Dex
07-25-2021, 10:45 AM
https://i.imgur.com/3khEzHJ.png
Was able to basically catch the entire game this morning, so I'll throw my thoughts out here.
Lillard - F
Apparently Lillard forgot to switch Dame Time to Japanese Standard Time. 3/10 from the floor with pitiful defense, and that doesn't even explain how passively he played. Most of his shots were his patented 30-footers but those weren't finding bottom. Also, 3 assists to 4 turnovers, the last one coming on a crucial play where the US needed a bucket and instead he just slipped and fell over, then committed an intentional tripping foul which all but sealed the game for France. Not exactly a great start for the supposed "leader" of this squad.
Tatum - C-
Like Lillard, Tatum couldn't find the range today and compounded it by forcing contested shots. If he doesn't have the ball in his hands, he doesn't seem to know what else to be doing on the floor. Aside from cold shooting, he only provided 1 rebound and 2 turnovers in 24 minutes of action.
Durant - C
KD started off the game well, but then got into foul trouble early and never really recovered. As a result, he only played 21 minutes and tallied 10 points, most coming in the first half. He tried to shoot the US back into the game late by putting up long jumpers in the face of the defense, but too many of his shots were untrue.
Abedayo - B+
One of the few bright spots for team USA, Bam put up 12 points on 8 attempts along with 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block. He was also one of the few guys playing like he gave a damn, chasing after loose balls and playing physical defense. However, he did miss two key free throws late in the game when France was staging its comeback.
Lavine - B-
Lavine had a fairly average game...8 points on 6 shots with a few boards and dimes. Even though he didn't have a huge impact on the game, he was one of the few guys who seemed comfortable out there and stayed within the flow of the game. That said, he missed a wide-open three late in the game that could've brought the US back within striking distance.
Holiday - A-
Jrue Holiday tried to be the hero this game, and he almost pulled it off. With the US struggling, he came in and put up 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists...most of it coming in the 4th quarter. He was also playing his usual hard-nosed defense and was the walking definition of a spark off the bench. The only knock to his game was that he also missed a wide-open corner three which could have finished off his heroic attempt, but it was not to be.
Booker - D
Devin Booker came off the bench firing but was only able to hit the strings once in 6 shots. Otherwise, he dished out a couple assists and provided some lackluster defense against Fournier. Booker is one of the players I worry about in this roster. He believes he has star power and is used to putting up big numbers on sub-optimal shooting for Phoenix, but the USA can't afford to let him go for 30 points on 25 shots.
Johnson - C-
KJ got some early minutes off the bench but wasn't able to provide the same spark he had in Vegas. He was hustling and playing physical defense, but didn't show his usual aggressiveness which seemed to bog down the offense. He missed his only shot and most damning is that he was a team worst -11 in just 9 minutes of play, so even his intangibles weren't working for him today.
Green - C-
Draymond didn't do much to write home about. He tried to play his usual point-forward role and managed to dish out 4 assists despite the cold shooting around him. However, the former DPOY was getting manhandled by France's post players and also found himself in foul trouble late in the game.
Middleton - C
Not sure if Khris Middleton is still coming off his championship hangover or what, but he didn't do much of note. Only played 5 minutes in the first half in which he missed both of shots and mustered up a rebound and assist. I'd give him a pass considering he just arrived with the team yesterday...but that didn't seem to slow down Jrue Holiday.
McGee - D
Tragic Bronson only played 2 minutes in which he knocked down 2 free throws and showed he has no idea how to defend a high pick and roll. His entire purpose on this team is to guard the opposing big and protect the rim, yet he kept switching out to the perimeter on screens and losing cutters which led to wide-open attempts for Gobert and Co.
Grant - DNP
Grant got a DNP - Coaches Decision which is odd because he actually was one of the sparks during Exhibitions before he got hit with COVID safety protocols. I assume he's healthy if he is with the team, but he didn't see the floor this game.
Pop - D
Not exactly what you want to see for your first Olympic head coaching job. Pop went deep into his bench and was mixing-and-matching too much for my liking. He played 11/12 guys but never consistently enough to let them get into a rhythm...which worked okay in the first half, but then fell apart in the second. This was compounded by Durant being in foul trouble for most of the game. I know they only had 4 exhibition games to work out the kinks, but this isn't an All-Star game where everybody gets a turn to play.
He also put Holiday on the bench in the 4th when he was the only player on the floor getting things done, and France subsequently went on a 16-2 run that would win them the game. He tried to reinsert Holiday for the final minutes, but the damage was already done.
That said, I know everyone will be clamoring for an F here, but Pop can't be held responsible for Tatum, Durant, Lillard, and Booker shooting a combined 11/37 or the team defense as a whole letting Evan Fournier become Le Michael Jordan. He rightfully leaned on Bam, yanked McGee when it became apparent he was doing more harm than good, and trusted to put Durant back in with 4 fouls when the lead started to evaporate in the 4th.
Either way, Pop and the coaching staff needs to figure something out and fast. At this point, the U.S. cannot afford another loss if they want to get to the podium, and it's become glaringly apparent that they aren't winning this thing on talent alone.
