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Team USA wrapped up its pre-Olympic exhibition schedule with an 87-76 win over Australia this morning, er, night. Here’s what they’re saying out in the ether about the game …
The City: "One thing the Aussies did not show was any fear of the US. The Boomers are known to be a bit chippy and were not afraid to knock people around or jaw with the Americans after someone hit the floor. The final numbers of the game tell a rather disturbing story. The US hit only 20 percent of their 3-pointers and let Australia shoot over 48 percent. Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant, two of the leaders of the team, combined to hit seven of their 24 shots. What’s worse is that the US showed impatience on both ends of the floor. They did not follow the Australians off the ball and as a result of an intricate Australian offense gave up many open shots."
A Stern Warning: "The opening of the match was not unlike the 2004 Olympic encounter between these teams, where a very tight first three quarters culminated with a fourth quarter run-away by Team USA. Team USA played full-court defense today right from the get-go, with Jason Kidd closely manning CJ Bruton. With the athletes at their disposal, this is clearly the best move. However Australia did not get too flustered by this and Bruton’s experience allowed him to navigate the press well. Eventually coach Brian Goorjian made the decision to bring in 19 year old Patrick Mills for a change of pace at the point and he did not disappoint. Mills’ speed certainly took away from one of Team USA’s strengths and he did surprise them en route to the basket on more than one occasion."
HoopsVibe: "Why was the score so close? After all, ‘the Aussies’ were missing Andrew Bogut. [Two reasons:] [1.] They forgot about the middle. Too often, Team USA played without a center or simply went away from Chris Bosh and Dwight Howard even though the duo shot a combined 7-for-7 from the floor. [2.] The Australians lack Team USA’s individual talent, but they have excellent national development programs with the country’s Institute of Sports known as AIS. Elite teenage athletes are sent to AIS to hone their craft and train. Their senior national team would’ve balled together for years and, as a result, had on-court chemistry to burn."
Ross Siler, Salt Lake Tribune: "So far, the U.S. has put up points only when its players are turning steals into dunks and hitting from the outside. Not only weren’t the Americans coming up with steals Tuesday, they stood and watched as Australia hit one cutter after another for layups. I think it’s also fair to ask if trying to split minutes between three point guards is hurting the U.S. Jason Kidd, Chris Paul and Deron Williams combined for five points, eight assists and six turnovers in 49 minutes Tuesday. After five games, I’m still waiting to see anything out of Kidd. We’re constantly reminded that he’s the only U.S. player to have won a gold medal before. But Kidd had no points, three assists and two turnovers in 15 minutes against Australia."
Dime: "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."
The Starting Five: "The first Dream Team never saw anyone who belonged on the court with them. Basketball wasn’t an international sport in 1992. It wasn’t the big commodity across the world that it is now. International players weren’t flooding the NBA ranks. Michael Jordan wasn’t the biggest thing on the planet yet. Moreover, the European basketball league–did it even exist? This Dream Team is going to face serious competition. They will see their teammates in these Olympics. We’re talking about all-stars like Yao Ming and an MVP like Dirk Nowitzki. These aren’t your Mom and Dad’s international basketball players. These are serious contenders. And yet, for whatever reason, I feel as if this Dream Team is going to do away with team … with relative ease. No disrespect to the Argentina’s and Spain’s of the world, but with Mike Krzyzewski at the helm, and the best players in the world finally on the squad, this team can’t lose. They just can’t."
