FIBA World Championships - Elimination Round Raptors Update

by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Aug 27, 2006 10:46 AM EDT

Maybe it was Chris Bosh's matchups against Australia.

Maybe it was his comments broadcast throughout the national media.

Or maybe it was simply his recent play in practice and in the US's final pre-elimination round game that dictated the amount of playing time he saw in Team USA's 113-73 crushing of Australia yesterday.

Bosh had his best game of the tourney playing 18 minutes while scoring 12 points and grabbing nine boards. Watching him live, (the game was broadcast last night at midnight on RaptorsTV) it was a joy to see him playing with the confidence and fluidity that he's displayed here in Toronto over the past few seasons. A back-door cut and flush set up by Lebron James was particularly spectacular and seemed to buoy CB4's play for the rest of the match. Bosh even stepped outside to hit a 3 with ease and while the US triumphed easily, many of Bosh's minutes came early in the game when it was still close - an encouraging sign for Raptor fans.

Elsewhere saw Spain take care of Darko Milicic and Serbia & Montenegro 87-75 thanks in part to the Raptors' JosÃ©-Manuel Calderon. Calderon had eight of Spain'st first 13 points and finished with 13 points, four assists and three steals. He was simply too quick for Serbia & Montenegro's defenders driving past them time and time again to either get to the rim (he was three for three from the free-throw line) or draw the defence to find open team-mates.

While Pau Gasol was on the receiving end of many of these Calderon passes so was future Raptor team-mate Jorge Garbajosa. Garbajosa finished with only six points and three rebounds (he simply couldn't get his outside shot to fall going 0 for 4) but he did make six of his eight free-throw attempts and once again, did the little things to help his club get the win.

With Spain and the US moving on, that leaves one other team in the tournament who we've been paying considerable attention to - Slovenia. Housing current Raptors, Rasho Nesterovic and Uros Slokar, the Slovenians were in tight against a tough Turkish squad. Nesterovic had his typical strong game with 14 points, five rebounds and a block but Slovenia lost 90-84.

For Slokar however, the game ended an up-and-down tourney for him in terms of playing time - and nowhere was this more evident than in the final game in which Uros DID NOT PLAY. This must have been incredibly frustrating for the young Raptors' forward but hopefully the tournament experience was not all for naught. Slokar did have some extremely solid games and showed his ability to compete and be successful agains the World's best.

Next up for the remaining three Raptors participating - Bosh and Team USA take on Dirk Nowitzki and Germany while Calderon and Garbajosa help lead Spain against Lithuania.

FRANCHISE

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Bosh really looked good against the Aussies but i think the reason he got so much more PT is because he maintained his foul trouble unlike dwight and elton also he seems more agressive and as soon as he gets the ball he goes up strong. Also his confidence is up Australlia left him wide open from three and he drained it in there eyes. Hopefully we see some dunks on dirk.....

by Huslaz_kidd on Aug 27, 2006 3:35 PM EDT reply actions

It was reported that Slokar's DNP was due to back problems.

But you just have to be happy with everyone else's play. Sure wish Bargnani could have played with that young Italian team.

by Denis on Aug 27, 2006 11:54 PM EDT reply actions

Good to see Bosh break out when he finally got the opportunity, looks like he has found his niche on the team with his hustle and length on defence. Can't see anyone beating this team when it's playing like that.

Bogut surprised me with his skill too.

One other observation - Kirk Hinrich is clearly a better point guard for this team than Chris Paul, if not overall. Hinrich has the clear edge in defence and outside shooting, and probably in running the half-court offence as well. Most important though, he doesn't need the ball in his hands to be effective. With Lebron, Wade, and Anthony around, it just doesn't make sense to have a point guard who's strength is creating off the dribble. Personally, I think Hinrich is probably the leagues most underrated player.

by Simon on Aug 28, 2006 11:17 AM EDT reply actions

Spain looking strong. Hope Argentina will be able to knock them out, for Canada's sake.

by Acie on Aug 29, 2006 4:00 AM EDT reply actions

Acie, I would like to know why you want Argentina to knock out Spain for Canada's sake???

by Marcia on Aug 29, 2006 9:35 AM EDT reply actions

Why Argentina?

Because..."If either team (USA or Argentina) won, that would mean one less competitor for Canada's men's basketball coach to worry about in his team's quest to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics."

by d2 on Aug 29, 2006 4:04 PM EDT reply actions

Another strong performance by Bosh tonight against the Germans. Not much effort on D however, even though he took an offensive foul near the end of the game. If you can, try to find his little dance at the end of the game. It's been all over Japanese TV.

