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As we wait to see which of Team USA's megastars will have their NBA affairs in order in time to participate in August's FIBA World Championship in Turkey, a few of the lower profile challengers apparently face gaping voids. Rockets star Yao Ming told Chinese media he won't play in Turkey, citing his currently mending foot.It will be Yao's second straight summer off from national duty after the center missed the most recent FIBA Asian Championship (won by Iran) after breaking his foot in Houston's second-round playoff series against the eventual champion Lakers last May. China faces a tough draw in Turkey; without Yao, I fear the nation has little shot of advancing to the knockout round.
A team which could advance despite the absence of its best player, however, is France. In comments published by NBA.com's David Aldridge today, Spurs point guard Tony Parker doesn't sound like he's planning on suiting up for Les Bleus this summer. Parker told Aldridge he needs a rest and that he "can't do 82 games at the level [Gregg Popovich] wants, and then play on the national team."
While the French will certainly miss such an experienced scorer, the team has some depth at the position with Mavericks rookie Rodrigue Beaubois and Spurs-controlled Nando de Colo, who currently plays with Valencia of the Spanish ACB. More importantly, France has plenty of talent up and down the board, with Boris Diaw, Nicolas Batum, Ronny Turiaf, Mickael Pietrus, Ian Mahinmi and perhaps even Joakim Noah in the program. This isn't like Germany without Dirk Nowitzki.
France also has the benefit of what appears to be a shallow draw in Group D. Spain and Lithuania headline the group, but France without Parker can certainly compete with Canada, Lebanon and New Zealand. Beyond group play, though, and the French will be facing an uphill battle. It would have been that way with Parker, though. France placed fifth at the 2006 Worlds, and fifth at last summer's EuroBasket tournament.
The FIBA World Championship begins August 28.
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