2012 Olympics: Spurs Focus

[ElNono]

This Brazil - Russia game is pretty good

[emanueldavidginobili]

Wow did Argentina look bad in the first quarter and Tunisia was hitting everything, and then Manu said enough with this BS, Manu played great 9/12 4/4 from deep 24 points in just 25 minutes. Manu is now first in scoring and 1st in steals.

[freetiago]

really wish france had noah
i could see them getting silver
his defense is a big gamechanger

and this brazil coach treats splitter lke pop treats blair
pretty much didnt play him at all in the 2nd

[ElNono]

Brazil's defense is good enough, but they need to make those wide open shots

[freetiago]

splitter was finishing good in the first quarter but has gone downhill since then
his moves to get open were solid but hes missing
also been passing extremely well but his teammates are bricking all their 3s

defensively hes had some good sequences then some bad ones
lol at getting worked by mosgov

[SanDiegoSpursFan]

Barbosa isn't really a fan of passing.

[ElNono]

Barbosa going blackhole after Brazil worked hard to tie the game

[Ice009]

13-2 run for Brazil, take a 5 point lead.

[SanDiegoSpursFan]

Barbosa is scoring well but he isn't being a good teammate. One sequence he got the ball on the wing, pump faked, and then drove the ball and nearly turned it over instead of passing it to the guy wide open in the corner.

[ElNono]

Prigioni confirmed kidney stones, nobody knows how long he'll be out

[Ice009]

Great game.

[Brazil]

Prigioni confirmed kidney stones, nobody knows how long he'll be out

wow kidney stones is normally no joke, going to create a big hole for Argentina, he was playin' 35 mn a game

[SanDiegoSpursFan]

Noooooooooo

[ElNono]

wow, what an end... lol Barbosa killing his team at both ends

[Ice009]

WOW Russia with the 3 for the WIN! Crazy win.

[freetiago]

lol brazil

[TE]

Crazy

[Venti Quattro]

:lmao Barbosa

[Brazil]

I vastly underestimated France.

France fate is linked to how fast Parker, Diaw and Batum get into shape. It seems that they are now clicking. Really a bummer to not have Noah, I'd love to see what this team would be capable of with him. IMO they could have a shot at a silver medal. c'est la vie

[Bruno]

Great game. It was little strange to see Brazil going small by letting both Splitter and Varejao on the bench but it almost worked.

It sucks for Prigioni but I like what I saw from their young small PG. Hopefully for them, Prigioni will be back for the QF. They should be able to beat Nigeria without him.

[Brazil]

oh and :lmao Barbosa

[TE]

France will play Brazil now if things stay the same...

[Venti Quattro]

France fate is linked to how fast Parker, Diaw and Batum get into shape. It seems that they are now clicking. Really a bummer to not have Noah, I'd love to see what this team would be capable of with him. IMO they could have a shot at a silver medal. c'est la vie

You're not beating Spain and the United States; that has been proven even with Noah in the lineup. However, a bronze finish wouldn't so far-fetched for France at all. In fact, it is now a very attainable goal.

Also, :lol Diaw and getting into shape in the same sentence

[FromWayDowntown]

Great game. It was little strange to see Brazil going small by letting both Splitter and Varejao on the bench but it almost worked.

Popovich is coaching Brazil?

[ElNono]

Popovich is coaching Brazil?

:lol

[emanueldavidginobili]

Compazzo the back up for prigioni did not do a bad job at all he is literally the only player on the team with youth at age 21. I wouldnt mind him getting more minutes even if Prigioni does come back. That kid Compazzo is all over the place like an energizer bunny, they could use that seeing how 8 out of the 12 Argentine players are 32 years+

[Brazil]

You're not beating Spain and the United States; that has been proven even with Noah in the lineup. However, a bronze finish wouldn't so far-fetched for France at all. In fact, it is now a very attainable goal.

Also, :lol Diaw and getting into shape in the same sentence

I didn't say we would have beaten USA with Noah, I said they could have a shot at a silver medal. having a shot is not saying we would have been favorites against Spain.

