Live Action: Team USA vs. Australia
What’s up with Kobe? (photo. Chris Sembrot)What is the book on playing Team USA? Before seeing any international action, we’d heard that teams would force the Americans the shoot the rock from deep. But that’s not the only tactic that squads are taking to try to frustrate Team USA. Without Andrew Bogut because of an ankle injury, Boomers coach Brian Goorjian is following Russian coach David Blatt’s lead by not sending anyone to the offensive glass. It’s stifling the American’s break and stopping them from getting easy buckets in the early going.
* Is something wrong with Kobe? While ‘Melo, LeBron, and D-Wade all seem to really grasp how to play on this All-Star team in the international system, Kobe looks clueless at times. It’s not just that he’s trying to go one-one-one too much, it’s that he doesn’t even seem to be looking for anyone else. Once Mamba stepped off the floor, the Americans went on a 7-0 run.
* Aussie PG Patty Mills, who stars in the West Coast Conference’s at St. Mary’s and drowned Oregon last year with a 37-point outing, is an absolute blur. With Team USA slow getting back in transition, Mills blew into the lane and finished a couple nice hoops high off the glass. Honestly, Mills has been the most impressive opponent that I’ve seen face off against the Americans so far.
* Aren’t there times during the NBA season when you watch ‘Melo and think, “If only this dude went 100% all the time.” With Dwight Howard looking like Shaq on the free throw line, ‘Melo is controlling the defensive glass on his own.
* When running their offense, the Australians have no problem using some elbow grease to create separation. It was the first flare-up we’ve seen so far, as LeBron had to step in to separate Kobe and Chris Antsey.
* How does ESPN show a replay of Patty Mills’ transition lay-up, but doesn’t show LeBron tossing weak stuff into the third row?
* Who do you think is the heart and soul of this team? With Jason Kidd riding pine and Kobe taking a ton of dumb shots, it feels like LeBron. When he headfaked and got into the lane for a tough and-1 to put Team USA up 11 with under four minutes in the first half, the rest of the team almost looked relieved, as if getting ‘Bron going solves all of their problems.
August 5th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Ansonious says:
Lebron is like Atlas this mother ucker carries the world on his shoulders no matter where he goes.
August 5th, 2008 at 9:18 am
M says:
Can’t wait to see it!
August 5th, 2008 at 9:27 am
YOUNGFED says:
Yall gotta realize that Kobe gotta get use to ballin’ wit these catz, give him some time. They all geling now.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Ballin 4 Life says:
Kobe will not get going cuz he is a great one-on-one player, but these teams are playing tight zones so he will never be defended one-on-one.
Whenever the crowd cheers for Kobe before he starts his move, you can expect a dumb shot to come.
Dwight Howard needs to go to YouTube and search for some Hakeem footwork drills.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:11 am
rangerjohn (McCain in '08) says:
usa is not passing the ball well at all. i have noticed they are not collecting assists hardly at all. with guys like kidd, paul, and williams all averaging over 10 assists per game regular season you would think at least one of them would be averaging more then 5.
hell i think kobe is averaging more then anyone on the team. i can see guys not rebounding as much, hell when you are shooting like 60+% every game just about there is less need to rebound but no assists?
August 5th, 2008 at 10:13 am
DO says:
kobe is in one of his “i got to prove that i’m the best player in the world” modes.
he’s trying to prove a point. don’t expect him to pass.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Borgs says:
I think you’ll find the Chinese host broadcaster is responsible for the pictures and replays. Hence the zealous fixation on Kobe/Wade/LeBron replays even as the other team is attacking the goal at the other end in live play.
As Dime suggested a few editions back - it’s obvious Rick and Fran are sitting in Bristol or wherever calling the game off the monitor. Especially when Fran admits to playing golf in Texas last week, whilst simultaneously and somewhat miraculously calling USA exhibition games in Macao. And, 0:00.7 is seven-tenths, not hundredths, of a second, Professor Fraschilla.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:33 am
MoxWestCoastRep says:
Kobe h8rs
August 5th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Dagomar says:
I hope this game disposes of whatever arrogance we might have had. If you can only beat Australia by 10 when they’re missing their best player, you can LOSE to Spain or Argentina. Here’s hoping they look a little better next time; the running game was WAY too easy to stop this morning. Damn.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:56 am
SD32 says:
Damn that game even surprised me as an aussie, especially without bogut. I thought usa would have no problems this time but either they are in trouble when they play spain / argentina, or spain / argentina are in trouble when they play the aussies… For my sake hopefully its no. 2 coz I want both usa & australia 2 win
August 5th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Allan says:
Wake up call for the USA!
