With the first week of the 2014 FIBA World Cup in the books and behind us, basketball fans from all walks of life can finally embark on the exciting part of this end of summer matinee: the coveted round of 16. These games mean more than just basketball: players wear their country’s name across their chest with pride.
The Nets have 3 players who’ve contributed in their respective countries’ efforts in making it to this late stage: Mason Plumlee (USA), Jorge Gutierrez (Mexico), and Bojan Bogdanovic (Croatia). This trio will continue their journey for global supremacy this Saturday, September 6th. Except only two can make it past Day 1: USA and Mexico immediately battle it out for a pass into the quarterfinals Saturday morning.
Make sure you’re following along and scouting your players on this intercontinental stage as they look to bring the Gold to their hometown less than a week from now.
Here’s each Nets player’s presumed schedule. Note that games marked with an asterisk* are purely on the chance that said team advances, and their opponents are predictions based on surrounding matchups.
Mason Plumlee & USA or Jorge Gutierrez & Mexico:
September 6th, 10 A.M. — USA vs. Mexico, ESPN2
September 9th, TBA — winner vs. TBA (Slovenia?)
September 11th, 3:00 P.M. — winner vs. TBA (Lithuania?)
September 14th, 3:00 P.M. — winner vs. TBA (Spain?)
Bojan Bogdanovic & Croatia
September 6th, 12:00 P.M. — Croatia vs. France, ESPN3/WatchESPN
September 10th, TBA — winner vs. TBA (Spain?)
September 12th, 4:00 P.M. — winner vs. TBA (Greece?)
September 14th, 3:00 P.M. — winner vs. TBA (USA?)
Games can be seen on ESPN or streamed online on WatchESPN with the right subscription.
Bogdanovic is the most intriguing player to watch, but he & the Croatian team have a tough uphill battle: even if they get past France, they’d have to upset the heavily favored Spain in the second round.
The NBA preseason is almost a month away, but as we wait, please enjoy watching some of your Nets play their hearts out for the nations that turned them into Brooklyn’s boys.
