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The five favorites for Eurobasket

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Nov 15, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) high fives forward Boris Diaw (33) after scoring a basket against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-91. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) high fives forward Boris Diaw (33) after scoring a basket against the Sacramento Kings during the fourth quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Sacramento Kings defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-91. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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5. Greece
The Guys You Know: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nick Calathes, Kosta Koufos
The Guys You Don’t Know: Kostas Papanikolaou, Vassilis Spanoulis, Nikos Zisis

The Greek national team is always going to be etched in U.S. fans’ memories as they were the last team to defeat the Americans in international play back in 2006. Greece has not really won a ton of medals since that upset victory in the FIBA World Championships. But they remain a burgeoning power.

Any time NBA fans get to watch Giannis Antetokounmpo, they usually take it. He is the wiry athletic wunderkind that fans just drool over. Eurobasket has gotten a lot more athletic with him and Rudy Gobert (France) playing in this tournament.

Still Greece is a team that keeps things on the ground. They are precise and efficient with their pick and roll and that is signified by the veteran players most NBA fans probably have not heard of.

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Kostas Papanikolaou played scant minutes for the Rockets last year, but is a key to Greece’s national team. He helps anchor the defense and spread the floor last year. He struggled though last year at the World Cup as Greece went to a ninth place finish. This could be his last international competition.

Vassilis Spanoulis is another guard who can run the pick and roll to death. He averaged 16.7 points per game two years ago at Eurobasket. He is a deadly shooter and smart with the ball. As are most of the Greek players. They have a system and they run it well.

Nikos Zisis is another strong guard for Greece and another veteran on the team. He had 9.2 points per game and 4.3 assists per game last year at the World Cup.

This Greek team has really faded so the infusion of young talent like former Florida Gator Nick Calathes and the amazing supernatural Antetokounmpo should help boost the team some. They may have to break their system to let Antetokounmpo flourish. But this is still a proud basketball team that should continue to spread its wings and try to get back to the top.

Next: The consistent Serbia