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It is hard to have any criticism for a team that just won by nearly 50 points but if a team can control the pace and shut down Durant, they will have a chance against this US team. I do think that this team will get better the more that they play together this summer. Hopefully we'll see a better performance against Brazil on Monday. I'll try to upload some photos from the nosebleeds at the Verizon center following the game.
[quote name='Raze Lupin' timestamp='1342149500' post='38421']

Yeah that kid is ballin!! I think Jonas V is better

[/quote]



You might be right.
[quote name='skangles' timestamp='1342149837' post='38422']

It is hard to have any criticism for a team that just won by nearly 50 points but if a team can control the pace and shut down Durant, they will have a chance against this US team. I do think that this team will get better the more that they play together this summer. Hopefully we'll see a better performance against Brazil on Monday. I'll try to upload some photos from the nosebleeds at the Verizon center following the game.

[/quote]



The only people that can slow Durant down are on his team. Namely LeBron, Iggy and kobe.



Yeah post pics!!



Blake Griffin has meniscus tear in left knee, will have surgery and will miss the Olympics.
[quote name='Raze Lupin' timestamp='1342150126' post='38424']

The only people that can slow Durant down are on his team. Namely LeBron, Iggy and kobe.



Yeah post pics!!



Blake Griffin has meniscus tear in left knee, will have surgery and will miss the Olympics.

[/quote]



Oh wow, just saw that on Sportscenter. You beat them to the bunch.



The crazy thing is that one of the best non-US defenders in the tournament to put on Durant plays for one of the worst teams, Mr. Deng. I don't expect to see that matchup and even if they do meet in the quarterfinals, the US will be able to pick apart the rest of the UK roster.



I think that both Pocius and Maciulis might be able to do a decent job against defending the US, both of these guys need to play as much as possible during that game.
[quote name='skangles' timestamp='1342150464' post='38426']

Oh wow, just saw that on Sportscenter. You beat them to the bunch.



I think that both Pocius and Maciulis might be able to do a decent job against defending the US, both of these guys need to play as much as possible during that game.

[/quote]



Deng can do a good job. I agree 100%. Pocius is a good defender. Lith vs US should be a good game. I think if the US can slow down Saras at the point then I believe they can keep Lietuva at bay.
[quote name='Raze Lupin' timestamp='1342151271' post='38427']

Deng can do a good job. I agree 100%. Pocius is a good defender. Lith vs US should be a good game. I think if the US can slow down Saras at the point then I believe they can keep Lietuva at bay.

[/quote]

The US and Lithuania have the same issue, lack of inside threat. For the US it is due to player selection, I'm not sure Lithuania's problem because they have the right guys on the team (Valanciunas, Javtokas, Kleiza, Jankunas, Songaila) but they just didn't look dangerous inside at all in Caracas except for the game against the DR where Valanciunas got going.



Kleiza has to muscle his way for some points like he did in 2010 and Javtokas needs to be a viable option, otherwise Lithuania will be too predictable and the US players will kill them on the perimeter. I think that's the key to the game and generally the key to Lithaunia's chances in London.



On that note, Lithuania and Argentina should give the US the hardest time in Group play. France is deep and athletic but will try to beat the US at their own game. That is never a good recipe for success.
I should withhold my judgement until after the Brazil game. I think France will be just fine against USA. There interior game with Seiphraim and Diaw will be potent.
Not that we didn't already know but having Durant in your team (talking about offense) is unfair! <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/baby.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='Baby' />
[quote name='Raze Lupin' timestamp='1342153148' post='38429']

I should withhold my judgement until after the Brazil game. I think France will be just fine against USA. There interior game with Seiphraim and Diaw will be potent.

[/quote]



France likes to run which gives them an advantage over most other teams because I believe that they are the second most athletic team in the Olympics. Unless France controls the pace and slows it down which I wouldn't expect them to do, I cannot see them hanging around with the US in a run and gun shoot out.

[quote name='TeoTheGreek13' timestamp='1342174132' post='38431']

Not that we didn't already know but having Durant in your team (talking about offense) is unfair! <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/baby.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='Baby' />

[/quote]



Durant on any team is unfair! <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='Biggrin' />
[quote name='skangles' timestamp='1342193375' post='38443']

France likes to run which gives them an advantage over most other teams because I believe that they are the second most athletic team in the Olympics. Unless France controls the pace and slows it down which I wouldn't expect them to do, I cannot see them hanging around with the US in a run and gun shoot out.

[/quote]



Although their latest loss to Belgium doesn't show them to be in good shape at all <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/crazy.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='Crazy' />
[quote name='TeoTheGreek13' timestamp='1342174132' post='38431']

Not that we didn't already know but having Durant in your team (talking about offense) is unfair! <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/baby.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='Baby' />

[/quote]



Durant is a pure basketball player. Thats the only way I can describe him. He is nothing like Kobe, James or Jordan. He's unique.



[quote name='skangles' timestamp='1342193375' post='38443']

France likes to run which gives them an advantage over most other teams because I believe that they are the second most athletic team in the Olympics. Unless France controls the pace and slows it down which I wouldn't expect them to do, I cannot see them hanging around with the US in a run and gun shoot out.

Durant on any team is unfair! <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='Biggrin' />

[/quote]



I agree. I don't think France can run with us. We will know much after the Brazil game.





[quote name='ZEUS' timestamp='1342197921' post='38445']

Although their latest loss to Belgium doesn't show them to be in good shape at all <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/crazy.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='Crazy' />

[/quote]



I'm most concerned about Brazil. Secondly Spain and Russia. It really is unfortunate that. Serbia, Greece, Turkey will not be in the Olympics. The Oly games need to be expanded.







