I saw this post on talkhoops myspace bulletin, and I agree: The 101-70 victory over team China was great on the surface but China showed the initial concerns for Team USA. 1.) We don't rebound well and don't keep teams off of the offensive boards. That's going to be a HUGE problem against teams like Argentina, Australia, Greece, Spain, and Germany. 2.) We guard the 3 pathetically. China got a lot of wide open threes and hit 10 of 27 overall in the game. We simply don't play that smart in zone defenses. Dwyane Wade in particular (who had a fantastic offensive game and looks to be back) was awful in his decision to double-team players and leave open three-point shooters. This will be a huge problem against Greece, Spain, and Lithuania. 3.) Not smart in pressuring the ball in the half court. When we pressured the Chinese guards in a full court press and full court trap, we dominated their guards. But when we let them get into their sets in the half court and tried to play that over-extending pressure defense on the ball, our players often got blown by. China was phenomenal for most of the game in protecting the ball. That will be a big problem against Greece, Russia, Spain, and Lithuania.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (lukewarmplay @ Aug 11 2008, 02:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'm so disappointed in the Olympic Committee's decision to censor it's athletes from speaking out on Darfur, it's sullied this Olympics and probably all future ones.</div> Oh no, but what China is doing with Darfur is okay, because the US steals oil.
If any team gives the US that many unforced turnovers and long rebounds, they'll run away with it. It was a win, but not an overly impressive win. And certainly not good enough to deserve a mini-feature voiced by Chris Collinsworth.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Republican @ Aug 11 2008, 10:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>What was the starting line-up? I didnt watch the game</div> Kidd/Kobe/Bron/Melo/Dwight
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (farouq710 @ Aug 11 2008, 03:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>spain has juan carlos navarro (former grizzly, left the nba because he didn't like it, not cuz he can't play), Jose calderon (starting PG for Toronto) Pau Gasol (Starting PF for laker, All Star caliber) Marc Gasol (former MVP of Spanish ACB league, Rookie for Grizzlies this year Rudy Fernandez (Trailblazers rookie, 1st round pick, Is a star in the same league as Marc Gasol) Ricky Rubio (A lottery pick/potential number 1 pick in next years NBA draft, Is the teammate of fernandez) Raul Lopez (has played for the Jazz and was 1st round pick in 01 NBA draft Jorge Garbajosa (former Toronto Raptor, left because team didn't want him to play for Spain) The rest of the team consists of high level players that play in the Euroleague aka the 2nd best league in the world which is above the NCAA. Spain has a lot of talent and they aren't simply a few nba players, they're top 7 are all nba level talent. Basically this team and all the talent is the equal of a devcent NBA team. Combine the FIBA rules with their talent and the Americans inconsistency with their shots in FIBA play and you can see that it;s not a stretch to see this team beating Team USA. Yeah I know they've been together for 3 years but they still lost during the world championships.</div> Why no Sergio Rodriguez?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Netted @ Aug 11 2008, 02:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (farouq710 @ Aug 11 2008, 03:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>spain has juan carlos navarro (former grizzly, left the nba because he didn't like it, not cuz he can't play), Jose calderon (starting PG for Toronto) Pau Gasol (Starting PF for laker, All Star caliber) Marc Gasol (former MVP of Spanish ACB league, Rookie for Grizzlies this year Rudy Fernandez (Trailblazers rookie, 1st round pick, Is a star in the same league as Marc Gasol) Ricky Rubio (A lottery pick/potential number 1 pick in next years NBA draft, Is the teammate of fernandez) Raul Lopez (has played for the Jazz and was 1st round pick in 01 NBA draft Jorge Garbajosa (former Toronto Raptor, left because team didn't want him to play for Spain) The rest of the team consists of high level players that play in the Euroleague aka the 2nd best league in the world which is above the NCAA. Spain has a lot of talent and they aren't simply a few nba players, they're top 7 are all nba level talent. Basically this team and all the talent is the equal of a devcent NBA team. Combine the FIBA rules with their talent and the Americans inconsistency with their shots in FIBA play and you can see that it;s not a stretch to see this team beating Team USA. Yeah I know they've been together for 3 years but they still lost during the world championships.</div> Why no Sergio Rodriguez? </div> Ah I knew I forgot someone. thanks netted. So that's 8 Nba caliber players with a few being exceptional. Like I said before Spain is basically an above average NBA team. The international rules play in their favor however, China put up a hell of a fight and nearly beat them today. I love FIBA ball absolutely anything can happen, China gets drilled by the US but almost beats the number 3 ranked team.
