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| WEEK I: 2015 FIBA ASIA Championship Power Ranking |
DESTINATION CHINA 2015
The 2015 FIBA Asia Championship will take place in China from 23
September to 03 October.
CHANGSHA (2015 FIBA Asia Championship) - In the lead-up to the
2015 FIBA Asia Championship on September 23, FIBA.com experts will be ranking
the 16 teams bound for Changsha, China, based on their respective player
compositions and preparations for the biennial tournament.
FIBAdotcom. Though these rankings are entirely based on out
experts' opinions and have no mathematical or theoretical grounding, keep in
mind that player injuries, eligibility issues, training camp reports, and
pre-tournament game results will all have considerable impact.
WEEK I - 2015 FIBA Asia Championship Power Ranking
Iran
Iran are the defending champions. Team Melli is expected to be
very strong again this year with the same old faces doing the same amount of
damage to their foes. Yes, Iran got beaten by China's B Team twice a couple of
weeks ago, but they have remained healthy as of late. They have also been
dominant in the 2015 William Jones Cup, winning their first four games by an
average of 24.3 points.
China
China have been training since March, and the injuries might be
taking a toll. As of now, star player Yi Jianlian is still resting and has not
yet rejoined the team. Still, this team maybe has the biggest size in the
field, and they have homecourt advantage throughout the entire tournament.
China is renowned for playing a notch or two better at home, so they are in
great shape. Also, an upcoming 4-nations tournament with Jordan, Lebanon, and
the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will help.
Korea
The Koreans went 1-1 against Chinese Taipei in two tune-up games,
losing the first game by 3, but then proceeding to blow Chinese Taipei out in
the second game. Korea’s strengths are supposed to be its depth and
consistency, but these haven't been in full display in the 2015 Jones Cup,
where the team has lost two of five games.
Philippines
Despite half of the team that played in the 2014 FIBA Basketball
World Cup missing, the Philippines got a big boost this past week with the
possibility of LA Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson suiting up. Their trip to
Estonia yielded a lot of learnings, and they have racked up some impressive
wins in the 2015 Jones Cup. Momentum seems to have swung, and things are
improving for Gilas Pilipinas.
Chinese Taipei
A win over the Koreans has done wonders for Chinese Taipei's
current level of confidence, and they have been playing quite well at home in
the 2015 Jones Cup. They are relatively healthy (save for an injury to Jet
Chang), and are primed to be a sleeper contender when the FIBA Asia
Championship begins. One knock, however, is the possibility that this may be
star playmaker Lin Chih-Chieh's final campaign with the national team.
Kazakhstan
The Snow Leopards are currently in Lithuania for their training
camp and tune-up games. Big things are expected from this team after they
finished among the top four in last year's Asian Games WITHOUT naturalized
guard Jerry Johnson. With him back in the fold and with training in full swign,
things should continue to look up for the Kazakhs.
Lebanon
Loren Woods has been the confirmed naturalized player for the
Cedars, and he looked solid in their
tune-up games in Europe. This dampens the worries connected to his age
and the fact he is fresh from an injury that sidelined him for much of the past
LBL season. The rumors about Fadi El Khatib's having trouble securing a release
from his CBA squad persists, though.
Japan
There is palpable excitement about this Japanese team, especially
with former NBA player Yuta Tabuse leading the pack. Good results against a
Czech Republic select team augur well for the team, and though their Jones Cup
campaign hasn't been spectacular, there are noticeable flashes of brilliance.
Of course, not having star big man Kosuke Takeuchi still hurts..
Jordan
Coach Rajko Toroman had to cancel an international training camp
for his boys because of budget constraints, but that doesn’t mean Jordan won't
be a force to be reckoned with. With veterans Zaid Abbas and Sam Daghlas back
to lead the team, look for Al Nashama to be a tough nut to crack again this
year. Also, they have confirmed participation in a 4-nations competition in
China next week.
Qatar
Iconic player Yaseen Musa has officially retired and top local PG
Mansour El Hadary still doesn't look fit enough from his ligament tear injury.
