FIBA World Championship Semifinals: USA vs. Lithuania
by Tom Lewis on Sep 11, 2010 7:30 AM EDT
in FIBA World Championships
Email
PrintThis has to be the most exciting day in the basketball history of Istanbul, Turkey. With an exciting double-header of FIBA World Championship semifinals set to tip, the matchups should have the gym jumping all day.
Of course, the nightcap is the main matchup for the locals with Turkey taking on Serbia. But the "JV" game should be an epic appetizer with Team USA playing Lithuania. Both the U.S. team and Lithuania seem to be peaking at prime time in the tournament. Team USA did beat Lithuania in an exhibition a few weeks ago but it wasn't easy and the stakes are much higher so expect this game to be tight throughout.
If the U.S. squad prevails and faces Turkey as expected in the Finals, tomorrow will become the most exciting day in Turkish basketball history. But until then, enjoy the action today because it should be sweet.
The game tips at noon on ESPN Classic and ESPN3.com.
After the jump, a few links of interest including previews and news from the WCs along with a nice piece on Ron Artest making a real impact with middle school children.
- USA-Lithuania Preview " NBA.com
John Schuhmann offers his thoughts on the upcoming semifinal. - Lithuania a Familiar Foil for Team USA
Chris Tomasson on Lithuania consistently staying among the international elite. - Team USA Notebook: Importance of Winning Gold, Rose on Carmelo
Chris Tomasson empties out his notebook from Istanbul. - 2010 World Championship: USA-Lithuania preview - ESPN
Chris Sheridan previews the semis. - John Schuhmann on Coach K getting the most out of Team USA.
- Team USA faces new-look Lithuania in FIBA semifinals
Chris Mannix shares his thoughts on the U.S. team closing in on its golden goal. - Ron Artest turns out to be a mental health expert
Bill Plaschke went along with Ron Artest when he addressed a group of middle schoolers about mental health and came away quite impressed.
17 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
42-27, USA, at the half
this has the makings of a blow out… granger might get some time lol
71-60
Lead keep hanging around 10-15. It doesn’t seem that close when watching it
Lithuania making a run in the 2nd half
U.S. keeps answering, this is the best I’ve seen them play yet. Durant is killing it, again.
Unbelievable
Durant vs Lithuania. 36 for the kid with 4 mins left in the game. What a tournament he has had!
hes kinda good
and has adapted well to fiba play… he looked weak in the exhibition games
Good point with the adaptation
he looks just as comfortable here as he does during regular season games.
durant's better than lebron and i expect him to show it this year...
36 points beats Melo record if im not mistaken..
Coaches say theyve enjoyed coaching this team more than any other in the worlds. Ego at a minimum.
he needs to carry a team with no talent deep into the playoffs
on more than one occasion before we start annoiting him better than the dousche king
bron took a talented team through a talentless east one time to the finals
the next few seasons they got killed mainly due to him. hell they had best reg season record and you cant do that without talent., and didnt even make conf finals twice. brons a stat stuffer like wilt not much substance tho. he jacks up threes he shouldnt be shooting and gets scared to take it to the hole. worse yet when things go bad he quits. The intangibles if nothing else make durant better.
by Justin Arnold on Sep 11, 2010 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions
do you even watch the games?
I am being serious
mainly just pacers and the playoffs where it counts...
Whats your point am I wrong? Here let me narrow it down and Im serious, did you watch the boston cleveland playoffs series. Did you watch the Lakers OKC series? Point made. OKC takes the champs to seven with very little talent other than Durant and Westbrook especially compared to a more talented Cleveland who was crushed by the runnerups.
not to mentio lebron looked scared to take it to the hole and looked like he quit. his owner said it too, which dnt mean much i guess since he was mad...
but i saw it and said it during the game, as i laughed about boston killing them. It was ugly.
by Justin Arnold on Sep 12, 2010 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions
He did quit. But the year before they just ran into a better team (orlando was a nightmare match up for them). And weak or not… Lebron single handedly took that team to the finals that year. You could watch the games and see that.
Watch how many games Cleveland wins this year. All they ahve lost is Lebron and Shaq and losing shaq is a good thing because he is worthless these days. Watch how many games they lose this year and come back to me.
Oh, and then remember, the year jordan quit his first retirement… the next year the bulls still won 50 games. Keep all this in mine when the cavaliers when 22 games this year.
I don’t like lebron. He went from a prima dona who was fun to just a prima dona dousche. I think he could be better than he is which is scary as his post game is “meh” and his shooting is still “meh.” And he did quit last year for no reason whatsoever. But statistically and just watching the games… lebron is still the best player in the league. better than Durant.
oh and both at age 21...
31.4/7/7 on 48% shooting, 33.5% 3pt, TS% 60.4, PER of 28.1
30.1/3/7.5 on 47.6% shooting, 36.5% 3pt, TS% 60.7,PER of 26.2
oh and last year, lebron had a per of 31.1 which is “holy shit” range in PER and light years ahead of 26.2
I hope I don’t soudn like I am shitting on Durant because I am not. I am just saying don’t let your hate of lebron’s douschebag factor make you forget just how good he is.
Kobe is still the best in the league....
Good post though, especially the bulls part, good facts. I guess I can say that was a 3 peat team whereas cleveland is a one time finals team kinda like AIs sixers and if you took Ai off that team itd be the same scenario. And the year Cleve made the Finals was def. a down year for the east and the NBA as a whole. He had a pretty good team last year tho, they lost Big Z and Delonte west too.
His stats wow people and he is def a good passer , but he does kinda play like a point forward and durant plays more like a traditional 3 since he has westbrook to play point and facilitate. Only thing I really give to bron over durant is his passing. IDK maybe your right cause I never have liked bron.
by Justin Arnold on Sep 12, 2010 1:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Indy Cornrows
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- A closer look at a big night for Brandon Bass, who ate well because Rajon Rondo kept feeding him
- Kevin Garnett takes a little shot at Philadelphia’s ‘fair weather fans.’ His words, not ours (VIDEO)
- Eight wounded in a shooting as fans spill out into the streets surrounding the Oklahoma City Thunder’s arena
- Behind the Box Score, where a special Oklahoma City Thunder team is moving on
- Russell Westbrook hit an impossible and-one shot to beat the Lakers (VIDEO)
