Time for some predictions with the Games only a few weeks away. Here goes.
I hate to say it folks, but the U.S. team need to show that the same issues that plagued the it in the last three international competitions have been solved: 1. Their ability to "consistently" hit the open three shot (USA 2008 still isn't stacked with pure shooters); 2. Control the boards (they are undersized); and 3. defensively handle good (not Canada) international teams that incorporate tons of motion, back door cuts and pick and roll off of motion. They will be better prepared with the three-year Coach K plan but it still necessitates that players who have not been drilled year after year on defensive principles to combat such offensive schemes can adapt consistently. I see bumps in the road. When they're kicking the crap out of the lesser lights, everyone will be beating their chests and talking smack. It will be interesting to see how they handle the inevitable adversity.
Unconvinced that much has changed, I see it as follows:
Gold - Argentina (deep, tough, tons of veteran saavy, and confident they can beat the US with two recent wins)
Silver - USA (see above, worn down by tourney's end)
Bronze - Spain (could win the whole thing. Have size, shooters and this could be Jose Calderon's coming out party).
Let's have your predictions and justification.
I hate to say it folks, but the U.S. team need to show that the same issues that plagued the it in the last three international competitions have been solved: 1. Their ability to "consistently" hit the open three shot (USA 2008 still isn't stacked with pure shooters); 2. Control the boards (they are undersized); and 3. defensively handle good (not Canada) international teams that incorporate tons of motion, back door cuts and pick and roll off of motion. They will be better prepared with the three-year Coach K plan but it still necessitates that players who have not been drilled year after year on defensive principles to combat such offensive schemes can adapt consistently. I see bumps in the road. When they're kicking the crap out of the lesser lights, everyone will be beating their chests and talking smack. It will be interesting to see how they handle the inevitable adversity.
Unconvinced that much has changed, I see it as follows:
Gold - Argentina (deep, tough, tons of veteran saavy, and confident they can beat the US with two recent wins)
Silver - USA (see above, worn down by tourney's end)
Bronze - Spain (could win the whole thing. Have size, shooters and this could be Jose Calderon's coming out party).
Let's have your predictions and justification.