For Diaw I'm speaking about game shape not physical shape, already said he is fat as hell during these Olympics.

Bronze is going to be tough and once again with France the most difficult games are the ones where we are the clear favorites like Tunisia. Loosing against Tunisia would be very French

[ace3g]

John Schuhmann ‏@johnschuhmann

Doc Rivers just said on NBC that "you'd have to say yes" to an offer to coach the Olympic team, but also endorsed Popovich.

[DPG21920]

lol Pop coaching the Olympic team.

[FromWayDowntown]

Pop makes sense as the next USMNT coach as long as the veteran NBA guys remain eligible to play in the Olympics. If the Olympics become an under-23 thing, I think a college coach would probably be ideal to coach that team with Pop or Doc taking the reins of teams that include veterans to play (the World Championships or the speculated World Cup tournament).

[sonic21]

Bronze is going to be tough and once again with France the most difficult games are the ones where we are the clear favorites like Tunisia. Loosing against Tunisia would be very French

i think they're more mature now, those bad performances against lesser teams were 2-3 years ago

[DPG21920]

GB is the dumbest team :lol

[TE]

GB is the dumbest team :lol

No doubt. :lmao

All game long, Collins was blowing his load on how the HC of Great Britain has NBA experience this and that...:lol it sure seemed like it in that last couple of sequences

[mudyez]

this Ike guy has the same name like our bust :)

[Brazil]

No doubt. :lmao

All game long, Collins was blowing his load on how the HC of Great Britain has NBA experience this and that...:lol it sure seemed like it in that last couple of sequences

how your name has been transformed into TE ?

[TE]

how your name has been transformed into TE ?

I asked Kori for it....

[Bruno]

Spain looked bad. They really need Navarro, he is their second best player behind Pau Gasol. I wouldn't be surprised to see them not really trying to win their last 2 games. Finishing 3rd of their group would be a good spot for them since they will be on the other side of the bracket than USA.

[DAF86]

Spain looked bad. They really need Navarro, he is their second best player behind Pau Gasol. I wouldn't be surprised to see them not really trying to win their last 2 games. Finishing 3rd of their group would be a good spot for them since they will be on the other side of the bracket than USA.

And fuck France in the quarters right? Why are French so negative? :lol

[Bruno]

And fuck France in the quarters right? Why are French so negative? :lol

Well, it's not about negativity. It would just make a lot of sense for Spain to do that. Anyway, we'll see if they do that.

[DAF86]

Well, it's not about negativity. It would just make a lot of sense for Spain to do that. Anyway, we'll see if they do that.

It would make a lot more sense to try to finish 1st, imho.

[spurs10]

Spain looked bad. They really need Navarro, he is their second best player behind Pau Gasol. I wouldn't be surprised to see them not really trying to win their last 2 games. Finishing 3rd of their group would be a good spot for them since they will be on the other side of the bracket than USA.
Don't the #1 teams play the #4 team. Wouldn't being first assure they wouldn't play USA until the finals?

[SanDiegoSpursFan]

Don't the #1 teams play the #4 team. Wouldn't being first assure they wouldn't play USA until the finals?

Finishing 1st or 3rd ensures they don't play USA before the gold medal game.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_at_the_2012_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_M en#Playoffs

[spurs10]

Finishing 1st or 3rd ensures they don't play USA before the gold medal game.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketball_at_the_2012_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_M en#Playoffs
Thanks!

[ace3g]

Basketball: Age Limit Would Be a Shame, Says Ginobili


"If I think about it selfishly, I don't care. I am done, almost for sure. But it would be disappointing," said 35-year-old Ginobili, who is playing in his third Olympics after earning gold at the 2004 Athens Games and a bronze medal in Beijing.

"But it would be disappointing. If I was 24 right now, I would be crying in the corner that I wouldn't have this opportunity in my life.

"It's something that I wish every athlete can be part of because it's amazing. It's a wonderful experience and I'm so proud for having played in three of them. It is one of the highlights of my career."

U.S. team members Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Kevin Durant, among many others, have also spoken out against the idea.

