Thoughts on Team USA after seeing them beat China on Aug.10

[hawks150]

I LOVE IT...

The USA players play as if nothing can stop them just the way they look the way the fake their opponents its great to watch.

They also look so professional

They are way to more superior to China its kidna funny

[insidehoops]

Now that USA-China is over, post your analysis on the current state of Team USA, both in regard to how they did in that game as well as what you liked about what you saw, what you didn't, what they need to improve upon, what can't be fixed at this point, etc.

[R.I.P.]

Chris Kaman is the best American center. :rockon:

[Resurrection]

The game would've been much closer if the FIBA refs called the numerous traveling calls on James and Wade. I guess even in international ball they're giving an extra step to the Americans. Pathetic.

[Kobe24]

USA didn't play the best game but it was enough to demolish China.

[starface]

well its not over for those of us on the west coast, in fact it doesnt even start for another half an hour

but thanks for the spoiler :rolleyes:

[demons2005]

Paul disrupts the offense, and forces the issue way too much. In short, he does not deserve to be on the team.

[brantonli]

USA thought they could coast through this game early on, and paid for it by having a 20-16 first quarter. Lack of three point shooting (where the heck was Redd?) and excellent three point shooting from China gave USA a disappointing 12 point lead at the half. Yao was not giving the ball a lot, though he went 6/6 at the FT line in the end.

USA turned up the defence, started showboating again, and China just collapsed, and started stupid turnovers and stopped shooting jumpers, shooting runners and wild shots instead.

It's truly worrying that the current USA team is carrying the same attitude as the old teams, like 1992, but this isn't 1992, and there are even teams with all of their starters being in or was in the NBA. USA can turn it on when they want to, but I jsut wonder how they will react when they find themselves in a deficiet.

It was a good tough match, even though China was losing by 30 in the end. Howard got blocked (twice!) Team USa did their usual flurry of alley-oops and dunks. China was going tough on them though, so props to them.

[BFRESH44]

Paul disrupts the offense, and forces the issue way too much. In short, he does not deserve to be on the team.

He also gambles on literally every trip down the other side of the ball. I thought Wade/Bron gambled too much but jesus christ with Paul? It's alright to want to get it going in transistion(it's this teams strength) but good lord you have to play some showing of set defense.

[Godfather]

Paul disrupts the offense, and forces the issue way too much. In short, he does not deserve to be on the team.

What are you talking about? Paul had 6 assists with no turnovers this game.

[AppleNader]

What more needs to be said? I am sure people will look at the score and the flashy dunks and say Team USA is back.

I prefer to look at:

1) The fact that we continue to overplay and gamble on defense. I recall one instance where Wade lunged for a pass that was easily caught by a Chinese player, then Wade trying to jump back to steal it again, only to commit a foul. This is not intelligent basketball. It will only hurt us, especially when we play teams like Greece, Spain, Argentina who have excellent guard play.

2) Almost non-existant half court offense?

3) USA "bigs" repeatedly being worked under the post by Chinese players.

4) Howard exposing his true self? Dude has absolutely zero post game. Absolutely none. Struggled to post up, struggled to get shots off, stymied by the zone, etc.

5) Atrocious defense? I couldn't even count how many open looks Chinese players got. The only reason they missed them was because they are so damn poorly conditioned. Again, playing this kind of perimeter defense will allow better teams to kill us from 3.

[dr8ked]

Those long shots should be reserved for michael red/williams and paul, everybody else needs to pound the Ball inside. Like dwayne and the "Iron man" Lebron were doing..

[demons2005]

What are you talking about? Paul had 6 assists with no turnovers this game.
He had at least 3 though only 1 was recorded. he is forcing the action like crazy while the team is much better with ball movement.

And he may have looked very good defensively but that was because of the AWFUL chinese PG. He is the biggest liability on the floor and frankly he is a danger to our medal chances

[quasimoto]

The individual difference between both teams was way too big to call it a game....not really an indication for the rest of the tournament imo. I still need to see how they match up against the better teams. Aside from the first quarter China played pathetic. And Michael Redd needs more minutes, he's the only guy out there who can actually shoot the ball.

