After the Draw, 3 Experts and 7 burning questions

MANILA (Philippines) - The wait is over for the 32 teams playing at the FIBA Basketball World Cup following Saturday's spectacular Draw in Manila presented by Wanda, where fans were treated to wonderful music, dancing and anxious moments.

Now every national team knows the hurdles to be cleared, at least in the first two rounds, if it is going to challenge for places on the podium.

FIBA writer, columnist and play-by-play commentator Jeff Taylor, who's called World Cup games since 1998, along with veteran FIBA columnist and writer David Hein and veteran FIBA commentator and long-time coach Mark Clark gave this instant reaction to the draw.

So Jeff, which Group is the "Group of Death"?

Rui Hachimura and Japan host Germany, Australia and Finland in a blockbuster Group E

Jeff: I think it has to be Group E in Okinawa with Germany, Finland, Australia and Japan. Every team has superstars. Japan might be the underdog, yet they will be at home. Lauri Markkanen is like Superman for Finland. Yes, Superman! They will embrace the challenge. Germany? We know how good they're going to be. Franz Wagner, Dennis Schroder, Andreas Obst for his deadeye shooting... this is a deep team. I expect Australia to be loaded, yet I think all bets are off in this group.

"Every team has superstars."

- Jeff Taylor

But Group H looks formidable, doesn't it?

Canada will unleash Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Group H opponents Latvia, France and Lebanon

Mark: Group H is a tough group to call as Canada will go into this World Cup with high expectations and pressure but Latvia and France with superstar talent and great depth could again leave Canada underachieving. Latvia in Euro Qualifiers had the chemistry that is needed in tournaments and France have the experience to go very deep into this tournament. It could be another frustrating tournament for Canada.

David: Group H will definitely not be easy. Latvia will be a first-timer but they showed in the European Qualifiers how strong they can be. France will have the pressure to take first in this group but Canada could be a major hurdle if everyone is on board. And France and Canada open up with the first game against each other in really a must-win knowing that only the top two groups through. And Lebanon can just go into the tournament as underdogs and try to upset one of the big teams.

"Group H will definitely not be easy."

- David Hein

Jeff, what do you think of the path in front of the Philippines? Can they shock the World at home?

Can Jordan Clarkson and the Philippines pull it all together and make a run at the World Cup?

Jeff: I think this is a good draw for the Philippines. They can be competitive against all three of their opponents, so the answer is yes. Preparation, focus, coping with pressure at home - these are the biggest questions for the Philippines. Will we see the best version of Gilas? I'm not sure we have seen anything close to their best in recent times. Italy are outstanding and the Dominican Republic are a proven bunch at World Cups when it comes to advancing from the First Round, which they've done twice in a row. Angola will be the underdogs in this group.

"Preparation, focus, coping with pressure at home - these are the biggest questions for the Philippines."

- Jeff Taylor

Mark, we have to talk about the Greece - USA game...

A Greece team that has Giannis Antetokounmpo is frightening, yet can it upset the USA?

Mark: Firstly it will depend on which roster the USA put on the floor, however, whichever team they have, Greece have been threatening to get to the Final Round of tournaments, including the last World Cup. Obviously, the discussion before this match-up will be about Giannis but the Greeks have real talent and a lot of international experience and a very experienced coach (Dimitris Itoudis). If they can get contributions off the bench, they have a shot at not just this game but the whole tournament.

David: I agree, once again, so much attention will be on Giannis. He was so disappointed after Greece lost to USA in the 2019 World Cup and there has to be a certain level of revenge on his mind. He was the freshly crowned NBA MVP back in 2019 before his NBA title and now he has lost in the first round of the NBA playoffs to Miami. So, you have to think he will be laser-focused on that game.

"If [Greece] can get contributions off the bench, they have a shot at not just this game [vs USA] but the whole tournament."

- Mark Clark

Jeff: Because of what happened in 2006, when Greece beat the USA 101-95 in the Semi-Finals, I can never see the USA not being laser-focused to take on the Greeks. They're still hearing about that result many years later! It's been an enormous challenge for Greece, though, to win the big games with one of the best players in the world in Antetokounmpo. If Itoudis or whoever coaches this Greece team doesn't come up with a different approach this year compared to last, it's going to be another disappointment for Hellas.

David, how do you evaluate the draw for the European NBA All-Stars like Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic and Lauri Markkanen?

Lauri Markkanen and Nikola Jokic are two superstars that will be at the World Cup

David: First off, I will say all three of the hosting countries will have numerous NBA superstars to watch and follow - which is great for the game and the fans in those countries and those watching from home. Some of the superstars will definitely really be tested - Lauri Markkanen with Finland as we discussed, the French stars in a tough Group H. Manila fans will love getting to watch Nikola Jokic, and Serbia has a pretty manageable draw for the group stages I think. Luka Doncic and Slovenia cannot overlook any opponents, especially knowing what lurks in the Second Round - namely Group E.

