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With the 2010 FIBA World Championship tournament less than one week away, Team USA continues its preparation through a series of exhibition games in Europe. After recovering from a sluggish start yesterday to defeat Lithuania 77-61, the Americans had to bring their "A" game today if it hoped to stay with the tournament's defending champion, Spain. Luckily for Team USA fans, the stars and stripes came to play. Just hours ago, the Americans defeated their Spanish counterparts in Madrid, just narrowly, 86-85. It was a down-to-the-wire affair that ended with two game-saving blocks on the final possession by Kevin Durant. I was fortunate enough to watch the game from tip-off to the final buzzer, and here are five reactions I had to the contest:
1. Team USA's quickness and athleticism - I cannot imagine any team being able to keep up with the Americans in these two areas. Say what you want about the team's pure shooting skills or general fundamentals, but one thing you cannot teach is quickness and athleticism. The Team USA guards, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, Stephen Curry, and even Chauncey Billups--Rajon Rondo had the day off--penetrated Spain's defense effortlessly. Our guards blew by their defenders on every play and either created their own shots or found open players under the basket and on the wings. Westbrook played very aggressively on both ends of the court and pushed the pace of the game nicely. I can't wait to see Rondo out there. And then the forwards had a clear advantage over Spain's big men, and I assume this advantage will apply to any international team. Odom and Durant are matchup nightmares; they are simply too quick and crafty for big men out on the perimeter and too big and long for smaller defenders on the block. But the player who stuck out the most was...
2. Derrick Rose - He has turned into an absolute beast on the court and I am excited to see what he does not only in the tournament but this coming season in the NBA. Rose was the most explosive player on the court today and his combination of speed and strength is ridiculous. Like I said in the previous point, every guard on this squad can get to the rim with ease. But Rose's ability to finish at the hole, in traffic, over/around big men, and with contact puts him head and shoulders above the others. This particular game went down to the wire and Coach K called Rose's number in pick-and-roll sets on back-to-back possessions. On the first play, Rose used the pick and drove straight to the basket into Marc Gasol's body. Undoubtedly, he made the tough layup (no foul was called). On Team USA's next possession, Rose again used the screen to get a step on the defense and this time was fouled by Gasol going up for the shot (he made both free throws). What I've concluded about Rose after today's game is that, during crunch time, I want the ball in his hands at the top of the arc! I have full confidence in his abilities to make a big play and I envy the Bulls for having that luxury for 82 games per year.
3. Marc Gasol/Team USA's vulnerability to the low-post - While the American big men certainly have an advantage on the perimeter with their quickness, athleticism, and ball handling skills, their general lack of size/strength leaves the team vulnerable to teams with powerful presences down low. Today, Spain had Marc Gasol, who dumped 17 points on the Americans with a variety of baby hooks, turn around jump shots, and easy layups. The only real hope the Americans have defensively down low is Tyson Chandler, whose mercurial personality and inconsistent play leaves more to be desired. If a team can slow down the pace of the game, make it a low scoring contest, and pound the Americans in the paint, I could see the Americans flying home early from Turkey.
4. Ricky Rubio - This is almost an obligatory mention for the much-hyped young stud. It was my first chance to watch Rubio in a live game, and I liked what I saw. The kid has great ball handling skills and has a nice flow to his game. He was able to hit the mid-range jump shot effectively. But obviously, the strength of his game is his ability to create opportunities for his teammates using his dribbling, court vision, and creativity. He made some dazzling passes and consistently created good looks for his teammates, especially the big men. I think his game needs a bit of refining, but his potential excites me.
5. Lack of focus - Team USA obviously has tons of talent and a great coaching staff. But the key this tournament will be whether the team can stay focused, buckle down when it counts, and play within themselves. The Americans opened the game hot from the field and built a 13 point lead late into the 3rd quarter. But they started to play sloppy: silly fouls, careless ball handling and passing, and missed defensive assignments. With 1:54 left in the game, Spain took its first lead in the game and the crowd woke up and created an entirely new atmosphere. Suddenly the Americans found themselves in a tight ball game that went back and forth. If it weren't for Rose on the offensive end and Durant on the defensive end, Team USA would be looking at a sour defeat. But, fortunately for them, the prime time players stepped up and sealed the victory. If Team USA hopes to march through the rest of its exhibition matches and the upcoming tournament, the players have to play hard for the entirety of each game.