[konex]

Too much streetball. This team runs ZERO plays and the only inside scores are in transition off steals. They don't defend the 3 either.

I would add Tayshaun to the starting lineup cos Kobe, Bron, Wade and Melo are all playing a bit selfish right now. There is no passing unless it's on the break.

Kidd/Deron
Kobe
Tayshaun
Bron
Dwight

CP3
Wade
Melo/Redd
Boozer
Bosh

D-Wade would continue to be first off the bench and Redd would still be the designated shooter

[It's A VC3!!!]

LeBron Rocked!:cheers:

[jason816]

<-- ISH poster from Hong Kong, CHINA.

just finished watching the game between China and USA...
the result turned out as expected...

I believe the Chinese team could have done much better..

Chinese National Team
1, the coach is an idiot.

2, the PGs made too many silly plays. dribbling for 20 secs and then decide to drive to the hoop all by themselves... throwing bad pass, bad shots...

3, Yao only touched the ball down low for couple of times... his teammates could not give him the ball.

4, Sun Yue should be the ball handler from the very beginning of the game.. he protects the ball well, able to drive and dish...

5, Wang Zhizhi didn't play enuf mins.


next game vs Spain... i still think they can compete with the top teams in the world....

GO CHINA!

[Da KO King]

Team USA needs to improve the technique of it's defenders when they "show" on ball screens. They keep having guys play the ball horizontal instead of vertical and teams like Greece and Spain will make it rain on them like Fat Joe and Lil Wayne.

The ball pressure on defense was sub par. They got away with it because China has some of the weakest ball handlers in the tournament. Against the elite national teams that won't cut it.

Zone offense needs work. Every time China went zone the USA response was feed LeBron James on a flash cut to the high post and then just stand around in in a 1-3-1 and wait for China to make a mistake. No one cut to the short corner or moved around at all. Not going to cut it against stronger teams.

[Allstar24]

What a blowout. But good for team USA, this was a pretty decent start.

Best player of the game was probably Wade (as much as it pains me to say that) but he was near perfect. Jason Kidd was useless. 0 pts 0 assists 1 reb...:ohwell: What's the point of having him as our starting PG?

[Junny]

Hey Jason816, your 2nd point is way too long. I can sum it up in 3 words: PG was shyt. :lol

[Jimmy2k8]

Kobe should be benched for his own good..

[jamal99]

sad but true...

[jamal99]

The game would've been much closer if the FIBA refs called the numerous traveling calls on James and Wade. I guess even in international ball they're giving an extra step to the Americans. Pathetic.
true...

[steve]

true...
Maybe, but they miss it with every team. Spain does it, Argentina practically lives by it.

[Valliant13]

I LOVE IT...

The USA players play as if nothing can stop them just the way they look the way the fake their opponents its great to watch.

They also look so professional

They are way to more superior to China its kidna funny

Given recent history, playing with arrogance is not a good thing, it make you underestimate your opponent. Playing with Confidence is fine, but team USA has real weaknesses that they better be aware of.

And yes, they are much better than China, which probably won't even make out of the preliminary round. Not a huge achievement.

[Godfather]

I LOVE IT...

The USA players play as if nothing can stop them just the way they look the way the fake their opponents its great to watch.

They also look so professional

They are way to more superior to China its kidna funny

How does that make them arrogant...?

[Lebron23]

Maybe, but they miss it with every team. Spain does it, Argentina practically lives by it.


Manu always travel in the NBA , and in the FIBA Competition.

[xxxSuperStar]

The USA coaching staff remains thoroughly unimpressive and ignorant because:

1) No balance

2) J-Kidd shouldn't be "grandfathered" in as a starter, even international teams just know to play off him

3) Chris Bosh, with his outside shot and passing ability, is the best big and should be the starting center. Howard should come off the bench as energy and defensive specialist.

