Photo. Jonathan MannionYeah, yeah, it’s supposed to be a team thing, but how’s Coach K gonna sit LeBron for the entire second half last night when ‘Bron could have easily broken the all-time USA Basketball single-game scoring record? The King was just unstoppable in the first half against Team Uruguay, dropping 26 points on 11-for-11 shooting and four triples. And that was in 13 minutes of tick. The record for a Team USA game is 35, which ‘Melo had last year against Italy in the World Championships. Sure, the game itself was basically over by the time Amare stuck a buzzer-beating three at the half and you don’t wanna get someone injured, but we’re pretty sure ‘Bron could have pumped in another 10 points real quick and called it a day. Maybe he wanted to protect that perfect shooting percentage … Coach K actually benched all of his main guys once the piecing was under control, letting the cleanup crew — Deron, Tayshaun, Redd, Miller and Chandler — play most of the second half … ‘Melo didn’t play due to a heel injury he suffered while dunking on Puerto Rico, but the U.S. didn’t need him. Uruguay had their moment, grabbing a small lead very early, but once ‘Bron caught fire it was a wrap. The sickest play came when LeBron came roaring down on the break and Omar Galeano made the smartest decision of the night by keeping his feet on the ground while ‘Bron finished the dunk … Around the office we keep an unofficial “Worst Thing Anyone’s Said This Year” tally, most of which we can’t really repeat here. Good job by Bill Walton, though, putting in his entry last night. After John Saunders joked about Team Uruguay saying “Uh-oh” when LeBron was about to throw down another dunk, Walton followed with, “That’s also what the people of New Orleans were saying two years ago tonight.” See what happens when you let Walton have so much mic time in one week? … Funniest exchange by the announcers came as/after one of Uruguay’s guards airballed a runner.
Walton: “Great runner in the lane…”
Saunders: “…that misses everything.”
No lie, that reverse alley oop dunk by Tyson Chandler might have been the best offensive play he’s ever made … The holdout that no one wanted to call a holdout is over, as Yi Jianlian signed with the Bucks. Now training camp hasn’t even started and everyone is already talking about Yi’s PT, and everyone has their own agenda. Of course Yi’s Chinese camp wants him to play enough to where he’ll be able to get better and take Team China somewhere in the ‘08 Olympics. You’d assume the Bucks don’t wanna overexpose him, but they’re not gonna “Darko” him either. And you know someone — Desmond Mason, Charlie V, Bobby Simmons — is gonna start grumbling when they see their PT being cut to give the rookie minutes … Gilbert Arenas talked about next year’s version of his signature kicks: “They’re called the Gil 20’s. That means that there are 20 different versions coming out in 20 cities,” Gil wrote on his blog. “That means that whatever version you buy in D.C., you can’t buy in L.A. Or whatever comes out in L.A., you can’t get in Miami.” … The “Least Surprising News of the Summer” award goes to Gary Payton, whose agent tells the Miami Herald that GP wants to play another season. He won’t stop, people. He don’t know how to stop … Ron Artest on the Knicks’ front court: “If you double Zach, you’ve got Eddy down there and you can’t stop Eddy from dunking. Same thing with Zach.” We think gravity is doing a good enough job of keeping Z-Bo from dunking … While Christian wrapped up his Vegas trip for the MAGIC trade show yesterday with another Russell Simmons sighting and a Cuttino Mobley-rolling-in-a-Bentley sighting, Austin was in D.C. working on a feature for Issue #37. Here’s an e-mail we got from A-Train: “I was just standing next to Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje in the Metro station near George Washington U. He’s wearing an Orlando Magic shirt, flip-flops and had a gym bag. Looked like he just got back from working out somewhere.” Last we heard, Ruben was playing pro ball in Germany … We’re out like Zach dunking …
August 30th, 2007 at 3:15 am
mbeazy says:
‘bron would have shattered the USA’s record for most points in a game had coach k not ‘blue-devil’d him. I just wonder what his reasoning was…my three best excuses for coach k sitting ‘the king’ are (1) lebron by-passed college (a choice we all know coach k isn’t a fan of), (2) coach k didn’t wan’t the rest of team USA’s games to turn into a selfish contest of who can score the most points (wonder who woulda won that?—kobe, and wouldn’t that have been fun to watch?), and (3) that’s just coach mikey mike being himself. if anyone else has any other insights into this I would love to hear your thoughts. and finally, u heard it here first, USA is going to crucify argentina by 40+…………….holla
August 30th, 2007 at 3:46 am
kowtz says:
I still thinks it’s this:
You don’t want to be a college coach that will be crucified by all, when LBJ (East champs last year) be injured during summer basketball, on GARBAGE TIME… he will not be able to set one foot in Ohio again, if that happens… Plus being called a coach that practices SELFISH PERSONAL AGENDA’s…
Remember KB24’s 63 points in 2.5 quarters against dallas? When kobe lit up 81, he only scored 50 something by 2.5 quarters… If Phil hadn’t benched him, he may have gotten to the 90+ level…
But you just don’t do that when it’s garbage time… It’s like when NYK almost brawled DEN, accusing them of running up the score… or leading by three, 3 seconds left, and fouling your opponents PG 45 feet away from the basket to assure two free throws instead of an opportunity to jack up a three…
Unwritten rules of etiquette…
August 30th, 2007 at 8:45 am
Bust Jlaze says:
Funny how you mention the “foul the guy WAY before he has a chance to shoot the 3″ technique…I’m undecided as to whether or not I’m against it. It’s kinda wack, but in a potential game-winning situation, what choice do you have? It’s like you’re forced to do it. If you DON’T do it, dude jacks a 3 in ya FOICE! (Dave Chapelle impression) At least in the playoffs, ’cause everybody could go home cause of that. Reg season, not so much. I dunno.
