Group A consists of Argentina, France, Lebanon, Nigeria, Serbia & Montenegro and Venezuela, and is headlined by San Antonio Spurs stars Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.
Group A, Part One
Games will be conducted in Sendai, Japan from August 19th to 24th.
Read more about the 2006 FIBA World Championship tournament at the informative official website Fiba.com
Argentina
The Star:
Manu Ginobili, 6-6, SG, San Antonio Spurs, 29 years old
Jonathan Givony
Despite initially deciding to leave the Argentinean national team for what became a two year absence from international play following their Olympic triumph in Athens, Ginobili is back in his native countrys uniform, claiming that he missed playing for the national team.
No other player in this tournament is more important to his teams chances besides possibly Dirk Nowitzki to Germany, not just for what he brings on the court, but what he brings off it. The same things that make Ginobili one of the most efficient scorers in the NBA2nd amongst NBA guards in points per shotalso make him one of the best teammates anyone can ask for, as the San Antonio Spurs would readily tell you.
He has outstanding leadership skills and is incredibly unselfish with the way he creates shots for others, not to mention one of the highest basketball IQs of any player in the world. Being more than just a fantastic passer and shot-creator, Ginobili is one of the most unique and entertaining players the World Championship organizers could have asked for, and his presence along with his fantastic set of role-playing teammates make Argentina one of the leading favorites to come away with the gold when taking their chemistry and sheer talent into consideration.
Ginobili is first and foremost a slasher. His outstanding first step and ball-handling skills make him a threat to break defenses down off the dribble unexpectedly and finish with creative lefty flair amongst the trees. He gets to the free throw line at will and has the court vision to make breathtaking passes in the rare occasion that knifing through the lane is not quite an option.
What will be interesting to see is how he adjusts to the different style of refereeing in international play, where hand-checking is more tolerated and slashing guards in his mold dont have the same built in advantage as they do in the NBA. The good news for Argentina is that Manu has quietly become an effective 38% shooter from behind the NBA arc, which makes him even tougher to guard when considering the fact that hell be shooting the equivalent of mid-range jumpers for his International 3-point attempts. This ability to hit long range will be tested by his opponents, but if an open shot isnt there, dont expect Manu to try and force things.
To further emphasize the talent gap he enjoys over almost every player here in Japan, we must mention his outstanding perimeter defense, having the quickness to stay in front of any guard at this level, the tenacity to make this a point of emphasis and the savvy to know how to step in and take the charge/flop if his matchup tries to over-penetrate.
This championship will be a great opportunity for Ginobili to show the world that he can be a legit go-to guy without the presence of a player in the mold of Tim Duncan, but he will hardly do it on his own, having to rely heavily on the inside presence of Luis Scola and Fabricio Oberto as well as the playmaking skills of Pablo Prigioni and Pepe Sanchez.
No other player in this tournament is more important to his teams chances besides possibly Dirk Nowitzki to Germany, not just for what he brings on the court, but what he brings off it. The same things that make Ginobili one of the most efficient scorers in the NBA2nd amongst NBA guards in points per shotalso make him one of the best teammates anyone can ask for, as the San Antonio Spurs would readily tell you.
He has outstanding leadership skills and is incredibly unselfish with the way he creates shots for others, not to mention one of the highest basketball IQs of any player in the world. Being more than just a fantastic passer and shot-creator, Ginobili is one of the most unique and entertaining players the World Championship organizers could have asked for, and his presence along with his fantastic set of role-playing teammates make Argentina one of the leading favorites to come away with the gold when taking their chemistry and sheer talent into consideration.
Ginobili is first and foremost a slasher. His outstanding first step and ball-handling skills make him a threat to break defenses down off the dribble unexpectedly and finish with creative lefty flair amongst the trees. He gets to the free throw line at will and has the court vision to make breathtaking passes in the rare occasion that knifing through the lane is not quite an option.
What will be interesting to see is how he adjusts to the different style of refereeing in international play, where hand-checking is more tolerated and slashing guards in his mold dont have the same built in advantage as they do in the NBA. The good news for Argentina is that Manu has quietly become an effective 38% shooter from behind the NBA arc, which makes him even tougher to guard when considering the fact that hell be shooting the equivalent of mid-range jumpers for his International 3-point attempts. This ability to hit long range will be tested by his opponents, but if an open shot isnt there, dont expect Manu to try and force things.
