2023-08-23 04:20:59
In the year before the Olympics, the willingness of the stars for a basketball world championship is put to the test. Some top performers canceled for the big event in Asia.
For basketball players – especially for those from the North American professional league NBA – a World Cup is by far not as important as in other sports. Accordingly, some stars have decided not to start in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines. An overview of game ends and missing:
Who’s in?
Luka Doncic (Slovenia): The Dallas Mavericks star player is likely to be the face of this World Cup in the absence of many other reputable players. Doncic (24) wants to lead Slovenia to its first World Cup medal ever and build on the European Championship title from 2017. It will depend particularly on him for that.
Rudy Gobert (France): Last NBA season, Gobert (31) made headlines with a physical attack on a teammate. But the 2.16 meter giant is also valuable in sport and is considered a key player for France, who came second in the European Championship, because of his outstanding defense.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada): Like Slovenia star Doncic, Gilgeous-Alexander made it into the so-called first team of the NBA – so he is one of the absolute elite in the best league in the world. The 25-year-old is expected to lead the extremely talented team of Canadians to a medal.
Dennis Schröder (Germany): In the NBA, Schröder is more of a role player, in the German national team he is the undisputed boss. The playmaker (29) wants to build on his strong European Championship and was in excellent shape during the pre-season.
Who is missing?
Numerous US stars: You won’t find the really big names like LeBron James, Kevin Durant or Stephen Curry at the World Cup. The USA compete with a gifted ensemble of youngsters. Winger Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves is the clear number one on Steve Kerr’s team.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece): The “Greek Freak” will miss the World Cup following an operation on his left knee. Antetokounmpo said he is currently unable to reach the level he wants. Without the Milwaukee Bucks star, Greece’s chances of winning a medal are drastically reduced.
Champion duo from Denver (Serbia and Canada): In June, Serbian Nikola Jokic and Canadian Jamal Murray celebrated Denver’s first NBA championship together. Both are now pausing at the World Cup. The reason for this is also the long season, the Nuggets played 102 competitive games before winning the title – and want to be fresh in 2023/24 to defend the title.
picture series
Who is missing, who is playing? The Stars at the Basketball World Cup
Super talent Wembanyama (France): The 2.18 meter tall Victor Wembanyama is called “Alien” and is considered the biggest promise in the NBA since LeBron James. In order to be able to prepare ideally for his first season with the San Antonio Spurs, Wembanyama is sitting out the World Cup – and is hoping for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
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