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That sounds fair to me

Agree. However, now rarely anyone remembers that without Randolph, Slovenia would never even reach the finals of Euro 2017th. But everyone knows they were the champions that year, right?
Also the case with Lorenco and Spain - they would probably not reach the finals without him but all we remember is that Spain the champion now.

So what would you choose in that case? A dominant (or complement) player and win the gold or no naturalized ones and maybe win some medal (if any)?

Easy question, no naturalized

No naturalised ones, in the sense that he/she won't take the place of some young player. So you are investing in your youth as well but also respecting players who played earlier for NT, that they leave and feel their country.

Like, would you let Lorenzo play for Serbia instead of Topic?

Why did Red Star Belgrade win the last 8 games against Partizan, and was worse in the Euroleague?

I knew answers from both of you. I still think the answer is not easy at all.
Simplifying it with the choice of "either Brown or Topic" is a spin. noone said there is no room for development of young talents in case you have a naturalized player on the same position. But I dont want to discuss that spun topic.

I'm just saying teams are doing everything allowed (and sometimes even what is not allowed) to have a better result. Especially when they have a chance to win the gold. Slovenia's team from 2017th and also from today is the perfect example. They had Dragic in year or two before the senior years. They had teenage Luka. They needed some big guys in order to be competitive on a high level. Otherwise Dragic's potential would not have been used to the max. And they didn't do anything illegal. Same is now with prime Luka and no medals yet ...

From our national team point of view - if everyone (except some of course) are taking the advantage of the naturalized player, why should not we do it? Its like FIDE changes the rule of chess allowing the king to move up to three squares around and we say no no no, we will just be playing according the old rules. Then why are we arguing if Jokic or some other players wont play (because we will have less chances to win) if the federation has made the decisions up in front in a favor of putting the team in a disadvantaged position?

Or even better - if we would have a stronger chance to win the Euros, Worlds or Olympic medals (and golds of course) now when Jokic is playing, wouldn't it be a waste of his potential if we don't do everything allowed to support him ? For example, invite A.Gordon to play for Serbia NT. I'd like more if would have that type of the player in NT but we do not have. That one big guy would have made a strong diff in the world's finals last year against Germany.


So it is easy to say "NO" from the comfort of our livingrooms especially for national teams who already have a strong lineups. in general, there is no easy answer to this topic

I agree with that, as you probably got from my previous posts...

NO is from Serbian players in NT, we know that most of our players said that they won't play for NT if they call international player in team.
We are just to proud and that's the truth.
Why should Gordon play over Jovic and Petrusev? I don't see any reason...to don't waste Jokic potential? If he is not satisfied with teammates then he shouldn't accept invitation. (Just example)
We were second on last WC without Jokic, Micic and that's beauty of basketball. Even biggest names in team and international players can't guarantee you a success.
Play with what you have, invest in young and try to grow. A lot of potential in countries like Serbia, Espana, France, Italy, Greece, Germany and every other countries. I'm sure nobody need international player, but i can't change that for sure

Nice try for Serbia.They were winning until the last quarter by 13 points but finally the could not keep the score.USA showed their passion and skills and won the game
GG both teams

Lets see the final.Will be interesting game!GL

tough game indeed. we had a good chance having half of the USA team being under the usual performance.
for the benefit of basketball worldwide, I think it was awesome to see USA players heading to the bench for the substitution without their usual jumping, high fives etc.
IMO, they were really concerned and saw two things
- Serbia team is not only Jokic
- there are teams who will not break down and give it up after back to back threes and will show the heart to fight back and actually beat them in the game of basketball

I'm proud last night that team was my national team.

If something is to be pointed on a negative side, with all due respect, it was Lebron's constant arguing with referees and with some of the opponent players. I'll leave it at just this being written.

Congrats to team USA, hoping to not have a blowout finals.
And looking forward to watching a bronze medal match, a WC finals rematch between two teams who play adorable team basketball.

Go Serbia!
39:55: M.Guduric attempts the three from the corner. Scored, 94:92
39:59: F.Wagner attempts the three point shot from the middle of the court. Missed
40:00: GAME OVER