4) Poor recognition or willingness to change to combat other teams strategies.

[Godfather]

Kobe should be benched for his own good..

Off one bad shooting game in which his team still put up a blowout win? Fault Kobe when the team loses not when they win. LeBron and Wade on the other hand were absolutley amazing. Did you guys know Wade didn't miss a single shot? That is 7/7 from the field and 5/5 from the FT line. :pimp:

[Trax416]

Start Chris Bosh at Power Foward.

1. He has shot 100 percent in four games now.

2. He played only 13 minutes last night, and was the leading rebounder. He shot 100 percent from the field, and scored only four less points then Dwight, who played 20 minutes.

3. Melo, once again, played like ****.

4. Having Chris Bosh start at PF, will let him help Dwight rebound, and allow Team USA to have arguably the fastest and most mobile PF in the Olympics. We all know he can score, and he has been nothing but consistent these Olympics.

[dr8ked]

Off one bad shooting game in which his team still put up a blowout win? Fault Kobe when the team loses not when they win. LeBron and Wade on the other hand were absolutley amazing. Did you guys know Wade didn't miss a single shot? That is 7/7 from the field and 5/5 from the FT line. :pimp:


Damn, talk about efficiency. :bowdown: :bowdown:

[JellyBean]

Man, for the first game, they looked good!!

I am sure that Team USA was a nervous, being the first game an all. We have really nothing to worry about the rest of the way. We have inside and outside. Our 3 pt shooting has to get better, but again, it was the first game, so the shooting will get better.

Defense. We shut down Team China in the 3rd quarter. They could not do anything.

People keep talking about Spain and Greece. Bring them on, we got something for them.

The only thing that could mess us up, is ourselves. Right now, we have the best team players around.

Team USA!!!!!!

[All Net]

The defensive rotations still seem to be a problem but the run and gun game worked very well. There were times that Lebron, Wade, Kobe, Paul e.t.c were down at the other end 3 seconds after China scored or missed...they must continue with this and take it to the rest of the nations. It was a slow start as expected but once they relaxed they looked good enough.

It's the final 3 games to win is what matters.

[mrhoopfan]

Too much streetball. This team runs ZERO plays and the only inside scores are in transition off steals. They don't defend the 3 either.

I would add Tayshaun to the starting lineup cos Kobe, Bron, Wade and Melo are all playing a bit selfish right now. There is no passing unless it's on the break.

Kidd/Deron
Kobe
Tayshaun
Bron
Dwight

CP3
Wade
Melo/Redd
Boozer
Bosh

D-Wade would continue to be first off the bench and Redd would still be the designated shooter



I don't know if I'd call it street ball considering coach K. is the coach and his Dukies play a similar style of spread offense

[mrhoopfan]

What a blowout. But good for team USA, this was a pretty decent start.

Best player of the game was probably Wade (as much as it pains me to say that) but he was near perfect. Jason Kidd was useless. 0 pts 0 assists 1 reb...:ohwell: What's the point of having him as our starting PG?

Kidd makes alot of hockey assists, passes that lead to the scoring pass

[LuppersGB]

Firstly that was a pretty good game to watch.

Now the USA has thier first taste of the olympics and they shouldn't feel too complacent about beating China. I feel they played well, but had no offesive plays so I'm not going to comment on thier offense. I watched the Lithuania game and the US had not very good defense imo. They had a much improved defensive game today. I thought they played a zone well enough for it to do its job. Yes in the 1st half the Chinese were seriously on fire, and tbh that was the stadium adrenaline, the second half obviously improved for the US. the zone constantly pushed the Chinese to crap 3pt shots. There were a few times (when they decided to actually give the ball to yao) that inside worked a bit. This China team failed due to a lack of maturity and thier leader not being 100%. All in all the defense was improved.
After the Lithuania game I was shocked by the lack of offesive rebounding by the US, but this game they picked it up which impresed me seeing as the Chinese were a very tall team.
The USA still need to be tested against a decent team who play a solid inside-outside game and who will test the USA's half-court set to the nth degree.