To further emphasize the talent gap he enjoys over almost every player here in Japan, we must mention his outstanding perimeter defense, having the quickness to stay in front of any guard at this level, the tenacity to make this a point of emphasis and the savvy to know how to step in and take the charge/flop if his matchup tries to over-penetrate.
This championship will be a great opportunity for Ginobili to show the world that he can be a legit go-to guy without the presence of a player in the mold of Tim Duncan, but he will hardly do it on his own, having to rely heavily on the inside presence of Luis Scola and Fabricio Oberto as well as the playmaking skills of Pablo Prigioni and Pepe Sanchez.
The Upside:
Walter Herrmann, 6-8, SF, Unicaja Málaga or Charlotte Bobcats?, 27 years old
Luis Fernandez
We have dealt with Walter Herrmann many times here in DraftExpress, to the point that hes apparently finally getting his shot this upcoming season in the NBA. Hes guy who despite sometimes having looked on the verge of international stardom, has become pretty clear now that he has settled down into a complementary role. Thats how he looked in Unicaja Málaga this season while helping his team to win the ACB League, and thats how he looks playing for his native Argentina.
Herrmann draws attention because of his excellent physical set, which is truly NBA caliber. He has the right size for a small forward, hes strong, enjoys a good wingspan and amazingly big hands that allow him to snatch the ball out the air like a tennis ball. Hes also an athletic guy who gets rather easily off his feet.
Offensively, were basically talking about a finisher. He has a nice perimeter shot, but its a static one and he needs space to effectively knock it down. He looks pretty well for the open corner to deliver them when being left alone.
He has a very basic mid-range game, especially off the dribble. If he attempts a slashing move, its usually to go all the way to the basket and take advantage of his big right hand to leave the ball in the net. even against opposition. His ball handling is average, but enough to penetrate if it doesnt mean changing directions in the process. Defensively, Herrmann perhaps lacks a bit of lateral movement to battle quicker wings, but he can usually get the job done relying on his excellent physical set.
On a team like Argentina, with a rotation that is pretty well settled and with Andres Nocioni ahead of him, its not likely that he will enjoy any major role. Instead he will likely settle for a few minutes here and there every game off the bench, perhaps trying to become an offensive spark just like he was in the last Olympic semifinal against the US Team. Still, it looks like Carlos Delfino will enjoy significantly more action off the bench on the wings than him.
Herrmann is on the verge of signing with the Charlotte Bobcats. Apparently theres already a verbal agreement, so he will join his countrymen Ginobili, Nocioni, Delfino and Oberto in the NBA.
Herrmann draws attention because of his excellent physical set, which is truly NBA caliber. He has the right size for a small forward, hes strong, enjoys a good wingspan and amazingly big hands that allow him to snatch the ball out the air like a tennis ball. Hes also an athletic guy who gets rather easily off his feet.
Offensively, were basically talking about a finisher. He has a nice perimeter shot, but its a static one and he needs space to effectively knock it down. He looks pretty well for the open corner to deliver them when being left alone.
He has a very basic mid-range game, especially off the dribble. If he attempts a slashing move, its usually to go all the way to the basket and take advantage of his big right hand to leave the ball in the net. even against opposition. His ball handling is average, but enough to penetrate if it doesnt mean changing directions in the process. Defensively, Herrmann perhaps lacks a bit of lateral movement to battle quicker wings, but he can usually get the job done relying on his excellent physical set.
On a team like Argentina, with a rotation that is pretty well settled and with Andres Nocioni ahead of him, its not likely that he will enjoy any major role. Instead he will likely settle for a few minutes here and there every game off the bench, perhaps trying to become an offensive spark just like he was in the last Olympic semifinal against the US Team. Still, it looks like Carlos Delfino will enjoy significantly more action off the bench on the wings than him.
Herrmann is on the verge of signing with the Charlotte Bobcats. Apparently theres already a verbal agreement, so he will join his countrymen Ginobili, Nocioni, Delfino and Oberto in the NBA.