August 5th, 2008 at 10:57 am
SD32 says:
*Usa 2 win gold, aust 2 win ANY medal lol
August 5th, 2008 at 11:03 am
djkianoosh says:
smart adjustment by the aussies.. this team usa had been relying on the fast break too much. they can get alley oops on the break anytime they want. but that’s good that they faced this now. team usa coaching staff has some work to do now. I bet they figure it out. not too worried.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:11 am
jonny taise says:
well done lads!
i thought we took the USA out of their game a little and posed a few questions to them.
it will be interesting now to see the US face-off against spain, greece, argentina etc…
patty mills is a gun!!!
j.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Logan Light says:
2 things of interest:
1) Dwight needs to work on at least ONE go-to move in the post. The trapezoid lane really has him at a loss for when to start his backing down…
2) I said it before, but Dwayne Wade is back. Dude looks like he’s ready to prove a point with Team USA. Plus, he looks like he put on about 25 pounds of muscle.
LL
August 5th, 2008 at 11:16 am
parker says:
The USA is playing great basketball. Look at the number of possessions and then judge. Yes they only won by 10 points, but on 1/3 less possessions then their 40 point wins. Also Australia had to hit plenty of shots that aren’t always going to fall to keep it that close. Noone is going to stop the USA from playing at the rim. So unless someone comes out and shoots a higher percentage than Australia did today, while USA simulataneously plays lazy basketball, then you are looking at 10 points as being the closest anyone is going to get.
My only beef with the team is the guys picking the team. Why do we need 3 small forwards, 3 shooting guards, 3 point guards, yet only 1 center and 2 power forwards Shouldn’t the team have been picked the other way around. At least bring 5 big men with you. That is how other teams are controlling the tempo. We are getting outrebounded.
There is absolutely no need to bring Tayshaun, or Micheal Redd with us on that team. At least one of those guys could have been Chandler(who wanted to play on our team) and I would rather have Collison than either of the aforementioned two on the squad.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Michorizo says:
I bet USA team doesn’t question wether Kobe is clueless. The whole team agrees that he is the best on the team.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:21 am
KenAdams says:
To rangerjohn (McCain in ‘08),
Deron williams was averaging 6.3 assists a game and Chris Paul is 5.5 leading into this game. Get your facts straight. Deron Williams is the man!
August 5th, 2008 at 11:45 am
rlf says:
i don’t know what games are you watching,kobe is passing the ball, that’s all he’s doing, that it doesn’t translate into an assist, it doesn’t mean he is not passing the ball.
i know dime is in love with lebron and wade, but be objective.
in case you don’t remember kobe has a broken pinkie. how many of you would play with a broken finger for so long? eventually it will catch up with you.
the media is so predictable, you guys were waiting for a ‘bad game’ from kobe to go after him. this is getting so old, you should do something else. i guess stupid fans still buy it. but it’s getting old and ridiculous.
last time i checked lebron, wade and melo have 2 bronze medals. don’t forget that.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:55 am
doc says:
Aint no wake up call.They slowalked through a game that they was probaly bored in.I know they tired of these fake ass games because Im tired of watching them.Didnt the Aussies just lose to Argentina but have them by 19.So if we slowalked and they couldnt get a lead what the hell could Argentina do.I cant wait until we play them and Spain and bust that ass.I just wanna see the yall are better anyway posts that dont happen until the ass whippings come.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:57 am
doc says:
And Kobe is A-Okay.When we really need him he will turn it on.And yall to worried about his O.The Doberman out there locking cats down.
August 5th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Smitty313 says:
Kobe wasn’t the only one doing that out there. Lebron, Melo, and D-Wade were all forcing shoots. Besides D-Wade the americans looked terrible today.
August 5th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Young Lebron 23 says:
Good test. USA needs to work on two things: Pick-and-roll defense and half-court offense, especially offense. They kept rushing things on offense and Kobe was thinking he was with the lakers(PRE-LAST SEASON). Also there shouldn’t be any quicker point guards than Patty Mills. Chris Paul couldn’t keep with him. Also, can somebody other than Fran Faschilla commentate? If I hear the phrase “against Spain, Greece, and Argentina” again I will lose my mind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 5th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Jet pack says:
Dude, what in God’s name is your problem with Kobe? The game Kobe got nine assists all you did was whine, the Russian game where Kobe bailed out the team not one word of praise. If this game is giving you hypertension please switch to baseball. Your analysis is nonsensical, the gabarge you are discribing is not what i am watching, are you sure it is even basketball you are watching? You need to a friend or maybe someone to hug.