August 30th, 2007 at 8:51 am
seth says:
Unwritten rules of etiquette do not, however, to my knowledge require the benching of starters to open a half. I think the most likely reason for the benching is the first one mentioned by kowtz, the fear of unnecessary injury (or fatigue) in a piecing of an overwhelmed opponent the night before your biggest challenge to date. Thus the reason ‘Melo sat. He would have been playing had this been Argentina. It wasn’t, so he got to rest. By the way, anyone else think that Chauncey Billups has played himself out of contention for one of the 12 spots in Beijing? His game doesn’t seem to be a good fit for this type of competiton, streaky, shoot first, and not the best creator. I’d love to see Agent Zero get another crack at a spot. Yes, he too is streaky and shoot first, but he’s on another planet from Billups at this stage in their careers. Who do you guys think backs up Kidd next year: Billups, D Will, or CP3? I go DWill. He’s a pure point a la Kidd & Paul, but a much better shooter than either. Thoughts?…
August 30th, 2007 at 8:54 am
djKianoosh says:
What about that great Argentina comeback against Brasil!!! That was so beautiful to watch. As soon as Barbosa got in foul trouble you knew Argentina was going to get all the way back in it. Brasil fell in love with their jump shots and it cost them. Scola was killin it. So was Delfino, even on a bad shooting night, cause he scored two huge buckets late to tie it up.
It looks like the tourney will end up with Team USA as winners and Argentina runner up. Also looks like Brasil and Canada will head to the pre-olympic qualifiers next year. Not sure who else will join them.
August 30th, 2007 at 8:59 am
djKianoosh says:
oh and yes, Lebron was benched to avoid injury and keep him real fresh for the last few games. (not that he needs any more energy) These guys have been playing a lot of games for several days in a row. Team USA has a great advantage, on top of their talent, that all their players are only playing practically 20 minutes a game. Everybody else is going 30-35 minutes. After 6 days in a row at a high level, that’s got to hurt. How do these guys eat and hydrate? I’d love to know what their meals are like. hahaha.. Dime crew, inquiring minds want to know!
August 30th, 2007 at 9:07 am
Bust Jlaze says:
Dang, I can’t count out my man Chauncey…I think even though he’s not necessarily suited to this style, he’s still indispensable on the break, and still nasty in the clutch (if there ever IS a clutch situation in this tourney).
August 30th, 2007 at 9:20 am
James Wright says:
Bust Jlaze -
I think the last thing this version of Team USA really needs is more clutch performers. On a team with Kobe, LeBron, and ‘Melo, you think Chauncey is even in the game during a clutch situation?
By my line of thinking, you need guys like Kidd who can push the ball, distribute it well, play some D, and limit turnovers. Chauncey is not that guy.
August 30th, 2007 at 9:25 am
Alan says:
LeBron was just showing off for Hov and Beyonce, throwing up subtle Roc signs after almost every dunk. Bill Walton is the worst. Period.
August 30th, 2007 at 9:25 am
djKianoosh says:
I would take chris paul over billups in this situation. Even Kirk Hinrich might work in this role as a backup to Kidd and Deron.
August 30th, 2007 at 9:32 am
Bust Jlaze says:
Good point on that one James…I kinda just wanna see him play ’cause I’m a big fan. But on the real, you’re completely right I can’t even front…he’s nothing like Kidd, and that’s the type of player they need up there. Dag. But do you really gotta CUT him? Or just limit him and make someone else the main backup?
August 30th, 2007 at 9:32 am
Austin Burton says:
When Walton started telling that joke about Sen. Larry Craig, it was like watching a QB float a pass over the middle. You know the end result was gonna be ugly.
August 30th, 2007 at 9:34 am
Hassan says:
I think Esteban Batista deserves a sentence or two in today smack. Guy was throwing down on anyone he had in the post. In the first half, he was responding to every LBJ dunk. That is before his team mates started jacking up threes. The worst three point shooting team in the tournament started jacking up threes. That is a recipe for a blow out when USA is a terrific fast break team.
Mark my words, any team that can execute in the half court would give this USA team a fit. No team in this qualifying tournament so far has exhibitted this attribute.
August 30th, 2007 at 9:49 am
Jules says:
Let’s be honest here - these teams all suck.
Argentina would be good if they had half their starters. Brazil isn’t ready yet. The rest are garbage. USA should win by 25 pts minimum, every game.
