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spt_NBA_WORLDHOOP_Stars[i++] = new Array("","ARGENTINA","Manu Ginobili","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060519/060519_spurs_mavs_vlg10p.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Tim Sharp", "AP", "358", "240", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NBA_WORLDHOOP_Stars[i-1].body = "ARGENTINAHow they qualified: First place in 2005 FIBA Americas Championship.
The stars: San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili, Chicago Bulls forward Andres Nocioni, Spurs forward Fabricio Oberto, Pistons guard Carlos Delfino.
Reason for optimism: Argentina is brimming with confidence after taking home the gold medal in the 2004 Olympics, then winning the 2005 FIBA Americas. Ginobili is a bona fide star, and Nocioni could start for most NBA teams.
Reason for pessimism: Coach Ruben Magnano built a successful system, but has now handed the reigns to Sergio Hernandez. How will Argentina react with a target on their backs?
He said it ...
\"The United States are still the best. We're not the only favorites. There are a lot of high-level national teams. It's not the case that we can simply turn up and be champions. There are a lot of factors in play.\"
-- Manu Ginobili";
spt_NBA_WORLDHOOP_Stars[i++] = new Array("","FRANCE","Boris Diaw","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060305/060305_diaw_vmed_4p.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Tony Gutierrez", "AP", "340", "278", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NBA_WORLDHOOP_Stars[i-1].body = "FRANCE
How they qualified: Third place in 2005 European Basketball Championships.
The stars: Phoenix Suns forward Boris Diaw, Golden State Warriors forward Mickael Pietrius, Seattle Sonics center Johan Petro, Los Angeles Lakers forward Ronny Turiaf.
Reason for optimism: France has a wealth of NBA talent, including team captain Diaw, who showcased his versatile skills during the Suns' run to the Western Conference finals.
Reason for pessimism: Spurs point guard Tony Parker is out with an injury, a huge loss. Despite all the talent, this team placed just third in the European championship.
He said it ...
\"I don't intend to set up a monarchy. Every one will contribute and communicate in order to make things run smoothly.\"
-- Boris Diaw, on being named captain";
spt_NBA_WORLDHOOP_Stars[i++] = new Array("","SERBIA & MONTENEGRO","Darko Milicic","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060217/060217_milicic_vmed_1p.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Eric Miller", "Reuters file", "358", "218", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NBA_WORLDHOOP_Stars[i-1].body = "SERBIA & MONTENEGRO
How they qualified: Earned wild-card spot after failing to advance out of pool play at the 2005 European championships.
The stars: Orlando Magic center Darko Milicic.
Reason for optimism: Milicic is out to prove himself on a big stage after being essentially a bust in the NBA.
Reason for pessimism: This team is not as rich in talent as the 2002 World champions, which won the title as Yugoslavia. In same pool as France and Argentina, which could lead to a unfavorable seed in elimination round.
He said it ...
\"Those 30 games in the Magic squad helped me to re-gain my self-confidence. But the NBA is another story. Now I'm back in the national team, and my priority is to raise the level of my own performances even more.
-- Darko Milicic";
spt_NBA_WORLDHOOP_Stars[i++] = new Array("","SPAIN","Pau Gasol","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/051114/051114_lakers_griz_vmed8p.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Joe Murphy", "Getty Images", "358", "235", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NBA_WORLDHOOP_Stars[i-1].body = "SPAIN
How they qualified: Fourth place in 2005 European Basketball Championships.
The stars: Memphis Grizzlies forward Pau Gasol, Toronto Raptors guard Jose Calderon, Portland Trail Blazers guard Sergio Rodriguez.
Reason for optimism: Spain has a number of talented guards, as well as Gasol as a premier scorer in the middle. Weak preliminary group should provide easy road to elimination round.
Reason for pessimism: Power forward Fran Vazquez, who was drafted by Orlando but stayed in Europe, will miss the tournament with a back injury.
He said it ...
\"There's no national team superior to us, but we will need that bit of luck in order to win those even games against the other nations. The time has come to achieve something great.\"
-- Spanish Basketball Federation President Jose Luis Saez";
spt_NBA_WORLDHOOP_Stars[i++] = new Array("","GERMANY","Dirk Nowitzki","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060611/060611_Nowitzki_vmed_9p.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Marc Serota", "Reuters", "358", "245", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_NBA_WORLDHOOP_Stars[i-1].body = "GERMANY
How they qualified: Second place in 2005 European Basketball Championships.
The star: Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki.
Reason for optimism: For Germany, it all begins and ends with Nowitzki, the best non-U.S. player in the tournament. If he plays well, Germany can challenge anyone, as he proved while being named MVP of the European Championships.
Reason for pessimism: Nowitzki played well into June as the Mavericks reached the NBA Finals. Now he'll be expected to carry Germany, and you have to wonder if the strain will take its toll.
He said it ...
\"The break wasn't as long as I had imagined. But I'm looking forward to the national team. I can think about some other things besides the NBA.\"
-- Dirk Nowitzki";
// END editorial data