...Group C

GREAT BRITAIN


Alright, honestly? They're fucked. They got Pops to come in, which is a plus, but these guys got beat down in just about every friendly. They'll take their lumps as they wait for Britishy Gordon and Luol Deng to come in for 2012.

Their roster: The roster: Kieron Achara (Angelico Bella), Robert Archibald (Unicaja), Andrew Betts (Aris Thessaloniki), Flinder Boyd (Beirasar Rosalia), Daniel Clark (Estudiantes), Germanyne Forbes (BBC Nyon), Joel Freeland (Unicaja), Nick George (Gravelines Dunkerque), Jarrett Hart (Keravnos), Mike Lenzly (Harem Scafati), Pops Mensah-Bonsu (Toronto Raptors), Nate Reinking (Dexia Mons-Hainaut), Justin Robinson (Rider University), Andrew Sullivan (CSK VVS Samara).

SERBIA


They're missing a bunch of guys, but still expect this team to make an impression in Poland. They'll look to shoot from outside regularly, and if they get hot they'll be a pain in the ass for everyone. They start out with Spain, and it wouldn't complete shock me to see them pull off an upset. But, ultimately, I don't think this squad has what it takes to get to the final four, and they're one of a few teams that will likely be fighting hard for those last couple WBC spots.

Their roster: Nemanja Bjelica (KK Crvena Zvezda), Nenad Krstic (Oklahoma City Thunder), Milan Macvan (KK Hemofarm), Stefan Markovic (KK Hemofarm), Ivan Paunic (Base Oostende), Kosta Perovic (Valencia), Bojan Popovic (Lietuvos Rytas), Miroslav Raduljica (Unicaja), Milos Teodosic (Olympiacos), Milenko Tepic (Panathinaikos), Uros Tripkovic (DKV Joventut), Novica Velickovic (Real Madrid).


SLOVENIA


There are some names on this roster, enough to make me think Slovenia could put it all together and find themselves a contender for the top 6. But there's also evidence that this could be a team that just shits the bed, and does little more than beat a weak British squad. I'm not sure I'd be overly surprised by any set of results this team puts together, but considering most of the news that's recently come out of their camp has been negative, I'll go ahead and say I sort of expect them to blow it.

Their roster: Primoz Brezec (Philadelphia 76ers); Goran Dragic (Phoenix Suns); Jurica Golemac (Lottomatica Roma); Goran Jagodnik (Hemofarm Vrsac); Jaka Klobucar (Union Olimpija); Jaka Lakovic (FC Barcelona); Domen Lorbek (last season with Benetton Treviso); Erazem Lorbek (FC Barcelona); Bostjan Nachbar (Efes Pilsen); Uros Slokar (Fortitudo Bologna); Matjaz Smodis (CSKA Moscow); Samo Udrih (CB Estudiantes).

SPAIN


Well, these guys might be okay.

After mostly blowing through all their opponents in a long series of friendlies on home soil, they got beat down by Lithuania a few days, which has raised some doubts about their ability to play in tough situations. But look at the fucking roster. There's just so much talent...it's a hard to believe they won't be able to put it all together. I'm expecting them to come through and win the damn thing, but there will likely be a couple hiccups along the way.

Their roster: Carlos Cabezas (Khimki Moscow region); Victor Claver (Valencia); Rudy Fernandez (Portland Trail Blazers); Jorge Garbajosa (Real Madrid); Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies); Pau Gasol (Los Angeles Lakers); Raul Lopez (Khimki Moscow region); Sergio Llull (Real Madrid); Alex Mumbru (CB Bilbao Berri); Ricky Rubio (FC Barcelona); Juan Carlos Navarro (FC Barcelona); Felipe Reyes (Real Madrid).

...All the Words Past the Margins

A random assortment of stuff

- It's mostly been a lot of "meh" at Wimbledon so far, but today's match between Lleyton Hewitt and Andy Roddick was quite an enjoyable exception. Five sets, all of them close, with a very high standard of play. Roddick's victory sets up a semifinal with Andy Murray, who he's beaten just twice in eight attempts. Tommy Haas upset Novak Djokavic in four sets to set up a semi with some guy named Roger.

- So, it looks like Ben Gordon (and Charlie Villanueva) might end up in Detroit. This is just a bit lamer than getting Bosh, Wade, or LeBron, I guess.

- Nacional-Estudiantes and Inter-Corinthians tonight. Estudiantes beat Nacional 1-0 in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores semifinal, and Corinthians take a 2-0 advantage into tonight's second leg of the Copa do Brasil final. Both ties are still pretty wide open, so it should be pretty good stuff. Basically, it's just sort of nice to have meaningful club football.

- Rudy to return to Europe? Alright, probably not. But, still, it seems sort of bizarre for this rumor to even exist.

Boozer and Okur stay; Impact on Britishy Gordon

So, the Jazz are going to keep at least two of the three bigmen that could have potentially left this summer. Good for them, I guess. I don't know, it's hard for me to get too excited about anything that happens with Utah. I sort of hate them, but in a totally passive way. But, whatever. This means Utah will still be pretty good, as they have been for a little while now. Can they make that next step? I don't know. They looked very good at times this season, but slumped in the end and had to endure a beating from the Lakers.

Paul Millsap's situation is still unresolved, and I'd guess that this news would make the Jazz less likely to throw big money at him. They'd have to go into the luxury tax to resign him, and that's just not something a lot of owners like to do. Especially owners of small market teams. But, who knows. The list of Milsap's potential suitors is pretty interesting. You'd sort of expect Detroit to be interested, but OKC and Memphis are odd names. I mean, we all know that Marc Gasol is the shit, and the Grizz just drafted Thabeet. OKC look relatively set right now, with a promising young lineup of Westbrook-Harden-Durant-Green-Krstic. But Millsap is young, and they're unlikely to sign a big name next summer. So, why not, I guess.

Anyway, the far more interesting (alright, maybe not) impact of this news is the effect it has Ben "I didn't realise Mount Vernon was in the UK" Gordon (at least, Pete Rock* never told me it was in the UK). Now it seems to be either Gordon or Millsap for the Pistons, unless they're going to hold off to next summer (they aren't going to do that). Right now, it looks like the Pistons really need a big man. Sheed and McDyess could both be leaving, and Austin Daye isn't a real big dude. Millsap's a very good fit, you'd think. But Ben Gordon is dreamy. And I'm pretty sure the Pistons would instantly become the biggest thing in Great Britain if they signed him, because Gordon's leading them to gold in 2012. Him and Luol Deng. Wait. Shouldn't the Bulls already be huge there? Are they? We need answers.

*Water No Get Enemy just came on, and I'd never realised that this was the sample on Grown Man Sport. I've heard both tracks plenty of times. How bizarre.