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Shaquille
O'Neal: "When you are 60, hang out with 60-year-olds, not 20-year-olds.
That is all I got to say about Jerry Buss."
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HoopsHype.com Articles Do
it again
THE STAR: Hidayet Turkoglu Turkoglu won't probably lead his team in any statistical department in the World Championship, but he is no doubt the leader in this team. Along with Nowitzki, Stojakovic and Gasol, Hedo was one of the biggest stars in the last European Championships. He is a better player now than he was one year ago, so there is no reason to think he can't be one of the main attractions of the tournament again. His versatility will make him really hard to guard. Ask Rick Fox. THE BACKCOURT: With Kareem Tunceri and Hakan Koseoglu, they are pretty weak on the point guard spot. Hence, you'll see Turkoglu more than once being the playmaker on the floor. He is able to do that and many other things for the team. Meanwhile, Ibrahim Kutluay does just one thing: score. But he is very good at it, especially in first halves. His impact on the game decreases as the minutes go by, but can still be decisive with some of his big shooting streaks. Teams will probably throw their best perimeter defender on him. They'd rather do. Harun Erdanay and Omer Onan will see limited action, but could bring some scoring punch from beyond the arc while Kutluay, the only player who refused to dye his hair blond before the tournament, is on the bench. THE FRONTCOURT: Former Knick Mirsad Turkcan, future Piston Mehmet Okur and center Huseyin Besok will comprise one of the best frontlines in Indianapolis. They have talent, size, mobility and aggressiveness. Turkcan, named MVP of the Euroleague this season averaging nearly 20 points and more than 10 boards per game, and Okur will create matchup problems playing beyond the arc in many occasions. They have the skills to be a threat in the low post, too. Besok has a more limited range, a better built body and can play really nasty sometimes. The Bosnian born Asim Pars will be one of the first replacements coming off the bench. STRENGTHS: The starting lineup is just wonderful. They have character, desire to win and usually perform well under pressure. WEAKNESSES: They play a low-tempo game and don't run the fast break very often. Point guards are reliable, but far from brilliant. Overall, the team lacks depth. With so many games in so few days, the main stars of the team may be a little too tired come the final rounds. WILL PLAY IN... Group B with Lebanon, Brazil and Puerto Rico. PROJECTION: They have a legit chance of clinching bronze. Jorge Sierra is the editor of HoopsHype.com Tell us what you think about this article. E-mail us at HoopsHype@HoopsHype.com _____________________ |
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