"It would be sad if somebody that is now 23, 22 in four years is going to be (too) old to play in the Olympics and couldn't do it," said Ginobili, who has also won three NBA titles during his 10-year career with the San Antonio Spurs.

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2012/08/02/sports/basketball/02reuters-oly-bask-bkmbbl-ginobili.html?_r=2&partner=rss&emc=rss

[TE]

Manu knows what's up :tu

[ace3g]

http://media.kens5.com/images/pic-74657-20120731-day6basketball.JPG

http://media.kens5.com/images/pic-72976-20120731-day6basketball.JPG

http://media.kens5.com/images/pic-83495-20120731-day6basketball.JPG

http://media.kens5.com/images/pic-83599-20120731-day6basketball.JPG

[Bruno]

Brett Brown talked about De Colo:
http://basketsession.com/brett-brown-nando-de-colo-me-rappelle-ginobili/

"When we faced France in a friendly game, I've seen Nando in live for the first time and I lvoe him. He had swagger. He got game. He plays hard in a way that reminds me a little a younger version of Manu because he is fearless, he can fight with players and he has a great self confidence."

"I see how he can fit with Tony and how much Tony trust him because of his pure talent and because he plays hard. He has a little of Dragic in his game. He is bigger than I thought and I think he can be a good surprise in the NBA even if he will need some time to make the transition like everybody else. I think Pops will be pleasantly surprised. In any case, RC Bufford and his staff have made a very good job at finding him and he will now come here."

He was also asked if he didn't have too much regret about Scola:
"We love Scola and Pop loves him more than anybody else. It was a so long time ago that I don't even remembered it."

[ace3g]

photo gallery and info on each of the Spurs in the Olympics:

http://www.nba.com/spurs/news/120731_spurs_summer_games

[Ice009]

Honestly, did that Scola trade go through Pop before it was made?

[ace3g]

Basketball world owes Manu Ginobili and Argentina's national team debt of gratitude


LONDON – Ten years ago, San Antonio Spurs general manager R.C. Buford walked into a steak house in Indianapolis, leaned into a private dining room, and witnessed Manu Ginobili and the brokenhearted Argentine silver medalists gathered at a long table for dinner. Children bounced on knees, wives and girlfriends chatted, and the fiber of a 2004 Olympic gold medalist strengthened itself in the aftermath of basketball's '02 world championships.

Argentina had delivered the United States its first loss in the post-Dream Team era, sending a ragged and motley Team USA tumbling toward sixth place and a well-deserved moment of global reckoning. USA Basketball had no system, no soul, no vision. The program had collapsed under the weight of its own neglect and hubris, a sense of entitlement that ultimately met its international match with a relentless band of brothers out of Argentina.

continue reading: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--basketball-world-owes-manu-ginobili-and-argentina-debt-of-gratitude-.html

[Rito3d30]

Will Prigioni play again in this tourament?

[ElNono]

Will Prigioni play again in this tourament?

Latest news is that he was feeling a little better and did a light workout with teammates on Friday. They're going to re-asses again tomorrow and he might get some minutes against Nigeria if he feels ok. I guess he'll try to play through it, but the pain might dictate how long he plays.

[SanDiegoSpursFan]

Tunisia is playing pretty well against France. Parker is doing quite well too.

De Colo has thrown some nice passes but some really shitty passes too.

[Rito3d30]

Diaw was in full assist mode:wow

[SanDiegoSpursFan]

Looks like Argentina might have to play Spain in the quarterfinals.

[Bruno]

Nope, Spain will tank their last game to avoid USA in semifinal. Argentina will face Brazil in QF.

[SanDiegoSpursFan]

So will a lot of their players be injured then?
So it will be:
USA vs. Australia
Brazil vs. Argentina

Russia vs. Lithuania
France vs. Spain
?

[Bruno]

So will a lot of their players be injured then?

They had to be careful on how to tank this game. Some badminton players have been excluded of the Olympics for losing games on purpose.

On the other side, Brazil doesn't have a lot of incentives at winning this game. I'm not sure who they rather play in QF between Argentina and France. They will be too interested in avoiding USA in semifinal.

