FIBA World Cup: USA vs Poland 31:28

What's the word from the IMF sportsbook regarding our chances?

He says you should be asking those kinds of questions at the IMF sportsbook

On our subforum™ ☕

He’s probably an expert on that, considering he used to hang out with his buddy who owns one of those high-speed fiber networks.

Miller is going to absolutely tear through the Polish defense. He hasn't even played a real game yet, but this is finally his moment to shine.

Things have never been particularly easy when we go up against the Poles, though we usually find a way to come out on top... My real concern, however, is what happens next. If we manage to grind through this matchup, we’re going to be absolutely spent, and then we’ll have to face the Danes while we're completely exhausted. That's when they'll just tear us apart. Historically, those games against Poland have always been the most grueling physical battles on the schedule... Drago needs to step up and relieve Dom Duvnjak whenever he gets the chance today, just to keep him fresh.

David Mendoza98 said:We’ve never really had an easy time against Poland, but we usually come out on top... my worry is that if we grind through them, we’re gonna be totally gassed when we face Denmark. These guys today might just steamroll us... matches against Poland are always such a physical nightmare... I guess Drago needs to give Dom Duvnjak a breather whenever he gets the chance today...

I doubt there’ll actually be a chance for that today. They barely gave him any rest against those limited Russians, and the second he stepped off the court, everyone started panicking.

I really wish Drago would get more minutes today... what's the point of having the most experienced player on the roster if you're only giving him scraps of playing time?
In my opinion, the coach’s approach is borderline disrespectful. It feels like just another version of how they handled Ivano Balić, though maybe this looks slightly more humane since he actually gets a few seconds on the court every now and then.

I’m calling it now—this game will be decided somewhere between the 30th and 45th minute.

We walk away with a 26-24 win in the end.

Look, the guys just need to play the way they know best...

When the coach calls a timeout for a quick break—just to clear their heads and grab a snack—they really ought to just tune him out and decompress.

If you look back at those games against Sweden, France, and Russia, we couldn't score a single point on the possession immediately following his timeouts. We almost handed the win to Sweden because of one of his "brilliant" tactical moves.

George Ward7 said:I have a suspicion we might see an opening for that today. They were clearly trying to give him a bit of a breather against those limited Russians, because the second he stepped off the court, total panic set in.

Look, Drago, let's be honest... when he's out there playing, there would be absolute chaos even if the opposition showed up with nothing but a goalie on the floor.

Slavko knows exactly what he's doing. He always seems to find his way to the podium right when the medals are being handed out, doesn't he? I have a feeling this time will be no different.

We don't need some miracle play to beat those Poles without having a heart attack in the final minutes.

Our pace is just superior. We’ve got the transition game, the fast breaks, and then there's Dom Duvnjak playing center—those heavy-set Polish defenders struggle to slow him down once he gets momentum, unless they resort to fouling...

Honestly, given how high the stakes are, it might be safer if Goluza draws up a scheme that doesn't rely solely on that aggressive transition and the big man in the paint. It feels more "secure" that way. Even in a grinding 6-on-6 set offense, we hold our own, but in games like this, everything boils down to which goalie is having a career night or which shooters are hitting their marks. If things go sideways, it could easily slide in favor of the Poles...

Look at what happened to Austria; they completely choked against the Mexicans during the opening round. Instead of running circles around them, they tried to play a slow, methodical game and ended up losing, even though their whole identity is built on that high-speed style...

Maybe Sliškovic could pull an ace up his sleeve today. I really hope he gives him a shot because, honestly, Bicanic has been playing like absolute trash lately.

Does anyone happen to have a live link for watching this on a phone?? 🤷

You can catch the stream on YouTube

frozenharbor20 said:it's being streamed over on YouTube

thanks 🙏

Sweden beat France, and now the commentator is claiming if we play for a draw, the French are going to be celebrating on the dance floor... but wait, wouldn't they be dancing just as hard if we managed to beat Poland too?

another one

🤣
I suspect Drake might be one of those fair-weather fans, just out there misleading the public.