The World Basketball Championships are coming to Turkey next week. As such, here is a simple basic layman's check on each team participating.
China - Still no Yao Ming, so it will be up to Yi Jianlian, the prodigal son Wang Zhizhi and Sun Yue to carry the cudgels. But admittedly, Yao makes this team go and he will be missed terribly. Unless they have something good in the pipeline, the Middle Eastern teams might end the Chinese reign in Asia.
Cote d'Ivoire - They shocked the continent by finishing 2nd in FIBA-Africa. If they pull off a win in this division, that would definitely be a shocker.
Greece - FIBA has made their decision. However, the Greeks are still in contention with the talent they have from top to bottom. Former Jeff Van Gundy benchwarmer Vassilis Spanoulis is the playmaker, with their bigs providing size. Their shortest player is just 6'4". They also have former Gator Nick Calathes. They are the San Antonio Spurs of Euroball.
Russia - No Andrei Kirilenko, but they still have their American PG and Russian passport holder JR Holden. They also have Viktor Khryapa and Sergei Monia who have had NBA experience. And Knick fans, here is your shot of getting to figure out Timofey Mozgov. Jayhawk fans would also want to know that Sasha Kaun is also on the team.
Puerto Rico - If they are getting on track, they will need as much as they can from their two NBA guards in JJ Barea and Carlos Arroyo. They also have former Cane and Clipper draft pick Guillermo Diaz who can light it up. Peter John Ramos and Daniel Santiago make up their size and Nuggets forward Renaldo Balkman can defend. Unfortunately, Arroyo bromance buddy Larry Ayuso was bumped off the team for Diaz.
Turkey - The hosts won't be having Mehmet Okur and former Wolfpack guard Engin Atsur, but the home crowd would be pumped up to know Hidayet Turkoglu will be leading the team. He could surely need a redeeming effort after that horrible year in Toronto for the newest Phoenix Sun. Omer Asik and Semi Erden will tag team the minutes Memo will vacate. Ersan Ilyasova is an emerging star for the Turks after his breakout season with Milwaukee.
Top 4: Greece, Russia, Puerto Rico, Turkey
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