At the end, it could be a weird game.

[Bruno]

And :lmao at Boris not taking a single shot against Tunisia in 31 minutes.

[emanueldavidginobili]

Damn Argentina couldn't afford to lose that game go France they messed up and now they're on usa side of the bracket

[emanueldavidginobili]

Wow what a game! USA beats Lithuania by 5

[Bruno]

USA has an horrible coach. They will still likely win the gold because they are so talented but they would be so much better with a decent coach.

[TE]

Assuming Brazil beats Spain...

(1) USA vs. (4) Australia
(2) Brazil vs. (3) Argentina

(1) Russia vs. (4) Lithuania
(2) France vs. (3) Spain

I'm I missing something here??

[ace3g]

Brazil playing China now:

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/basketball/mens-preliminary-round-group-b-bkm400b11.html

[Bruno]

Assuming Brazil beats Spain...

(1) USA vs. (4) Australia
(2) Brazil vs. (3) Argentina

(1) Russia vs. (4) Lithuania
(2) France vs. (3) Spain

I'm I missing something here??

If Great Britain beat Australia today, they should end up 4th and play USA in QF. It's not the most likely scenario but I can see it happened.

[TE]

One has to feel kinda bad for China. Losing their leader in Yao, and competing valiantly as the host nation in 2008 all the way to this.

At least they qualified, I guess.

[TE]

Tiago beasting on det weak China front court

[emanueldavidginobili]

Is there any way Argentina can get on the other side of usa on the bracket?

[TE]

No I don't think they can.

I believe the only spots capable of changing are the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th seeds for Group B (as Bruno alluded to).

[TE]

Actually I'm wrong. If Argentina can lose today against Nigeria and then lose against USA, while Lithuania wins their next game against Tunisia, I think Arg gets out of the wrong side.

[sonic21]

brazil-spain should be a good game.

two teams trying to lose to avoid usa in the SF.

[TE]

brazil-spain should be a good game.

two teams trying to lose to avoid usa in the SF.

It might be a game to avoid watching. Both teams are gonna be in tank mode. Even if spain just lays down, Brazilian coach magnano will probably instruct his team to do the same.

[TE]

Actually I'm wrong. If Argentina can lose today against Nigeria and then lose against USA, while Lithuania wins their next game against Tunisia, I think Arg gets out of the wrong side.

Nevermind... This isn't possible

[sonic21]

it would be sweet though if france beat a tanking Spain.

[DPG21920]

Is it just me or does Patty look a little heavier?

[DAF86]

Nope, Spain will tank their last game to avoid USA in semifinal. Argentina will face Brazil in QF.

Now, it does make sense to do that, the thing is Brazil may try to that as well. Then there's the little fact that they may get disqualified if they make the tanking too obvious. Imho, Spain beats Brazil.

[DAF86]

Fuck, now I wish we would have lost to Lithuania. I would feel so confident on a knock-out game against Russia.

[DPG21920]

Damn, Mills is a scoring machine :wow

Even with the Spurs and especially with AUS, he just has so many 20 point games. It's obviously not a fluke - he is a legit scorer at any level.

[Sa_Spursfan20]

Patty Mills is killing it right now! NICE!

[DAF86]

Mills is an entertainig player to watch.

[DPG21920]

32 points for Mills and another large deficit overcome because of it.

[TE]

Mills is a gamer

[emanueldavidginobili]

Standing at only 6 feet tall this guy knows how to put the ball in the hoop

[emanueldavidginobili]

39 points for Patty

[SplitterHook]

splitter delivered a huge facial today.

[DontStopBelieving]

Arg. destroying Nigeria..

[DAF86]

Argentina with 37 in the first quarter. Nigerians just don't care about defense.

[emanueldavidginobili]

Nigeria is so bad, makes this game so boring. Wondering how they qualified. I feel as if a team like Italy would be better than this team. They have Gallinari and Belinelli and I'm sure some other guys that are decent.

