Germany’s basketball players are going to Asia after a strong preparation as one of the tournament favorites for the World Cup. The bronze medal at the European Championships last year should not be considered an exceptional success, the team around NBA playmaker Dennis Schröder is now supporting the increased expectations.
Austin Reaves showed in the last endurance test before the World Cup that he could become one of the stars of the tournament: The Lakers guard scored 16 points in the USA’s 99:91 win over Germany on Sunday evening (08/20/2023) in Abu Dhabi, in just 18 minutes on the floor, underlining his great efficiency for the game.
A few weeks ago it looked as if Reaves could strengthen the selection of the German Basketball Association (DBB) at the World Cup: The 25-year-old from Arkansas with a German grandmother had allegedly already applied for a German passport, and he is now running at the World Cup but still for the USA.
Steve Kerr on the DBB team: “One of the best teams in the world”
For the DBB team, the narrow defeat against the top favorites brought an important insight: Even without the shooting star from the Lakers, they are strong enough to play at eye level with the best in the world at the World Cup. Captain Dennis Schröder’s team was in the lead against the USA for almost the entire season, and in the third quarter even with a lead of 16 points. Only a final spurt by the American NBA selection, led by an unstoppable Anthony Edwards (37 points), restored the balance of power.
At least on this evening, because US national coach Steve Kerr also called the German team a “medal contender for the World Cup” and the “toughest opponent of the preparation”, which included a duel with European champions Spain. “Germany is one of the best teams in the world,” Kerr told dpa. From the mouth of the multiple champion coach of the Golden State Warriors, this can be considered an official seal of approval.
National coach Herbert: Medal as a goal at the World Cup
After the sensational success that was just missed, there was no one on the German team who wanted to defend themselves against the new role of co-favourite. National coach Gordon Herbert attributed the defeat to the USA primarily to the dwindling strength, 24 hours earlier the DBB team had clearly won against Greece in Abu Dhabi. Apart from the USA, the German team only lost in preparation for the World Cup against Canada, the second big favorite for the World Cup, and only unluckily in extra time.
Before leaving for the World Cup in Japan, coach Herbert confirmed that the goal was a medal again, after bronze at the European Championships last year. At the home European Championship, the goal was to build a team, said the national coach at “MagentaSport”, with a good core and working team chemistry. “We did that. Now we want to build on that and bring the team further forward.”
New self-image in the national basketball team
In doing so, the national coach also underscored the new self-image in German basketball, which was not allowed to count itself among the big nations for decades, not even in the days of Dirk Nowitzki. The high demands are now also supported by the players, as Herbert reveals, not only by the always self-confident leader Schröder.
The fuss about the captain’s interview statements about teammate Maxi Kleber, which led to the cancellation of the World Cup by the NBA professional from Dallas, is no longer an issue, the team said recently. In the preparation, the DBB team convinced with great unity and defensive strength, this could become the X-factor at the tournament.
With Moritz Wagner and Bonga – DBB team even stronger
Compared to the European Championship, when the bronze medal was still an exceptional success, the team has gotten better: Moritz Wagner, who was injured last year and who plays in the NBA with his brother Franz in Orlando, and Isaac Bonga are this time included. Bonga in particular showed during the preparation how much he can give the team: with his bite in defense and his octopus arms, with which he repeatedly picks up opposing passes and rebounds.
The rest of the German bronze team has continued to mature: Andreas Obst from FC Bayern is one of the safest long-range shooters in Europe. For the NBA guard around Captain Schröder, Daniel Theis and the Wagner brothers, it is everyday life anyway to hold their own against the best in the world.
Best German team of all time?
Before the start of the World Cup, the basketball bubble kept talking about the best German team of all time competing in a major tournament. In any case, the chance of a real coup seems greater than ever, because many top nations are weakened by prominent failures: Serbia even has to do without its two best, NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic and playmaker Vasilije Micic.
Jamal Murray, the second big star in Denver’s championship team alongside Jokic, had to withdraw from Canada shortly before the start of the World Cup. France is missing NBA MVP Joel Embiid and child prodigy Victor Wembanyama, and Spain’s playmaker Ricky Rubio has also canceled the World Cup. And Greece should have nothing to do with the medal award without superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Tricky preliminary group with Japan, Australia, Finland
With a view to the competition, the German team can count itself among the favorites. However, the extremely tricky preliminary round group is causing concern. The difficult game against hosts Japan awaits in Okinawa on Friday (2:10 p.m./live ticker at sportschau.de). On Sunday, the anticipated final for group victory against the Australians, who are lined up with experienced NBA cracks, is coming up before Finland with NBA all-star Lauri Markkanen awaits at the end.
Only the two top-placed make it into the second group phase, the points from the preliminary round are carried over. For a good starting position, the German team should aim to win the group, especially since there will in all likelihood be a duel with Luka Doncics Slovenia in the second round. For a World Cup favorite, on the other hand, no challenge should be too great.
2023-08-21 10:02:33
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