2006 FIBA Americas U18 Championship in San Antonio

[danyel]

USA won 104-82

52-42 at half time

USA: Spencer Hawes 24 pts and 10 rbnds, Kyle Taylor 14 pts. 4/5 on 3s.

Argentina: Nicolás de Los Santos 23 pts, Diegos Gerbaudo 21 pts. 5 assists

http://www.fibaamericas.com/noticias...p?r=TALSVVFFIT

[gregpschneid]

thankyou

[spurschick]

The Finals

Bronze medal game
Canada vs. Brazil

This game was a lot slower than I expected, but I think that the back-to-back games over the past few days finally caught up to both teams. (Canada had to fight very hard against the US last night and Brazil ran around with Argentina.) Brazil still showed smothering defense, but not at the level they had against Argentina. Canada stayed in the game with their big three (Cadougan, Ashaolu and Sacré), but they went completely cold in the end and Brazil won the bronze.

Gold medal game
Argentina vs. USA

As noted in the previous game, I think that the back-to-back, often close, games finally caught up with Argentina*. They tried to hang tough and did much better than expected, at least in the first half. You could see the size difference the moment both teams stepped onto the court and the US dominance on the boards was just too much for Argentina to get much done. De Los Santos and Gerbaudo led the team in scoring, but both did it very quietly and had to work very hard for those points.

*Since the Dominican Republic dropped out of the tournament, the US had a full day off and only played 4 games instead of 5.

The standouts for the US in tonight's game were Taylor King (14 pts in 14 minutes), Kyle Singler and Spencer Hawes. Singler's defensive presence in the paint proved extremely challenging for Argentina and Hawes is simply a beast on both ends of the floor. As I had expected, the US ended up running away with this one, but Argentina played a great tournament and can definitely hold their heads and silver medals high.

On a strange sidenote, I felt like I was back at a Spurs game when most of the huge crowd started to leave with 4 minutes left in the game. I give major kudos to the Argentine fans who showed up to the game with flags and a drum and cheered their asses off throughout, even when it was clear the game was over, and never left. And they were the ones you actually heard cheering during the game, while the predominantly US crowd was not nearly as vocal. Kind of reminded me of the Mavs fans at the AT&T Center who, in some ways, embarrassed the home crowd by actually cheering louder at times.

Overall, it was a great tournament and I feel very fortunate to have been able to attend. I wish that there was a network that showed more international basketball. Unfortunately, many of the talented players I saw will probably never make it to the NBA because of their size, but I think they will do well in Euroleague and I wish I could have the opportunity to see their progress.

And congrats to San Antonio for playing excellent hosts. From what I've heard, the FIBA officials and national participants loved the city and were very impressed.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

The Finals

Bronze medal game
Canada vs. Brazil

This game was a lot slower than I expected, but I think that the back-to-back games over the past few days finally caught up to both teams. (Canada had to fight very hard against the US last night and Brazil ran around with Argentina.) Brazil still showed smothering defense, but not at the level they had against Argentina. Canada stayed in the game with their big three (Cadougan, Ashaolu and Sacré), but they went completely cold in the end and Brazil won the bronze.

Gold medal game
Argentina vs. USA

As noted in the previous game, I think that the back-to-back, often close, games finally caught up with Argentina*. They tried to hang tough and did much better than expected, at least in the first half. You could see the size difference the moment both teams stepped onto the court and the US dominance on the boards was just too much for Argentina to get much done. De Los Santos and Gerbaudo led the team in scoring, but both did it very quietly and had to work very hard for those points.

*Since the Dominican Republic dropped out of the tournament, the US had a full day off and only played 4 games instead of 5.

The standouts for the US in tonight's game were Taylor King (14 pts in 14 minutes), Kyle Singler and Spencer Hawes. Singler's defensive presence in the paint proved extremely challenging for Argentina and Hawes is simply a beast on both ends of the floor. As I had expected, the US ended up running away with this one, but Argentina played a great tournament and can definitely hold their heads and silver medals high.

On a strange sidenote, I felt like I was back at a Spurs game when most of the huge crowd started to leave with 4 minutes left in the game. I give major kudos to the Argentine fans who showed up to the game with flags and a drum and cheered their asses off throughout, even when it was clear the game was over, and never left. And they were the ones you actually heard cheering during the game, while the predominantly US crowd was not nearly as vocal. Kind of reminded me of the Mavs fans at the AT&T Center who, in some ways, embarrassed the home crowd by actually cheering louder at times.

Overall, it was a great tournament and I feel very fortunate to have been able to attend. I wish that there was a network that showed more international basketball. Unfortunately, many of the talented players I saw will probably never make it to the NBA because of their size, but I think they will do well in Euroleague and I wish I could have the opportunity to see their progress.

And congrats to San Antonio for playing excellent hosts. From what I've heard, the FIBA officials and national participants loved the city and were very impressed.

I, Joe Ruiz, certify the events happened as Spurschick has reported.

[WalterBenitez]

Good recaps, congrats everybody over there ... especial mention to Spurschick (I miss your previous avatar).

USA got the gold, I read was a great team ... ARG second ... and someone discovered the Mini-Manu out there.

At least we reach the finals here, since in WC we are out.

[angel_luv]

What do you mean you are out in the W.C. ????

[spurschick]

What do you mean you are out in the W.C. ????

Argentina is out of the World Cup.