Iran coach picks Philippines one of faves

TAIPEI – In the run-up to the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship, Iran coach Dirk Bauermann considers China as the top favorite with its home-court advantage, but doesn’t discount the title prospects of his team, the Philippines and South Korea.

A highly regarded international coach who previously handled the German and the Polish national teams, Bauermann also points to Qatar, Lebanon, Kazakhstan, Japan and Chinese Taipei as dark horses.

Iran, the Philippines, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, China, Qatar, Jordan and Kazakhstan finished in that order in the last FIBA Asia held in Manila in 2013.

Lebanon, a regular contender the previous years, was under FIBA suspension during the Manila joust.

Bauermann, a silver-medal winning coach in the EuroBasket 2005, said it’s hard to count out any team in a two-week international tournament.

“In every game, anything is possible,” said Bauermann.

“In a two-week tournament, anything is possible. Over a long nine-month season, usually the best team is going to end up winning the championship. But in 10 days, anything is possible.”

Still, Bauermann has China, Iran, the Philippines and South Korea as the top bets.

“The Chinese team is the top favorite because playing at home is always a huge advantage, and then I think it’s the Philippines, it’s us, and Korea and maybe a dark horse, maybe Japan, or Qatar or Lebanon, who knows, you know,” he said.

Paul Mokeski, a former Charlotte Bobcats assistant coach who’s calling the shots for the USA Select team here, has the same prognosis.

“There’s not much difference in the level of competitiveness. One team which plays well in one particular game can beat the other,” said Mokeski, a 12-year NBA veteran during his playing years.