This game showed you guys what can happen if a fiba team gets thier shooting on, which maybe a factor once again in these games.

all in all I was more impressed by the US than the previous game I saw:applause:

[ForceOfNature]

This is dangerous... very dangerous. If the U.S. keeps a team like China in the game like they did in the first half, things could be very very difficult. After watching the China game, I went over to nbc.com and watched the Greece-Spain game (tape), and realized that those teams are more scrappy, athletic, and faster than China. Not saying it's any crazy revelation, but the Americans should not (and I don't think they are) celebrate over this one blowout. Granted it was against the home crowd's team, but they have a long way to go.

[Indian guy]

Poor perimeter shooting is still our biggest issue IMO. Given our athleticism and playmaking ability running set plays in the halfcourt isn't much of a necessity AS LONG AS we have zone busters. But whatever happened to 'Melo and Kobe's shot? Where's everybody else? Why doesn't Michael Redd see the floor much? These guys struggled to shoot in the exhibition games and are still struggling. Against a team that can take care of the ball we're going to have difficulty scoring - which is the biggest reason why we lost in '02, '04 and '06.

[Noob Saibot]

today i was most impressed with LeBron and Wade. and Yao too, even if he didn't get a lot of touches, he was battling.

but i was the least impressed with Dwight Howard, what happened to ya man, you're getting swatted down low for trying to do left hand lay-ups. and people call him the Next Shaq, please.

i agree with everybody else, we must improve our outside shooting.

[Shepseskaf]

2) Almost non-existant half court offense?
100% agreed. Everyone was standing around the perimeter in the half-court. No cutters whatsoever, unless it was a fast break situation. This will come back to haunt. With a few basic plays and ball movement, no other team in the tournament is athletically gifted enough to stay with the American team.


5) Atrocious defense? I couldn't even count how many open looks Chinese players got. The only reason they missed them was because they are so damn poorly conditioned. Again, playing this kind of perimeter defense will allow better teams to kill us from 3.
Agreed again. Very poor perimeter defense. If a good shooting guard gets hot later in the tournament, there'll be trouble, because teams like Spain and Argentina certainly know how to milk the hot hand.

One other major factor is the undeclared leadership contention between Kobe and LeBron. This is supposed to be Kobe's team, but anyone with eyes can attest to the fact that LeBron is the most indispensable player. In fact, you could replace Kobe with any of the top 5 - 6 SGs and get essentially the same thing. He's not bringing any thing "special", but LeBron is.

[20 Dimes A Game]

What more needs to be said? I am sure people will look at the score and the flashy dunks and say Team USA is back.

I prefer to look at:

1) The fact that we continue to overplay and gamble on defense. I recall one instance where Wade lunged for a pass that was easily caught by a Chinese player, then Wade trying to jump back to steal it again, only to commit a foul. This is not intelligent basketball. It will only hurt us, especially when we play teams like Greece, Spain, Argentina who have excellent guard play.

2) Almost non-existant half court offense?

3) USA "bigs" repeatedly being worked under the post by Chinese players.

4) Howard exposing his true self? Dude has absolutely zero post game. Absolutely none. Struggled to post up, struggled to get shots off, stymied by the zone, etc.

5) Atrocious defense? I couldn't even count how many open looks Chinese players got. The only reason they missed them was because they are so damn poorly conditioned. Again, playing this kind of perimeter defense will allow better teams to kill us from 3.

They didn't need to against the lowly China. But when they play Spain ect they will be demolished without a good offense.

[JerrySteakhouse]

You guys joking? USA team can beat any team in any style. Even freestyle.

[Cangri]

If I was the coach I would just alternate between CP3 and DWill, bench Kidd and only play him when the games are 20+ points in favor of USA(Kidd doesn't do crap, even the other teams don't care to defend him which leads to more double teaming on the other players). I would start every game with:
DWill
Kobe
Lebron
Bosh
Howard

[Lakerssss]

well I just alked to Shaq and he got a message for Yao Ming,

"Yao, tell me how my balls taste"

and Shaq said he's freestylin too.

