2017 FIBA Asia Cup Preview
Picture: Yahoo Sports
The 2017 FIBA Asia Cup is very nearly upon us - which is plenty reason to be excited. Having produced some really exciting basketball in recent years, and with more and more talent emerging from the continent, it's definitely a tournament worth your attention.
Sixteen teams have emerged from regional qualifying competitions, and for the first time the top Oceania teams will also be competing, for a shot at complete continental glory. Zouk Mosbeh, a Mediterranean coastal city, and not far from the Lebanese capital of Beirut, will play home to them all as host of this year's Asia Cup.
The teams will be playing in groups of four, the group winners all advancing to the quarter-finals, with the second and third from each having to play off for the four final spots in the knockout round.
Hosts Lebanon will be utilising their skills handling the ball and shooting from outside the arc, and not just relying on the cheers of the home crowds to propel them through the tournament. Political in fighting has prevented them from reaching their full potential of late, hopefully it won't be a problem when they take to their home court.
They find themselves in Group C, and face a difficult challenge against Korea, who have emerged as a tenacious unit who always manage to find the best chance at scoring while on offence. They’ve put in some highly convincing performances in the last few years and there’s nothing to suggest this will be an exception.
Completing the group are New Zealand, a physical and attacking team who are strong both physically and mentally - playing up close and personal and never giving in - and Kazakhstan, a team that have the strength but lack the speed and stamina needed to be in serious contention. Interestingly, their qualification for this tournament consisted of only a single game.
Defending champions China find themselves in Group B, which looks to be the most difficult of all them all.
The Chinese have long been the dominant force of Asian basketball, but in recent years they have won more through brute force than basketball prowess. What's more, they will be without their superstar Yi Jianlian and Zhou Qi is also absent, leaving Guo Ailun the main attraction this time around. Unless there's been a dramatic change in game plan for this Asia Cup, the writing could be on the wall for China.
Their biggest threat will be from Philippines, one of the most flamboyant teams in the world, and one of the most stylish attacking sides in Asia. They will be without former NBA star Andrey Blatche this year, but plenty of talent remains, including Jayson Castro and 'The Golden Boy of Asia' Terrence Romeo.
A lot of interest will be around Iraq, who are competing in the Asia Cup for the first time in thirty years. Their speed, creativity and resolve saw them reach the semi-finals of last year’s FIBA Asia Challenge, led by outstanding performances from Mohammed Al-Khafaji and naturalised player Kevin Galloway - will they be able to see Iraq out of the group of death?
Finally, Qatar have put on some exceptional basketball in recent years. Their players move the ball around the court really well, they are strong and confident, but ultimately lacking real team cohesion and a consistent game plan. Still, they will be one to watch in Lebanon.
Group A will be headed by one of Asia's biggest teams, Iran, a physically imposing side packed with highly skilled readers of the game. 7'2" centre Hamad Haddadi - an expert defenceman, passer and shooter - has been a big reason for their continued success. They come in to this tournament with their very best players on rostrum, and have their sights set on a fourth gold medal.
Joining them will be India who, in just a short space of time, have grown from a developing side into a disciplined, well-organised and highly defensive unit. Their 'big three' of Amjyot Singh, Vishesh Bhriguvanshi and Aritpal Singh have come on in leaps and bounds - Amjyot was one of the best players in 2015's tournament - and have helped raise the profile of the Indian team.
The group also consists of Jordan, who may appear unassuming, but they are highly skilled, very composed unit that play well together and produce polished, high-quality basketball, and Syria, competing for the first time since 2011. The Syrians will be looking once again to their veteran star Michael “Micho” Mandaly, the top scorer of the 2007 tournament, for inspiration.
Finally, in Group D, the Australia national team – the Boomers – are among the most skilful, energetic and unrelenting teams in the world and are coming off one of their most successful years of play. However, with many big name players missing - Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, Andrew Bogut to name a few - their B-Team will be competing in Zouk Mosbeh. Leading them, though, will be veteran players Brad Newley and David Andersen – playing in his thirteenth tournament for Austraila – who always want to win when they put on the Australia jersey.
Japan handle defensive pressure really well and excel at finding the best shot opportunities while in possession. Makoto Hiejima will be central to their game plan, and Yuki Togashi is set to make his major tournament debut, but what Japan have been lacking most is a strong and consistent star player - maybe one will emerge here in 2017. Their last medal at the Asia Cup came in 1997, and were just six points short of bronze in 2015.
Hong Kong may not be the strongest or most agile side, but they are good at finding open spots on the floor and creating scoring opportunities for themselves, which saw them perform above expectations in the last two editions of the tournament. Finally, Chinese Taipei are something of a wildcard team, either well-organised and executing plays to perfection, or faltering under pressure and appearing naive on offence. They will be without their star, Quincy Davis, will that be an indication of their performance in the tournament
2017 could be the beginning of new things for Asian men's basketball - with new, emerging teams starting to challenge the old guard, and with many big names absent from the tournament, new opportunities could be open to the teams seeking to make names for themselves. Surprises could very well be on the cards in this year's edition of the Asia Cup.
For more, including full fixtures and news, head to the tournament's official website.