[ElNono]

Nigeria is so bad, makes this game so boring. Wondering how they qualified. I feel as if a team like Italy would be better than this team. They have Gallinari and Belinelli and I'm sure some other guys that are decent.

They beat Greece :lol

[SplitterHook]

They beat Greece :lol

Greece? The superpower greece? That's un-possible! I mean, some guy in ST always explained to us how great greece players are so I don't believe that!

Btw, where's the guy?

[Manudona]

Is there any way Argentina can get on the other side of usa on the bracket?

What about if Arg def USA? then the final positions in the group will go thru the scoring +/-, right? (Assuming USA FRA and ARG all finish with one lose)

[ElNono]

What about if Arg def USA? then the final positions in the group will go thru the scoring +/-, right? (Assuming USA FRA and ARG all finish with one lose)

yes

[Bruno]

What about if Arg def USA? then the final positions in the group will go thru the scoring +/-, right? (Assuming USA FRA and ARG all finish with one lose)

It's the +/- but only between teams tied. To be more accurate it's not +/-, it's points scored divided by points allowed.

If Argentina wins by less than 17 points (about) and if France beat Nigeria, USA will be first, Argentina second and France third.

[DAF86]

:lol at Argentina beating USA, they aren't even going to try.

[ElNono]

:lol at Argentina beating USA, they aren't even going to try.

Yeah, I expect rest for everybody

[ace3g]

http://www.cabb.com.ar/galeriaImagenes/LonArgvsNig/images/argnig02.jpg

[Leetonidas]

Patty Mills just dropped 39 points on Great Britain

[racm]

Why does Mills become Allen Iverson on team Australia (except for the locker room issues)?

I mean he's a backup 1 whose primary strength is speed, and somehow he put up 34/12 playing with Joseph and Blair but he hasn't cracked 10 assists on the Boomers.

[benfti]

Why does Mills become Allen Iverson on team Australia (except for the locker room issues)?

I mean he's a backup 1 whose primary strength is speed, and somehow he put up 34/12 playing with Joseph and Blair but he hasn't cracked 10 assists on the Boomers.

:lol

He has to do the bulk of the scoring on that team. They really other than David Andersen dont have any legitimate scorers, Dellavadova is a decent point guard but is limited as a 2 guard so Patty has to play the 1/2 role.

He would probably pass the ball more if Bogut was in the team.

What he did in the last 2 games of the regular season against the Suns and GSW shows he can do it in the NBA if he becomes a teams main man.

Strange lower rung teams have not put in offers for him. Im just glad he is ours.

[CGD]

Any bigs that have stood out these games? I havent been watching.

[racm]

Any bigs that have stood out these games? I havent been watching.

That Pau Gasol guy from Spain. :downspin:

[temujin]

Nigeria is so bad, makes this game so boring. Wondering how they qualified. I feel as if a team like Italy would be better than this team. They have Gallinari and Belinelli and I'm sure some other guys that are decent.

Except that they also have Bargnani.

[spurs1990]

I think Patty has earned the backup PG spot. At least going into October.

[spurs10]

I think Patty has earned the backup PG spot. At least going into October.
I hope so, he actually plays that position! :lol

[racm]

Except that they also have Bargnani.

Gallo and Belinelli are solid rotation players. Bargs is a bust of a first overall pick.


I think Patty has earned the backup PG spot. At least going into October.

Pop can afford to run the "super fast" lineup, fwiw.

[SanDiegoSpursFan]

Patty Mills isn't playing too well right now.

AND HE STILL KNOCKS IN THE GAME WINNER!!!!!!!!

[freetiago]

mills today shot was off
passing wasnt very good
team was better with him on the bench offensively

defensively his on ball defense was good
but his defense on screens was bad even by spurs standards
and his overall awareness was horrible, got lost a lot

but of course he hits the gamewinner so i can forgive him
great play from bret

[ivanfromwestwood]

Patty fucking mills is a beast.

[AussieFanKurt]

Patty Fucking Mills

Even though Ingles played better - hope he gets picked up by a team, he's had a good tournament

[hsxvvd]

That Mills contract is looking better and better, his value MUST be going up with each game.

