Photo. Jonathan MannionIf we’ve learned one thing from watching Team USA this summer, it’s this: the debate over who’s the best player in the world isn’t a debate anymore. Kobe Bryant has been the primary factor in why this year’s version of the U.S. squad is so much better than the last few versions. (No, we’re not dissing Jason Kidd, it’s just the truth.) Last night was Kobe’s best game of the tournament — he dropped 20 points and three triples on Brazil, and held tourney leading scorer Leandro Barbosa to four points, four turnovers and zero assists. Before the game, we know a lot of folks thought that even if Brazil lost, Barbosa would go off. Turns out he was taken out of the equation, opening the door for Team USA’s 37-point W … On one possession, Brazil tried to press. The result: a wide-open three by Kobe. No more press … You saw the way LeBron reacted after muscling in that and-one off the steal? This is team focused … Speaking of ‘Bron, after hearing his “there’s finally some pros in the East” comment a couple weeks ago, you have to wonder what he thinks of the Cavs (lack of) moves this offseason? How does a team with a realistic shot at winning a title albeit with glaring flaws not do anything to get better? We understand they were a little hamstrung by the fact that ‘Bron, Larry Hughes and Big Z all making $10 million-plus next year, but that’s why they have trades. The summer isn’t over, though, and they need o do something … To be honest, though, USA/Brazil or the Cavs weren’t at the top of our priority list, as Sunday was a huge day for the Dime and Bounce crew. Along with our friends at the swoosh, we helped put on the Nike Tournament of Champions — bringing the winners of four major NYC playground tournaments (West 4th, Hoops in the Sun, Dyckman and Pro City) together for a tourney to crown the All-City Champions … We’ll hit you with flix and a full recap right here later on today, but in the meantime, here’s a basic summary: New York’s current playground elite was on the court, guys like Junie “G.E.” Sanders, Kenny “Serious Satellite” Satterfield, Quinton “T2″ Hosley, Charles Jones, John “Mookie” Thomas, Antwan “Antifreeze” Dobie, B.J. “The Beast” McFarland and Corey “The Undertaker” Underwood to name a few. Dudes were getting after it - both teams in the finals game (West 4th and Dyckman) ran a full-court press the entire game, and the play was physical as hell. Definitely no place for the weak … And some certified playground legends were in the crowd: Fly Williams, Ron “The Terminator” Mathias, Richie Parker and growing superstar Steve Burtt Jr. … In addition to the action on the court we had a BBQ going, DJ Clark Kent spinning, AG aka “The Voice of Harlem” and our own Bobbito Garcia aka “Kool Bob Love” on the mic, and the Rocksteady b-boy crew doing their thing … In the end, the ‘chip came down to Dyckman’s Take No Prisoners (TNP) squad and West 4th reps Money Train. Hosley, who balled at Fresno State last year and is headed overseas after getting some run in the NBA summer leagues, put up 29 points to give TNP the All-City crown. We all put a ton of hours into planning and pulling this event off, but extra props have go to Justin and Naomi for shouldering the majority of the load from our end, along with everyone from Nike who played a part in what was a great overall event. Make sure to come back in a bit for the full recap … We’re out like Barbosa’s game …
August 27th, 2007 at 5:07 am
David Steam says:
Kobe’s defense was sick!
http://www.squidoo.com/KobeBryantDunk/
August 27th, 2007 at 7:14 am
sans says:
Fly Williams will always have the illest chant in the history of yelling people. Back in the day day at Austin Peay, everyone would chant: “Fly is open–Let’s go Peay”. Good shhh. peace.
August 27th, 2007 at 7:35 am
João says:
Hey, I was one of the guys that said that Barbs would get 25 on Kobe ,,, not this time ,,, but I think that was a team effort, because when Barbs was with the ball Kobe was all over him, but the rest of the team, was very aware and close to help … Anyway, I think that team USA did not scare me yesterday, since they shoot 19/36 3 pointers, held the best player of the oponent team to 4 points, and still lose the first and last quarters combined, Brazil 48 x 44 USA ,,, I must remember that Brazil didnt even went to the last 2 Olympics games ,,,
August 27th, 2007 at 8:48 am
Jules says:
I’m kinda scared of the US. Any team that easily shoots 19/36 from 3 scares me. Because this isn’t Richard Jefferson out there jacking 3’s, like in 2004. This is Michael Redd, Mike Miller, and Kobe droppin bombs.
The world has been put on notice.
