Team USA Survives Challenge From Lituania, Face Spain Today
by Tom Lewis on Aug 22, 2010 9:57 AM EDT
in Indiana Pacers News
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PrintTeam USA takes the top FIBA World Championships contender in Spain this afternoon at 3:00PM. They better bring a better game to the "Magic Box" than they did yesterday.
Team USA survived a 7-point first quarter and a clank filled 3 of 26 shooting performance, before putting it together in the second half and pulling away from Lithuania, 77-61. Danny Granger played a little over 10 minutes with 2 points and 4 rebounds. He was part of a unit that jump started the second half energy which would eventually lead to a 24-2 run by the U.S. team.
The lack of international experience on the roster was apparent as several players, most notably Kevin Durant, struggled early with the physical play allowed, especially near the hoop. It's not 90's Knicks vs. Pacers physical but instead a more passive-aggressive type of physical play, like you get from the annoying guy at your local gym with the little shoves and hip checks.
Another instance of adjusting to the international game, was a play missed by Russell Westbrook, who by the way really pushed the U.S. in the right direction in the second half. Offensive goal-tending is allowed and Westbrook had a put-back dunk opportunity. His timing would have him goal-tending the miss but a slight hesitation threw him off and he missed it, one of a few missed dunks by Team USA in the first half. It was like Westbrook knew he could put back the ball over the rim but his body and reflexes couldn't believe it after being conditioned to lay off that ball.
The U.S. squad overwhelmed Lithuania in the second half and hopefully learned from the game as Chris Sheridan points out. If not, Spain will likely provide a far more painful lesson this afternoon.
The game is being shown live on NBA TV at 3:00PM. Also, FIBATV.com is showing the game for free today online. Consider this an open thread if you're watching the game. I'll be in and out around that time so I always love reading what others are seeing in these games.
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Hopefully I can gegt home for this to watch and talk to myself agqain lol
by dbcb on Aug 22, 2010 2:15 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
What's up with Danny?
Is he hurt or is he on the chopping block. Late in the second quarter and still no Danny.
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
First half over. No Granger sightings at all.
I’m trying to check the bench and see if he’s even dressed for the game. I can’t spot him.
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
45-33 USA
Just got in, is spain even trying or does the US just look good?
No he's not. Rose should be sitting too.
He’s strong, but he’s shooting and missing alot. Curry playing well.
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
Billups getting tangled up with Reyes. Durants D does suck.
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
Down to 7 point lead.
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
The announcers are loving Rose too. IDK man
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
Daily Dime people are as well
He is huslting but… eh
Gasol is punking everyone down low.
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
Spains has chance to cut it to 3
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
Rubio picks Rose pocket, Spain cuts it to 2
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
Rose picked off by Rubio
Rose isn’t doing anything out there positive
yet everyone still loves him? He is NOT built for FIBA play. You need to be able to shoot
Were getting bullied a bit. Time for someone to take this personal
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
Westbrooke....sweet!
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
Hey, another turnover from Derrick Rose
I just don’t see it
Rose still sucking. Offensive foul
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
The announcers are acting like we are holding back Rondo and Granger because they are a lock on the team and we are holding back
I would love tos ee rondo on Rubio though
Rondo may not be able to shoot (like rose) but he is a lock down defender (unlike rose)
He's good, but I think Rubio might be a bit over rated.
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
Sweet play! Durant with the jam!
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
69-58 USA
turned it up on the defensive end at the end for easy transition buckets
They took Rubio out so that Curry didn't shatter his confidence.
Kahn is an idiot!!
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
For sure. I love his game. He's physical and intense.
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
Billups needs to man up on Reyes
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
I am so confused with the player rotation… why granger not playing but gay and iggy are? they aren’t contributing anything it seems?
maybe I am just a homer
We need to pick up the 4th quarter D and put this one away
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
Rubios in, put in Curry
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
We play sooo much better with anyone but Rose at the point.
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
Iggy with a brick. Danny would've nailed that 3!
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
Shit, I just got called to work. Keep me posted dbcb, I'll check my phone.
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
82-82
durant bucket
idk why coack K likes this line up though.. the bench has been so much better
Thanks for the recaps. I can't wait either.
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
quick summary as I only saw the second half
- Rose looked like crap until crunch time and then was the go to guy as he drove it to the hole
- westbrooke is great energy off the bench
- Durant was the go to guy and was much better than yesterday
- Billups is “meh”
- Gay took some realy bad shots. So did Iggy. But they played, Granger didn’t
- Curry got more playing time and owned Rubio
- Lamar Odom was pretty damn good underneath being the only big guy on the court.
- I don’t understand the RICKY RUBIO IS AWESOME ASLDFJLASKJDFKASJDF hype. He is colid but eh. Curry ate him up. he mad e dumb pass at the end of the game. Actually, he dind’t play well at the end of the game. Odd decisions.
