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Following a thrilling opening day of action, a number of the big hitters began their World Cup campaigns earlier today. All eyes were on Team USA following their much-criticized build-up to the tournament, while European powerhouses such as France and Greece were also in action.
Despite traveling to China with an underwhelming roster, the likes of Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, and Marcus Smart were all on show for the USA, while fans also got their first glimpse of the reigning Most Valuable Player as Giannis Antetokounmpo faced off against Montenegro.
Ricky Rubio and Nikola Jokic were among the standout players on Day 1, and plenty of individuals made an impression today. So, here we will take a look at the top 5 individual performances from Day 2 of the 2019 World Cup.
#5 Kemba Walker
Team USA entered the tournament with its weakest roster in recent memory, and plenty of pressure landed on the shoulders of Kemba Walker. At 29, Walker is among the older members of the roster and the Boston Celtics guard is Team USA's only established All-Star. Nevertheless, Walker rose to the occasion and dominated the tempo of the game from the USA backcourt.
During his 18 minutes on the court, Walker managed 13 points, 4 assists, and 1 steal. He also set the tone early on by getting his younger teammates involved and his slick ballhandling skills were on full display in Shanghai.
Despite dominating the USA's usage rate, Walker turned the ball over just once, and the former Hornets man always looked for an open teammate before driving towards the basket. Ultimately, this is the version of Kemba Walker that Gregg Popovich needs, and the point guard has a huge role to play over the next two weeks.
#4 Ersan Ilyasova - Turkey
At this point in his career, Ersan Ilyasova is no longer a starter in the NBA, although the veteran performed well at both ends of the court as Turkey defeated Japan in Shanghai. Ilyasova led his team in minutes (30) and served as his nations first option on offense. No-one attempted more shots (16), as Ilyasova connected with five of his nine attempts from three-point range on the way to 19 points.
The 32-year-old amassed a double-double after collecting his 10th rebound in the 4th quarter, and the Milwaukee Bucks star also recorded 3 assists and 2 steals during a fine individual performance. Often described as the biggest talent to ever come out of his county, Ilyasova will be crucial for Turkey going forward, and his performance has put his nation in a strong position to qualify for the second round.
#3 Dennis Schroder - Germany
Germany didn't get off the mark for almost eight minutes during their defeat to France, although a strong performance from Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroder almost delivered an unlikely comeback. Germany eventually fell to a 78-74 defeat in their Group G opener, although Schroder's performance could serve as a launchpad for Germany's battle to stay in the competition.
After missing his first four shots of the game, Schroder connected with seven of his next fifteen efforts, while also hitting 2 of his 5 attempts from beyond the arc. Schroder was also the creative spark for Germany, as the 25-year-old dished out eight assists for his teammates, and his 3 steals highlighted his quickness on the defensive end. Ultimately, a strong performance from the often unpredictable guard, although Schroder will need his teammates to step up over the next week.
#2 Matthew Dellavedova - Australia
The Australians had plenty of NBA talent on show during their opening match against Canada, and it was Matthew Dellavedova who shone brightest as Australia came away with a hard-fought victory. Dellavedova dominated on the offensive end as he scored 24 points in just 28 minutes of action, and the Cleveland Cavaliers star finished shooting almost 70% from the field.
Dellavedova also connected with 6 of his 10 attempts from three-point range, and he was especially dominant during the fourth quarter as Australia managed to outscore the Canadians by seventeen points.
The 28-year-old also pulled down 5 rebounds while dishing out 5 assists to his teammates, leading to questions why both the Cavs and Milwaukee Bucks were hesitant to use him last season. Nevertheless, a fantastic solo performance from Dellavedova and the Australian could use this tournament to earn a bigger role on the Cavs next season.
#1 Evan Fournier - France
Evan Fournier's future with the Orlando Magic has been questioned after an underwhelming season, although the 27-year-old was at his best as France beat Germany.
Despite being surrounded by the likes of Nicolas Batum, Frank Ntilikina and Rudy Gobert, Fournier stepped up for the French as he led the team with 26 points and 10 rebounds. The Orlando man reached his 26 points while taking just 16 shots, and he also connected with 3 of his 6 attempts from beyond the arc.
Gobert also impressed as he finished the game with 5 blocks although Fournier's impact was further highlighted by his three assists. Not many tipped the French for success ahead of the tournament, although, with Fournier in this kind of form, they could be a threat to the USA and Serbia.
