There’s a lot going on in the NBA including professional players throwing down at the FIBA World Cup. This past week, the Americans battled the Greeks with reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo leading Greece. We discuss what happened in that game along with how the USA hasn’t played NBA type basketball throughout the tournament. Also, read up on current NBA future odds.
NBA Updates of the Week – September 9th Edition
USA Beats Greece but Playing Slow Basketball FIBA World Cup
That was a tough game between Giannis, his brother, and his NBA peers last week. Team USA beat the Greeks 69-53. Antetokounmpo had a decent game with 15 points and 13 rebounds, but the USA coach Gregg Popovich didn’t allow Giannis to take over. Greece, noticing that all Giannis was doing was padding stats and that they had no shot of beating the United States, pulled him in the fourth quarter.
Before being pulled, Giannis and his brother, Thanasis, fouled Harrison Barnes hard. The foul led to players from both teams getting into each other’s faces. Eventually, everything settled down. Still, it’s going to be interesting to see how Team USA players and the Antetokounmpos deal with each other once the season starts.
A more important question is…what’s up with the Americans? Coach Pop wants to bring home the FIBA World Cup trophy, yes, but must NBA stars play like they’re on a Big Ten team? Most of the U.S.’s games have resembled a battle between Wisconsin and Michigan State more than an NBA throw down. Pick up the pace and make the Chinese fans cheer why don’t you!
Spain Beats Serbia at FIBA World Cup, Sending Jokic and Co. to USA’s Bracket
Spain beat Serbia 81-69 at the FIBA World Cup early on Sep. 9. That sends Nikola Jokic and Serbia, potentially, to the same bracket with the United States. If Serbia beats undefeated Argentina in the quarters, they most likely will face the U.S. in the semifinals.
The Serbs looked terrible in the loss to Spain. However, the refs sent Jokic to the showers after he picked up his second technical in the third quarter. If Jokic can maintain his composure, Serbia should still remain the top challenger to the United State’s quest for FIBA World Cup glory.
Toronto Hires Youngest Woman NBA Assistant Coach
Defending NBA Champion Toronto hired Brittni Donaldson as an assistant coach. Although the hire happened earlier during the offseason, NBA fans are starting to pay more attention to the hire the closer we get to the start of the season.
Donaldson becomes the tenth woman assistant coach. She’s also the youngest woman assistant coach at only 26-years-old. Eventually, some team in the NBA must take a chance on one of these women assistant coaches to be the head coach of a team.
Expect a Tight NBA MVP Race
Although 2018-2019 NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is a solid +280 favorite to repeat this season, the odds could change as we get closer to the start of the regular season. After Giannis, Steph Curry offers the lowest odds at +550.
James Harden is at +600 while Kawhi Leonard is at +850 and LeBron James is at +800. Giannis, Steph, The Beard, Kawhi, and LeBron all have a shot to win the award. This could especially be true for both Steph Curry and LeBron James.
Both players are itching to prove they can dominate the league. LeBron, especially, wants to put last season’s debacle, his first in Los Angeles, behind him. We shall see once the season starts, but right now Giannis offers underlay odds at +280.
Have a great week!
