[by Albert LEE YOUNG] - The 2010 FIBA World Championships is only months away and it’s no surprise that Team USA is the overwhelming favourite to retain the title. With an abundance of high-profile NBA players led by Kobe Bryant and under the astute management of Jerry Colangelo and coach K, Team USA will definitely be the main attraction in Turkey.

In some quarters basketball experts are predicting a Euro against USA final. Would it be France, Lithuania, Spain, Serbia or even Turkey who has an advantage with an entire national fan base behind them?

And not to be left out Africa, Asia and Oceania can provide worthy contenders in Ivory Coast, China and Australia. Each of these teams is capable to match up with the best on a given day and based on their luck can advance further.

So what about the Americas? Well for starters, Team USA will lead the charge. Fortunately or not Brazil, the reigning FIBA Americas champs, is paired with the favourites in Group B but should advance to the next stage and at the same time avoid the USA, maybe until the semis or finals. With a roster of NBA players such as Leandrinho, Anderson Varejao and Nene, Brazil will be a difficult match up for Croatia, Iran, Slovenia and Tunisia.

Then there is Argentina in Group A. With Carlos Delfino, a healthy Manu Ginobili, Luis Scola, Andres Nocioni and Fabricio Oberto, Argentina will be seeking to re-establish their supremacy at the tournament and is expected to qualify ahead of Angola, Australia and Germany, Jordan and Serbia.

Next from the region is the Caribbean Champions, Puerto Rico, who are in Group C together with China, Russia, Greece, Turkey and Ivory Coast. With a second place finish to Brazil and a win over Argentina at the 2009 FIBA Americas Championships, Puerto Rico will definitely fancy their chances to advance from the group stage.

The other contender is Canada in Group D along with France, Lebanon, Lithuania, New Zealand and Spain. Canada with Joel Anthony, Jamal Magloire and Matt Bonner in their line up should advance to the next level but how far they can progress is questionable.

So could it be an All American Final! Maybe Argentina or Brazil up against USA, only time will tell.

Now to the wild card selection. From a regional perspective what was the logic by FIBA Technical committee for selecting three of the four contenders from Europe? Imagine that teams such as Cameroon, Dominican Republic and Nigeria with an abundance of international talent were eliminated.

It would have been a tremendous boost to the development of the sport, not only in these countries but also in the respective regions Africa and the Caribbean, if these teams were selected. Maybe next time the technical committee can review the criteria in order for a proportional regional representation.

On another note, thanks to the NBA for another entertaining Christmas, King David and the Clavs visited LA on Diesel and conquered Kobe and his merry Lakers. Just goes to show any results can be achieved in sports!

Stay tune, Trini-Ball resumes in the New Year!