Tired old veterans like Erfan Ali Saeed and Daoud Musa Daoud will have to carry
the slack along with emerging scorer Khalid Suliman Abdi and returning
naturalized player Trey Johnson, who looks half a step slower than he used to
be.
Palestine
I’m excited to see the Palestinians play in their first-ever FIBA
Asia Championship, but I’m not too excited about their chances. They are good
enough to place second in Group B, but every game after that is going to be a
major uphill battle. With Omar Krayem and Nicola Fadayel back in the team,
however, this may just be the best Palestine team ever assembled.
India
India were supposed to explode into prominence this year, but the
departure of Scott Flemming and Satnam Singh Bhamaras decision to focus on his
NBA prospects both cast a shadow over India’s chances of making a dent in
#FIBAAsia2015. Still, if the terrific trio of Vishesh Bhriguvanshi, Amjyot
Singh, and Amrit Pal Singh can play really well, anything can happen.
Kuwait
Nothing much from this Gulf nation, but their not-so-bad showing
in the 2014 Asian Games promises that they will be, at the very least, a
competitive bunch who should still make it out of Group B ahead of the teams
below them here. Watch out for spitfire guard Ahmad Al Baloushi.
Hong Kong
Even at full strength, Hong Kong will have a lot of trouble in
Group B, but I’m not even sure if key guys like Lo Yi Ting and Lee Ki will
play. Guys like Duncan Reid and Chan Siu-Wing will need to step up. Needless to
say, Hong Kong will not be expected to make any ripples in the big tournament.
Singapore
Fresh from winning the bronze medal in the 2014 SEA Games,
Singapore’s confidence is at an all-time high. That, however, will not be
enough for them to beat any team in Group C.
Malaysia
Filipino coach Paul Advincula recently proclaimed that his boys
are ready and won’t back down from any challenge in #FIBAAsia2015. That’s a
good attitude to have for a team that, in all possibility, may finish dead
last.
WEEK II - September 08, 2015 FIBA ASIA Championship Power Ranking
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| FIBA ASIA Championship Power Ranking: Week 2 |
FIBAdotcom. In
this edition of the Power Ranking, many of the teams have already had more than
a few tune-up games, with a handful actually playing in the 2015 William Jones
Cup. Several teams have also finalised their 12-man rosters for the FIBA Asia
Championship, and this should give us a clearer picture of where they stand.
Iran
Iran just buried the competition in the 2015 William Jones
Cup, winning all but one of their games en route to annexing the championship.
Both Hamed Haddadi and pint-sized Mahdi Kamrani were also named to the
tournament’s Mythical Five. This bodes well for the defending champions, who
are expected to dominate the proceedings once again in Changsha. Oh, and did we
mention that the team’s top forward, Samad Nikkhah Bahrami, didn’t even play?
China
China have been quiet of late, choosing to hold training
camp at home after a series of tune-up games abroad. Yi Jianlian’s tired body
is recovering nicely, but promising young playmaker Liu Xiaoyu appears to be
sidelined with a stiff back, which is probably why he was left out of the final
12-man team. With Yi playing alongside Wang Zhelin, Zhou Qi, and Li Muhao,
coach Gong Luming easily has the biggest team in the competition.
Philippines
The Filipinos move up one spot owing to their inspired play
in the Jones Cup, where they won six of eight games and finished second
overall. And they did that WITHOUT Andray Blatche and Jordan Clarkson, who is
still seeking a release from his NBA club to join the Philippine national team.
Coach Tab Baldwin has proven before that he can bring the best out of any
player under his wing, and that is slowly shaping up to be the case in Manila.
Chinese Taipei
Chinese Taipei placed on the podium in the Jones Cup right
behind Iran and the Philippines, and they are set to have one more pocket
tournament by the week’s end. It sure looks like coach Chou Jun-San is leaving
nothing to chance as his team are in the tournament’s toughest preliminary
group and are pressured to build on their top four finish in 2013.
