LDoncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Domantas Sabonis, DeAndre Ayton, Davis Bertans, Nikola Vucevic, Danilo Gallinari, Chris Duarte, Yago Dos Santos, Mario Hezonja, Tornike Shengelia, Willy Hernangomez. A good handful of world basketball stars They will search from today until Sunday one of the four vacancies for the Olympic Games. And not all of them will go through the hoop.
Only four of the 24 selections who compete for one of those places will finally be in Paris along with the eight already classified: France (organizer), Australia (Oceania), South Sudan (Africa), Japan (Asia), Canada y USA (America), and Germany y Serbia (Europa).
Will be on one of the most demanding Pre-Olympics in memory and which will be held in four locations around the world (Valencia, Piraeus, Riga and San Juan de Puerto Rico), con two groups of six teams in each of themand of which only the champion will obtain a ticket to the Games.
Doncic or Antetokounmpo… or none
The headquarters of Piraeus (Greece) will house the one who has been baptized as death group. Rarely has the topic been as justified as on this occasion. Slovenia, Croatia and New Zealand. Y Egypt, Dominican Republic and Greece for another. Or what amounts to the same thing, or Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks) o Luka Doncic (Mavericks) will be left out of the Games. Or both if Croatia of Dario Saric (Warriors) y Mario Hezonja (Real Madrid). New Zealandwhich has not been in the Olympic event for 20 years, and Dominican Republicsin Karl-Anthony Towns (Wolves) are capable of surprising Slovenia and Greece.
The Slovenians, to whom only a final plug of Batum prevented them from playing the final of the Tokyo Games 2021 (they finished fourth) they return to the fray. have to Doncic in his squad, even if it is reduced after finishing the season with the Mavs exhausted and with knee and ankle injuries, it is a guarantee. And for his cause they have joined Josh Nebointimidating pivot of Armani Milan (exMaccabi), who will occupy the nationalized position, replacing Mike Tobey.
Spain is favorite… along with Bahamas
In Valencia and supported by its audience, a Spain in reconstruction It’s a little favorite Lorenzo Brown is at his level and his teammates contribute, especially in defense. Lebanon y Angolatheir rivals in the first phase, are a priori very affordable.
Finland (sin su NBA Lauri Markkanen), Poland They seem inferior a priori, but Bahamas, with three NBAs at the top (Blazers center DeAndre Ayton and the Sixers guards Eric Gordon y Buddy Hield), could create problems for him in the semis and in a hypothetical final. They already showed signs of their potential leaving out Argentina in the American Prequalifier after defeating her twice.
Domantas Sabonis, estandarte de Lituania
At the headquarters of San Juan, Puerto Rico is presented as a clear favorite Lithuania of Domantas Sabonis (Kings) despite the absence of Jonas Valančiūnas (new Wizards center). In the first round Ivory Coast y Mexico They don’t seem like rivals at his height.
And in the semifinals or in a probable final Bahrain and the hostess Puerto Rico, neither should they be. Yes, it could present more difficulties Italia of Danilo Gallinari (Milwaukee Bucks).
A growing Latvia is trading on the rise
In Riga the hostess Latviacon Davis Bertans (Hornets) in the lead, starts with a slight advantage due to its progression in recent years. Was fifth in the last World Cup.
The Georgia of Shengelia Storethe Brazil of Yago Dos Santos and the Montenegro of Nikola Vucevic They will resist. l