- Granger didn’t play all game. Never got off the bench. Announcers made it sound like his positino was “a lock” and he didn’t need to play. IDK if I buy that.
- rondo, gordon, and love didn’t play either.
Thanks for the updates boys
Still watching this one even without Granger. So far a much better effort on the glass. Should be interesting to see how the PT is doled out in Greece for the final tune up.
I have Wednesday off. Whoo hoo!!
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
+1 on dbcb observations.
Bummed not to see Danny. Best backcourt combo we threw out there was Curry at point with Westbrooke at the 2. Durant is weak, but can score with anybody. Iggy played bad, Rose played bad (I’m trusting dbcb that he did better in crunch time, I had to work), Odom held his own underneath, Chandler did less than Odom, Gay did nothing special, Billups played ok, but we should get more out of him…my biggest surprise was that Rubio may be alot of fuss about nothing, Curry owned him. I think I saw Rubio hanging on to Currys belt loop after the game. Maybe he’ll sell Rubio for a pack of smokes or something.
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
yeah last two possession were all rose. High pick and roll with Odom with odom. Defenders woudln’t leave the other 3 shooters and Gasol was way too slow to hedge Rose. Rose drove right down his throat once for a nice left handed finish and got fouled the second time.
One thign I will say is… Steve Smith is a HELL of a analyst. He called they should run a pick and roll with odom saying Gasol was too slow. They first tried it with Durant and it failed. Next time down the court…. odom and gasol was too slow.
Smith also called for a zone coming out of the time out ont he last play. Said Spain wouldn’t be prepared for it as they hadn’t showed it all game. What happened? Zone adn spain wasn’t prepared for it. Kinda wished we had kept that in our arsenal for when we meet for real but it worked like a charm.
I was a bit harsh on Rubio
It’s amazing how much more you can be objective when your emotions aren’t involved. I just watched the replay on NBA tv, and I hafta give Rubio a bit more credit. He had a very solid first half. He got chewed up a bit in the second half by Curry and Rose though. I guess I was expecting the guy to WOW me because of all the hype I’ve been hearing for over a year now. I think he will be a very solid NBA point, if he expands his ability to score (they’ll play him to pass in the NBA), and if he really improves his D. Plus, hebpounds the ball alot while teammates seem to fall asleep. Kids smooth in the open court, but he’s not the world beater (yet) that I’ve been hearing about. He’s a work in progress and no way I burn a top 5 pick knowing he may not play for a couple years. Kahn is not a very sharp guy.
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
A lot of guys were willing to spend that top 5 pick on him...
Can’t hate Kahn for that one. Can hate him for drafting flynn and him, that is just stupid and confusing. Rubio seems to have some really incredible court vision, he doesn’t appear to ever lose control of his body or the ball. His passes can incite visions of steve nash. Being able to complete one handed passes accurately just makes me smile. Truly a pass-first point guard, rare anymore. He’s just fun to watch IMO, which doesn’t mean much.
by infinityzero.systemerror on Aug 23, 2010 2:14 AM EDT up reply actions
People forget Rubio's 19
I agree the hype for the kid has been bordering on insane at times, but you can’t expect him to be a complete player right now. He’s younger than John Wall (albeit just by a few weeks). There are very few players that could compete at the levels he has as young as he has.
٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ The sky is falling!
I'm still not sold
He’ll struggle with D in the NBA. He has vision and can pass, but he needs to score better to be a upper level point in the NBA. He jump shot range is limited, doesn’t finish at the basket in the half court, he does lose the ball and over dribble in the half court. Made some hairbrain one handed passes that were stole when the game was on the line, and he didn’t have that killer instinct when it was crunch time. Main concern is his D…in FIBA Bball you have teammates packed in the lane to protect ya, and it’s a good thing cause his man was in the paint at will. Rose and Curry (and Curry isn’t exactly blinding fast)…as for the comparison to Nash ??? Is that because they’re both white? Because their games are nothing alike. Nash can shoot the lights out. Rubio…not so much. Rubio is much longer, Nash is much quicker. Nash can keep guys in front of him. Rubio…not so much. I guess they can both dribble (I hope so they’re points) and they both have good point guard vision. The D will be a BIG problem under NBA rules with NBA athletes. Mark my words.
Confucious say "He who dives for loose balls need proper fitting athletic cup!"
I think it's because of the passing ability and court vision.
I’ll say this about Steve Nash, he didn’t become really good until he was 26 and he probably didn’t become great until he was 30. Steve Nash is not much of a defender himself. Rubio should have more upside as a defender given his size. Even if he doesn’t become a average defender, it’s not like it’s end of the world. You don’t draft Rubio for his defense, you draft him for his offensive ability. I think he will be fine.
by infinityzero.systemerror on Aug 23, 2010 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions
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