Spain is having a great tournament, but I think that other than the fact that they match up exceptionally well against Argentina, it hasn't proven anything yet. Their group was one of the 2 weakest, and winning against the Serbs is easy these days.
Spain is a very deep team and the chemistry is solid. Lithuania may be a great test for them and if they manage to win this game, their chances vs Argentina will be 50%.
Argentina is the only team that can win the final vs the US and this will be a tall order this time around. Argentina also had some of the weakest compe ion in the group phase, so having a good showing against Turkey will help their cause tremendously. Personally I think that they're declining, but getting to the finals is very doable.
TeamUSA is the favorite to win it all. Talent, preparation, organization, they did their homework far better than in previous tournaments. Best case scenario teamUSA faces the Spaniards in the final and they chew them up. Worst case scenario teamUSA plays Argentina in the final and this may end up to be a very close one.
The Americans need to bring their A game against Greece because there's another scenario and this will be hard to swallow. Greece played 5 mediocre games in the group phase and came back from behind to win all of them. Then the Greeks played two decent quarters against China winning the game by 31.
Greece is playing hard-nose defence and they get alot of steals resulting in fast break points (also a strength of the US team). There is no Gasol, Nocioni, Dirk, or Manu in the Greek national. They are deep, plenty of role players, well balanced, and they believe they can grab at least a medal. Greece had arguably toughest opponents in the group play, and they will face a motivated French team before they get to clash with the Americans. It should be interesting.
Assuming he lives in Houston, we should be kind. The daily realization upon waking, that one is still in the godforsaken blight upon the landscape, complete with the interminably oppressive climate that drove the original natives to cannibalism, that is Houston, can dull even the sharpest mind.
Did I too not live in Houston, I would long since have conquered all.
I agree in all your post, but I think that U.S. did nothing extraordinary against zone but playing a little bit up tempo. With this scheme you do not have to be a 3 pts. shooter or run complicated screens and passes. I credit more D'Antoni who REALLY KNOWS the FIBA basketball.
Gus
As far as the Team USA playing style goes, I have noticed more effort at all times, regardless of the score.
On defense, USA is pressuring and doubling the ball in the half court much more than I can remember in past years. They are also doing a nice job of sagging and dropping their weakside down when the opposition tries to cut and penetrate.
On offense, Team USA is also doing something slightly different in their side screen-rolls. They run the 2-man game but they are sending a big from the FT line as a cutter down the middle as a third attack option off that...exactly the way Phoenix does (Amare, Diaw, or Marion). That tweak seems to work well against man or zone D. That may be a D'Antoni influence also.
team usa is still running alot of isolation and it will be interesting to see how they do in the medal rounds. I still believe team usa is the best team out there, I am not so sure i believed that under larry and pop. we'll see, argentina and spain are still very dangerous teams with a lot of experience. If we fall to the bronze game again which can still happen what will be said then.
Last edited by my2sons; 08-28-2006 at 03:57 PM.
Yea, Larry Brown sucks.
IMO, people are giving too much credit to the coaching in this thread. I don't think the X's and O's matter that much at this level. What does matter is the at ude of the players on the team...at least the members of the USA Team anyway. We've got 2 guys, LeBron and CP3, who are looking to pass first even though they are tremendous scorers in their own right. When your best player (LeBron) is looking to pass first it can't help but infect the team with a "team first" at ude. Coach K is doing a good job, but without LeBron and CP3 promoting the "team first" at ude it wouldn't matter.
When you have the best talent in the world and the team is playing unselfishly you cannot be beat.
Re: Why is Team USA with coach K better than those of Gregg Popovich?
Re: Why is Team USA with coach K better than those of Larry Brown?
Here I corrected it for you...
good call. it doesnt seem fair to blame an assistant coach like pop for a team losing. i read an article this weekend saying that each asst under K is responsible for something (D'Antoni, offense; Bonheim, zond d; etc...). they just work on developing ideas for a specific piece of the game plan. its up to K to decide whether to use it or not. he is ultimately the guy who is responsible for the strategery.
as close as larry brown and pop are, it was brown's team and he probably made the calls that sealed our fate in '04
The coaches don't play. Very early, the head coach sets the philosophy, system and approach. The players have to buy into it and put forth the effort. So far, the effort is very good.
Also let's stress the fact that out of Greece, Argentina, Spain and USA. USA has the easiest road to the finals.
I agree with this take....
This year, the players want it more.
This year the roles are better fit to the squad.
also the fact that they got their asses romped last time makes them more determined. They simply don't want to become the laughing stocks of the world.
Before one of USA's exhibition games, Magic Johnson even spoke to the team about how they need to get their domianance back because they are being ridiculed.
Coach this or coach that, reputation is a huge part of the US's success at the World Championship. They will win gold.
Louis it's just easier to call you stupid.
Count . . . chickens . . . hatch.
So Chuck Daly is the greatest coach of all time. He won a gold medal and never even called a time out.
Which seals the deal. Toronto Rocks!And they also have Nesterovic
Pop sucks.
International ball is more like college ball than NBA ball. The 3 point line is closer, zone defense is allowed, play is more deliberate -- it's more of a coaches game than a players game like the NBA.
Therefore, a college coach is better than an NBA coach for international ball. Simple as that.
I wait to see if USA team chemistry survive to a defensive close game.
Greeks should be a good test.
IMO US team show more respect to international players. That may explain why they are doing better now.
Go Bowen Go!!!
Go Bowen Go!!!
Go Bowen Go!!!
Go Bowen Go!!!
Go Bowen Go!!!
Go Bowen Go!!!
Go Bowen Go!!!
Go Bowen Go!!!
Go Bowen Go!!!
Go Bowen Go!!!
Go Bowen Go!!!
Go Bowen Go!!!
Go Bowen Go!!!
Go Bowen Go!!!
Go Bowen Go!!!
Go Bowen Go!!!
Go Bowen Go!!!
Go Bowen Go!!!
Mavs championship parade!!!
Mavs championship parade!!!
Mavs championship parade!!!
Mavs championship parade!!!
Mavs championship parade!!!
Mavs championship parade!!!
Mavs championship parade!!!
Mavs championship parade!!!
Mavs championship parade!!!
Go Bowen Go!!!
Go Bowen Go!!!
Go Bowen Go!!!
Go Bowen Go!!!
Go Bowen Go!!!
Go Bowen Go!!!
Go Bowen Go!!!
Go Bowen Go!!!
Go Bowen Go!!!
Bump.
Why does the forum page show dancing elephant boy posting in here but the posts don't show up?
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