<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Miami Flash City:</div><div class="quote_post">Anyone see the Puerto Rican flag on Melo's hand? Is he Puerto Rican? </div> His dad was Peurto Rican. He was considering playing for PR in the '04 olympics, but chose the US.
this game is just a strategy game for Puerto rico, is obvious that Julio Toro, just want to see what is the strategy to design, so wait the tournament and you see how Puerto rico is playing really
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting playmaker15:</div><div class="quote_post">This team is the type of team that needs a fast start and I don't think you'll get it without LeBron and Bosh out there to start. I think CP3 will be the starter and Arenas get playing time at both point and SG. I'm pretty sure Wade and Lebron are already locks to start in every game. Coach K has done a great job of using his subs though.</div> I'm not too thrilled having the best 5 guys out there at the start. If Coach K does it how he did last night, where he had a 7 man rotation for each quarter, you need to balance it out. Bosh looked really bad last night, Dwight looked waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better, 10 rebounds in 12 minutes, plus 2 easy dunks. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting arelis:</div><div class="quote_post">this game is just a strategy game for Puerto rico, is obvious that Julio Toro, just want to see what is the strategy to design, so wait the tournament and you see how Puerto rico is playing really</div> Exactly, we hammered Puerto Rico in a scrimmage before the 04 Olympics and you saw that they beat us by 19 pts during the Olympics.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting playmaker15:</div><div class="quote_post">I love this team and I think they will run away with the gold. Coach K and Jerry Colengelo did a great job in picking lpayers and I honestly believe that we don't need Kobe because the guy are taking enough shots. I'm not calling Kobe a ballhog but it would be better to keep the team of guys we have now. </div> Well it is easy for you to say that after the USA demolished PR in exhibition game. Having another guy who can handle the ball, shoot the 3 ball like anybody, play great defense, and clutch will help the team no matter what. With or without Kobe, Wade, Lebron, this team still expects to win the goal but having these guys will help increase our chances.
It was a massacre after they locked down on defense. Everyone on the USA team was hitting shots from everywhere.... Wade had some sick dunks too and they must have stole the ball at least a dozen times per quarter! LOL... The world better watch themselves! USA basketball is BACK!
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I love this team and I think they will run away with the gold. Coach K and Jerry Colengelo did a great job in picking lpayers and I honestly believe that we don't need Kobe because the guy are taking enough shots. I'm not calling Kobe a ballhog but it would be better to keep the team of guys we have now</div>. What are you suggesting with the statement "We dont need Kobe?" Kobe was one of the first players who was called and accepted and COMMITED himself to this USA basketball team. Unfortunately, his surgery held him out this time around. He deserves a chance to represent the country just like the rest of the guys. So does Amare who is injured at the the moment. When it all boils down to it, if Kobe doesnt play well enough or the coaches dont feel Kobe can contribute, then by all means cut him. How do you know that it would be better to keep Kobe off the team if he hasn't even played along side them yet? Jerry and Coach K contacted Kobe to play for this team and I agree with you that they did an excellent job picking the players. It just bugs me when people say that Kobe shouldnt be on the roster without even giving him a chance to play on the roster. This team is great as it is. It MIGHT be better with him included or VICE VERSA. Thats what the cuts are for. Kobe deserves a right to try out just like everyone else. This TEAM just might be better with him included on it.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trench:</div><div class="quote_post">. What are you suggesting with the statement "We dont need Kobe?" Kobe was one of the first players who was called and accepted and COMMITED himself to this USA basketball team. Unfortunately, his surgery held him out this time around. He deserves a chance to represent the country just like the rest of the guys. So does Amare who is injured at the the moment. When it all boils down to it, if Kobe doesnt play well enough or the coaches dont feel Kobe can contribute, then by all means cut him. How do you know that it would be better to keep Kobe off the team if he hasn't even played along side them yet? Jerry and Coach K contacted Kobe to play for this team and I agree with you that they did an excellent job picking the players. It just bugs me when people say that Kobe shouldnt be on the roster without even giving him a chance to play on the roster. This team is great as it is. It MIGHT be better with him included or VICE VERSA. Thats what the cuts are for. Kobe deserves a right to try out just like everyone else. This TEAM just might be better with him included on it.</div> Very logical points.
I was happy to see most of this game. Flipped it to espn by accident. Nice to see a blow out win for the US. Even though it isn't a tournament game, I feel comfortable with saying that this team will run away with the gold. Can't say they'll blow every team out, but they should still be dominate.
Im thinking Brad Miller is gonna be cut. Shane Battier and Bowen (two great defenders) are gonna stay.
We are going to need Brad Miller for his height and body. Other than him, Bosh and Howard are the only ones above 6'10 on the active roster. The other big man we have is Elton Brand at 6'8. If we don't keep Miller then we will only have 3 legit big guys. I know we have put Jamison and Melo and could put Battier at the 4, but we do need size. So for that reason we should keep Brad Miller on the roster for his size and also for his passing ability for a big man.
i have a feeling it will be battier/bowen but i dont no who the other one may be, id say jamison but he had a good game in the Pr game Mr.Spectacular next game is monday Trench i love your points on kobe, but i feel that he should be a help no matter what, he is the ebst player rite now and he is a great passer im sure he will fit in either way
Some observers noted Paul could go around his defender at will, breaking down the PR defense whenever he wanted, notched 8 assists, a game high, and created an open dunk, layup or outside shot for Melo, James, Jamison and Wade any time he wanted. It will be hard for a zone defense to stop the US when the PG is in the paint drawing 2 and three defenders and Paul the coolest customer to handle the rock in many years will have no problem flicking the ball over to an open finisher before the defense can get back to try and foul. I don't see any weakness in the offense, there will be off nights trying to shoot over the zone, but that's when the defense will toughen, the boards will have to be dominated and the quick transition to the rim (not a 3 pointer) for a layup or dunk and hopefully a 3-pt. play. The idea is this team has the discipline and the coaches and the PGs to keep the team focused on what it needs to do to win. Having D'Antoni, Drexler, K, and 5 months of preparation (by coaches) has to make teams like Brazil and France and Argentina hope they get hot and stay close by half-time, because they will be overmatched in coaching and now for the first time in a few years in team play.
Paul was also abused by Carlos A. His defence isnt that great yet. But when they put Gil and Kirk in He disapeared. Carlos was rocking him at will. All of the Chris Paul Fanatics dont attack me Is was just an observation I made.
In 2008, Paul wont be making the same mistakes. He has two seasons to polish up his game. Thats lots of time. He is great already. Can you imagine in a couple more years in the NBA what his ability will be? At the PG postion, Im going with Paul...
