FIBA World Championships Game 4: USA vs. Iran

Team USA is back in action today when they take on Iran at noon ET on ESPN. 

After a day off to stew over a frustrating win against Brazil, the U.S. squad should be willing and able to run away from an undermanned Iran team. Iran is currently 1-2 in Pool B play with their win coming against 0-2 Tunisia. 

That should mean some playing time for Danny Granger who didn't get off the bench against Brazil. As a story in the links indicates, Coach K wasn't satisfied with the play off the bench against Brazil which is why he let his starters play the full second half.  Sounds like an opportunity for Granger to play his way up the rotation if he can take advantage of the playing time. Memphis big man, Hamed Haddadi is the lone familiar foe for Iran. 

Here are a few links of interest, including some key games yesterday with great impact on Team USA:

• Big Shake-Ups on Day 4 in Turkey
  John Schuhmann reports on a tumultuous day at the FIBA World Championships. Both Spain and Greece lost setting up a loaded bracket for Team USA in the elimination round.
• Lesson learned, US will need more from its subs
  Brian Mahoney reports on Team USA looking for a bigger boost from their bench.
• US learning on the fly at world championships
  Jim Litke reports on Team USA trailing the world in preparing for international hoops competitions.
• Turkey-Greece Game Not Just a Game
  With the U.S. off yesterday, Chris Tomasson takes an interesting look at the intense rivalry between Turkey and Greece.
• Tweet Tweet
  Danny Granger caught some heat for expressing the thoughts of his sensitive schnoz on Twitter.
• A Meditation On Melo: Where He Is, Where He's Been, And Where He Might Go
  Andrew Sharp digs deep into the Melo-drama playing out in Denver this summer.