NBA: Team USA vs Puerto Rico (11p EST, ESPN2)

[iamme]

memo to Gilbert Arenas: this isn't the all-star game.

 

[bennylong]

Wooooooooooooha, Puerto Rico!!! Go Jennifer Lopez and that sexy butt!!!!!!!!

 

[aplefka]

Just turned it on.

 

[tfinch2]

If the USA can't play as a team like the rest of the world, they aren't going to be successful. Talent can only take you so far, especially when playing against respectable talent.

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
If the USA can't play as a team like the rest of the world, they aren't going to be successful. Talent can only take you so far, especially when playing against respectable talent.

sadly, puerto rico is not even close to teh best international teams. if the USA were playing a top Euro team right now, i think they'd be down 10+ pts. USA's got time to put things together, though.

 

[BlancoNino]

Originally posted by: iamme

Originally posted by: BlancoNino
I'm seeing terrible ball movement and defense by USA. They're acting like it's the all-star game 🙁

If they just put in the Miami Heat, they would win by 50+ points...easily.

oh no.

Miami's half court offense would get embarassed in the international game. Shaq would get run ragged. Wade could lift the team by himself, but the game is so different on the international level.

i do agree that Team USA needs to stop treating this like an all-star game and start doing all the gritty stuff to win.

The Miami Heat are the "World" champions for a reason 🙂

I didn't root for the Heat, but honestly, they're a team and they know how to play with eachother. Besides, this USA team is being coached by a collegiate coach.

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: BlancoNino
The Miami Heat are the "World" champions for a reason 🙂

how many teams across the world did Miami play en route to their "world championship", lol? i stand by my assertion that Miami's half court/give it to Wade/let Shaq pound it in the paint offense would be ineffective in international play.

 

[iamme]

pretty move by joe johnson.

 

[Excelsior]

That was a sick play.

 

[iamme]

USA up 43-35.

even if USA doesn't put together a great team game tonight, they are just too talented for Puerto Rico.

 

[BlancoNino]

Originally posted by: iamme

Originally posted by: BlancoNino
The Miami Heat are the "World" champions for a reason 🙂

i stand by my assertion that Miami's half court/give it to Wade/let Shaq pound it in the paint offense would be ineffective in international play.

Well, look at the "strategy" team USA is using tonight. There is none. They're just being selfish and taking bad shots, passing poorly, and overall just playing out of rhythm. And they're still ahead.

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: BlancoNino

Originally posted by: iamme

Originally posted by: BlancoNino
The Miami Heat are the "World" champions for a reason 🙂

i stand by my assertion that Miami's half court/give it to Wade/let Shaq pound it in the paint offense would be ineffective in international play.

Well, look at the "strategy" team USA is using tonight. There is none. They're just being selfish and taking bad shots, passing poorly, and overall just playing out of rhythm. And they're still ahead.

uh, that's because Puerto Rico is ranked #11 in FIBA rankings.

more talented USA teams than this one have tried and had bad success, in recent years. my point is that this team USA isn't going to just show up and win because they've got an all-star caliber lineup. haven't you been watching international basketball the past 4-5 years?

 

[Excelsior]

Haha, crazy ass end to the first half.

 

[Kyle]

Originally posted by: BlancoNino

Originally posted by: iamme

Originally posted by: BlancoNino
I'm seeing terrible ball movement and defense by USA. They're acting like it's the all-star game 🙁

If they just put in the Miami Heat, they would win by 50+ points...easily.

oh no.

Miami's half court offense would get embarassed in the international game. Shaq would get run ragged. Wade could lift the team by himself, but the game is so different on the international level.

i do agree that Team USA needs to stop treating this like an all-star game and start doing all the gritty stuff to win.

The Miami Heat are the "World" champions for a reason 🙂

I didn't root for the Heat, but honestly, they're a team and they know how to play with eachother. Besides, this USA team is being coached by a collegiate coach.

"collegiate" by choice....any NBA team would take him in a heartbeat (and many have tried...lakers etc)
International is very different than NBA...just cause the heat team worked great in the NBA doesnt mean that they would do well here...

 

[Kyle]

Originally posted by: Kyle

Originally posted by: BlancoNino

Originally posted by: iamme

Originally posted by: BlancoNino
I'm seeing terrible ball movement and defense by USA. They're acting like it's the all-star game 🙁

If they just put in the Miami Heat, they would win by 50+ points...easily.

oh no.

Miami's half court offense would get embarassed in the international game. Shaq would get run ragged. Wade could lift the team by himself, but the game is so different on the international level.

i do agree that Team USA needs to stop treating this like an all-star game and start doing all the gritty stuff to win.

The Miami Heat are the "World" champions for a reason 🙂

I didn't root for the Heat, but honestly, they're a team and they know how to play with eachother. Besides, this USA team is being coached by a collegiate coach.

"collegiate" by choice....any NBA team would take him in a heartbeat (and many have tried...lakers etc)
International is very different than NBA...just cause the heat team worked great in the NBA doesnt mean that they would do well here...

ahh, oops DP

 

[iamme]

there something i like about USA losing for so many years in international ball. the players seem to get more humble out here.

 

[Excelsior]

Is it just me, or does Lisa Salters look pretty good?

 

[bennylong]

just you, bro

 

[iamme]

whew.

 

[iamme]

Puerto Rico's lack of ball handlers outside of Arroyo is killing them.

 

[iamme]

USA's lead cut to 19.

 

[iamme]

whoa, Ramos tried to get nasty on Battier.

 

[iamme]

sick windmill by Wade.

 

[Miramonti]

Great showing by the USA...smothering defense and efficient offense.

 

[Miramonti]

Lots of raving about Anthony's team contribution but whenever he's in the game the defense lapses.