There is a lot of talk about 2012 team vs 1992 team. Some are saying that a 2012 team at full strength could beat the dream team. I say no way. I don't think adding Bosh, Wade, Rose, Howard would make much difference. If we sub out players on 1992 squad for Laettner the '92 squad becomes even stronger. For example replace Laettner with Shaquille O'Neal or Hakeem Olajuwan. No one in this current generation is stopping either one of those guys. The 1992 team could have Reggie Miller, Dennis Rodman, Isiah Thomas, Chris Webber(NCAA) in their player pool. This 2012 generation just loses any way its added up. Not that the '92 team needs a advantage but FIBA rules give the '92 squad an edge.
[quote name='Raze Lupin' timestamp='1342206671' post='38449']

Durant is a pure basketball player. Thats the only way I can describe him. He is nothing like Kobe, James or Jordan. He's unique.







I agree. I don't think France can run with us. We will know much after the Brazil game.









I'm most concerned about Brazil. Secondly Spain and Russia. It really is unfortunate that. Serbia, Greece, Turkey will not be in the Olympics. The Oly games need to be expanded.







There is a lot of talk about 2012 team vs 1992 team. Some are saying that a 2012 team at full strength could beat the dream team. I say no way. I don't think adding Bosh, Wade, Rose, Howard would make much difference. If we sub out players on 1992 squad for Laettner the '92 squad becomes even stronger. For example replace Laettner with Shaquille O'Neal or Hakeem Olajuwan. No one in this current generation is stopping either one of those guys. The 1992 team could have Reggie Miller, Dennis Rodman, Isiah Thomas, Chris Webber(NCAA) in their player pool. This 2012 generation just loses any way its added up. Not that the '92 team needs a advantage but FIBA rules give the '92 squad an edge.

[/quote]



I liked Pippen's casual comment last night that the Dream Team would beat the 2012 team by 25 points. <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rofl3.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='Rofl3' />
^Pippen was 100% serious when he said it too. He said that '92 team would beat them 4 to 1 in a 7 game series.^

carlo;716266 Wrote:Officially confirmed by USAB as well, B Griffin out, A Davis in.



http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/nation...n_out.html
[quote name='Raze Lupin' timestamp='1342210662' post='38452']

^Pippen was 100% serious when he said it too. He said that '92 team would beat them 4 to 1 in a 7 game series.^

[/quote]



That was generous of him to give the 2012 team 1 game. I'm not sure I'd even go that far.
They're all just behaving like big babies. It's all hypothetical BS, and just egos vs. bigger egos.



They should shut up and both do their jobs and not lap up sensationalist tabloid press cover which means absolutely nothing.
USA Women did work! Now its time to see what the guys have!
I'm impressed with Brazil. I'm not impressed with USA. Brazil is playing like I thought they would. Brazil is so underrated. USA 37-35 at the half.
FINAL: USA 80 | Brazil 69. LeBron James led the USA w/ 30 points.



Better for a game like this to come early than late. This should be enough to wake up the Americans.

Brazil is underrated.
Just got back from the games, I will try to upload pictures tomorrow but for now here are my thoughts.



1) You can't teach height



2) For the second straight game the starting lineup began the game extremely lackluster. This gave Brazil the momentum to make a game of it for the first half. Kobe and Carmelo have been particularly horrible to start both games. I don't care what name is on the back of the jersey, Coach K needs to mix it up.



I'd like to see a proper lineup fielded before Coach K starts his positionless, utopian, 1984 bull shit. Thus, I'd go with Paul (or Williams), Durant, LeBron, Love, Chandler. Bring Kobe and Carmelo off the bench but allow the US to field a proper 1-5 and take advantage of OUR size for once.



3) Despite his poor start Kobe played a few minutes of absolutely superb defensive tenacity in the second quarter. This was the highlight of the game for me.



4) Iguodala is a tremendous defender and I'm liking him on this team more than I thought I would even if he doesn't make his free throws. With that said, putting Iguodala on guys like Nene and Varejao was irresponsible coaching.



5) While a close game, this was still an exhibition. It would have been good to play Davis for a few minutes in the third period against good Brazilian opposition just to see what he can do. Lithuania used this strategy with Valanciunas in last year's Eurobasket and it worked out fantastic for them.



6) If this US team wins gold it will be because of their defense. They might be better defensively than they are offensively which is fun to watch.



7) Credit Brazil for a great effort. This was text book as to how you play the US, get out to an early lead and control the pace. To be honest, Brazil played at a faster tempo than I thought you could against the US and still have success.



8) Just as the game was about to tip off it was delayed as "Born in the USA" by Bruce Springsteen blasted through the loudspeakers and Mr. Obama made his triumphant entrance shaking hands and hugging babies. Obama later failed to kiss Michelle on the "Kiss Cam" to resounding boos throughout the arena.



9) US fans are probably the lousiest in the sport. This was easily the worst atmosphere for an international game that I've ever been to and my track record includes the highly competitive Lithuania vs. Iceland from 2008. Seriously, it's the National Team but you could have taken a nap in the stands if it weren't for the the drunk frat boys yelling obscenities like a bunch of jackasses. Absolutely passionless.
Lack of passion is what I've noticed when watching games in the US, be that NBA, NHL, or 'soccer' <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='Tongue' /> <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rofl3.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='Rofl3' />



Seems like you guys need your hooligans <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rofl3.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='Rofl3' />
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