Korea
The Koreans were very inconsistent in the Jones Cup,
eventually winding up in fifth place. Swingman Yoon Ho-Young looks doubtful for
the FIBA Asia tourney, and star guard Kim Sun-Hyung has been suspended for
suspected involvement in game-fixing issues back home. It hasn’t been the best
of weeks for this perennial powerhouse, which is why they slide two spots.
Jordan
Jordan are fresh from a two-game bashing of West Asian
rivals Palestine, and are set to join a four-nation pocket tournament in China.
Stalwarts Zaid Abbas and Sam Daghlas reportedly didn’t even play in their twin
wins over the Palestinians, so their addition in China should make coach Rajko
Toroman’s squad that much stronger.
Japan
Japan had a very slow start in the Jones Cup, losing their
first five games, but they regained their bearings and wound up winning two of
their last three assignments to avoid the cellar. There is much improvement to
be done, sure, but one has to love the fact that despite not having star center
Kosuke Takeuchi and having no naturalised player, Team Hayabusa continues to
compete and put a scare in other teams.
Kazakhstan
The Kazakhs are still reportedly in basketball hotbed
Lithuania, honing their skills and sharpening their shooting away from the
prying eyes of their continental opponents. That should serve them well once
they get to Changsha, where they are bound to encounter very tough opposition
in the tournament’s Group of Death.
Qatar
Qatar, given their size, talent, and experience, are
expected to give Kazakhstan (and many other teams) quite a difficult time in
the FIBA Asia Championship. They have currently been sighted in Manila, playing
a couple of PBA clubs in tune-up games before flying out to China for the real
thing. Mohammed Yousef, Khalid Suliman Abdi, and Trey Johnson are the ones
expected to carry this team in the expected absence of Yaseen Musa and Mansour
El Hadary.
Lebanon
Lebanon were expected to join the Philippines, Chinese
Taipei, and a New Zealand club in the four-nation MVP Cup in Manila, but they
reportedly backed out in favor of joining the four-nation tourney in China,
from which they also backed out. Additionally, iconic player Fade El Khatib’s
release from his CBA club hasn’t reached a resolution yet. In short, the Cedars
are in limbo.
Palestine
Yes, Palestine got plastered by Jordan in a couple of
tune-up games, but they can only get better, right? They fly to China to join
the hosts, Jordan, and the UAE in a four-nation competition that should give
the Palestinians an opportune time to continue jelling as a team. This is still
a potentially dangerous squad when the FIBA Asia Champinship begins.
Kuwait
This competitive and perhaps underrated team has, like
Qatar, been spotted in Manila, playing against a couple of PBA clubs in tune-up
contests. Kuwait should benefit greatly from that, but that won’t address their
biggest problem — the lack of size. This team reportedly has just one player
standing taller than 196cm (6ft 5in). Yikes.
India
Nothing much from India except for the fact that they have
no confirmed head coach yet and two rival factions threaten the stability of
their national federation. Still, with both Amjyot Singh and Amrit Pal Singh
being signed anew by a Japanese semi-pro team, one cannot deny that there is
talent here to maybe spring a couple of upsets.
Hong Kong
With not much coming out of Hong Kong about their team’s
preparations for the FIBA Asia Championship, it’s reasonable to suspect that
they won’t fare as well as they did in 2013, when they managed to advance to
the second round. Even if they bring in guys like 204cm (6ft 9in) Duncan Reid,
Fong Shing Yee, Lo Yiting, and Lee Ki, it’ll be tough for Hong Kong to make any
sort of splash in China.
Malaysia
Unbeknownst to many, Malaysia were the second-best team in
the 2015 SEABA Championship, and though they’re young and raw, the Malaysians
are still hoping they can maybe spring a surprised in a game or two. To say
that it’s highly unlikely, however, is a gross understatement.
Singapore
Coach Neo Beng Siang is ruing the fact that he can barely
have enough people to have a scrimmage in practice. This team was very far from
being the strongest already, but hampered training camp only serves to make
things worse.
Preliminary Round
Reference:
FIBAdotcom
Photo source FIBAdotcom
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