August 27th, 2007 at 10:24 am
Tom Toronto says:
That’s good for Brazil, winning a combined two quarters, except that this game had four. Let’s really break it down here, the only quarter Brazil actually won was the forth, when the game was already well decided. In fact, going into that quarter the score was 96-49. Sorry Joao, I like Brazil a lot, but Team USA is just too much this tour. Consider it a moral victory your team didn’t get embarrassed like my team, Team Canada.
As for the Cavs, as far as off season moves they are kinda screwed. You can’t trade Hughes, he’s injury prone. You might be able to trade big Z, but his value is next to nothing these last couple years, when compared to his contract. So what can you do?
August 27th, 2007 at 10:49 am
Rob says:
is it me or did Mike Miller really stink it up yesterday…anyone who stayed around to watch the final period had to notice his turnovers and missed 3’s…he was even gettin worked on D.
August 27th, 2007 at 10:50 am
djKianoosh says:
Team USA will now cakewalk into the final. Argentina will probably also make it, and both will have reached the most important goal of this tourney, to qualify for the olympics. At that point, I don’t think Argentina will pose that much more of a challenge than brasil did last night. They may hang in there for 2 and half or 3 quarters. Still, the main goal is to qualify.
Team USA is rolling.
My favorite play from last night was that dunk Amare had early where it looked like he jumped before Lebron actually passed it to him. NBA Jam anyone!?1?
August 27th, 2007 at 11:35 am
João says:
Hey, I think that USA team will win the tournament with 40 points over everybody, but, take out the 3° quarter, and the game with the 1°, 2° and 4° quarter combined was USA by 9 against a team that did not qualyfied for the last 2 olympics and was like 12° place in the world championship ,,,
August 27th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Austin says:
But since you can’t take out the third quarter … what are you saying?
August 27th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
Godemus says:
Joao, c’mon man, if we’re gonna split hairs and start counting quarters then Brazil was blown out 96-49 by the USA if you counted the important quarters (1,2,3). The +10 Brazil had on the USA in the 4th was garbage time, and you know it. USA was treating it like practice, they were practicing zone alot by then. Tiago Splitter was impressive, I must say, he has a lot of promise, Spurs may have found a good lump of coal.
Oh yah and Kobe was sick, bravo Mamba!!
August 27th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
João says:
I’m not taking anything away from USA, I’m just saying that I’m not THAT impressed the way all you guys are. Period. I still think that a first class team will create problems for this team. I think Kobe is the guy that changed the philosofy of the group, with his attitude of “whatever the dirty job necessary, I will do it ” and if I have to put my money in the Olimpics on any team, I will put my money in the USA hands down. But this is not the 92 Dream Team ,,, this team is not unbeatable ,,, just that, ok ?
August 27th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
djKianoosh says:
Joao, I know what you mean. I also think a full Argentina squad including Manu and Nocioni along with the young guys playing now can give team USA a good game.
And I doubt anyone will say this team, or any team, will ever be even close to the 92 dream team. That team was AMAZING. This team might be close to the 96 dream team, maybe (the 96 team had Hakeem and Shaq! come on now!). That ‘92 team is untouchable. Don’t we all remember every opponent just being happy to even be on the court with Jordan and Barkley and Malone and the rest of those guys? They were asking for autographs and photos before the tip!!
but let these guys be excited about team usa being dominant again. they are certainly playing exciting ball at the very least. Beyond Kobe, I’m impressed with Melo and Redd. I’m kind of disappointed with the big guys down low, but since they are pushing for fastbreaks every time I can understand it. Still, Dwight Howard needs to be more dominant (see, nobody can compare dHo to any of the bigs on that 96 team, let alone the 92 team).
August 27th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
João says:
Ok, djkianoosh … at least you understand what I’m trying to say, and you made an excellent point, ’cause I think that the 96 team would beat this team, what do you all guys think ? And what about Argentina ? If Brazil take the other spot, they will go with the full team to the “last chance” tournament ?
August 27th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
djKianoosh says:
I didn’t realize this, but Coach K was the assistant coach to head coach Chuck Daly of the ‘92 team in barcelona. Totally forgot about that…
August 27th, 2007 at 2:05 pm
blackkstar says:
KOBE is the TRUTH!!! unstoppable and untouchable Pound 4 pound the best player in the L
August 27th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Bust Jlaze says:
I’m gonna get off Kobes jock just for a second here and say that if this USA team played those same teams from back in ‘92 they would dominate just as badly…those teams back then had NO CLUE how to play on this level…but now that the world has proven that they’ve improved their skills, you aren’t gonna EVER see a 50 point blowout anymore.