Shame about the empty VIP seats. FIBA could really be making in-roads in Japan by making the game at least look interesting but keep shooting themselves in the foot.

by Acie on Aug 30, 2006 9:06 AM EDT reply actions

Speaking of Beijing 2008, can Canada field a competitive team? What's on the horizon? What will it look like? I love Leo as a broadcaster, but can he coach?

Who will be in the lineup?

Denham Brown (Guard)
Carl English (Guard)
Levon Kendall (Fwd)
Joel Anthony (Guard)
Juan Mendez (Fwd)
Vladimir Kuljanin (Centre)
Andy Rautins (Guard)

Who's in the future?
Olu Ashaolu (Guard)
Devoe Joseph (Guard)
Robert Sacre (Centre)
Junior Cadougan (Guard)
Kai Willaims (Forward)

by Ustation on Aug 30, 2006 11:49 AM EDT reply actions

Just watched the Germany game as well and disagree somewhat with you Acie. I thought Bosh played hard at both ends of the floor. And don't get me wrong. I do think CB4 has to improve on the defensive end. (blocks and rebounds) However, the announcers were gushing over his all-around effort this morning. Melo on the other hand was leaking out early on defense and jacking up a shot every time he touched the ball. He had shot 1 for 9 when the next player on the squad (Lebron) had only shot the ball 3 times. The announcers kept rambling on about how they loved his confidence in his shot. But on this team maybe a pass or two might have been a better idea rather than pull a Kobe-esque all-star game MVP attempt a couple of years ago.
By the way----Garba didn't look that great last night. Oh well. It was only one game.
Also can't find Bosh's dance. Where?

by Sharpy on Aug 30, 2006 11:07 PM EDT reply actions

I watch the game live and Bosh was fantastic, I live in the States and all they talked about was Bosh, he was rebounding, blocking, and scoring and he almost got a steal, the anouncers on ESPN said the past 3 games Bosh was just wonderful, and they are going to need him for the Greece game, the announcers on ESPN said Bosh is going to be very good for the Raptors. I am very proud of him.

by Marcia on Aug 31, 2006 12:27 PM EDT reply actions

I am in Scotland, so I haven't seen any of the worlds, but I dare say the American announcers would be gushing over everyone on their team. I'm happy if they were gushing over Bosh, but if they were gushing over Melo jacking up shots too... really this is just cheer leading for their national team while they win game after game.

What I have found to be the most encouraging by all this, is seeing what adjustments CB4 is making to get his time. He isn't just trying to score more, he is coming out and focusing on D and boards - and that is why he is earning more time! We all know these are the areas he needs the most improvement (his O is fine) and he is earning his burn against some elite competition. I think the first game he started with his confidence building was early on where he got 4 assists in limited minutes. Improving all these aspects of his game only get me more excited to see what he brings to the new season!

by Robert Archibald on Aug 31, 2006 6:29 PM EDT reply actions

Quick.. sign up the entire Greek national team!!

We can be Raptornopolis fans.. OPA!

by Ustat on Sep 1, 2006 9:18 AM EDT reply actions

Well guys I saw the game live on Espn this morning on my way to work and the Greeks were a force to be recon with the US did not have a chance, buttt... the Spaniards are the best, Jorge is a fantastic pick for the Raps, the guy can play the 3s, rebound, block he is just wanderful. I live in the US and all they talk about is how BC has got some dept on the Raps team, Jorge can outright play ball, he is serious he does not take any crap. That guy has already got my respect, and they are a lot of other guys on Spain team that I hope the Raps pick up next season. If you read back I said Spain is going to win the Gold, and I truly believe they will.

by Marcia on Sep 1, 2006 9:40 AM EDT reply actions

Well guys Spain won so it is between Span and Greece, I knew Spain was going to win and I hope the win the Gold. And this is for ACIE, wanted Argentina to win sorry we don't have any Raps that play in Argentina but we do 2 in Spain so as a Canadian and North American I am going for Spain Go Spain!!!!!

by Marcia on Sep 1, 2006 9:49 AM EDT reply actions

Have a good trip back home Bosh-man. A five man guard system just doesn't seem to cut it.

by Acie on Sep 1, 2006 2:13 PM EDT reply actions

i hope we can get 21 year old rudy fernadez if anyone has seen him he can flat out fly imagine a less sthletic josh smith with better steals and shooting the mid-range jumper. fingers crossed...

by Huslaz_kidd on Sep 1, 2006 9:36 PM EDT reply actions