[Gotterdammerung]

Lets not start laying heavy $ on the US after today. Despite this 30 point victory, we should note the maxim: things aren't that good when you win, and things aren't that bad when you lose.

First, the good: Team USA did well against high screen rolls by having their bigs show and the ball defenders go under the screen. This demonstrates their pick/roll defense is improving.

2, fantastic quickness and speed resulted in nearly 60 points scored in transition.

3, excellent half court defense, although poor play from the Chinese backcourt (forced drives, bad shooting on the move, weak interior decisions) helped them out.

4, unselfish passing and excellent shot selection. But Michael Redd needs more burn against elite teams.

5, USA's incredible depth blew the game open in the 3rd quarter.

On the other hand....

1, interior defense sucks. The Chinese got far too many offensive rebounds and easy layups. That cannot happen against the better teams.

2, perimeter defense remains undisciplined: they failed to stay on their guys whenever the Chinese penetrated from the strong side, causing them to be out of position for kick-out passes. The game would've been a lot closer had the Chinese hit their open threes/perimeter shots.

3, zone proved USA's halfcourt offense to be nonexistent. They shot approximately 6 of 21 versus the zone, which means the tougher teams will note this and exploit against the US.

Bottom line: deeper teams with skilled perimeter players and althletic frontline will give USA far more trouble. The key to USA's gold chances depends on their ability to hit their threes.

[AppleNader]

good post and repped. I agreed with nearly every statement.


The game would've been a lot closer had the Chinese hit their open threes/perimeter shots.

I think that this was very telling. The only reason China missed was because they are just a poorly conditioned team. The amount of wide open looks they got was staggering. A deep, strong team like Spain will absolutely make USA pay for this.

[gyu]

Anyone know where I can watch the highlights online? If so, please post it, thanks! :cheers:

[gts]

well its not over for those of us on the west coast, in fact it doesnt even start for another half an hour

but thanks for the spoiler :rolleyes:lol, us west coasters are just going to have to avoid ISH till after the game...
i actually watched thru the third quarter than had to jet, so i checked the score online to see how it ended up...

[Copperhead]

Dime Mag's thoughts (http://dimemag.com/2008/08/team-usa-vs-china-breakdown/)

Yahoo's Ball Don't Lie's thoughts (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Behind-the-box-score-where-fine-first-impressio;_ylt=Ao1Ml6vxdrkWVYkISq9VmbiVTZd4?urn=nb a,99716)


Coach K's team also had its rebounding edge disappear for a bit in the third quarter, and you really get the feeling this outfit could take an early lead for once if Coach K would just face facts and run the ball through Chris Paul (driving) or Deron Williams (the screenin' and the rollin') as a starter instead of sticking with Jason Kidd, but this is quibbling with a 31-point loss.


My thoughts are that we need to do better with the perimeter shooting. Although I don't think some of the guys that shot pretty bad against China will continue to do so. And Team USA will need to do better at the free throw line. At least try to stay in the 80% range.

[Allstar24]

Kidd makes alot of hockey assists, passes that lead to the scoring pass
Honestly I think anyone on Team USA can do that (Kobe, LeBron, Deron, CP3). And they also know how to shoot the ball.

[Kiddlovesnets]

Team USA could've won 40+ pts if they hadn't treated the last quarter completely as the show-time. This team is horrible in shooting 3 pointers so I suggest that they give up the plans for 3-point shooting except when Michael Redd is on the court. They shouldn't shoot more than 10 three pointers ever in FIBA games.

[bdreason]

If China didn't hit 80% from 3 in the first half US would've won by 50+.


The only team I see giving us any trouble at this point is Spain. Argentina, Greece, and Germany all looked bad, in my opinion.

[bdreason]

oh and Howard played horrible.