Was able to basically catch the entire game this morning, so I'll throw my thoughts out here.
Lillard - F
Apparently Lillard forgot to switch Dame Time to Japanese Standard Time. 3/10 from the floor with pitiful defense, and that doesn't even explain how passively he played. Most of his shots were his patented 30-footers but those weren't finding bottom. Also, 3 assists to 4 turnovers, the last one coming on a crucial play where the US needed a bucket and instead he just slipped and fell over, then committed an intentional tripping foul which all but sealed the game for France. Not exactly a great start for the supposed "leader" of this squad.
Tatum - C-
Like Lillard, Tatum couldn't find the range today and compounded it by forcing contested shots. If he doesn't have the ball in his hands, he doesn't seem to know what else to be doing on the floor. Aside from cold shooting, he only provided 1 rebound and 2 turnovers in 24 minutes of action.
Durant - C
KD started off the game well, but then got into foul trouble early and never really recovered. As a result, he only played 21 minutes and tallied 10 points, most coming in the first half. He tried to shoot the US back into the game late by putting up long jumpers in the face of the defense, but too many of his shots were untrue.
Abedayo - B+
One of the few bright spots for team USA, Bam put up 12 points on 8 attempts along with 10 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block. He was also one of the few guys playing like he gave a damn, chasing after loose balls and playing physical defense. However, he did miss two key free throws late in the game when France was staging its comeback.
Lavine - B-
Lavine had a fairly average game...8 points on 6 shots with a few boards and dimes. Even though he didn't have a huge impact on the game, he was one of the few guys who seemed comfortable out there and stayed within the flow of the game. That said, he missed a wide-open three late in the game that could've brought the US back within striking distance.
Holiday - A-
Jrue Holiday tried to be the hero this game, and he almost pulled it off. With the US struggling, he came in and put up 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists...most of it coming in the 4th quarter. He was also playing his usual hard-nosed defense and was the walking definition of a spark off the bench. The only knock to his game was that he also missed a wide-open corner three which could have finished off his heroic attempt, but it was not to be.
Booker - D
Devin Booker came off the bench firing but was only able to hit the strings once in 6 shots. Otherwise, he dished out a couple assists and provided some lackluster defense against Fournier. Booker is one of the players I worry about in this roster. He believes he has star power and is used to putting up big numbers on sub-optimal shooting for Phoenix, but the USA can't afford to let him go for 30 points on 25 shots.
Johnson - C-
KJ got some early minutes off the bench but wasn't able to provide the same spark he had in Vegas. He was hustling and playing physical defense, but didn't show his usual aggressiveness which seemed to bog down the offense. He missed his only shot and most damning is that he was a team worst -11 in just 9 minutes of play, so even his intangibles weren't working for him today.
Green - C-
Draymond didn't do much to write home about. He tried to play his usual point-forward role and managed to dish out 4 assists despite the cold shooting around him. However, the former DPOY was getting manhandled by France's post players and also found himself in foul trouble late in the game.
Middleton - C
Not sure if Khris Middleton is still coming off his championship hangover or what, but he didn't do much of note. Only played 5 minutes in the first half in which he missed both of shots and mustered up a rebound and assist. I'd give him a pass considering he just arrived with the team yesterday...but that didn't seem to slow down Jrue Holiday.
McGee - D
Tragic Bronson only played 2 minutes in which he knocked down 2 free throws and showed he has no idea how to defend a high pick and roll. His entire purpose on this team is to guard the opposing big and protect the rim, yet he kept switching out to the perimeter on screens and losing cutters which led to wide-open attempts for Gobert and Co.
Grant - DNP
Grant got a DNP - Coaches Decision which is odd because he actually was one of the sparks during Exhibitions before he got hit with COVID safety protocols. I assume he's healthy if he is with the team, but he didn't see the floor this game.
Pop - D
Not exactly what you want to see for your first Olympic head coaching job. Pop went deep into his bench and was mixing-and-matching too much for my liking. He played 11/12 guys but never consistently enough to let them get into a rhythm...which worked okay in the first half, but then fell apart in the second. This was compounded by Durant being in foul trouble for most of the game. I know they only had 4 exhibition games to work out the kinks, but this isn't an All-Star game where everybody gets a turn to play.
He also put Holiday on the bench in the 4th when he was the only player on the floor getting things done, and France subsequently went on a 16-2 run that would win them the game. He tried to reinsert Holiday for the final minutes, but the damage was already done.
That said, I know everyone will be clamoring for an F here, but Pop can't be held responsible for Tatum, Durant, Lillard, and Booker shooting a combined 11/37 or the team defense as a whole letting Evan Fournier become Le Michael Jordan. He rightfully leaned on Bam, yanked McGee when it became apparent he was doing more harm than good, and trusted to put Durant back in with 4 fouls when the lead started to evaporate in the 4th.
Either way, Pop and the coaching staff needs to figure something out and fast. At this point, the U.S. cannot afford another loss if they want to get to the podium, and it's become glaringly apparent that they aren't winning this thing on talent alone.