Of course the promoters knew the view would be poor. So should have the people who bought tickets because it was obvious. They shouldn’t have bought tickets. Would have been pretty embarrassing for the promoters to have lots of empty seats. Perhaps we’ll see that happen in game two. Why did the promoters do it? Because $$$$. Over 100,000 tickets at those kind of prices? Australian basketball has never seen that kind of money, and likely never will again.
Yes, and yes. In about 16 hours time. Plenty of people could demand refunds. It will be pretty embarrassing for the promoters if the stadium is half empty.
Halftime Aus - 48 USA - 49 USA lead for the first quarter, Australia lead for much of the second quarter. Australia would be easily leading if they could hit their open threes. 3PM/A (%) Aus - 2/14 (14%) USA - 7/17 (41%) AST Aus - 12 USA - 5 PIP Aus - 26 USA - 10
Patty Mills is the real GOAT. Can’t believe Nate McMuffin let him sit on the Blazers bench and wave that towel.
Fulltime Aus - 98 USA - 94 First time Australia has ever beaten the USA. First loss for the USA since their loss to Greece in the 2006 World Championships. I cried when Dame made 0.9 happen. I was too stupefied to cry when Dame waved OKC goodbye. I’m not ashamed to say, I shed a couple of tears just now. This means so much to anyone in Australia who has ever played basketball.
Good on ya mate! Great day to be an Aussie! I enjoyed the game...first game I've watched since summer league! Patty frickin' Mills man...and Bogut...those guys rocked tonight...
3PM/A (%) - relevant because of the turnaround from the first half. Aus - 7/27 (25%) USA - 10/30 (33%) AST Aus - 22 USA - 11 PIP Aus - 46 USA - 26 2CP Aus - 11 USA - 5
The crowd for game one was over 51,000, the crowd for game two was over 52,000. So the complainers must have been the vocal minority. In hindsight the ticket prices were worth it to say “I was there when Australia beat the USA for the first time”.
Patty would have been great next to B-Roy. Let Patty bring the ball up court, give it to Roy for the half court set, and Patty plays the two. That said, even Patty acknowledges that his D wasn’t good enough until he went to San Antonio, and Pop kicked his arse.
Next game for the USA is against Canada in Sydney on Monday 26th @ 2:30AM PDT. The Canadians are very feisty, went 1/1 against Australia, 2/0 against New Zealand, and could present a challenge if they’re hitting their shots, and the USA takes them lightly. Nick Nurse has only has these players for a few weeks, and has them playing like they’ve been together for years. He’s a great coach.
Kuzma out as well after his ankle injury. Considering the performance against Australia as well and chances of Serbia getting the gold are increasing.
The US should just send players under 24 years old, or college guys only, or maybe G League. We don’t send our best so what’s the difference. Today’s pros don’t give a shit about this, especially non-Olympic games. If they get the gold and glory and attention from the Olympics they will do it. But this other stuff is beneath them. We’ve got maybe the best coach of all time working with Tier 4 and 5 players.