That's right FIBA world, read it and weep. USA rules, you drool.
USA! USA! USA!
The Naismith Trophy is headed back to the nation where basketball was born for the first time since 1994 thanks to the 89-74 demolition of Lithuania in the semifinals and the 81-64 takedown of Turkey in the title game yesterday in front of their home fans in the Sinan Erden Dome.
Oh yeah, Kevin Durant won the FIBA tournament MVP as well.
'B Team' you say? I guess 'B Team' now means 'Best in the World', 'We Beat y'all' or 'soon to be FIBA Number one world ranked ballers'.
To all the European basketball fans who were hatin' on Team USA on the FIBA website and elsewhere, and especially the Serbians, where y'all at? Y'all left Turkey without a medal. Lithuania spanked that behind 99-88 in the bronze medal game, so what's your excuse now?
We'll see y'all in London two years from now assuming you qualify.
While the rest of FIBA world is busy qualifying for London next summer and in 2012, we'll be resting, admiring that beautiful trophy, cheering on the Team USA women as they attempt to do the same thing in the Czech Republic in two weeks and contemplating who will be on the Olympic squad since we got the automatic qualifying slot with it.
You'll also be trying to qualify while we watch Kevin Durant and the rest of the so called 'B team' get stronger, faster, and add more versatility to their games. It also means there will be one more spot available in the FIBA Tournament of the Americas next summer in Argentina.
And more bad news for FIBA world, got more players in the development pipeline.
Check out these results from recent FIBA b-ball tournaments.
FIBA Men's World - GOLD/UNDEFEATED USA
FIBA U-19 World - GOLD/UNDEFEATED USA
FIBA U-18 Americas - GOLD/UNDEFEATED USA
FIBA U-17 Worlds - GOLD/UNDEFEATED USA
FIBA U-16 Americas - GOLD/UNDEFEATED
And I haven't even started talking about the USA women yet, but I will.
Jot this name down for future reference: John Wall.
Y'all thought Russell Westbrook caused your Euroball squads fits, wait until you see John Wall wearing a Team USA jersey at an arena near you.
The new FIBA rules take effect in which you'll have to shoot the three from 6.75 meters (22 feet 2 inches for the metrically challenged), which is getting closer to the NBA 7.23 meter three distance (23 feet 9 inches). You'll have the NBA style rectangular lane and no charge semicirles.
Oh yeah, something else you'll probably see in 2012 is Kevin Durant along with Kobe, LeBron, D-Wade and Chris Bosh from the 2008 Olympic Squad wearing Team USA uniforms.
Congrats to the soon to be FIBA World number one ranked team, and the 2010 World champions.
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