FIBA World Cup 2019: Previewing Group E
FIBA World Cup 2019 tips off this week and Group E boasts a vulnerable Team USA and other intriguing teams. What should you know before the games begin?
The FIBA World Cup 2019 will officially begin Saturday and with it 32 of the world’s top teams will compete for prestige and an automatic berth in next year’s Summer Olympics. Four of those teams boasting a strong collection of NBA talent will compete in Group E.
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In contrast to other groups such as A or F, all four of the teams in this group have NBA players. That of course is led by the United States’ entire roster, but Turkey has multiple NBA players and both Japan and Czech Republic have an NBA player suiting up as well.
“Team USA” is of course the biggest story, both for Americans and basketball fans the world over. Under former head coach Mike Krzyzewski the United States’ men’s basketball team lost just one game total in all competitions, winning three gold medals and two World Cups.
This time around new head coach Gregg Popovich will be dealing with a lack of talent and continuity in a competitive FIBA World Cup field.
The biggest challenger in the group stage will be Turkey, but Japan and the Czech Republic will have something to say by the end of the group stage as well. What should fans know about each of these teams and their chances at the competition?