FIBA Americas - First Round review (FIBA Americas Championship 2007)

LAS VEGAS (FIBA Americas Championship) – The FIBA Americas Championship began with an early surprise, when Mexico defeated Puerto Rico, a historic victory for the Mexicans who, for a long time, were winless against the Puerto Ricans. However, the surprises stopped there. The teams from USA, Brazil, and Argentina met everyone’s expectations.

The local team, with Kobe Bryant in their roster for the first time, made a great display of their intentions of placing USA at the top of basketball world, after seven years of defeats (2002 – 2006 World Championships, and the 2004 Olympic Games). And what a display, with their three-headed monster, Bryant-James-Anthony, working in full gear, they defeated their rivals by an average of 48.5 points.

Mike Krzyzewski had the chance of rotating the players, finding great support on the shooting skills of Michael Redd, and the strength of Amare Stoudemire. Not even Brazil stood a chance against USA, losing by 37 points (113-76). Carmelo Anthony was their best player, with 21.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.

Brasil was the second team in their group playing that didn’t play as expected, relying too much in Leandrinho (21.3 points per game), even though they did win three games on their own right, having to employed themselves to the fullest again Canada and Virgin Islands. Tiago Splitter, Marcelinho, and Nene were the other three main offensive options for Coach Lula Ferreira.

Canada promised more, but after losing to Brazil, they couldn’t turn around the situation, in spite of great performances from Juan Mendez (12.5 points) and Samuel Dalembert (12 points and 7 rebounds per game).

Venezuela, arriving to this tournament right in the middle of a renewal process (the average age of the team is less than 23 years), qualified for the second round, while Virgin Islands was eliminated.

In the other group, Argentina finished the first round undefeated, although been forced to play to their full capacity in some of the games. The team improved from game to game, finding support in their two main figures: Luis Scola (17.3 points and 8.3 rebounds) and Carlos Delfino (14.8 and 6.5), although the team always found answers from other players in Paolo Quinteros (13.5 points), Lo Grippo (10 points), Gonzalez (9.8), or Gutierrez (9.7), and always under the steady hand of Pablo Prigioni (10.8 points and 6.8 assistants).

The next team was the tournament’s surprise. Uruguay, who got to Las Vegas expecting to win only a game, took three instead and now see the qualification for the FIBA World Pre-Olympic as a possibility. Esteban Batista (23 points and 14.5 rebounds) and Nicolas Mazzarino (19.8) are the main figures fueling Uruguay’s hope.

Puerto Rico has been one of the biggest surprises in the tournament, but for all the wrong reasons. Their only win was against Panama, and Carlos Arroyo, Peter John Ramos, and Jose Barea haven’t met their fans’ expectations.

Mexico started with a big win over Puerto Rico, but failed to fulfill their potential with each game that passed by, all of this in spite of a great tournament for Romel Beck (22.8 points). Inconsistency and offensive disorder have been their trademarks throughout the competition.

Last, Panama, after losing by 41 to Puerto Rico, challenged every team, even taking Argentina to overtime. They weren’t able to keep their advantage when they faced Uruguay, and wasted a golden opportunity against Argentina.

Fabian Garcia
FIBA Americas