August 5th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Young Lebron 23 says:
Jet Pack you talkin about me? It’s just th e simple fact that I hate Kobe and Lebron is the Best player on team USA(therefore the WORLD)
August 5th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Jet pack says:
Kobe took the least shots amongst Melo, LBJ,Wade and himself and nobody had more assists. God you are a hater.
STARTERS MIN FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A OREB DREB REB AST STL BLK TO PF PTS
L James, F 33 7-12 1-4 1-1 0 1 1 4 5 3 3 3 16
C Anthony, F 24 4-13 0-4 4-4 3 7 10 1 0 1 1 0 12
D Howard, C 22 4-4 0-0 0-6 0 5 5 0 2 0 0 2 8
K Bryant, G 25 3-9 2-5 5-8 1 2 3 4 1 1 1 3 13
J Kidd, G 15 0-0 0-0 0-0 2 0 2 3 0 1 2 2 0
BENCH MIN FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A OREB DREB REB AST STL BLK TO PF PTS
C Paul 16 2-4 0-1 0-0 2 1 3 5 1 0 1 5 4
D Wade 25 8-12 0-1 6-8 1 2 3 2 2 0 0 1 22
D Williams 18 0-1 0-0 1-2 1 1 2 0 0 0 3 1 1
C Bosh 11 3-3 0-0 3-4 0 4 4 0 0 1 0 2 9
M Redd 8 1-4 0-3 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
T Prince 3 0-1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TOTALS FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A OREB DREB REB AST STL BLK TO PF PTS
32-63 3-18 20-33 10 23 33 19 11 7 11 19 87
50.8% 16.7% 60.6% Team TO (pts off): 11 (15)
August 5th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
HeadKicker B says:
Kobe looked like he was trying to establish himself offensively early which led to some poor shot selection. The shots he took were ones that he can make but I would have liked to see him pass it around, and got it back for a shot instead of the one-pass-then-a-shot looks he was taking.
August 5th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Jet pack says:
Actually i was talking to the idiot that wrote this piece.
August 5th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
rangerjohn (McCain in '08) says:
@#18 (KenAdams)
once again i say how is it that team usa has 3 PG’s who average 10+ assists per game regular season (cp averaged what 12 in the playoffs against a spurs team and dallas team that would perform very well against any of those olympic teams) and yet they are barely averaging what 15 combined? between the 3 of them? thats rediculous.
if they cant start getting the assists they will have trouble with the better teams, so far they have played NOBODY! ball movement is the key, fast breaks are nice and all but ball movement wins.
and i agree they needed at least 2 more bigs, red and prince should not have been there.
August 5th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Young Lebron 23 says:
@ 28 my bad saltyness on my part
@ 29 You can make a case for Redd they need a pure shooter but I’ll actually take Mike Miller over him because he suprisingly averaged 6 boards a game
August 5th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
doc says:
Redd should be there but fuck Tayshaun they shoulda rolled with Tyson,but it dont matter because they will win anyway.@Ranger when they win the whole thing people will still say they played nobody.Thats the hateful world we live in.We played nobody but Lithuania beat us before,they wasnt nobody then.When the Aussies were up 19 the other day over Argentina they wasnt nobody.When Russia beat the so called dream team in Spain for that chip last summer AK47 got MVP from they wasnt nobodies then.We just winning.Thats what we do.
August 5th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
rangerjohn (McCain in '08) says:
doc, oh i agree, they will always be “nobodies” in some people eyes, my point is this, who have they played? has there been a single actual nba player on any of the teams they have played yet? i mean i dont remember them playing a team with an nba player who actually played anyway. hell not bogut, no hedo or okur on the turkish team, they have litterally play nobody as of yet. what happens when they play the argintines with what 5-6 nba players? or spain, or germany with dirk and kaman. the competition has been less then stellar as of yet. i mean damn the aussies lost by 11 and they had no bogut. this team is not a team just yet, that is my whole point with the assists, they need to figure some things out, it is not exibition anymore.
August 5th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
C says:
Amazing how Kobe can keep leading the team in assists without ever passing, isn’t it??
August 5th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
MSkittle says:
Damn, the guy who wrote this sounds like a hater! Holy negativity!
