NBA is increasingly about individual play, 3 point shooting & guard play. Whereas international play is more team based and a big man's game where physicality, rebounding & interior scoring is more needed. USA likely will struggle at times as a result. They don't have enough big men or physical players on this roster.
It's sad that once in the 90s, the nba was far more physical and took nba players time to adjust. It's now the opposite.
Headed to LV today to see US-Australia and US-Argentina.
My suggestion for this US team is to press from the opening tip and throw players at the opposition in waves. 3-4 minutes each wave.
Pop tells the guys their only objective is expend energy on defense -- just get tired and don't worry about anything else.
Press em in the backcourt and see if they can go over the top. Try to keep em in their own end and get easy buckets.
Use your roster advantage to intimidate the other side.
The way it is now plays right into the the opposition's hands -- a gentlemanly 3-point shooting contest. With the short game and short porch you can't be assured you'll consistently win those.
Gotta shake things up and reestablish that fear of the US roster.
I know the loss was an embarrassment, but I'm not convinced it's anything but an outlier. This team has barely been together and they just finished a grueling NBA season. A lot of those guys were in rigorous playoff series like three weeks ago. They have probably not really practiced together in a year and probably for not very long. Basically, they are relying on talent of continuity. That allows them to get beat in a game like this. But once they get a little bit of continuity, they will likely be killing it. I still don't think this is near their best roster, but they still have a ton of firepower. They will play much better in the next game.
I agree 100%. The best way for the US team to match the physicality of FIBA basketball is to play bully ball themselves...hound the ball, get steals, generate transition opportunities, and just run it down their throats. That PLUS their talent advantage should open up some easy wins.
That said...I'm not sure if the guys are going to be willing to push it that hard in the exhibition games. It's human nature to let down a bit for a match that doesn't really matter, and they all want to make sure they make it to the Olympics and through the tournament without getting injured...which is why it looked like they were just going through the motions against Nigeria.
It's up to Pop and the coaching staff to decide when they need to flip the switch...and waiting until the games count could lead to another upset if the switch doesn't work.
It's a wake up call not to take these teams lightly or they will get embarrassed
Is this the final roster? I'm not so impressed. Where is Curry, Ja Morant, Trae, Zion, Kyrie, PG13, Harden? I understand some players are banged-up, but Kevin Love??
Player NBA team Bam Adebayo Miami Heat Bradley Beal Washington Wizards Devin Booker Phoenix Suns Kevin Durant Brooklyn Nets Jerami Grant Detroit Pistons Draymond Green Golden State Warriors Jrue Holiday Milwaukee Bucks Zach LaVine Chicago Bulls Damian Lillard Portland Trail Blazers Kevin Love Cleveland Cavaliers Khris Middleton Milwaukee Bucks Jayson Tatum Boston Celtics
Last edited by John B; 07-12-2021 at 01:06 PM.
Kevin Love could be a great asset around top talent. Versatile post up, 3-point threat, with great passing ability (especially in the fast break). Probably a good counter to Draymond plus veteran experience.
A lot of guys bailed because they are banged up (Curry, Kyrie, Harden, Zion, Kawhi) or just probably wanted a break after the bubble+short offseason+condensed season and playoffs. Or they are just babies like LeBron and would rather take a vacation and promote their stupid movie instead of helping the USA win gold.
The Kevin Love choice still boggles my mind...seemed like a charity pick based on his "previous experience". If Bam and Love are the best centers the USA can come up with, then USA basketball is in a sad state.
Also, Middleton and Holiday and Booker won't even join the team for another couple weeks and are going to still be worn down from playing in the Finals.
But yeah, I said it before. This team is very top-heavy and gets much weaker at the bottom end, and is built much like the 2004 team...a bunch of athletic wings and forwards who are good scorers but don't play well with others. No truly gifted point guard or playmakers, and no one to really lean on if and when the going gets tough other than maybe Durant. Not nearly as talented as the 2012 or 2016 teams from top-to-bottom.
Last edited by Dex; 07-12-2021 at 02:17 PM.
Seems like they can be had by someone who can "go hard in the paint".
I'm sitting center court, four rows up. Scola cut his hair. He looks like a different human being. Leningrad Marxist to Orange County Republican .
Flopovich in full effect tbh. Exactly what I expected
I swear there's some guy who looks like Giddey warming up.
Will FIBA Patty go in raw on Pop tonight?
Keldon just hit a 3
Keldon looks good in this game.
Keldon looks huge out there lol
Lillard looking much better soo far. Lets go boys! Put a hurting on dem aussies
Keldon just bodied Patty for the runner.
Last edited by ace3g; 07-12-2021 at 07:42 PM.
Tatum acting like he’s Kobe out there chunking a bunch lmao
boxscore/livestats
https://www.usab.com/news-events/liv...s-aus-box.aspx
Ex-teammate
pop unleashing his secret weapon-KJ
Great experience for Keldon. Rising star, baby
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