[racm]

Jeremy Lin who? :lmao

[Ice009]

who was the game against?

[AussieFanKurt]

That Mills contract is looking better and better, his value MUST be going up with each game.

NBA teams always seem to need a shooter who just keeps shooting, lucky enough he can knock a few down, is lightning quick and plays okay D

[Ice009]

I thought Patrick wasn't a good shooter at all when he first came into the NBA. Am I mistaken? He seems to have improved his jumper a lot?

[racm]

Instant offense bench scorers. Think Eddie House.

Ice, he's still pretty streaky.

[AussieFanKurt]

I thought Patrick wasn't a good shooter at all when he first came into the NBA. Am I mistaken? He seems to have improved his jumper a lot?

Spot on, he really had very little of a jumper. He was just super quick and good around the basket. Now that he's added a nice jumper he's a reasonably good NBA bench player. Eddie House is about right I think as said by racm. Mills faster though

[jiggy_55]

Patty Millssssssss!

[racm]

How do the Spurs get players with no jump shot then give them range?

And yeah, the point guard position for the Spurs is FAST.

[AussieFanKurt]

How do the Spurs get players with no jump shot then give them range?

And yeah, the point guard position for the Spurs is FAST.

Chip Engelland? Maybe, I don't know

[racm]

True. Good thing the Spurs have him and not the Celtics.

[Ice009]

Chip Engelland? Maybe, I don't know

No, his jumper was already getting better before coming to the Spurs. I saw some Youtube clips where he lit it up in the Chinese league. I think he's still streaky, but a much better shooter than when he first came to the NBA.

Who was the game against today that he hit the game winner on?

[Chieflion]

No, his jumper was already getting better before coming to the Spurs. I saw some Youtube clips where he lit it up in the Chinese league. I think he's still streaky, but a much better shooter than when he first came to the NBA.

Who was the game against today that he hit the game winner on?

Russia.

[smaka]

I don't know how to post a video, but here is the link of a buzzer beater against Russia (undefeated until now, even beat Spain!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAg9F9uY5SY

[AussieFanKurt]

We have to verse the US now.. sigh

[hsxvvd]

We made it through the group stage... more than I expected... US upset? Would be the biggest story of the Olympics yet... better than a medal.... but it won't happen.

[AussieFanKurt]

We made it through the group stage... more than I expected... US upset? Would be the biggest story of the Olympics yet... better than a medal.... but it won't happen.

It'd have to be top 10 upsets of all time in any sport you'd think. Likelihood 1/1000

[racm]

Only way that happens is if USA falls in love with jump shots.

[AussieFanKurt]

Only way that happens is if USA falls in love with jump shots.

And Australia go 20/20 from 3 point range

[urunobili]

Wow Nigeria just erased a 17 pts deficit to tie France at the end of the 3rd... jeez...

[DPG21920]

France with a lapse and NGR PG going off.

[PublicOption]

:flag:you can see now why the NBA allowed for these "super" teams to form in Boston, LA, and Miami. It is the only way they could beat the Spurs.

We were so dominate the league had to go out of its way to help the rest of the league "win".:flag:

[DPG21920]

Did TP foul out?

[mrjap2x]

Pretty sure tp didn't foul out.

[DPG21920]

Strange he was not in the game, a very tight game, with only a few minutes left then.

[Bruno]

This game was meaningless for France. That's why Parker didn't played at the end. A lot of players were too playing at half speed.

And French TV coverage is atrocious. The whole Olympic TV coverage sucks but the basketball part is the worst one.

[Sa_Spursfan20]

God damn. I wish I had been able to see that game winner from Patty live. Very very nice! Good for the Boomers!

[DesignatedT]

So is Argentina locked into the USA side of the bracket as well or do they still have something to play for today?

[smaka]

So is Argentina locked into the USA side of the bracket as well or do they still have something to play for today?

I read somewhere that if they win, they are 2nd in their group, but I am not sure if this is correct. Definitely it's gonna be interesting what happens between Spain and Brazil. If Argentina loses, they play against the winner of this match.

