Iran looms as team to beat in FIBA Asia

MANILA, Philippines - After overpowering the opposition in the so-called Group of Death, unbeaten Iran looms as the hot favorite to top the 27th FIBA-Asia Championships here and claim the first of three slots allocated for the zone at the FIBA World Cup in Spain next year. Iran crushed Malaysia, 115-25, to open its FIBA-Asia campaign on a resounding note last Thursday. Then came the convincing wins over Korea, 76-65, and China, 70-51. In the second round of eliminations starting today, Iran is expected to mow down Kazakhstan, Bahrain and India and if it clinches the top seed, will face No. 4 from Groups A and B in the knockout quarterfinals. The No. 4 team could be the Philippines or Qatar or Japan or Jordan if Chinese-Taipei winds up No. 1 out of Groups A and B.

Barako Bull coach Rajko Toroman said the other day no team is as motivated and plays as cohesively in the 15-nation tournament. Toroman piloted Iran to the FIBA-Asia crown in 2007 and the national squad earned a ticket to the 2008 Beijing Olympics as a prize. “They’ve been together as a unit for years,” the Serbian said. “I think there are only one or two players in the team whom I haven’t coached so the nucleus is virtually intact. The Iranian federation realized how important chemistry is that they decided not to include Arsalan (Kazemi) in the lineup.”

Arsalan, 22, is a 6-7 forward who was picked on the second round by the Washington Wizards in this year’s NBA draft. He was later traded to Philadelphia. Arsalan played three years at Rice University, averaging a double-double in two seasons, then transferred to the University of Oregon to finish his NCAA eligibility. He was reportedly ready to join the team in Manila but federation officials blocked it to preserve the cohesion that Iran has enjoyed as a unit without him.

Iran is led by 7-2 Hamed Haddadi, 6-6 Samad Nikkhah Bahrami and 6-1 Mahdi Kamrani. The team’s Slovenian coach Memi Becirovic, 52, also leans on a supporting cast made up of 6-11 Asghar Kardoust, 6-6 Oshin Sahakian, 6-1 Javad Davari, 6-2 Hamed Afagh and 7-0 Rouzbeh Arghavan. Becirovic led Slovenia to eighth place at the FIBA World Cup in Turkey three years ago and moved to Iran after stints in Italy, Ukraine and Belgium. His son Sani plays in the Italian league.

“If you would choose someone to naturalize, the model is Haddadi,” said Toroman. “He’s a dominant inside player who understands the game.” Of course, Haddadi isn’t available for naturalization since a player may represent only one country in his FIBA career. Haddadi, 28, is averaging 22 points, 9.3 rebounds and 22.3 minutes in three games so far in the Manila tournament. At the 2008 Olympics, he was the only cager to average a double-double, 16.6 points and 11.2 rebounds, overshadowing other bigs like Andrew Bogut, Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian. Iran didn’t win a single game, losing to Lithuania, Argentina, Russia, Croatia and Australia but qualifying for the Olympics was a huge accomplishment. Haddadi earned $7.4 Million in a five-year NBA career with Memphis and Phoenix. While he was cut by the Suns last June, Haddadi will still bankroll $200,000 in the coming season as guaranteed in his previous contract.

Bahrami, 30, is a stylish wingman with a sweet touch. Toroman said if Bahrami is measured to be 6-5, he’ll be a crack import for any PBA team in the coming Governors Cup. “He’s listed 6-6 but you don’t know how accurate that is,” said Toroman. “A team looking for an import might consider measuring him and if he comes in at 6-5, I think he’ll be a great import in the PBA.”

Last year, Bahrami said he’s open to play as a PBA import in an interview during the FIBA-Asia Cup in Tokyo. “It’ll be a new experience,” he said. “If I’m available and there are no conflicts with my commitments to the national team, why not? I know how much Filipinos love basketball. I learned a lot from coach Rajko. He treated me like a son. He changed my idea of the game. He made me realize how far we could go if we play as a team. He gave me the opportunity to play and made me the captain of our team.”

Bahrami has played with the Iran team that won four FIBA-Asia Champions Cup titles. At the Beijing Olympics, he averaged 17.2 points. He is averaging 14.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists in the Manila tournament. Against China last Saturday, Bahrami struggled from the field, hitting only 3-of-11 field goals, but compiled eight assists, two steals and two blocked shots in 33 minutes.

Kamrani, 31, is Iran’s chief playmaker. Like Bahrami, he has played with the Iran national team since 2003. Kamrani is reportedly out to impress scouts who are looking for prospective imports in the Chinese league. He is averaging 6.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 21.7 minutes in the ongoing FIBA-Asia Championships.

Iran captured the FIBA-Asia titles in 2007 and 2009 but two years ago, was upset by Jordan in the knockout quarterfinals and finished fifth despite an 8-1 record in Wuhan. To gear up for the Manila competitions, Iran took the Jones Cup crown with a perfect 7-0 record in Taipei last month. Iran beat host Taiwan, 72-67, to clinch the title behind Haddadi’s 17 points and 11 rebounds. Haddadi was named best player of the tournament and was joined by Kamrani in the mythical All-Jones Cup first team while Bahrami made it to the second.