August 5th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
USA might not win says:
USA might win the Bronze. Thatll be about it.
August 5th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
NYstateofmind says:
Kobe is forcing shots? He’s 3rd in assists behing CP3 and D-Will. and what about when he bailed them out against Russia?
August 5th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Jon says:
Not fan of Kobe but Kobe is considered the defense specialist in the team. It’s stupid to based player contribution solely on score board.
That’s why coach is also impressed with Chris Bosh as his defense helped them a lot. Can’t see that on score board either.
August 5th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Kudabeen says:
Isn’t Kobe the least experienced player on the National team? Yeah he is top three player in the world, but he hasn’t been playing on the Olympic team since 2003/2004. I do agree that he looks like an individual in the system, but Kobe has always been expected to score when he has the ball in his hands. Guys stop when he has the ball. There are plenty of plays where if guys cut/dive he gets them the ball. He isn’t looking like Paul Piere (worst passing scorer ever)…
Give them time to grow. Wade is passing less than Kobe, Dwight is passing less…Redd is passing less.
The team on whole don’t pass enough and don’t exploit mis-matches. They are letting the defense dictate their shot selection too much when the score is relatively close. When they are piling it on a team they go and get the baskets They want. They are also relying on help D too much. There are times when guys aren’t even making sure they have help before watching a guy blow by them (looking at you Melo). They also could be a little fatigued. They have been playing with a lot of energy in these exhibitions.
They get a W and people still complain. WE (USA) are horrible fans of the game…We got a taste of invincibility for a few Olympics and now we don’t even appreciate the medal more than the record or margin of victory…
August 5th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
AB_40 says:
I know it was a tune up game. And I also know that usa will probably lose a game or two before the olympic tournament is done. The most talented team is USA in terms of athletiscism. But out of the four favorites the USA has the worst coach. Coach K is just terrible he still hasn’t called a time-out. And like the entire team USA he needs a reality check. I still think of them as the favorites and I also think they’ll probably win the tournament but either greece or spain will beat them. And they better hope it’s nog in the final or the semi-final game.
ps. kobe was only verbaly on the 2003 olympic qualifying team. Which would’ve made a lot mor noise in 04 if they had sent that team.
August 5th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
bballer1984 aka king ralf says:
Assists only count when the basket was a dunk or a layup, taken with one or no dribbling between pass and basket. Shots won´t count, so that´s where all their assists gone.
August 5th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Jim says:
Team USA was cruising, they had one spell there of big time defensive pressure and jumped out to a big lead, with the depth and quality they have they should have no problem playing at that level for 40 minutes when it matters. Australia had to play 2 point guards to try to get the ball over halfway which creates defensive issues then so I doubt we have seen the best of the USA yet.
Still it was easy to see why the NBL is a shambles, so many of the quality Aussie players are in Europe now it has left huge holes back here. Can’t blame them though, the salray cap is about $10 per team at the moment so gotta take the money.
Best performance I have seen from an Aussie team in ages though and some great young kids in the squad to for a change. So have to eat my words from last week there, with Bogurt and a settled 8 man rotation they could well be dangerous.
August 6th, 2008 at 1:17 am
Ding Dong We Got Big Snacks says:
Bogut is the saviour of the Aussies? Shane Heal and Andrew Gaze are rolling in their graves.
Team USA is still the best team…….but only paper. This is like preseason. Please keep it in your pants.
August 6th, 2008 at 2:05 am
Jim says:
The only time Shane Heal or Andrew Gaze rolled anywhere was when they rolled out of the way on defense to try and sneak out the back door for an easy layup, or transition 30 foot 3 pointer in Heal’s case.
(I am a huge Gaze fan but he could of carried a shot gun out there and still not stopped anyone, as for Heal, well I think the bleach seeped into his brain 15 years ago…..)
August 6th, 2008 at 10:26 am
josh says:
if we (Aussies) had heal and Gaze right now we would be gold medal threats. no doubt. we never had no big men and now we got big men, but no gun shooter.
August 6th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
The Truth says:
Dime says that “Once Mamba stepped off the floor, the Americans went on a 7-0 run.
Here’s the whole truth (taken from the 20 second timeout blog):
Anthony played 24 minutes but Team USA actually trailed 42-41 during his time on the court (Team USA outscored Australia 54-50 when Bryant was in the game and was tied 70-70 and 35-35 respectively when James and Kidd were in the game)
So USA was a +4 with Kobe on the floor, no change with LBJ and Kidd, and -1 with Melo.