Team USA's next game is on Wednesday, August 25th, against Greece in Athens (televised on ESPN at 9:00 a.m. PDT). Let's hope the team learns from tonight's win against Spain and builds on the positive momentum.
1. Team USA's quickness and athleticism - I cannot imagine any team being able to keep up with the Americans in these two areas. Say what you want about the team's pure shooting skills or general fundamentals, but one thing you cannot teach is quickness and athleticism. The Team USA guards, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, Stephen Curry, and even Chauncey Billups--Rajon Rondo had the day off--penetrated Spain's defense effortlessly. Our guards blew by their defenders on every play and either created their own shots or found open players under the basket and on the wings. Westbrook played very aggressively on both ends of the court and pushed the pace of the game nicely. I can't wait to see Rondo out there. And then the forwards had a clear advantage over Spain's big men, and I assume this advantage will apply to any international team. Odom and Durant are matchup nightmares; they are simply too quick and crafty for big men out on the perimeter and too big and long for smaller defenders on the block. But the player who stuck out the most was...
2. Derrick Rose - He has turned into an absolute beast on the court and I am excited to see what he does not only in the tournament but this coming season in the NBA. Rose was the most explosive player on the court today and his combination of speed and strength is ridiculous. Like I said in the previous point, every guard on this squad can get to the rim with ease. But Rose's ability to finish at the hole, in traffic, over/around big men, and with contact puts him head and shoulders above the others. This particular game went down to the wire and Coach K called Rose's number in pick-and-roll sets on back-to-back possessions. On the first play, Rose used the pick and drove straight to the basket into Marc Gasol's body. Undoubtedly, he made the tough layup (no foul was called). On Team USA's next possession, Rose again used the screen to get a step on the defense and this time was fouled by Gasol going up for the shot (he made both free throws). What I've concluded about Rose after today's game is that, during crunch time, I want the ball in his hands at the top of the arc! I have full confidence in his abilities to make a big play and I envy the Bulls for having that luxury for 82 games per year.
3. Marc Gasol/Team USA's vulnerability to the low-post - While the American big men certainly have an advantage on the perimeter with their quickness, athleticism, and ball handling skills, their general lack of size/strength leaves the team vulnerable to teams with powerful presences down low. Today, Spain had Marc Gasol, who dumped 17 points on the Americans with a variety of baby hooks, turn around jump shots, and easy layups. The only real hope the Americans have defensively down low is Tyson Chandler, whose mercurial personality and inconsistent play leaves more to be desired. If a team can slow down the pace of the game, make it a low scoring contest, and pound the Americans in the paint, I could see the Americans flying home early from Turkey.
4. Ricky Rubio - This is almost an obligatory mention for the much-hyped young stud. It was my first chance to watch Rubio in a live game, and I liked what I saw. The kid has great ball handling skills and has a nice flow to his game. He was able to hit the mid-range jump shot effectively. But obviously, the strength of his game is his ability to create opportunities for his teammates using his dribbling, court vision, and creativity. He made some dazzling passes and consistently created good looks for his teammates, especially the big men. I think his game needs a bit of refining, but his potential excites me.
5. Lack of focus - Team USA obviously has tons of talent and a great coaching staff. But the key this tournament will be whether the team can stay focused, buckle down when it counts, and play within themselves. The Americans opened the game hot from the field and built a 13 point lead late into the 3rd quarter. But they started to play sloppy: silly fouls, careless ball handling and passing, and missed defensive assignments. With 1:54 left in the game, Spain took its first lead in the game and the crowd woke up and created an entirely new atmosphere. Suddenly the Americans found themselves in a tight ball game that went back and forth. If it weren't for Rose on the offensive end and Durant on the defensive end, Team USA would be looking at a sour defeat. But, fortunately for them, the prime time players stepped up and sealed the victory. If Team USA hopes to march through the rest of its exhibition matches and the upcoming tournament, the players have to play hard for the entirety of each game.
Team USA's next game is on Wednesday, August 25th, against Greece in Athens (televised on ESPN at 9:00 a.m. PDT). Let's hope the team learns from tonight's win against Spain and builds on the positive momentum.
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