Jeff-Taylor-Column
28/09/2014
Jeff Taylor's Eurovision
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Europe shines on Day 1 at Turkey 2014; Blatt era begins

VALENCIA (Jeff Taylor's Eurovision) - The USA men rolled past the competition at the FIBA Basketball World Cup and the same thing may happen for the Americans at the FIBA World Championship for Women.

Who are we kidding? The USA are the best right now. They're moving from strength to strength in international basketball. They seem to be on cruise control.

The defending champions started the World Championship for Women in Istanbul with an 87-56 victory over China on Saturday night.

Full marks should go to China coach Tom Maher and his players because they looked a much improved side from the one that finished third at last year’s FIBA Asia Championship for Women in Bangkok.

For argument's sake, if anyone can beat the Americans, it's a European team.

All but one side from the old continent, France, won on Saturday. Turkey beat them 50-48.

So one of the European sides had to lose.

Spain dominated Japan and won 74-50 and Belarus fought back from a 14-point deficit and won a tricky game against Korea, 70-64.

Serbia cruised by Angola, 102-42, and the Czech Republic knocked off Brazil, 68-55.

China played well and made the decision that if the USA were going to beat them, in the first half anyway, it was going to be with their perimeter game.

The USA had one of those nights where they struggled, shooting 37 percent from the floor in the first half and just 14 percent (one of seven) from the arc.

Tina Charles had seven offensive rebounds and the USA scored 12 second-chance points and led 39-32 at the break.

The USA ended up out-rebounding the Chinese 63-45, with 27 of their boards coming on the offensive glass.

Twenty-four of their points were second-chance.

France, Turkey and Spain wouldn't be favorites but maybe against the USA, if they pack the zone, pull out all stops and prevent the Americans from grabbing offensive rebounds, they would have a chance.

It's easier said than done to box out Charles, Seimone Augustus, Breanna Stewart, Nnemkadi Ogwumike, Brittney Griner, Angel McCougtry, Maya Moore and Diana Taurasi.

But these European teams could at least try to limit the damage inside and force the USA to beat them from outside.

Taurasi was the only player to average almost two made three-pointers per game at the London Olympics.

So, that may be the European teams', or even Australia's, best chance of springing an upset.

A new era for the Cavaliers

It's started.

David Blatt, for years a big hit in Europe, has started practicing with the Cleveland Cavaliers in his first NBA gig.

At the time of his appointment in June, the former Russia national team and Maccabi Tel Aviv coach was taking over a Cavs side that had Kyrie Irving, Anderson Varejao and a youthful squad that was about to add No. 1 pick Andrew Wiggins.

Now, Blatt is running practices that has not only Irving, the MVP of the FIBA Basketball World Cup, but also LeBron James and Kevin Love.

James elected to come home to Cleveland after threewhile the club traded for Wiggins and others for Love.

Blatt has gone from coaching a side that would aim to win a lot of games and reach the playoffs to coaching a team that has to win the title.

While it's early, the signs are good that Blatt, Irving, James and Love are going to be very good together.

Love, who helped the USA beat Blatt's Russia in the Quarter-Finals of the 2010 FIBA World Championship, says things are going to be a lot different for the players if the first workout is any indication.

"It was an interesting practice because he (Blatt) has a greatly different style of European offense that will allow us to do whatever we want with the ball," said Love.

Another good sign for Cleveland has been James' comments on Irving.

After his decision to return home to the Cavs, some wondered if Irving would be able to defer to James.

At the FIBA Basketball World Cup, Irving not only co-existed with other stars but thrived in their company both on and off the court.

He called them "my brothers" and also said he looked forward to returning to the Cavs.

Now back in Cleveland, Irving knows he has James' backing.

"I'll probably handle the ball a little bit, but this is Kyrie's show," James said, when asked who is going to be the go-to man for the Cavs.

"He's our point guard. He's our floor general, and we need him to put us in position to succeed offensively.

"He has to demand that and command that from us with him handling the ball."

This is an exciting time to be a Cleveland Cavalier fan.

I know people in Europe are watching and most are pulling for Blatt to be a success.

The team has chosen to take a different path by bringing in a coach with a history of success in European basketball.

Cleveland has James once again, and it also has the best player from USA's rampage at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Irving.

Jeff Taylor

FIBA

FIBA's columnists write on a wide range of topics relating to basketball that are of interest to them. The opinions they express are their own and in no way reflect those of FIBA.

FIBA takes no responsibility and gives no guarantees, warranties or representations, implied or otherwise, for the content or accuracy of the content and opinion expressed in the above article.

Jeff Taylor

Jeff Taylor

Jeff Taylor, a North Carolina native and UNC Chapel Hill graduate, has been a journalist since 1990. He started covering international basketball after moving to Europe in 1996. Jeff provides insight and opinion every week about players and teams on the old continent that are causing a buzz.