Scratch that, it looks like Sergio isn't on the Spain team. Odd but I guess they felt they had more than enough PGs with Calderon, Navarro, Lopez and Rubio.
I'm rooting for them, but I'd rather watch the Nets win a first round playoff game than watch the USA win gold. [/quote] Well put. I completely agree.
As much as i like Team USA and coach K... they havent really proven anything with the 2 blowout wins they had against China. If they dont win the Gold then it will all be for nothing. Gold = Redemption Anything else = Failure
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kid Chocolate @ Aug 10 2008, 11:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>This is the Dream Team. The current USA men's basketball olympic team is NOT the Dream Team. (and don't call them the Redeem Team either, that's what the Germans would call DAS UBERGEIGH)</div> Id still call them the Redeem team coz thats what they are! What does "DAS UBERGEIGH" mean? (Sounds like 'Thats super gay' LOL!)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kid Chocolate @ Aug 11 2008, 02:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Black Republican @ Aug 11 2008, 10:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>What was the starting line-up? I didnt watch the game</div> Kidd/Kobe/Bron/Melo/Dwight </div> Thanks! Melo at PF? Cmon coach k, u better than that
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GMJigga @ Aug 12 2008, 12:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Well it's not really power forward; think of it more like "forward."</div> Oh, ok. But i still dont agree tho. With that lineup, we beatable against spain. JMO
The world has caught up to America because they play team ball, it's 5 on 5, moving, around, picks, screens, curls, etc. Chemistry is a huge key, when the Nets turned it around, it was team chemistry that got them the Eastern Crown. The ability to play and think as one. I still see a lot of cement in this system, but there's quite a bit of off ball movement, more than in the NBA. I think Coach K has done a great job, in getting these guys to check their egos at the door. I still don't like the system because Kidd is bringing the ball up but headed to one side, I"d much rather keep the rock in his hands, run through a couple of picks, then allow him to make the decision as to where the shot will come from. Nevertheless he's only playing 20 minutes a game. I like the Williams-Paul back court, more playmakers/scorers on the court.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>I still don't like the system because Kidd is bringing the ball up but headed to one side, I"d much rather keep the rock in his hands, run through a couple of picks, then allow him to make the decision as to where the shot will come from</div> He's basically handing the ball off to Lebron, Kobe, Wade, Carmelo etc on every play. Paul, however, is holding the rock longer and looking to set up a play.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Joker @ Aug 12 2008, 04:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>I still don't like the system because Kidd is bringing the ball up but headed to one side, I"d much rather keep the rock in his hands, run through a couple of picks, then allow him to make the decision as to where the shot will come from</div> He's basically handing the ball off to Lebron, Kobe, Wade, Carmelo etc on every play. Paul, however, is holding the rock longer and looking to set up a play. </div> That's all Kidd can do in a halfcourt anymore. He's super effective in transition and he was effective in the motion offense. Any offense that allows him to make decisions on the fly with guys in motion and cutting is the best for him.
I'd say...just wait until we start facing better competition. Possibly competition that uses a press - I'm sure Kidd would thrive in those situations.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Netted @ Aug 12 2008, 04:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Joker @ Aug 12 2008, 04:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>I still don't like the system because Kidd is bringing the ball up but headed to one side, I"d much rather keep the rock in his hands, run through a couple of picks, then allow him to make the decision as to where the shot will come from</div> He's basically handing the ball off to Lebron, Kobe, Wade, Carmelo etc on every play. Paul, however, is holding the rock longer and looking to set up a play. </div> That's all Kidd can do in a halfcourt anymore. He's super effective in transition and he was effective in the motion offense. Any offense that allows him to make decisions on the fly with guys in motion and cutting is the best for him. </div> Kidd does thrive more in motion offense, but he can still be very effective in a half court set. It's just he isn't looking to get involved in pick & rolls or cut to the basket. He's waiting on the perimeter looking to make the pass if it's there. Same exact thing happened in Dallas. That's why Avery got canned. In this case it's the Olympics, so it's understandable.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (pegs @ Aug 12 2008, 04:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'd say...just wait until we start facing better competition. Possibly competition that uses a press - I'm sure Kidd would thrive in those situations.</div> Yeah he would because it opens the court more and allows him to move, create, and hit guys going toward the basket.
