Field Given 3-1 Odds vs USA at 2019 FIBA World Cup
- Zion Williamson, Damian Lillard and DeMar DeRozan have all pulled out of the USA roster for the upcoming FIBA World Cup
- The USA has won the past two titles are are favored to do so again
- Books are offering +300 odds on the field against the roster-depleted USA. Is it worth a wager?
Star players are rapidly removing themselves from consideration to play for Team USA at this summer’s FIBA World Cup.
Is the USA in trouble? Or do they simply have too deep a well of basketball talent compared to the rest of the planet? Does it matter which NBA players show up to defend the USA’s honor on the hardwood?
Books don’t appear to be too concerned about the departures as they’re offering a USA vs the Field prop wager on the 2019 FIBA World Cup. The field is given odds of +300.
2019 FIBA World Cup: USA vs Field
| Winner | Odds |
|---|---|
| USA | -400 |
| Field | +300 |
*Odds taken 07/24/19
The tournament is slated for August 31st to September 15th in China.
Going, Going, Gone
Perhaps the best news for Team USA is that they won’t have to face a team comprised of the American players who’ve opted not to go to the tournament.
The latest to pass are New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, the first player chosen in the 2019 NBA Draft, Portland TrailBlazers guard Damian Lillard, San Antonio Spurs guard, DeMar DeRozan, Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal, Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris and Cleveland Cavaliers C/F Kevin Love.
Previously removed from consideration earlier in the month were Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets guards James Harden and Eric Gordon and Portland guard CJ McCollum.
The Cupboard Isn’t Bare
Even with all that all-star and MVP-caliber talent taking a walk, Team USA is still loaded. Backcourt candidates include Kyle Lowry of the Raptors, Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz and Kemba Walker of the Boston Celtics.
Kemba Walker and Khris Middleton intend to stay on Team USA for the FIBA World Cup in China, per @TheSteinLine pic.twitter.com/kAQxHq4MH6
— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) July 22, 2019
NBA rebounding leader Andre Drummond of the Detroit Pistons is at center along with Brook Lopez of the Milwaukee Bucks. Forwards include Paul Millsap of the Denver Nuggets and Khris Middleton of the Bucks.
USA Basketball will hold its training camp August 5-8 in Las Vegas. Hopefully, the players show up.
Which Nations Are FIBA Contenders?
Serbia lost to the USA at the final of both the 2016 Summer Olympics and 2014 FIBA World Cup. But they lost by 30 points in the 2016 gold-medal game and by 37 points in the FIBA final.
NEWS FIBA | Nikola Jokic says he will play with NT Serbia in the next World Cup in China | #NBA
#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/WQBJK8WngJ
— Basket Flow (@RealBasketFlow) May 24, 2019
The Serbians call on the services of NBA players like Denver center Nikola Jokic, Boban Marjanovic of the Sixers and the Sacramento Kings duo of Bogdan Bogdanovic and Nemanja Bejelca.
Juancho Hernangomez (@juanchohg14) told me last night that he plans on talking A LOT if/when he and Spain meet Serbia and Nikola Jokic in the upcoming FIBA World Cup. @CBSDenver #Nuggets #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/FIFN21hoe8
— Michael Spencer (@MichaelCBS4) June 11, 2019
Spain (2006) was the last country other than USA to win the FIBA World Cup. They’ll count heavily on Marc Gasol of the Raptors and Ricky Rubio of the Phoenix Suns.
Even with the departures, it’s difficult to bet against the USA. Ask any guy – playing the field might originally seem like an attractive option but you’ll pay for it in the long run.
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
