Taipei Taiwan
Iran considers China and the Philippines as potential rivals for the FIBA Asia crown. Iran Basketball Team, who suffered a traumatic defeat to host South Korea in the Asian Games 2015, understands that you can never underestimate home court advantage. This factor alone leads Iran coach Dirk Bauermann to believe that China Basketball will be the favorite to grab the upcoming FIBA Asia 2015in Changsha China. NBA journeyman Yi Jianlian is reported to be one of the veterans of the Chinese squad.
“The Chinese team is the favorite. Playing at home is always a huge advantage, and then I think it’s the Philippines, it’s us and Korea. And maybe a dark horse, maybe Japan, or Qatar or Lebanon, who knows, you know.” said Bauermann who once coached Germany and Poland national teams on the eve of their head to head battle against the Philippines in the William Jones Cup 2015 in Taipei Taiwan.
“They’re very good, they’re very deep, they play super hard. I like the way they play. In Tab, they have a great coach with a lot of international experience. So it’s gonna be a very interesting game (in the William Jones Cup),” stated Bauermann who is obviously impressed with how Coach Tab Baldwin is steering the Philippine Basketball Team.
He further stated that he may still have to tweak the final line-up of Iran for the FIBA Asia wars. He also confirmed that Iran spitfire forward Samed Bahrami will rejoin Iran in Changsha and is only recuperating from a minor health issue.
Bauermann also said, “Anything is possible. In a two-week tournament, anything is possible. Over a long nine-month season, usually the best team is going to end up winning the championship. But in 10 days, anything is possible. Like I said, the Philippines has a very good chance, I think we do, too. Same with China, Korea, Lebanon. It’s gonna be an interesting tournament.”
Iran is set to battle with the Philippines at exactly 1PM in the Jones Cup 2015. Iran lost their first game yesterday against a rag-tag USA team. Hamed Haddadi was reportedly rested to avoid injuries since the tournament plays eight straight days.
