http://www.sportstwo.com/Story/View/BKF/GENERAL/6509</p> </p><h2>FIBA Americas Championship starts Wednesday in Las Vegas</h2> Wednesday, August 22, 2007 05:31 AM LAS VEGAS (Ticker) -- With two berths for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing on the line, the FIBA Americas Championship qualifier begins on Wednesday afternoon and runs through September 2 at the Thomas & Mack Center. </p> The United States, which failed to qualify at last year's World Championships in Japan, headlines a field of 10 squads - split into two five-team groups - and will look to improve upon a perfect 26-0 record in this tournament. </p> The Americans aim to emerge from the competition as one of the top two clubs, earning them an automatic ticket to Beijing. But to do so, they must navigate through four rounds. </p> The top four teams from each group advance past the preliminary round to one second-round group. The best four squads from that group move on to the semifinals. </p> The third-, fourth- and fifth-place teams in this event still have a chance to get to Beijing by earning an automatic berth in next summer's World Olympic qualifying tournament, which will take place just months before the Olympic competition. </p> Looking to avoid that fate, the USA will begin its qualifying quest against Venezuela when tournament play opens Wednesday. </p> Perennial basketball powers, the Americans will be in the unfamiliar position of having to prove themselves on the international stage. But unlike the lackluster performances from the 2004 Olympics in Greece and last year's club, this version should have an easier road. </p> Team USA, which is competing in Group B, will be heavily favored against Brazil, Canada, U.S. Virgin Islands and Venezuela. </p> Coach Mike Krzyzewski, who is in his second year as anointed savior of USA Basketball, will have a lot with which to work. The Americans will be led by scoring machine Kobe Bryant, who missed last year's World Championships after having knee surgery. </p> He most likely will be joined in the starting lineup by last year's leading scorer, Carmelo Anthony, and LeBron James. Krzyzewski then has a host of other capable talents at his disposal to fill out the starting five, including centers Amare Stoudemire and Dwight Howard and point guards Chauncey Billups and Jason Kidd. </p> Rounding out the 12-man roster are Tayshaun Prince, Mike Miller, Michael Redd, Deron Williams and Tyson Chandler. Kevin Durant and Nick Collison were cut after Monday's workout. </p> Brazil also boasts NBA players Nene, Leandro Barbosa and San Antonio Spurs' draft pick Tiago Splitter but still will be playing shorthanded. </p> Anderson Varejao and Rafael Araujo will not play for the Brazilians but they are not alone. Canada will be without Steve Nash, a two-time NBA MVP. </p> However, Argentina, which is competing in Group A, may be the most vulnerable. The defending Olympic champions will be without a slew of talented performers who make up a veteran core, including NBA standouts Manu Ginobili, Andres Nocioni, Fabricio Oberto and Walter Herrmann. </p> The Argentines will have to rely on newly signed Houston Rockets forward Luis Scola and a host of unheralded members of their supporting cast to continue their international success. </p> But despite being undermanned, Argentina still is the favorite in a tumultuous Group A. </p> Mexico installed former Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson as coach, taking him from group rival Panama. But no matter who is guiding them, both clubs lack the firepower to make any noise. </p> Dark horse Puerto Rico, which has given the United States fits, still has flashy guard Carlos Arroyo but is playing without dependable center Daniel Santiago, who announced his departure from the team just one week before the tournament. </p> Uruguay rounds out Group A and will be in action vs. Panama on Wednesday. In other contests on the tournament's first day, Puerto Rico will take on Mexico and Canada faces off with Brazil. </p>
<h3>FIBA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT </h3> All Times Eastern</p> 3:30 pm URUGUAY vs PANAMA (AT LAS VEGAS)NATIONAL: NBA TV </p> </p> 6:00 pm PUERTO RICO vs MEXICO (AT LAS VEGAS)NATIONAL: NBA TV </p> </p> 8:30 pm CANADA vs BRAZIL (AT LAS VEGAS) NATIONAL: NBA TV </p> </p> 11:00 pm UNITED STATES vs VENEZUELA (AT LAS VEGAS) NATIONAL: ESPN Classic</p> </p> Note: US vs Venezuela is scheduled to be replayed on ESPN 2 at 1:00 am</p>
USA's Schedule:</p> USA vs. Venezuela 11 PM - ESPN Classic, ESPN360.com (8-22)</p> USA vs. Virgin Islands 11 PM - ESPN Classic, ESPN360.com (8-23)</p> USA vs. Canada 3 PM - ESPN2, ESPN2 HD, ESPN360.com (8-24)</p> USA vs. Brazil 9 PM- ESPN2, ESPN2 HD, ESPN360.com (8-25)</p> </p>
I can't wait. I stay up until 2-3 every night anyway, so I don't have a problem waiting until 1 am to watch this game. Finally, some basketball! I'm dying for it.
Brasil wins it 75-67 </p> </p> Nice win for them. I want to see them against USA.</p> GO NENE!!!!</p>
Yeah, if we were to run our offense like this against a good team, we'd lose. What is Coach K doing? </p> His coaching has been crap so far, in the Worlds, and maybe again this year. </p> Hopefully we get a new coach after this 3 year committment crap.</p> How about a no bullshit coach like Scott Skiles? You know...a guy that has actually coached over in Europe. </p>
I still don't understand why we have coach K as the coach. </p> </p> So many good nba coaches available. Who really know the players. </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticKing)</div><div class='quotemain'> I still don't understand why we have coach K as the coach. </p> </p> So many good nba coaches available. Who really know the players. </p> </div></p> I think honestly, that it was purely to recruit Kobe onto Team USA. </p> Coach K just isn't a good coach for this. Our offense is a complete mess.</p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kid Chocolate)</div><div class='quotemain'> It's 2 minutes into the game, relax.</p> </p> LOL @ Scott Skiles. </p></div> Skiles is a better coach than Coach K. </p> Coach K needs to stick to college. He isn't ready for this big of a stage. He already blew the worlds.</p>
Any NBA coach is better than him and he knows that, even the players do. </p> </p> Stick to college coach K.</p>
Wow anyone see that circus shot kobe had ~5 minutes ago? And he's draining it from three. My boy is on fire.
