MANILA (Enzo Flojo's Asia on my Mind) - 13 days is all that stands between today and the tip-off of the FIBA Asia Cup 2017, which will usher in a new era in Asian basketball.

This is what I'd like to call my pre-tournament Power Rankings for the Asia Cup. These rankings are based on my personal knowledge of each of the sixteen teams that will play in Beirut, Lebanon and also somewhat based on the final rosters that have been submitted. I have classified them into four different tiers ranging from the teams that are most heavily favored to finish on the podium to the squads that are least favored.

SHOO-INS
Australia - The Boomers aren't sending a team heavy with NBA talent, but this is still going to be a very formidable team that should be dominant. The Aussies are not sending scrubs, for sure, and Olympians David Andersen and Brad Newley are proof of their resolve to impress in their first FIBA Asia competition.

China - With Guo Ailun and rising star Hu Jinqiu leading China Red, they will have a very good chance to not just finish on the podium but even defend their title as kings of Asia. As always, China have great size and length, and with Guo adding leadership along with the experience and stability of veterans Li Gen, Li Muhao and Zhou Peng, they are on pace to have another strong showing.

New Zealand - The Tall Blacks won't have Steven Adams playing - along with most of their old reliables - but don't let their relative youth fool you. Guys like Reuben Te Rangi, Finn Delany and Shea Ili have played at the world level, and they can run with the best Asia has to offer.

Iran - As long as Hamed Haddadi plays, Iran are going to be in the title conversation. Even without stalwarts Samad Nikkhah Bahrami and Mahdi Kamrani - both of whom will miss the biennial event for the first time in 10 years - Team Melli should still be considered a powerhouse, especially with rising stars Behnam Yakhchali and Sajjad Mashayekhi in tow.

CONTENDERS
Lebanon - The home team is not pulling any punches this time around. After missing the 2013 edition and coming up way short in 2015, the Cedars are hell-bent on going for no less than the gold in this tournament. They will have good size and depth, but their biggest asset will be playing in front of their rabid fans.

Philippines - Speaking of rabid fans, perhaps no other country can match just how basketball-mad Filipinos are, and that is something Gilas Pilipinas are hoping to see in Beirut. With so many fans expected to see their idols, the pressure is on guys like Jayson Castro, Terrence Romeo and June Mar Fajardo to deliver the goods.

Korea - Korea will always be a podium contender and threat to the title, but unlike before the Koreans are heavily favored to make it past the Round of 8. That is, unless guys like Lee SeungHyun and Lee JungHyun really end up catching fire.

Jordan - Jordan can match with the likes of China and Australia in terms of size, but I'm not sure they have the overall depth to assure themselves of a spot in the Quarter-Finals. If new naturalized player Kevin Ware, however, can light up the Asia Cup for a few 30-point games, then Al Nashama should in be in pretty good shape.

Qatar - Qatar don't have big names, but they play tough and physical basketball. They did well in the recent Atlas Challenge in China, and they are surely expected to translate their level of play to the Asia Cup as well. New naturalized player Sammy Monroe and young ace Saad Abdulrahman also seem like very prolific scorers. Let's see how it goes!

Japan - They are having a renaissance of sorts, and they seem to be on the rise. They should have won the EABA Championship this year, but they paid the price for inconsistency. If naturalized player Ira Brown is able to be highly productive, they have a real shot of making it to the Quarter-Finals. Not having Joji Takeuchi is huge, though.

DARK HORSES 
Chinese Taipei - Much like Iran, Taipei are in a state of flux. Icons Lin Chih-Chieh and Tien Lei have chosen to give way to the younger set, and Quincy Davis will miss out on the tourney. This means the onus is on sniper Lu Cheng-Ju and SBL MVPs Chou Yi-Hsiang and Liu Cheng to really carry this team.

Iraq - Demario Mayfield looked like an interesting addition to this team, but it seems original selection Kevin Galloway is back in the fold! Of course, he is expected to make a very big impact for the Iraqis as he was effective in the FIBA Asia Challenge 2016 and WABA Championship 2017. If he can be consistent with his production and they catch a rival on a bad day, anything can happen.

India - India failed to impress at the Jones Cup because they missed the services of a few key people. Should the Indians manage to survive the group phase, however, they will need Amjyot Singh, Amritpal Singh and Vishesh Bhriguvanshi to really step up.

Kazakhstan - The Snow Leopards' golden days are well behind them, but that does not mean they should be overlooked so easily. The Kazakhs have great size, and they bring a Euro-style game to the Asia Cup. If guys like Anton Ponomarev and Rustam Murzagaliev have explosive performances, Kazakshtan cannot be counted out.

UNDERDOGS
Syria - This may very well be Micheal Madanly's swan song in international basketball. They do have a new naturalized big man - Ivan Todorovic - to patrol the paint, but Syria will find that they have just been out of this game for too long.

Hong Kong - If there's one team that, objectively speaking, won't be expected in the least to make it past the group phase, it's Hong Kong. There are just no marquee players who will really raise this team to the next level.

Enzo Flojo

FIBA

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