Team USA vs. China Halftime Analysis
Kobe Bryant (photo. Mannion)Some thoughts from the first half of this game…
- Team USA actually looked a little nervous to start; Team China did not, as Yao drilled a three for the first bucket of the game.
- Right off the bat, you could see that the officiating throughout this tournament is going to be sketchy at best. Phantom fouls, phantom travel calls, odd no-calls, etc. Team USA has been calm about all of it though so far.
- It’s pretty obvious that LeBron can score at will – as could most of the guys on Team USA (sorry J-Kidd).
- It’s interesting how everyone just assumed that China would play slow-down basketball and here it’s been just the opposite. They’re running when they can and not playing around in the half-court set. That could also be because nobody in red wants to have to try and bring the ball up against Team USA’s 94 feet of pressure. The U.S. defense of passing lanes has been solid as well. Chris Bosh alone has two or three steals stepping in front of passes.
- The United States’ inability to get out on three-point shooters is distressing. What’s going to happen when they play much stronger teams?
- And speaking of shooting, where is Michael Redd? Team USA only hit a shot or two from the perimeter the entire first half and Redd only played a few seconds.
- How about Yao throwing up the *? SoftServe claims he’s “only at 60 or 70 percent.” He looks exactly like he always does.
- Team USA opened it up a bit at the end of the half. Look for them to keep up the pressure in the second half, knock down some shots (hopefully), and win going away.
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August 10th, 2008 at 11:06 am
goldkmb says:
why cant they show it live on west coast too? i am steamed that we hav to wait 3hrs later to watch. online stream is kinda boring without live commentary from doug collins.
August 10th, 2008 at 11:09 am
frankie says:
travels and no calls are a great wakeup to the americans. bunch of superstars arent used to people actually calling them for travelling (which they get away with in the league all the time). and as doug collins said after a foul on lebron – all the old timers probably laugh when they see the calls that the superstars get these days. bunch of p******.
August 10th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Junio says:
Chinese dude knock down a three and then tries to block Dwight Howard on the fly to a dunk. WTF was he thinking?
August 10th, 2008 at 11:12 am
dj ho says:
just watched a cutdown version in sydney, Aust. Team USA can’t buy a 3 – they are 1 from 12. I didnt realise that their outside shooting was so terrible.
the chinese guards are doing well against the relentless US pressure. Their 3 point shooting is on fire (in fact that’s the only thing keeping them in the game!).
US looked a bit disorganised at the start but their athletcim is really showing. lebron has had two incredible blocks! i can’t believe the grabbed that layup in mid-air with two hands! that was sick.
August 10th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Gerard says:
I’m loving the NBA on NBC John Tesh music though! Go USA
August 10th, 2008 at 11:16 am
AVeezie says:
ME TOO!!! music to my ears!! I miss this jingle. NBA on NBC forEVER!
Lebron James is freaking sick
Kobe Bryant is playing great defense
August 10th, 2008 at 11:19 am
patrick says:
us needs to quit doubling in the post. yao and whichever big men from the other teams will get some points, but but not that many. stop leaving the 3 open. I really want a calender from us/china. why are these guys trying to jump with dho, bron, and kobe in the open floor.
August 10th, 2008 at 11:31 am
B says:
Yi is horrible
August 10th, 2008 at 11:34 am
daanswer says:
anybody else gonnacatch some of the other games today? i just found i got the directv olympic hoops channel in hd…i’ma spend the rest of the day scouting…lol. can’t wait to watch rubio.
August 10th, 2008 at 11:36 am
BALLZ says:
who else has a hard on for sunday morning 10 a.m. hoops? I feel like a fuckin kid on xmas. also stoked to watch la pistola
August 10th, 2008 at 11:40 am
BALLZ says:
Glad I wasn’t the only one who got goosebumps from the NBA on NBC theme. Brought back so many memories.
August 10th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
weezy f says:
man you guys get me so weak witht he softserve nickname!
August 10th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
doc says:
They 3’s were off today, but people saying its gonna be a weakness must not see to many Kobe games,like he aint liable to make 15 straight or some shit.