Back to Kobe’s jock…dude is definitely out to prove something…the way he’s been talking in interviews, and playing on the court, I think he’s tryna get defensive player of the year or something. He’s lockin’ cats up HARD, and I’m not just talkin’ bout Barbosa…wasn’t he going after Bron in the scrimmages? Anyway, I don’t think these World teams have seen anything like him since Mike in 92…even tho they’ve improved a lot, they ain’t ready for him. I’m ouuuut…..
August 27th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Ian says:
the 96 dream team would kill this team
admiral hakeem and shaq down low with reggie and richmond shooting bombs
hill and pippen doing everything
August 27th, 2007 at 4:59 pm
JC says:
i agree w/ bust… who were the monsters back then internationally in ‘92? Arvydas Sabonis? the old dude on the Brazilian team? a VERY young Toni Kukoc? The talent was waaayyy less back then.
August 27th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
Bron42 says:
you all are obviously wayyy young. teams back then COULD play. Their teams just weren’t as well rounded back them. Doesn’t anyone remember drazen petrovic killing jordan and magic? and even now, its not that euro teams are suddenly equal with TEAM USA. Team usa just got lazy. No one can question that the 92 team wasn’t easily THE BEST players in the nba or the world for that matter..you cant say that about recent years because 90% of our “BEST PLAYERS didn’t wanna go. Just think of the yea when it was cater (jumped over fredrick weiss) KG, etc…they were killin teams, the very next year we send marbury, baron davis, aka not our best guys. All i’m sayin is yea, international teams have gotten better. but if you sent the BEST nba guys, like if they had no choice. We’d still destroy everyone. Like switch tyson chandler and put in KG or duncan. you dont think it would be even more of a blow out? Were not at the level where we can just send any old nba player and win the gold but our best would still mop the floor with most teams. and how can you say there wont be anymore 50 point games when all of these past games have been blowouts?
August 27th, 2007 at 10:09 pm
MobileOne says:
Bust and JC…you do realize that the ‘92 team has Jordan, Bird and Magic?
August 27th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
kowtz says:
@João
Don’t you ever get tired of being wrong becsue of you’r close minded hating? Dude, read the Smack before previous to this, your prediction was flushed… now you try to save yourself and hate on KB24 by saying it was not Kobe but a team effort because his teammates were close by? I admit they may be, but KB24 needed no help on D! Come on man… be straight and stop hating…
You say the USA team lost the 1st and 4th? USA was up by 6 in the first… Put it this way, let’s take BRAZIL’s 1st half performance (combined, which was supposedly their best) versus USA’s third…
USA scores 39 in a quarter and Brazil scores 38 in a half… nuff said… and on the 4th? even if it was garbage time? when USA wasn’t even trying to play ball but just run the clock? Brazil only managed to edge them by ten points…
96 dream team? USA08 has a chance… they could win… it’s still arguable…
92 dream tem though, no doubt… hands down… best ever… But the thing is… you said a quality team would give USA08 a lot of problems… true, but 92 Dream Team did not have quality opponents… basically because everybody (every player and satff and coach) on the opposing was busy watching the dream team’s highlights…
August 28th, 2007 at 1:38 am
kowtz says:
@Bron24…
Dude… I know Drazen Petrovic killed… but he was one… how about now?
Argentina: Carlos Delfino, Manu Ginobili, Andres Nocioni, Luis Scola
China: Yao Ming
Lithuania: Darius Songaila
Puerto Rico: Carlos Arroyo, Peter J. Ramos, Daniel Santiago
Spain: Pau Gasol, Jose Calderon, Jorge Garbajosa
Serbia & Montenegro: Peja Drobnjak, Nenad Krstic, Aleksandar Pavlovic, Vladimir Radmanovic
Brazil: Nene, Barbosa, Araujo
Canada: Steve Nash, Dalembeast
VIS: Raja Bell, Duncan (if he had not played for the USA before hand)
France: TP, Ronny Turiaf, Boris Diaw, Mikael Pietrus
and lots more… think about it, the past few years most top picks (1st overall) were international players… look at the previous playoffs (2007), almost one out of three players were international players…
Back in 1992, who was known? Drazen and Detlef? who else?
Oh and trhe 2000 Olympic games where Carter jumped over the 7+ dude? they almost lost the final game, they only won by six… I think…
Oh and before you criticize NBA players who don’t want to play for the Olympic team… I take my cue from Shaq, Michael Jordan criticizes Shaq for not playing in the Olympics, and Shaq retaliates: “We were not paid $1Million Dollars each to play for ten games…”
August 28th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
Bron42 says:
lol 1) its bron 42, not 24
2)i’m not criticizing nba players who dont want to play. Like i’ve said on this page time and time again, i’m a nba trainer, so i kno all the wear and tear the season puts on players and completely understand their need to recover…all i said WAS if we sent OUR best, like legit best, vs anyones elses BEST, we’d destroy them. were not at the level where we can send just a team with ricky davis and ben gordon and expect to win but with our BEST we’d stomp everyone.