He needs to get some touch around the rim, and stop getting swatted by 6'6" SG's.


His game is essentially dunks and rebounds at this point.

[darkofan]

The game would've been much closer if the FIBA refs called the numerous traveling calls on James and Wade. I guess even in international ball they're giving an extra step to the Americans. Pathetic.


I agree. Obvious travelling was not called on a half a dozen occasions. This might decide a close game. I hope for better refereeing in serious games against Spain, Greece or Argentina.

[Godfather]

I agree. Obvious travelling was not called on a half a dozen occasions. This might decide a close game. I hope for better refereeing in serious games against Spain, Greece or Argentina.

There were strange calls from the refs, but there was no traveling to call.

[Heretik32]

There were strange calls from the refs, but there was no traveling to call.

Just cause you're used to players taking two steps before putting down the ball doesn't mean it isn't against the rules...

[WildStyle]

Dwight has been horrible since the exhibition games started. I don't know what has happened to him between last season and now, but I hope he snaps out of it. He doesn't even look like he cares out there.

[RAPSCANWIN]

From what Ive seen the only team that can beat the US is Spain, they easily beat Greece this week and actually have a bench.

[jrong]

I don't know if I'd call it street ball considering coach K. is the coach and his Dukies play a similar style of spread offense

Very good observation. Team USA is not playing like an All-Star style. They're playing like a college team. It's actually very entertaining to watch.

It does irritate me that American basketball supremacy is perceived to rest on the outcome of international competition. Please. In a best of seven series, nobody in the world takes us past six games. But, anything can happen in a single elimination format. In 2006, Team USA, and the Class of 2003 in particular, took major criticism for losing at the worlds to Greece. But, has anybody gone back and watched that game? Greece was hitting contested threes from twenty-three feet.

Also, if I've heard correctly, in 2010, FIBA is going to the NBA's rectangular lane? Then look for Americans to become permanently dominant once more. Nobody can hang with our post guys if they can set up that close to the basket. Opposing bigs will be flat out punished.

[Silverbullit]

If China didn't hit 80% from 3 in the first half US would've won by 50+.


The only team I see giving us any trouble at this point is Spain. Argentina, Greece, and Germany all looked bad, in my opinion.

Germany didn't play bad. They had a nice win vs. Angola, Dirk and Kaman scored at will.

[mvp_status]

If I was the coach I would just alternate between CP3 and DWill, bench Kidd and only play him when the games are 20+ points in favor of USA(Kidd doesn't do crap, even the other teams don't care to defend him which leads to more double teaming on the other players). I would start every game with:
DWill
Kobe
Lebron
Bosh
Howard

who's gonna come in then when/if Bosh and Howard get in foul trouble or get tired

[Kujo]

I think Team USA will be in trouble once they play a team that shoots the lights out, and don't turn the ball over. We all know the 3 point shot is huge in international basketball, and all it takes is a team getting hot to pull off the upset (like Lithuania in '04).

Also factoring in that outside shooting is not strong point of Team USA once again, they'll going to have some tough games against the stronger teams. Teams should play only zone against the US. Force the USA to be an outside shooting team, and they'll likely struggle.

No one will be surprised if Team USA wins gold, but I also won't be be surprised if they don't.

Personally, I like Spain.

[bdreason]

Germany didn't play bad. They had a nice win vs. Angola, Dirk and Kaman scored at will.

We'll see how US handles Angola.

I'm guessing they win by 40+.

[Heretik32]

No one will be surprised if Team USA wins gold, but I also won't be be surprised if they don't.

Kujo lives in a state of constant non-surprise. Guy's seen it all anyway.

