SAITAMA, Japan - International stars have begun preparing for the World
Basketball Championship quarter-finals while wondering if any team can stop an
American juggernaut from rolling to a title.
An unbeaten US collection of National Basketball Association stars led by
LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade has routed foes by an average of
28 points a game, rarely facing a sustained challenge from global rivals.
"They are very talented, gifted and athletic. If they play together, as a
block, they will be tough to beat," said Argentina's Emanuel Ginobili, an NBA
star with the
San Antonio Spurs.
"For us to play them, it would have to be in the final. If we make it there
to see them, we're going to be very happy."
Quarter-final games begin Tuesday with Argentina playing Turkey and Lithuania
facing Spain, led by NBA
Memphis Grizzlies star center Pau Gasol.
"We've been very successful but it doesn't matter," Gasol said. "From now on
we just have to win every game and they're all going to be tough."
The Americans will try to advance on Wednesday against Germany, powered by
star NBA forward Dirk Nowitzki, with the winner to face European champion Greece
or France in Friday's semi-finals.
"They have one of the premier scorers, one of the best players, in our league
in Dirk," James said. "Weve got to do a great job in trying to contain him and
try to make sure we contain some of the others."
Nowitzki sparked the
Dallas Mavericks into the
NBA Finals,
where they lost to Miami. But the power forward has proven he can cope with the
responsibility.
"Dirk knows exactly how to handle pressure. He does it every night. He led
Dallas to the NBA Finals. There's more pressure there than here," said German
captain Ademola Okulaja.
"It's going to be exciting to play the US team. They are great players. We
will see if all those guys come together and play well at the same time. Who
knows, if we catch a good day..."
Ronny Turiaf, a French forward from the NBA
Los Angeles Lakers,
warned that even on their best day some teams will struggle to challenge a
versatile US squad that dominates with defense.
"That will be a hard team to beat, the best young players in the NBA," said
Turiaf. "It's going to be really tough to get them. They made a good adjustment
to the international game. It's tough for anybody to match up with them."
Australia coach Brian Goorjian knows that all too well after the Boomers were
bounced 113-73 in a round-of-16 game.
"I think they have a very good chance of winning that gold medal," Goorjian
said. "They come after you for 40 minutes. They havent lost a game yet and they
are getting better as they go along.
"I just dont know if anyone can physically play like that for 40 minutes."
France is sparked by NBA standout Boris Diaw of the
Phoenix Suns but
it was when San Antonio star guard Tony Parker suffered a broken finger on the
eve of the event that the French team came together.
"We could cry and say, 'Oh no, it's over.' But we didn't do that," Turiaf
said. "Tony's loss has let us realize we are a team. It's time for other guys to
step up."
The Greeks have been winning with a team emphasis for years.
"We showed one more time that we are 12 players that play like a team," said
veteran Vasilis Spanoulis.
Turkey has no NBA greats but a team bond that could threaten Argentina.
"Argentina has much more experience than we do," said Turkish top scorer
Serkan Erdogan. "At this level, a team like Argentina will not feel the
pressure. We feel no pressure either. We will just play our game."
Stopping NBA talent like Ginobili, Andres Nocioni, Carlos Delfino and
Fabricio Oberto will be tough for the Turks just as shutting down Gasol will be
Lithuania's biggest challenge.
"Everyone knows that Gasol is a great player. It's going to be a tough game.
Spain has played impressively," Lithuania guard Linas Kleiza said.
