FIBA AMERICAS

[yokam]

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Again, it's not necessary for USA's big men to be decent shooters. The reason I see why Dwight Howard, Amare Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler is bought into USA Team's line-up is because of the intensity they bring on the floor. If Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett's experience and probably defense is taken into consideration rather than their mere shooting decency, then I might agree more.

Have u seen their game against Mexico, if Carmelo wasn't hitting his shots, ambot nalang...d kaau nila malamangan ug dako ang kontra...how much more if they'll play Argentina nga ingana ang ilang dinuwaan for that game? I would expect it will be a close game...then how much more if Pepe Sanchez, Manu, Oberto, Hermann & Nocioni will play in the Olympics....eng eng eng...saonz nalang jud lagi ani ron...mau lang lagi ug mangigo..ang nakapait ani is islow down pa jud sa kontra para d sila kaduwa sa ilang open game...samot kaluya ani....

We've been expecting too much from USA. Lig-on pud kaayo gihapon ang Argentina if they send their best players even USA sends it's best players too, USA is no longer the stronger team we once knew, nilig-on na pud ang uban nga grupo.

Regarding the game against Mexico, it was USA's three point shooting that has gone cold, yet looking at the stats, other than Carmelo Anthony, a lot of players have shot well. Dwight Howard went 9/10 from the field, Kobe Bryant constantly attacking the basket and get to the line and Jason Kidd led USA with 7 assists. USA had 28 assists as a team. That's my point, one way or another, USA finds ways to win games and not just rely on their shooting. With their talent, they've got more than one way to play basketball.

[thadzonline]

the reason why other teams have to develop big men who have decent shots from outside is because they cant go toe for toe with American big men in the paint especially during the time of Shaq, mao na ila pangontra and they realize it is an effective weapon many times over

[yokam]

Not really surprising, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony once again bailed USA out to remain unbeaten in the FIBA after beating Argentina 91-76. The win turned out to be the worst win USA had in the tournament, and no wonder why, it's against Argentina. Their 15 point win was the lowest winning margin they have in the tournament, eclipsing the previous 27 point margin against Mexico. It was a turnover marred game, maybe a mix of recklessness or really an effect of both team's terrific defense. Both USA and Argentina had 21 turnovers apiece. Both teams shot miserably from behind the arc, USA hit 11/29 for 37.9%, way below their usual average while Argentina hit a very dismal 5/21, starting with 1/10 in the first half. Luis Scola was the only one who was able to stand out for Argentina as he finished with 20 points in 66.7% FG shooting.

If Argentina was almost to keep up with USA with such a line-up, how much more if they've got Ginobili and the rest of the pack? Hmm.. Something to look forward to in the Olympics. :mrgreen:

[borgy1981]

Not really surprising, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony once again bailed USA out to remain unbeaten in the FIBA after beating Argentina 91-76. The win turned out to be the worst win USA had in the tournament, and no wonder why, it's against Argentina. Their 15 point win was the lowest winning margin they have in the tournament, eclipsing the previous 27 point margin against Mexico. It was a turnover marred game, maybe a mix of recklessness or really an effect of both team's terrific defense. Both USA and Argentina had 21 turnovers apiece. Both teams shot miserably from behind the arc, USA hit 11/29 for 37.9%, way below their usual average while Argentina hit a very dismal 5/21, starting with 1/10 in the first half. Luis Scola was the only one who was able to stand out for Argentina as he finished with 20 points in 66.7% FG shooting.

If Argentina was almost to keep up with USA with such a line-up, how much more if they've got Ginobili and the rest of the pack? Hmm.. Something to look forward to in the Olympics. :mrgreen:

that's y my point is to consider bringing in either TD or KG or both..since the three younger players can;t just rely blocking those shots from way above the rim...which won't happen if manu, oberto, nocioni will be playing against them since they will consistently attack their defense...nobody from Argentina attacked consistently during this game yet they were ONLY down by 20 or something, taken into consideration that their guard shot the ball exceptionally well and the forced many errors that were converted into dunks...international game is not a game of one-one-one or whose the strongest inside the paint...look what Scola did in this game, he attacked in/out against their big men..unfortunately he got into foul trouble in the 1st quarter and kobe was awesome hitting 3 3pointers in the period..I would still think 1 of them will not be coming back to the Olympics, probably Tyson Chandler... and I'd like to see TD play 1 more time for USA, either for personal redemption or whatever... he makes playing basketball enjoyable to watch, he can pass, set screens, defend - just like you have another JKidd on the floor..

[koontz_circle]

Hmm, I like fried egg over pork...heheh.

Basketball is NOT like soccer in Brazil, nor ice hockey in Canada. The other major sports have just as big a following. Baseball is America's pasttime and NFL football is America's passion. Basketbal is just one of the big four: MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, even NASCAR has grown big time in popularity.

You're lucky you are not a sports analyst in the U.S., you would be fired for the comment about their genes and that they are like horses when they play. It's happened before, research the name "Jimmy the Greek" and see what happened to him.

I think the USA really wants to get back the Gold Medal and they finally realize they have to plan and work alot harder in the years before the Olympics in order to get back on top. I'm not really talking about the players, it's the U.S.A. basketball organization and the coaches. It's not like the old days where they can just show up and win.

ThanX

After all, being a journalist isn't my profession. I truely regard myself as lucky. But I dont think using metaphors can harm open minded person, I'm not here to be too literal. Anyway thanks for the thought about "Jimmy the Greek". Google told me that he's selling his own novel now and earns more than his previous job remuneration that ended up into termination.

U must be half-American or something? hehe

Well, the last time I checked the U.S. torched the Argentineans by 15 pts. A superb performance that a basketball fan like me emits some doubt. They should have blow them by 30+ points. Nahhh, a point would do. A win is a win. By any margin.

[thadzonline]

by all means it matters how you beat a team, the next time around these young Argentinians will face them again even without Manu or Nocioni or Pepe Sanchez and all the other big stars, they will be more confident knowing they weren't blown away too much..all they had to for now is clinch an Olympic berth then get better.....next year, if these two teams with the same lineup meet again, expect war and a close game. Argentina will say this time; we did not send our best team...so was the excuse of Team USA in the past few years that they were dominated by Argentina..revenge served for Team USA

[koontz_circle]

by all means it matters how you beat a team, the next time around these young Argentinians will face them again even without Manu or Nocioni or Pepe Sanchez and all the other big stars, they will be more confident knowing they weren't blown away too much..all they had to for now is clinch an Olympic berth then get better.....next year, if these two teams with the same lineup meet again, expect war and a close game. Argentina will say this time; we did not send our best team...so was the excuse of Team USA in the past few years that they were dominated by Argentina..revenge served for Team USA

Amen bro..

They're having the mentality of 5%- to get pleasure from the game, 5% - pressure of the game and 90% - all out desire for a steadfast vengeance! The outcome of 15 pts win won't make a fan happy that expects more from a team. Though the tournament isn't over I can't wait for the Olympics to come. And when it comes, I'll book myself for a 10 or more days of vacation just to witness the quest of basketball GOLD (pero sa TV rako tan aw hap, ahehe). Spain, Greece, U.S.A., Argentina or whatever team. Fundamentals would surely prevail. "I don't believe in stars" Scola once said. If that so.. to whom would you believe into?

[digitalsuperman]

Argentina lost to USA... just forget the score.

[peewee711]

@digital:any links bro??

[iskoLares]

why are we arguing about the US lineup?.. we cant rant over a lineup that was able to win over their opponents "waist-deep" ....

what's the problem with the lineup?!... if TD or KG was on the lineup... would it still be the same result?!.. guess not.....