much of the interest is to focus on the US, it is not all about the title.
Final placings are critical, because seven teams are to qualify directly for next year’s Tokyo Olympics.
As hosts there is to be added pressure on China, who lack a successor to trailblazer Yao Ming, but still look likely to qualify from Group A, which also includes Ivory Coast, Poland and Venezuela.
If that pool is comparatively weak, Group H — comprising Canada, Australia, Senegal and Lithuania — has been dubbed the “Group of Death.”
Canada are led by Nick Nurse, the 52-year-old US coach who had barely finished celebrating the Toronto Raptors’ first NBA title when he agreed to take on the Canada job two months ago.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and