FIBA Asia: Toroman says this is strongest Iranian team he's seen

He steered the Iranian national basketball team to the Olympics five years ago but Serbian Rajko Toroman still sounded in awe about how his former charges are dominating the ongoing 27th FIBA Asia Championship.

“I didn’t even see an Iranian national team stronger than this,” stressed the 58-year-old mentor after seeing first-hand how the Iranians, with towering center Hamed Hadadi lording it over, outclassed formidable South Korea 76-65, and blasted defending champion China, 70-51.

“They look so strong. It’s the first time they are in a complete line-up and don't have any injury. They are very experienced and have a very good coach (Mehmed Becirovic). I’m really impressed with their game against South Korea,” he added.

Toroman was  behind the Iranians’ rise to prominence, having handled the team from 2007 to 2008 highlighted by a stint in the 2008 Beijing Olympiad where they finished 11th overall.  

Now handled by the 52-year-old Slovenian Becirovic, Iran, a former two-time tournament champion, continues to improve, notably on the defensive end, according to Toroman.

“They are looking great defensively. In the offensive end, they can still play much better. But these guys, like Samad (Nikkhah Bahrami) and Hadadi, they really play great basketball. They are very experienced and matured,” he said.

Waived by the Phoenix Suns in late June, the 7-foot-2 Hadadi proved he still has what it takes at 28 years of age, coming through with a game-best 30 points, half of them coming in the payoff period, on top of 13 rebounds and a block against the Koreans.

“Hamed was dominating. He doesn’t have a contract right now so he wants to prove himself. That’s something great for their team but will be very tough against any team that they will be playing against,” noted Toroman.

Although he opted not to look that far ahead, it was evident Toroman considers the Iranians one of the favorites to nail one of the three tickets up for grabs for next year’s World Basketball Championship in Spain.

“There are still seven to eight teams that can contend. But for the moment, they (Iranians) are in great shape and you can say they are really one of the strongest. They are looking very good right now that’s why they are the biggest contender this year,” he added.