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Here are the games you the Wizards fan needs to watch in Day 2 of the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
Brazil vs. Iran (Noon, ESPN3)
The good news about Nene's performance in yesterday's 65-63 win over France: his defense is on point. Almost nobody in the world matches his odd combination of lateral quickness and width (for lack of a better word). Even when he's a half-step slow, his body is like running into a brick wall. Good wings can power through even most big men and draw a foul. They can't do that against Nene. Brazil switched a lot of pick and rolls to ease Marcelo Huertas' defensive responsibilities and Nene did a nice job staying with Nicolas Batum and others.
The bad news: he really isn't explosive around the basket. We knew this, of course, but it's more jarring to see it when guys like Rudy Gobert, Boris Diaw and Jeffrey Lauvergne can block and alter his shots at the rim. Nene had several opportunities to dive for layups thanks to beautiful passes from Huertas, but he didn't always finish like he should. That's only going to get worse against actual NBA frontcourts.
That just means Nene is essentially a modern-day Charles Oakley. He hit his jumpers last year, but hasn't taken many for Brazil. He will take those shots for the Wizards.
Regardless, things should be easier for Brazil today against an Iran squad that has only two players you might now: former Grizzlies big man Hamed Haddadi and former Oregon star Arselan Kazemi.
Team USA vs. Turkey (3:30, ESPN)
Four years ago, Turkey was Team USA's opponent in the FIBA World Championships final. Things have ... not gone according to plan since. Despite Turkey's deep talent pool, they didn't finish in the top eight at Eurobasket 2013 and needed a wild card to even qualify for this field. They then let lowly New Zealand -- playing without Thunder big man Steven Adams -- control yesterday's FIBA opener before a late rally led to a 76-73 win.
And yet, this still might be Team USA's stiffest test in pool play. That's how bad Group C is.
I don't expect it to be much of a test, for the record. Finland was obviously overmatched, but the degree of Team USA's dominance was nevertheless impressive. Anthony Davis looks like the best player in the tournament by miles, and I suspect he'll show it again while squaring off against new Pelicans teammate Omer Asik.