The Australian Boomers, officially ranked 11th in the world by FIBA, are going to be legit at this year’s World Cup. Names such as Ben Simmons, Matthew Dellavedova, Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, Jonah Bolden, Andrew Bogut, and Aron Baynes are enough to have some Australian fans counting their medals before a single game has even been played.
But hold on there. Not so fast! While Australia is set to bring their most talented squad ever to China this year, there are still 31 other teams who will be hungry for their own piece of history. Here we examine eight teams who pose the biggest threat to the Boomers’ shot at history, and arrange them in order of their current and potential potency.
#1 Team USA
World Ranking – #1
A gold medal is almost seen as a birthright for the Americans. On the rare occasions that they fall short, tough questions are asked and heads fall in hands and on chopping blocks.
Despite the massive gains made by many international teams in the past 27 years – since NBA players could play international basketball – it still would not be wise to bet against them.
Led by San Antonio Spurs’ head coach Greg Popovich, and possibly including Steph Curry, Anthony Davis, Zion Williamson, Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant, among others, Team USA will take some beating.
Can Australia do it? The Boomers will get two solid looks at the US in the warm-up friendlies at Marvel stadium before a possible clash either in the quarterfinals or medal rounds. Team USA would be heavy favorites in any match up but as recent comments by Greg Popovich have shown, they know a win is not a given.
#2 Serbia
World Ranking – #4
Basketball fans will remember well what Serbia did to Australia in the Semi-Finals of the Rio Olympics. The Boomers had already disposed of Serbia by 15 in the second game of the tournament.
It was meant to be a walkover, and Australia was meant to book a spot in the gold medal game against the Americans. Serbia had other ideas.
Australia ended up going down to Serbia by 26 points in a deflating performance and Serbia went on to cement itself as a basketball powerhouse. Fast-forward three years and Serbia may be even stronger than they were in 2016. Boban Marjanovic, Milos Teodosic, Nikola Jokic and Bogdan Bogdanovic have all confirmed their availability, in what might be the strongest team in Serbia’s history since the dissolution of Yugoslavia. Serbia will be coming into the tournament with a rare mix of international experience, talent, and athleticism. that will make them a medal favorite from the outset.
Serbia would be a frightening prospect for the Boomers, and they could possibly meet in the Semi-Finals.
#3 Canada
World Ranking – #23
Canada has always had talent but has never had results. Their best finish at the Olympics is 7th place. They don’t even have a head coach sorted out yet. No one has put their hand up to play yet.
Canada’s World Cup preparation could be the rush-job to end all rush-jobs. So why are they listed as a threat? Corey Joseph, Trey Lyles, Andrew Wiggins, Tristan Thompson, Kelly Olynyk to name a few.
Canada are one of few teams who could legitimately field a team full of NBA players. And while being an NBA player doesn’t always translate to success in international basketball, it certainly doesn’t hurt. Canada could be anything from a powerhouse to suffering a complete power outage depending on who decides to turn up for them.
The one thing Canada definitely won’t have that the Boomers have in spades will be a consistent and battle-tested team culture and a wealth of international experience in major tournaments. Australia plays Canada in the opening game of the Cup.
#4 Spain
World Ranking – #2
In a competition that seems to be plagued with omissions Spain suffers perhaps the biggest loss in Pau Gasol. It was Gasol’s heroics that stole a bronze medal from the necks of the Australian team – if, of course we ignore the terrible last-minute call – and it was Gasol who has countless times powered Spain to the podium across the past decade.
Spain will, however, have Marc Gasol, Ricky Rubio, Willy Hernangomez and are likely to also have Serge Ibaka to make a team that will also test the Aussies. How Spain will go on without Pau Gasol remains to be seen, and Australia will be vengeful in any potential meet they may have.
Expect fireworks. Australia could also potentially meet Spain in the Semi-Finals.
#5 Greece
World Ranking – #8
Two words – Giannis Antetokounmpo. Giannis has indicated his intention to play at the World Cup, barring any unforeseen contract issues.
Regardless of who Greece place around him, he immediately upgrades them into a team that is in the hunt for a medal.
Questions remain over the availability of NBA players Kostas Koufu, Georgios Papagiannis and Tyler Dorsey, but Greece will no doubt field a strong contingent of accomplished Euroleague players that will be well adjusted to the international FIBA style of play.
Greece, like Australia, went through their qualification phases mostly unscathed, only dropping a game to Serbia on their way to the World Cup, proving that even their lesser players cannot be underestimated. Australia could meet Greece in the Quarter-Finals.
#6 Lithuania
World Ranking – #6
Like Batman and the Joker, fate often brings Lithuania and Australia together, pitting them against each other in the most dramatic fashion.
In 2016, Australia took vengeance for the two bronze medals Lithuania ripped from us; and in 2019, Lithuania will be there again, standing between Australia and safe passage into the knockout rounds. The Lithuanian team that Australia systematically demolished will be three years older and wiser from the experience.
With Jonas Valanciunas and Domantas Sabonis already confirmed, Lithuania look set to boast a strong front-line to battle with Aron Baynes, Andrew Bogut, Jonah Bolden and Thon Maker. Australia face Lithuania in the second game of the tournament.
#7 France
World Ranking – #3
What will France look like without Tony Parker? Is the oft-injured Frank Ntilikina ready to take over? How dominant can Rudy Gobert be in the paint?
Answering these questions will go a long way to determining just how much of a threat France are to the Boomers.
With Evan Fournier also confirmed for the cup, France could be a sleeper for a medal in this tournament. France made a shock early exit in Rio despite their NBA-laden team with former All-star credentials but betting against France, even without Tony Parker is still not a safe bet.
Australia are likely to meet with France again in the first crossover for the round of 16 and will hope to send them back home smoking on their toilets.
#8 China
World Ranking – #30
No one outside of China really thinks China is a realistic shot at a medal. But there is one thing you can set your watch on – whether due to skill, determination, crowd participation or some interesting rule interpretations by referees, China will upset one of the top teams this year. The Boomers will hope that team is not them. 
China is not without talent. Yi Jianlin is expected to head a team that has been blessed with the easiest group in the cup, and are a near-certainty to make the crossover stages. And then, when they do crossover, they likely meet either the Argentinians or the Russians, both historically are world powers but both have fallen off the pace recently.
China will have height, outside shooting prowess and belief. And while they wouldn’t be favorites to beat Australia, a do-or-die finals game against the home team in China with all the elements that could come together would not be the first thing the Boomers’s wish list- and Australia could potentially face them in the Semis.
Jarrad Hurley's professional basketball aspirations led him to the dizzying heights of the Adelaide social league circuit. After an epiphany that his hoop dreams would go unrealised, he put the ball down and picked up a pen. Jarrad lives vicariously through the successes of Australian basketball, is a mad 36ers fanatic, and might just cry if the Boomers ever medal.