[AlaskaBlzDuk]

China is in no way Spain... We need to keep our composure to make it through this thing on top

I think we can do it... just can't overlook anybody with the way everybody else has gotten so much better in all these years

[lilojmayo]

ive watched all the powerhouses greece spain argentina lith


no one will have a chance to beat USA its true it is the Redeem Team i predict to win by 30+ each game

[AlaskaBlzDuk]

ive watched all the powerhouses greece spain argentina lith


no one will have a chance to beat USA its true it is the Redeem Team i predict to win by 30+ each game


I sure hope so

[Jasper]

I think Team USA will be in trouble once they play a team that shoots the lights out, and don't turn the ball over. We all know the 3 point shot is huge in international basketball, and all it takes is a team getting hot to pull off the upset (like Lithuania in '04).

Also factoring in that outside shooting is not strong point of Team USA once again, they'll going to have some tough games against the stronger teams. Teams should play only zone against the US. Force the USA to be an outside shooting team, and they'll likely struggle.

No one will be surprised if Team USA wins gold, but I also won't be be surprised if they don't.

Personally, I like Spain.
I think China was a warm up. For some reason I'm thinking the US team might loose concentration because it comes so easy for them , because quite frankly (like team China) there isn't a high skill level and weak after the first 5 players hit the floor.
- - I think Bron and Wade you'll see become the focal point to this team, and demand from the rest of the team a urgency to play well when the games get more difficult in the next rounds.
When they get there , I think there Defense will get better as well as outside shooting and play execution.
Even this team doesn't want to peak until the later rounds.
I like coach K's vision - keep bringing in guys in rotation with lots of hussle , to just burn the opponents out .

[72-10]

People who claimed that the US would have no trouble shooting from long range, you owe me money.:pimp:

[20 Dimes A Game]

My take on Team USA thus far:

Obviously the team is very, very talented and extremely athletic. I think generally the USA has the right blend of stars and 'role' players, but i do think there may be one too many stars and big egos for the team to reach it's full potential. However we must remember that the so called 'role' players are in fact star players on their respective teams, and also that Team USA could win the Olympics while not playing to their full potential. Both are stark indicators of the immense natural talent they posses.

With all the talent, athleticism and deep bench rotations Team USA have, complications and short-fallings may appear too. I believe there are three main problems that Team USA will or may face:

1. The Clash of the Ego's

When you have 4 superstar guard/wing type players who all average more than 20 ppg in the NBA playing on the same team. There are bound to be problems. Add in a few high scoring big's and Point guards and you're sure to have problems. While there have not been many obvious or public clashes yet, we have seen some minor examples; Melo's apparent 'freeze out', Kobe saying he wants only 5 or 6ppg while he seemingly takes the most shots on the team and way too many isolation plays.
Surely when the game's get tough and glory is within reach, everyone will want to be the hero. This must mean that problems lie ahead?

2. A Championship team without a set play?

In both games so far, Team USA have not needed to run a single set play. While fast breaking and playing 'run and gun' style is great and entertaining. Great teams such as Spain and Argentina will not allow this. One of their guards will have the sense to hang back and stop an easy layup or dunk. I mean, those teams have some very good NBA players on it. They can play. Then can play a variety of defenses. I think that if Team USA's fast break is taken away, and they have not had enough practice at running plays, a team such as that will tear them apart. I watched Argentina demolish Australia with perfectly timed set play after perfectly timed set play. I think this non-organization of such is also to do with ego-clashes. Every man on Team USA wants to take him man one on one. How can that possibly work come the medal rounds?

[20 Dimes A Game]

Cont.

3. Opponents familiarity with both themselves, Team USA's players and their style of play

The big teams players are all familiar with eachother and play together on a more consistent basis than that of Team USA. They know each other and each other's games. Also, many of the big team's players are currently plying their trade in the NBA, so therefore they are used to matching up with these American superstars. But, this team it's in FIBA rules; the rules they grew up with and know. Many of these big teams NBA players are stars. But they are stars with a difference. They share a common goal; to win. They will play as a team, not individuals. A team (of very very good players) will beat a group thrown together (of superstars playing as individuals).

For those reasons, i think Team USA will find things much harder than they think.

Please could anyone criticize my writing or give me any pointers. I want to be a sports writer when i'm older.