3)90% of the guys u named are nba 6th men at best. BEst on their international team maybe but their not nba superstars. so again, 2 above average guys on a international team really still isn’t THAT amazing. wow gasol is in the nba, but hes not KG or Duncan, hes just an above average big man on a terrible team. Same with barbosa, yea hes decent but as kobe showed, hes not D wade. so while teams have gotten better, its not like their even with the usa.
4) the pics dont really matter since none of them (even yao) have really revolutionized the nba game suddenly. Yao had half a good year last year but still can’t carry the team by himself. and alot of the guys picked overseas dont even come over (fran vasquez) or just plain suck when they do (the clippers pic 2 years ago or the guy who played for the hornets)
5) the year when carter dunked over freddrick weiss, yea they almost lost cause they got lazy ONE game but other then that they destroyed. and two years ago when for the qualifying we sent, carter, tmac, kidd,j oneal, etc… and we took it serious, we ripped everyone. But then they all backed out cause of personal reasons, security scares etc…and we ended up with iverson, tim ducan, and “other guys”
August 28th, 2007 at 9:10 pm
kowtz says:
My bad… Bron42…
But you have got to admit, 15 years is a lot different in terms of international playing… I mean Drazen and Detlef (Kukoc was still in College I think) were good, still, only as good as Ginobili, Pavlovoc etc… right? I mean they too were not that good right?
But now, I beg to differ that international players has yet to revolutionize the game…. Take the Season MVP’s for the past three years…
Nash.. He helped (mainly the big reasons were SHAQ’s dominance and the SAS DET champ) to prompt the NBA too tweak the rules and their roster to a more run and gun type of play… SHOWTIME LAKERS!!! WOOHOO!
Dirk… Why do you think Bill Walton constantly brings up Amare’s need to develop or extend his outside shot…
Of course TP and Manu… plainly because they were DEEEEEEEEP sleeper picks… now NBA teams are prompted: “hey, why don’t you peek outside your yard…
Besides I think 2 International MVP’s, a handfull of International Go-toGuys, and a Bunch (15 to 20)of International Starting 5’s is WAAAAAAAAAAAY better than 2 International Starting 5’s….
Oh, btw, Pao Gasol is not Tim Duncan, but as far as I remember, Tim Duncan is from the Virgin Isalnds, and in fact is an International Player right?
August 28th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
Bron42 says:
detlef probably wouldn’t do much now and wasnt that AMAZING back then, but petrovic was and probably could hold his own now in his prime. I mean he did give a back court of mj AND magic buckets like it was nothing.He was leagues ahead of manu and pav. pav isnt even good now.
and we’ve been down this road before, any ATTEMPT to say dirk revolutionized the game is a joke lol. He is a 7′0 shooter, thats it. doesn’t play defense, or carry the team by himself and has no heart what so ever. hes a glorified specialist with a pretty loaded team around him. But what has he done. Anytime his team needs him to step up he chokes.
I like nash more than dirk but barely considering again, he plays no defense. so while he gives out 15 assists, the guy he is guarding can easily go for 30 points. Also he makes teams better but only teams that have other star players. AND he hasn’t made a team THAT much better because he hasn’t taken a team anywhere. He has never been on a team where he was the only all star and still hasnt been to the finals.sure he made run and gun cool again, but the lakers could play defense and won titles. He has 2 other allstars this year, and 2 other allstars when he was on the mavs and still hasn’t done anythhing. wade won with a 70% shaq, a 70% mourning and 3 other guys in jerseys.
Bill walton is a idiot plain and simple so him vouching for dirk doesnt mean much.
manu is good but only cuz hes on a loaded team. if he was on another team, do you think he’d have joe johnson stats or suddenly became a nobody? TP is good though.
lastly, TD is from the virgin islands but he went to college all 4 years in the usa so most people dont consider him international. plus he played for team usa already. Its not like when he was drafted he was considered a forgien player
August 29th, 2007 at 12:10 am
kowtz says:
Well TD only played for the US coz VIS didn’t field a team before (International)… remember when he played, he would sit out VIS games? And he said if he knew VIS was planning to field a team in the future he would have reserved his
Manu not good coz he’s on a loaded team? hmmm… Teke TD and TP out, and I do think he’d be first option right?
Bottom line is, you actually believe that Detlef and Drazen is better than the current pool of international players…
Still not a believer? Take the 2007 NBA champs’ starting 5…
Oberto, Duncan, Bowen, Manu, Parker…