Mark: Jokic could have a defining National Team tournament. The draw has been good to Serbia. They are deep, talented and have a great coach (Svetislav Pesic). Jokic could lead them to the Final.

Jeff: There has not been a hotter player in international basketball and club basketball than Lauri Markkanen, in my opinion. If anyone can put a team on his back and carry it into the Second Round, it's him. Lassi Tuovi, the Finland coach, will desperately need Miro Little to take a step up. He's got serious talent.

For Luka Doncic, there is not a draw that he dislikes. He probably wants to face the toughest opponents and for the stakes to be as high as possible because that's when he takes center stage. With that in mind, Doncic and Slovenia need to be looking at all three Group F games as must-win because the Second Round is going to be tough as hell.

Nikola Jokic could not have asked for a better draw. Serbia can have no excuses if they do not get to the Quarter-Finals. A potential Second Round meeting with Italy, the team that eliminated them at the EuroBasket last year, is on the cards. Serbia should be breathing fire going into this World Cup and it will help if Bogdan Bogdanovic returns.

"Jokic could have a defining National Team tournament."

- Mark Clark

Jeff, what do you think of the draw for the World Champions Spain? They might cross soon with the Group H?

Perhaps no player has had as many floor burns in international basketball history as Spain great Rudy Fernandez

Jeff: Spain received about a good a draw as you can hope for. They have a great shot of getting three wins in Group G and then, yes, it gets tougher in the Second Round, but we're talking about Spain. There is not a more seasoned group of players and coaches that will understand how to cope with the demands of tournament play. So many of us doubted them last year at the EuroBasket with their generational change yet the experience of the coaches, the continuity and the European Qualifiers experience - it all adds up. We saw this as well back in 2019, when they had real concerns about how their tournament would go. They struggled to beat Iran and Puerto Rico and Italy, yet grew as the tournament went on. So I think they are sitting pretty.

"...as someone who doubted Spain last summer, I learned my lesson. It's Spain and they do what Spain do."
- David Hein

Mark: Spain have a path to the Semi, their TEAM, their coaching staff know how to win tournaments. But they are not as blessed with superstar talent as they have been in the past, they need to control Group G and progress as Group winners. Cannot see them not making the Semi-Finals.

David: Spain will be much stronger than last summer if you look at some of the major absences they had at FIBA EuroBasket - the main one being Ricky Rubio (2019 World Cup MVP). Yet El Maestro Sergio Scariolo found a way to lead his team to the European crown. The crossover with Group H will be a challenge, but as someone who doubted Spain last summer, I learned my lesson. It's Spain and they do what Spain do.

Now that the draw is completed, which team will be the dark horse at this World Cup? And why?

South Sudan, who won the hearts of the world by reach the World Cup, may do something even more special

David: My heart really wants to pick South Sudan. They have a doable group but have to be ready from the start as they face Puerto Rico first. Jakarta and Okinawa will be so hard to pick because first off one of Germany, Finland or Australia will not reach the Second Round - same with Canada, Latvia or France. And then those teams cross with Slovenia and Spain. On the other hand, those teams will be battle-tested come the knockout phase - if they can make it. And none of those teams would be a dark horse or surprise really - for those who follow international basketball closely. So, after watching South Sudan in their African Qualifiers - especially them growing up in a matter of months and beating FIBA AfroBasket champions Tunisia twice, let’s go with South Sudan - the Bright Stars will shine in Asia.

Mark: I'm with Dave. South Sudan as well. They have exceptional talent that is more experienced than other teams from the African Qualifiers. A roster that could include NBA talent. Great leadership that expects to be successful. Luol Deng inspires and leads the group. They have improved in leaps and bounds over the qualifiers. On top of their basketball team, they represent more than just the team, as a new nation that has been through an incredible journey. They are representing their nation on a world stage. If I had to add a second pick, I love the way Venezuela compete, they showed great resilience to knock Argentina out and have one of the most inspirational coaches in the World Cup. (editors note: Venezuela, coached by Fernando Duro, split two games with Argentina; former Venezuela and Argentina boss, Nestor 'Che' Garcia is now coach of Dominican Republic and led them to two victories over Argentina in the second round of the Americas Qualifiers.) They (Venezuela) could upset Luka and that could be the momentum they need to go deep.

Jeff: I can definitely see Puerto Rico advancing from Group B and then doing enough to get to the Quarter-Finals. So that would be a dark horse run. Ditto for New Zealand. They will be very tricky opponents for Greece, just as they were in 2019 when the Greeks won by six. That is the key game for the Tall Blacks because if they win against Greece and Jordan, they'd be able to knock off any of the teams in Group D (Egypt, Mexico, Montenegro, Lithuania) ... although in fairness, they could lose to all four of those teams as well.

FIBA