FIBA Asia 2013: Ranking Top Teams at Biannual Tournament

The 2013 FIBA Asia Championship is in full swing, as several teams boasting players with NBA ties compete for the title.

China won the tournament in 2011, but 2007 and 2009 winner Iran isn't going to go quietly this year. In fact, Iran has already beaten China once in the tournament so far.

Here's a look at my top three teams as the second round gets underway, complete with FIBA rankings in parentheses.

3. South Korea (33)

After the second-round blowout win against Bahrain on Monday, South Korea has gone 3-1 in the tournament so far. That includes wins over China and Malaysia and a loss to Iran.

Since winning the tournament in 1997, South Korea has posted one second-place finish and three third-place finishes. The South Koreans finished third last year to China and Jordan.

Although Korea hasn't had much success since winning FIBA Asia in 1997, the fact that the Koreans beat China in the first round shows this team can be dangerous.

2. China (11)

Ranked No. 11 in the FIBA rankings, China sports players with NBA ties such as Yi Jianlian and Sun Yue. 

Jianlian played five seasons in the NBA for the Milwaukee Bucks, New Jersey Nets, Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks, owning career averages of 7.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 0.7 blocks and 0.5 steals in 22 minutes per game.

Along with Yue, Jianlian has been part of the Chinese national team that played at the last two FIBA Asia Championships. The 7-footer was named the MVP of the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship after averaging 16.6 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game during the tournament.

Yue played 10 games with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2008-09 NBA season. He finished with six points in his NBA career.

China has gone a disappointing 2-2 thus far, with losses to Iran and Korea in the first round.

1. Iran (20)

Iran has gone 4-0 so far in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship. Led by NBA center Hamed Haddadi, the team has beaten Malaysia, Korea, China and India.

The resounding 70-51 victory over China opened eyes. Haddadi had 15 points, seven rebounds, one steal and one block in the win.

Iran was ranked below China headed into the tournament, but the team's performance thus far has many questioning whether the Chinese will repeat after winning in 2011.