[dylankerouac]

And French TV coverage is atrocious. The whole Olympic TV coverage sucks but the basketball part is the worst one.

I agree, I am recording Olympic coverage on two channels with hopes they play men's basketball later.

[DesignatedT]

So is ARG gunna go all out and try to win today vs USA or just throw it and take their chances vs USA down the road.

ElNono?

[spurs10]

I read somewhere that if they win, they are 2nd in their group, but I am not sure if this is correct. Definitely it's gonna be interesting what happens between Spain and Brazil. If Argentina loses, they play against the winner of this match.
I think you are right. Argentina will likely be #3 playing the winner of Spain/Brazil.

[Bruno]

Even if Argentina try as hard as they can, they won't beat USA.

In theory, here are all the scenarios available:
- USA win: USA will end 1st, France 2nd and Argentina 3rd.
- Argentina win by less than 17 points: USA will need 1st, Argentina 2nd and France 3rd.
- Argentina will by 17-47 points: Argentina will be 1st, USA 2nd and France 3rd.
- Argentina won by more than 47 points: Argentina will be 1st, France 2nd and USA 3rd.

The 1st and 3rd team are on the same side of the bracket.
The 1st team will face Australia.
The 2nd team will face the loser of Brazil/Spain.
The 3rd team will face the winner of Brazil/Spain.

The Brazil/Spain game will be played before Argentina/USA. If Brazil win, Argentina best interest is to lose against USA. Avoiding Spain in the quarter final should be Argentina's priority because they have almost no chance of beating them.

[DPG21920]

Thanks for the breakdown, Bruno. It will be very interesting to see if there is any tanking. Reports are out that even though everyone knows the possibility is there to tank, that the teams will not get a formal pre-game talking to by the Olympic committees with regards to tanking. However, they could get in trouble if they think tanking is going on.

[MannyIsGod]

Team USA gonna wax that Argie ass today.

[TE]

Thanks for the breakdown, Bruno. It will be very interesting to see if there is any tanking. Reports are out that even though everyone knows the possibility is there to tank, that the teams will not get a formal pre-game talking to by the Olympic committees with regards to tanking. However, they could get in trouble if they think tanking is going on.

It'd be funny if both teams were penalized for tanking. That would create some chaos.

[TE]

Even if Argentina try as hard as they can, they won't beat USA.

In theory, here are all the scenarios available:
- USA win: USA will end 1st, France 2nd and Argentina 3rd.
- Argentina win by less than 17 points: USA will need 1st, Argentina 2nd and France 3rd.
- Argentina will by 17-47 points: Argentina will be 1st, USA 2nd and France 3rd.
- Argentina won by more than 47 points: Argentina will be 1st, France 2nd and USA 3rd.

The 1st and 3rd team are on the same side of the bracket.
The 1st team will face Australia.
The 2nd team will face the loser of Brazil/Spain.
The 3rd team will face the winner of Brazil/Spain.

The Brazil/Spain game will be played before Argentina/USA. If Brazil win, Argentina best interest is to lose against USA. Avoiding Spain in the quarter final should be Argentina's priority because they have almost no chance of beating them.
:tu thanks.

[DesignatedT]

More interested in knowing if ARG is going to cover a 23 pt spread.

I know they aren't going to win.

[DesignatedT]

Spain is -6.5 against Brazil.

[TE]

Watching a replay of France...wow is Diaw out of shape.


He's fat.

[smaka]

How many minutes did parker play, I saw he only scored 3 points against N:lolg:lolria

[ace3g]

http://l.yimg.com/os/en/blogs/sptusolyexperts/Patty-Mills-right-ended-Australias-stint-in-group-play-with-a-bang.-Getty-Images.jpg

http://l.yimg.com/ea/img/-/120806/gyi149880796_181v766-181v76g.jpg

http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2012/08/06/1226444/246299-patty-mills.jpg

[ElNono]

So is ARG gunna go all out and try to win today vs USA or just throw it and take their chances vs USA down the road.

ElNono?

