Why did the USA drop to #2 in the FIBA world rankings after winning gold?

Question

The USA went into the Olympics ranked #1 in the world, but after winning the gold medal, they dropped to #2 after Argentina in the FIBA rankings? Whats the reasoning behind this? Thanks.

Answer 1

Most likely a computer error. Team USA is # 1!

Answer 2

Because with Manu healthy, Argentina should have beaten the US.

Answer 3

apparently it's not a typo or computer/computation error. FIBA just has a "unique" way of coming up with rankings. it's like teams get points per tournament and they come up with the cumulative score per team. thus, just because a team has won first place this year, another team with a previous gold, a few silvers and a couple bronze would have a higher score than the current champ. personally, i find it odd though, that after eight years of failing to get gold the US finally gets gold but slides down the rankings to 2nd! odd.

Answer 4

maybe there was a typo error or computer ranking was inflicted with a bug?

or maybe the 'referees' determined the ranking and the USA team did not bribe any of the referees.

After checking the fiba website, I think I understand. It seems they update every cycle.

Hence previously they came in 3rd in athens, 4th in 2006 and hence they probably need the next olympics to regain their perch atop the world.

Answer 5

I Dont Know But On This Link :http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/even/ra...

They Say That FIBA added 150 Points  to Argentina and added 0.0 Points To USA But I DONT KNOW WHY!!! I Thinks It is A VERY VERY BIG COMPUTER ERROR

No Team Is Better Than USA

Answer 6

FIBA rankings are as useless as FIFA rankings

Answer 7

As I understand it, the FIBA rankings operate on an 8 year cycle.  After the 2008 Olympics, the 2000 Sydney results were dropped. Prior to Beijing, the rankings were calculated using the results from Sydney in 2000, the 2002 WC, Athens in 2004, and the 2006 WC.  After Beijing, the Sydney results were dropped and the rankings began with the 2002 WC and ended with 2008 Beijing.  The points for the US remained unchanged because the US won gold in both Sydney and Beijing, but the Argentinians gained points because they took bronze in Beijing, but failed to qualify for Sydney.  So, the US gained nothing as it simply swapped a gold for a gold, but the Argentinians got to drop a bad result and replace it with a bronze.

It's a stupid way of compiling a ranking because realistically, what a national team did 8 years ago has no effect on how good it is now (case in point, Argentina being ranked No. 1 by FIBA now, but failing to qualify for the Olympics 8 years ago), but that's how it is done.  FIBA explains the rankings on its website, but it is not the most easily understood explanation in the world.

Answer 8

Lol.To the above answerer,are you saying Manu could hold back 21 points?Tough luck,brother.

Answer 9

in the end they will get the number one ranking back