Hell, the U.S. ’scrubs’ should be able to 25-piece all of these teams by themselves.
August 30th, 2007 at 9:59 am
Bust Jlaze says:
I didn’t get to see the last game; that’s funny what Alan said about Bron throwing the Roc sign all over the place…he’s been doing that A LOT lately…what’s up with that?
And just when I said Walton was funny, he turns around and goes OFF on the mic, from what I hear…made me eat my words!
August 30th, 2007 at 10:16 am
Jules says:
“Bron throwing the Roc sign all over the place…he’s been doing that A LOT lately…what’s up with that?”
Didn’t you hear? He’s the newest spokesman for Roc-a-Pad’s.
“Now if yo bum is leaking, you need to be seeking ……Roc-a-Pad.”
August 30th, 2007 at 10:25 am
buckets says:
maybe were guna see lebron in brooklyn wen the nets move there??
how come u guys get to see all these basketball players and celebs all over the place..i understand seein evry1 at the vegas show but seein steve nash skateboarding in the city??im in the city like all day and i only see bad bitches and fresh tees..and im not complainin
August 30th, 2007 at 10:26 am
buckets says:
oh and im not too hyped to see rueben b(not guna scroll back up to see how to spell it) but that jus triggered that thought in my mind
August 30th, 2007 at 10:29 am
G Liddy says:
I brake for fat chicks. Sorry, buckets.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:35 am
chris says:
re: the abbreviated LBJ show on uruguay -8 games in 9 days at fiba is brutal. it means you have to build a 12 man team that can last despite injuries and foul trouble, both of which are bound to occur because of the format..as a coach,why would you play anyone more than 20 minutes a game unless you had to?
August 30th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Mic says:
Man, I could not believe Walton on the mic. Too much tree/acid in the seventies and he is talking about Manu Ginobli “being the best player in the world” “when he is on his game” ?!?!huh. Steve “snapper” Jones used to continuously call him out on air over the outlandish statements Walton would try to slip in to the play-by-play as if they were actually plausible takes on the game/players during their color commentary days on NBC. Walton is always good for a few laughs when he gets on the Mic, but its kinda sad how he is dead serious on some of his ridiculous rants.
August 30th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Mic says:
his run on the mic is more tarnishing to his legacy in the game than that sick Dr J. dunk in his grill that gets played every time you flip to ESPN Classic.
August 30th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Richard Dumas says:
I’m torn between CP3 & Deron Williams for the backup PG spot for the 2008 Team. Who do y’all think is the better player between the two?
August 30th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Ian says:
usa beat argentina by 40.. please
is gonna be close
and if the had manu and nocioni they can beat usa
August 30th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
djKianoosh says:
Manu and Argentina already beat Team USA twice already, in case ya’ll forgot! Manu in the last Olympics averaged something absolutely sick like over 70% from the field for the ENTIRE Olympics! Yes, that year he was the best, because he followed it up with an MVP worthy performance in the NBA Finals (remember there was actual debate whether to give it to Duncan or Ginobili that year, and Duncan got it by default cause he’s the man of course).
and no, nobody is beating this Team USA. I’ll be happy if Argentina hangs in there until the 3rd quarter. Everybody else has been packing it in by the end of the 1st!!! hahaha..
So, please give Ginobili and that Argentina team the credit they deserve. Make no mistakes, the reason you see this particular Team USA assembled correctly and playing so dominant is because of that Argentina team specifically and what they did in the 2003 World Championships and 2004 Olympics. If you can’t remember, take a trip down memory lane and read Steve Kerr’s assessment:
http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/athens2004/news?slug=sk-olybasketball0828
August 30th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
Mo says:
Richard Dumas, Deron had a better season than Paul because of the injuries to Paul and most of his team. Deron was good this season but it was Boozer that made the difference since he was finally healthy. But Paul was still a more productive player overall. Since seeing Deron in the playoffs, people have seemed to have forgotten that Paul is very good. Kind of a “what have you done for me lately” type of thing. He missed 18 games but his numbers didn’t fall off. I’d like to see Paul as the backup pg in Beijing. This way he wouldn’t need as many minutes as last summer in Japan. Besides Deron is more turnover and foul prone than Paul.
http://dberri.wordpress.com/2007/05/30/defending-chris-paul/
August 30th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Mo says:
I hope to see a good game tonight. It would probably be a better/closer game if Manu, Nocioni and Oberto were playing.
August 30th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
94by50 says:
[Mic says:
Man, I could not believe Walton on the mic. Too much tree/acid in the seventies and he is talking about Manu Ginobli “being the best player in the world” “when he is on his game” ?!?!]
No kidding. I heard that and almost threw my remote at the TV. Ginobili isn’t even the best player on his own team, no matter how well he plays.
It’s nice to know that if ESPN employs you, you can say just about anything you want with no consequences. Worldwide Leader? In what?
August 30th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
srb says:
Team USA needs Paul Pierce.
August 30th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
Movieee says:
Team USA needs Damon Jones
August 31st, 2007 at 3:46 am
Pistol Pete says:
Team USA really needs Duncan & KG