IMO, they should not bother and rest... they're going to need the extra juice for the next game, and winning the group is a pipe dream. Wouldn't surprise me if coach gives them 10-15 mins and then shuts it down.

[timvp]

So France plays Spain next?

Tough break.

[Lady M]

So France plays Spain next?

Tough break.
not a big surprise Spain has no pride like greece

[eric365]

So the 1/4 are :

USA - Australia
Argentina - Brazil
France - Spain
Russia - Lithuania

Some really good games. And i'm sure Navarro will wake up against France of course with a huge game

[Bruno]

USA, Spain and Russia are heavily favorites to advance. The game between Argentina and Brazil should be close.

Even if France don't win a medal, I like what is happening with french basketball. More and more young players are panning out and France is on the verge of becoming a solid basketball country after years of irrelevance. Next goal should be to have better arenas and teams able to do something at the Euroleague level.

[racm]

USA, Spain and Russia are heavily favorites to advance. The game between Argentina and Brazil should be close.

Even if France don't win a medal, I like what is happening with french basketball. More and more young players are panning out and France is on the verge of becoming a solid basketball country after years of irrelevance. Next goal should be to have better arenas and teams able to do something at the Euroleague level.

Biggest key was Parker playing for the qualifiers imo

[ElNono]

Brazil and Magnano sending the "golden generation" into retirement? That would suck, tbh

[emanueldavidginobili]

This is Argentina last shot at getting a medal in a very long time. Argentina has 8 out of the 12 players
32+, with the only youth on the team Compozza. Argentina has had one hell of a run I must say.

[Obstructed_View]

The Aussies should pass to that dark guy more.

[AussieFanKurt]

The Aussies should pass to that dark guy more.

We need a banger inside. Our forwards and centres are a bunch of softies except one guy, would love Bogut to be healthy for once

[eric365]

This game was meaningless for France. That's why Parker didn't played at the end. A lot of players were too playing at half speed.

And French TV coverage is atrocious. The whole Olympic TV coverage sucks but the basketball part is the worst one.

Have you tried Bein Sport ?
Broadcaster are bad and sometimes they don't even know the rules but at least you have all the good games without them switching for another sport or a medal ceremony in the middle of the fourth.

[ace3g]

Go to 12:55 mark - Patty Mills vs Will Ferrell

c9VAOYiMlyM

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Patty is a great set-foot shooter. Pity we don't run more plays to get him open like that.

[AussieFanKurt]

Haha Patty handled Ferrell pretty well

[taps]

Gotta agree there Kurt I thought Ferrell came off like a douchey fan. When he said, "I could go on" I thought, "liar."
Kudos to Patty for pointing out LeBron is a foot taller than him, casual fan Ferrell obviously doesn't know or care.

Edit: Will Ferrell just trolled me.

[eric365]

Just looked at the bracket again and the 4 teams from Europe are in the same bracket.

So it's basicaly an Eurocup playoff to be able to challenge the USA in finals

[ace3g]

The top 10 of Olympics group play


Manu Ginobili, Argentina
Possibly the greatest competitor in international play in a generation, Ginobili is likely playing in his final Olympics. He has set the standard for pros who want to leave their imprint on the state of global basketball, and he has suffered no falloff whatsoever in his 2012 Olympic production: 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 29 minutes per game -- and perfect at the line in 27 attempts. Ginobili has accomplished this despite losing one-third of a step, but the seams are still there, even if the burst isn’t. Ginobili knows the defenders and is still one of the game's best navigators with the ball in his hands.


Patty Mills, Australia
The Boomers have been a resourceful, ad-hoc team. They engage in guerrilla warfare, running multiple defenders at big scorers and finding useful ways to deploy their big front line. But the constant for Australia has been Patty Mills in open space. Mills has been a little trigger-happy (only 13-for-39 from beyond the arc), but his cold-blooded buzzer-beater at the top of the circle torched the undefeated Russians. Mills’ 20.6 points per game leads all Olympians.

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/48715/the-top-10-of-olympics-group-play

[Ice009]

What's Patrick's shooting percentage on 2s and 3s after today's games?