USA Faces Test Against Banged Up Brazil

[DesignatedT]

Replay of the game is on ESPN2 as we speak if anyone is interested....

[Sean Cagney]

If Varejao and Nene were healthy, they'd pretty much have the best frontcourt in the tournament. But with just Splitter holding it down, they're pretty vulnerable.

Yep, funny how players like Varejao can be bums in the NBA and so on but when it comes to worlds they gel as a team and get better for some reason . I swear Carlos Arroyo and others have done this as well, once worlds begin they turn into stars with their international teams. Nene is good though in the NBA, can't lie there.

[TimmehC]

Scola Thread!

[HarlemHeat37]

- Varejao is a very solid NBA player, far from a bum..

- As for the Lakers match up, Odom is a definitely a better post defender than Gasol, it wasn't close last year, from a statistical standpoint..he's about the same as Bynum, especially since Bynum is almost a guaranteed injury in the playoffs..

So the fact that he can outplay Odom is a very good sign for the Spurs, in regards to a potential matchup vs. LA..hopefully it translates to the NBA..

- Barbosa is a POS..sadly, my brother will have to watch him all season next year(lives in TO, Raps fan and we get season tickets)..

[DJ Mbenga]

if you missed the game the first time, ESPN2 will show it following the US Open coverage (Fed just won his match) so it should be on in a couple of minutes

i had to stream it online. i had the fiba announcers or these foreign guys. man were they excited! latin gus johnson's or something.

[velik_m]

[Cant_Be_Faded]

I wonder what the timvp thought about splitter in this one.


BTW I'm losing interest fast in these games when I'm watching and have no ing clue how much time is left or what the shot clock is.

WTF worldwide leader in sports? My ass.

[jestersmash]

Tiago splitter is the second coming of luis scola.

[Obstructed_View]

Yep, funny how players like Varejao can be bums in the NBA and so on but when it comes to worlds they gel as a team and get better for some reason

Varejao is one of the best defenders at his position in the league. Only people that don't understand defense would call him a bum.

[ace3g]

tiagosplitter

great video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8WhHMtQyCc

from his twitter page

[hater]

Varejao is a bum???

what does that make matt bonner?

[Ice009]

I think he was trying to say that sometimes players like Varejao can seem average in the NBA, then when they are on their national teams they play like Superstars. Although Varejao is a solid player in the NBA. Carlos Arroyo would be a better example.

[Manufan909]

- Varejao is a very solid NBA player, far from a bum..

- As for the Lakers match up, Odom is a definitely a better post defender than Gasol, it wasn't close last year, from a statistical standpoint..he's about the same as Bynum, especially since Bynum is almost a guaranteed injury in the playoffs..

So the fact that he can outplay Odom is a very good sign for the Spurs, in regards to a potential matchup vs. LA..hopefully it translates to the NBA..

- Barbosa is a POS..sadly, my brother will have to watch him all season next year(lives in TO, Raps fan and we get season tickets)..

Wow, I had no idea Odom was better on post D than Odom. Not like I follow the Lakers at all.

P.S. I wish that highlight reel had showed Tiago's post play, including the times he was blocked. Open dunks don't help me understand his offensive game very much.

[ace3g]

Chris Mannix ChrisMannixSI

In this week's SI: Can Tiago Splitter keep the Spurs championship window open?

[Obstructed_View]

It's still open? News to me. Yay.

[ace3g]

Spain on the verge of losing to Lithuania: game tied at 71 with 1:18 left in the game

[Obstructed_View]

Spain on the verge of losing to Lithuania: game tied at 71 with 1:18 left in the game

They're intentionally throwing the game so they can have an easier opponent in the next round. At this rate their opponent will be super easy.