Team USA Knocks Off Australia in Final Tune Up
Following a thrashing of Lithuania and another convincing win over Russia, the United States finished off their pre-olympic games exhibition with a 87-76 win over Australia.
While I was unable to view the whole game I did catch the first quarter and wasn’t overly enthused with what I saw. Team USA looked very flat turning the ball over throughout the first quarter and once again showed that while they have looked like an unstoppable juggernaut at times they still have their flaws.
Here are a couple things that still scare me when it comes to USA. (Note: I still expect them to take gold and I would be very surprised to see this team lose)
Shooting – While this team obviously has better shooters in Kobe Bryant and Michael Redd, they still dont have the dead eye shooters of many foreign teams. Team USA shot just 3 of 18 from behind the arc in today’s win.
Pick and Roll Defense – This came out in the win over Lithuania. Despite blowing them out in the fourth quarter, Lithuania was in that game in the third after a stretch of 4 or 5 posessions where Lithuania got some very easy lay-ups and uncontested 3-pointers on a confused USA defense. Argentina and Spain will definitely be looking at that tape to try and exploit this weakness.
Isolation offense – In all the wins thus far Team USA has struggled in the halfcourt. The key for all international teams will to keep them in the halfcourt for long stretches. When they get out and run NOBODY in the world can keep up with these guys on these guys.
No team has tipped their hand thus far and most teams will not show much in the preliminaries if they dont have to (i.e. Spain) and will wait to show their true gameplan and strategy for the medal rounds. There also wont be the kind of pressure on team USA early in the tournament like there will be in the medal rounds.
Posted: August 5th, 2008 under Wizards.
Comments
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 5, 2008 at 6:10 PM
I saw a little bit of this morning’s game too. The US team was very sloppy.
You have to think that if this team can’t win a gold, w/ the extraordinary personnel it boasts, then we may never win another one.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time August 5, 2008 at 11:24 PM
I read somewhere that, I believe it was at the start of the 2nd or 3rd quarter team USA had Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, Carmello Anthony, and Deron Williams on the floor together. How would you, as an opposing team, like to look across the court and see that line up? LOL.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time August 5, 2008 at 11:25 PM
If nothing else Team USA has to flat out intimidate all others. That’s quite a line up.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 6, 2008 at 7:45 AM
Actually, that seems like a weird assortment of guys to have on the floor all at the same time. But, just as other teams are not showing us their real game plans in these tune-ups, I assume that the same is true of us. I.e. that we’ll have a center on the floor, and that we’ll be able to defend the pick and roll.
Comment from Phemy
Time August 6, 2008 at 7:57 AM
…whatever, Dirk will crush you singlehanded 
Well, actually i don’t think germany will make it out of the first round…damn that’s a tough group. (and damn the german team sucks -.-)
But even I think USA will get gold, even as a german…if the teamplay/chemistry works out you should be fine with all these fine players. But who knows, there are always some surprises .. ;>
Comment from rgz
Time August 6, 2008 at 10:17 AM
I didn’t enjoy watching the Australia game. I felt USA should have a real center, many times they were the shorter team. Chris Bosh looked small, haha. Rebounding was ok, but the guys like Carmelo Anthony had to jump really high and depend on great timing. Sometimes there were two or three Aussies with hands outstretched. My opinion is that the team is still relying on individual skills.
They were starting to run back for defense even before they knew if it was a good shot or not. My feeling is perhaps Coach K does not want to divulge the few plays he has for the team.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time August 6, 2008 at 10:29 AM
I think what you are seeing out of team USA is what you will get come olympic time. This team is so much more talented than everyone else the whole key in these prelims is jsut getting everyone on the same page. If this team plays up to its capabilities nobody will touch them. The question is will they.
Unlike other teams I dont think USA is holding back much except for maybe a few offensive sets.
Comment from popcornkid
Time August 6, 2008 at 11:02 AM
So I just read Gil’s new blog…Not to happy about his political opinions while playing for the Washingon Wizards in DC. Our Votes don’t count? Why would he say something like that when he’s got so many young fans. Complete disregard.
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Comment from rgz
Time August 5, 2008 at 4:53 PM
I believe the game will be replayed at 8PM on ESPN2.