World Cup MVP So Far...

Teams at the FIBA World Cup may have only played 3 games, but there have still been some standout performers. Here’s my Race to the MVP Ladder.

5. Kenneth Faried (USA) - Power Forward
14.3 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 81% FG

With the way the USA’s rotation is set up, it’s hard for an MVP candidate to rise from the team. Faried is actually at the top of the minutes per game list for the USA, yet he only averages 23 minutes of court time. Obviously, the USA’s incredibly talented squad is used to playing more minutes than that, so some readjustment is needed, and Faried seems to have coped pretty well. He is incredibly efficient when he has the ball, shooting over 80% from the field. Recording a double double against New Zealand is a feat that should see him keep his place in the team.

4. Goran Dragic (SLOVENIA) - Point Guard
20.3 PPG, 4.7 APG, 71%

The NBA’s 2013-14 Most Improved Player has shown no signs of slowing down his progress towards becoming one of the best point guards in the world. The Phoenix Suns’ man has led his team through tough games against Australia and Mexico, linking up well with his brother Zoran, as well as his other teammates. He even managed to grab 7 rebounds in the game against Australia, a statistic that shows his hustle and dedication to the team. Thanks to his efforts, Slovenia are now seen as dark horses in this tournament, as they’ve already got through to the knockout rounds, after only 3 games.

Pau Gasol (Top), Luis Scola (bottom left) and Gorgui Dieng (bottom right) have all impressed so far.

3. Luis Scola (ARGENTINA) - Power Forward
23 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 61% FG

Luis Scola always performs well at international tournaments (he was named in the All-Tournament Team at the 2010 World Cup), and it doesn’t look like this year is going to be different. He’s looked like a real double double threat every time he steps on court, getting 20 points & 9 rebounds, 30 & 9 and 19 & 7 in Argentina’s three games. His scoring average is only beaten by Pau Gasol. This tournament may be about rebuilding for the Argentinean team, but an old dog is getting the job done.

2. Gorgui Dieng (SENEGAL) - Center
22 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 55% FG

No one expected this. Dieng is playing at his first international tournament for a Senegalese team that only re-formed in February after being banned from all competitions. Yet, despite all of this, he has come to the World Cup and recorded two double doubles in three games. He’s 3rd in points scored and 2nd in rebounds. He is also the most efficient player at the World Cup, leaving players like Pau Gasol trailing in his wake. Of course you have to consider that he is averaging 37.3 minutes per game, but his stats are still very impressive. With Kevin Love leaving the Minnesota Timberwolves, Dieng could find a considerable increase in his minutes back in the NBA.

1. Pau Gasol (SPAIN) - Power Forward
23.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 65.1% FG

Chicago Bulls fans must be watching this tournament with glee. Not only does Derrick Rose look like he’s returned to the performances that won him 2011 MVP, new signing Pau Gasol is playing at his most impressive level in years. Spain are undefeated at the World Cup, and it could be argued that Gasol is the reason behind that. In Spain’s first game against Iran, he recorded 33 points and 8 rebounds, as well as blocking 3 shots. If he brings this form back to the NBA, he could silence his critics, who have been growing after a couple of poor seasons for him.

World Cup Report

4 days and 36 games down in the FIBA World Cup, so it’s time for a news update!

Spain, hosts of this year’s tournament, have already booked their place in the round of 16 after 3 dominant wins. They beat minnows Iran 90-60 before crushing Egypt 91-54 in back to back games. They then put on a clinic against Brazil, out shooting and out rebounding the dark horses, in an 82-63 victory. This loss was a blip in the Brazilian campaign, having performed well in their two other games, beating France by two points before breezing past Iran. They’re joined in second place in group A by France and Serbia, who both still have to play group leaders Spain. As expected, Egypt and Iran prop up the table, without a victory between them.

Joining Spain in the round of 16 will be Greece, who have also won 3 games in a row. A 87-64 rout of Senegal started off their campaign, and it was quickly followed up by a 82-70 win over the Philippines. Another comfortable victory over Puerto Rico secured their berth in the knock-out rounds. With their remaining fixtures being against tougher opponents in Croatia and Argentina, many predict they won’t hold on to the top spot. Both Croatia and Argentina are in joint second place with Senegal in group B, each team picking up 2 wins. These three teams don’t have much of a challenge getting through the group stages with neither Puerto Rico nor the Philippines managing to get a win so far. Argentina and Senegal’s game to finish their respective campaigns is likely to decide who will finish third, behind Croatia who have the easiest run in.

From top left to bottom right : Serge Ibaka (Spain), Nikos Zisis (Greece) , Anthony Davis (USA) and Goran Dragic (Slovenia)

No points for guessing who is top of group C. The USA started as they intend to go on with a 114-55 win over Finland in their opening game. Their performance in the first half against Turkey left many wondering if the team was working, but they clicked later in the game and blew by their opponents 98-77. Another unsurprising victory against a spirited New Zealand side put the USA top with relative ease. The Ukraine have surprised many people this year by beating Turkey and the Dominican Republic on their way to second place in the group. The Dominican Republic join them in second, after beating New Zealand by a comfortable margin before squeezing by Finland in a tense game. Turkey and Finland are in joint third, with a match between them still having to be played. This game could decide who is on a flight back home at the end of the group stages. 

Slovenia look like they could be a dark horse in this tournament, having eased by Australia, Mexico and Korea already in their group. Goran Dragic and his teammates can now look forward to playing in Slovenia’s 3^rd straight knockout rounds appearance. It looks like Australia and Lithuania will be joining them from group D, with Angola and Mexico battling for the fourth, and final, spot. The Boomers beat Lithuania today by 7 points, which added to their crushing 89-55 win over Korea. Only a loss to Slovenia blots their record. Lithuania have done enough to get through, but fans will be hoping that they can step it up in the next round after some lacklustre performances. Both Angola and Mexico need to outdo each other in the final couple of games to seal their place in the knockouts, with Angola having the tougher run-in, having to face Slovenia and Australia. Mexico also have to play Australia, but an easy game against scapegoats Korea may give them the win needed to progress.