I just got through watching the final exhibition game...and unless Krzyzewski gets out his "Basketball Offense for Dummies" book we are screwed.
All the big names are going to matter little. Two things are still a huge problem headed into the Games....we have no dominant post presence and we have no real offensive sets. Neither of these can be fixed. We were getting held in check by an Australia team that didn't even have one of its best players. The sad thing is that all it took was them playing a defensive scheme that would make the other team run some sort of real offense, and of course, we looked like we didn't know anything like that existed. The lack of a post presence hurt defensively too. You could really see how we could use a player like Josh Smith right now when you see LeBron block three shots.
There is no series here. Every game is Game 7. We can't afford for Carmelo to go 4-13 and miss all 4 threes. We can't afford for Howard to pull down HALF as many board as Carmelo in almost the same amount of time. We can't go 3-18 from behind the arc collectively. And I sure don't want to hear any of this "well these are just exhibitions" crap. We have been embarrassed thoroughly in international play. We should be looking to make a statement in every single game. Every time we walk on that floor we should be trying to erase a very forgettable recent past. But the fact of the matter is we can't, because yet again the team is not built the right way and we have the double barreled fest that is Krzyzewski and Dantoni on the bench acting like they are actually doing something of substance.
Hopefully I am wrong and they find a way to pull it out...but as of right now all the signs are pointing to the same old song, just a different verse.
I think you are right on the money with this topic, I couldn't believe how the U.S looked today, there were times when the Aussies scored like 4 or 5 times in a row in that game. There was no ball movement on our side just players going iso. And I don't buy the "it was a just a exhibition game they didn't play their hardest" Bull . I know the U.S team was trying their best to crush the Aussies but they just couldn't. This team has alot of work to do, and by the way Kidd and Melo blow.
Last edited by Red Hawk #21; 08-05-2008 at 09:11 PM.
They looked like bunch of kids on steroids never played a game together before. It's isolation one on one every trip down the court. It's almost unbareable to watch.
These guys are gonna have to play some defense. The least they can do is run the high pick and roll for Kobe or Michael Redd. That doesn't take anytime to learn.
well yeah, all it's gonna take is a bad shooting night for US and is all over. Kinda same as 2006, 2005, 2002, etc, etc
Having a dominant post presence in international play is not necessary. Look when Team USA did have a dominant post presence in the last Olympics with Duncan. And, what dominant post presence did Argentina have in 2004?
Teams in international play need great perimeter shooting and versatile players that can both shoot and either attack the rim off the dribble or score out of the post. The successful international teams have a lot of ball movement and take care of the ball.
That's where I somewhat agree with you in that Team USA doesn't have any set offensive plays. That's more important than having a dominant post presence. The American players need to stop going one on one and trying to make spectacular passes. The turnovers have hurt especially when it's compared to low turnovers by their opponent. A few more pick-and-roll counters and some give-and-go sets would help force the offense to move the ball more.
Screw Colangelo. Screw Cashefski. Screw team USA.
that pathetic excuse for an offense is completely on coach K. can the US win playing streetball? i really hope not.
Yeah! Screw Cashewsky
"Kill Bill lie when he says there is some good players outside US because every person knows only US can play basketball".
No offensive sets or inside presence? Sounds like Mike D'Antoni's offense alright...
I'm glad someone said it first
I see the same problems as last year, all flash and no substance. A team that can execute a successful pick and roll, and keep them half-court can definitely beat them. They have the same scattered offense, and they look extremely confused when faced with actual defense.
I don't really care one way or another (I'm a bad American), but i don't feel any attachment to this team . . .
all this chode blowing over an 11 point win. wow.
I think you can exchange the term "Team USA" and insert "2004-2008 Phoenix Suns" and the same descriptions would apply... yep, a team that can execute pick and roll and keep them in the half-court can beat them... scattered offense and confusion when faced with a defense that can stop them.I'm glad someone said it first
I see the same problems as last year, all flash and no substance. A team that can execute a successful pick and roll, and keep them half-court can definitely beat them. They have the same scattered offense, and they look extremely confused when faced with actual defense.
I don't really care one way or another (I'm a bad American), but i don't feel any attachment to this team . . .
That pretty much looks like the Suns' last 4 playoff exits.
After hearing how bad this team sucks, I'm shocked we're actually winning all these games.
Yeah it's unbelievable that a team as bad as this has won all their games by double digits.
I think Spurs fans are still pissed that Bowen's old ass didn't make the team. If he was there, you better believe there would be more "USA will outscore everyone by 40 ppg and win gold! Bowen will be tourney MVP!" threads created every day than all the Tlong "Oden/Bayless jackoff session" threads combined.
Don't be es just cuz your old ass man wasn't good enough to make it on the team.
Oh so you're one of the players or coaches? You'd have to be to know that. So what the are you doing posting on a forum if your team sucks this bad? Get to game planning, asshole.
It's not exactly top notch compe ion. I'm curious to see what happens when they face Spain, Argentina, etc.
And i'm not a Spurs fan. I actually really dislike Bowen.
???
wtf?
I think the team needs to be ran through Deron Williams, Dwayne Wade and Kobe Bryant. Those 3 are the best all around players team USA has.
I just don't think Lebron/Melo can accept not being the #1.
They probably could've used a coach with a better knowledge of the international game like oh I don't know....Coach Pop.
BTW Pop wouldn't put up with Dwight Howard missing defensive assignments and then arguing with him on the sidelines.
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