Team USA - Shawn and Amare

[Chaplin]

It absolutely makes sense to me. What doesn't make sense is, why they didn't cut him when they cut down from 18 to 15, so they could take 15 committed players on the plane--as they claimed they wanted to from the start.

But of course, you already knew that, from my two previous posts on the subject.

Here were the choices:

1) Rehab on his own with no full court and hard activity
2) Rehab with Team USA with hard activity to see how he responds
3) Rehab with Team USA then waste time going to Japan when he knew he would only be there for a short period of time

Everyone chose #2, which was the ideal. Apparently he was practicing pretty well, not 100%, but this time he spent with Team USA has most certainly helped him.

It's one thing to rehab by yourself in the weight room or the swimming pool, it's quite another to rehab in scrimmages against the likes of Lebron James and Dwyane Wade.

 

[Joe Mama]

Here were the choices:

1) Rehab on his own with no full court and hard activity
2) Rehab with Team USA with hard activity to see how he responds
3) Rehab with Team USA then waste time going to Japan when he knew he would only be there for a short period of time

Everyone chose #2, which was the ideal. Apparently he was practicing pretty well, not 100%, but this time he spent with Team USA has most certainly helped him.

It's one thing to rehab by yourself in the weight room or the swimming pool, it's quite another to rehab in scrimmages against the likes of Lebron James and Dwyane Wade.

I really think you keep missing the point F- Dog keeps making. That is that it made little sense for team USA to keep Amare Stoudemire past the cut to 15 if they already knew he would not be making the trip to Asia. They could have kept Morrison or Ridenour and taken a full roster of 15. not sure I have an answer for that. I'll go out on a limb and say it's because he is a 4/5, and they wanted to keep him around for practice purposes as long as possible. Perhaps it's because they are sure he will be a big part of the team that goes to the Olympics.

Joe

 

[playstation]

a full roster is 12, not 15. they're just taking 3 more guys to cut down there.

 

[nowagimp]

so, you think the notion of being on the road and not playing in games, but rather instead, being back somewhere where he could focus on his rehab wasn't the reason he was held back? Come on now.

Actually, I think that he was never going to japan, it was all done to get him around elite players and help his mental progression, confidence to use the knee. Alot of pros who have undergone major injury recovery need to get the fear of injury under control before coming back at full tilt, and that only happens by testing and using the knee. I think he got alot of support and cameraderie from those guys, and it made him feel good about himself and his future. I think amare is just a big kid, not some wise veteran and he's having problems getting his confidence in his knee back. His attempted comeback probably didnt help mattters, either. Whatever Amare can do physically has probably not been seen yet.

 

[Muggum]

I'm fine with him leaving the team. I'm glad we don't have any players left playing in Asia. They only get worn down. Look at Tim Duncan. Too many June playoff runs plus too many stints on USA basketall left him with a case of plantar fasciitis.

 

[green machine]

I'm fine with him leaving the team. I'm glad we don't have any players left playing in Asia. They only get worn down. Look at Tim Duncan. Too many June playoff runs plus too many stints on USA basketall left him with a case of plantar fasciitis.

So why did Penny get it? I don't know if you can say for certain that the Olympic play and playoff runs left Duncan with that injury.

I do think it can all wear a player down though.

 

[Nash]

Reminder

USA vs China, exhibition game tonight, 9:30 pm EST, ESPN2

Don't know how interesting/boring this game will be. China's most 'exciting' player Yao is not going to play because of his foot injury sustained last season. Wonder if the rest of the team is as boring as Yao. Should be interesting to see that 7'2" Chinese kid who is apparently the next Chinese hope play.

Edit: Yi Jianlian is the guy I was referring to. Thanks Sunshooter!wait...............suns' hooter?

 

[Gorilla]

Don't mean to be a party pooper but.....

Warning: for those of you planning on watching the game, the link contains the final score

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/wbc2006/news/story?id=2542151

 

[Sunshooter]

USA vs China, exhibition game tonight, 9:30 pm EST, ESPN2

Don't know how interesting/boring this game will be. China's most 'exciting' player Yao is not going to play because of his foot injury sustained last season. Wonder if the rest of the team is as boring as Yao. Should be interesting to see that 7'2" Chinese kid who is apparently the next Chinese hope play.

I think Yi Jianlian will be another Chinese big man can enter NBA. Let's see his performance.

 

[boisesuns]

I guess we can take the Shawn and Amare part out of the post title for now

 

[Nash]

wow! how big is the Yi guy actually? I read somewhere that he was 7'2" and Sunshooter mentioned him as being 7'. The ESPN report for the USA-China game says Yi is 6'10" !

While at this, I would really like to know how tall Nash really is. He's listed at 6'3" but is repeatedly referred to as the little guy on the floor-'Little Stevie'. Though not big by NBA standards, 6'3" doesn't merit the moniker 'little Stevie'.

In addition, Nash was repeatedly posted up by the supposedly bigger Cassel but the alien is listed at just 6'3" himself! And does Nash really look 6'3"? To me he looks shorter than that.

Those of you who've seen Nash or know through some other means, how tall is this guy really?

 

[arthurracoon]

Gambo saying on 910:

Amare asked Coach K if he could stay with the team in China and fly home to see the birth of his child and fly back

Coach K said no

Amare wouldnt have beat out Dwight Howard for the big man spot in the top 12, so they said that he should go home and be there for his kid

 

[Sunshooter]

wow! how big is the Yi guy actually? I read somewhere that he was 7'2" and Sunshooter mentioned him as being 7'. The ESPN report for the USA-China game says Yi is 6'10" !

While at this, I would really like to know how tall Nash really is. He's listed at 6'3" but is repeatedly referred to as the little guy on the floor-'Little Stevie'. Though not big by NBA standards, 6'3" doesn't merit the moniker 'little Stevie'.

In addition, Nash was repeatedly posted up by the supposedly bigger Cassel but the alien is listed at just 6'3" himself! And does Nash really look 6'3"? To me he looks shorter than that.

Those of you who've seen Nash or know through some other means, how tall is this guy really?

he's 212cm, about 7'
and his age is another unknown, some sources mentioned that he's not 19 years old...

 

[boisesuns]

he's 212cm, about 7'
and his age is another unknown, some sources mentioned that he's not 19 years old...

Ha. Sounds like Mutumbo. You know he has to be in his 40's

 

[Nash]

USA vs Brazil Result

SPOILER ALERT!!

US managed to sneak past Brazil thanks to 4 FTs because of a technical foul on Varejao. Barbosa scored 14 points. Final score 90-86
Find complete reports on the game at

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/wbc2006/news/story?id=2543157&campaign=rss&source=NBAHeadlines

http://journals.aol.com/magic7388/OrlandoMagic/entries/2006/08/08/china-basketball-challenge/258

This would have been an interesting game to watch but unfortunately this game is not being televised (IIRC).

 

[ArizonaSportsFan]

The US still doesn't get it. There is no way that this collection of talent should struggle against Brazil. Why in the world should Melo make that much of a difference? There is a long road ahead for this team and the Team USA organization, in my opinion. Good game by Barbs.

 

[Azlen]

I'm fine with him leaving the team. I'm glad we don't have any players left playing in Asia.

You seem to be forgetting about Diaw and Barbosa.

 

[arthurracoon]

SPOILER ALERT!!

Spoiler

you do know that there is a spoiler feature now

 

[Joe Mama]

The game was on this morning at 5 a.m. Arizona time. They are replaying it again tomorrow during the afternoon or late morning.

Joe

 

[George O'Brien]

Brazil won the Americas competition last summer and are one of the few teams in the world with the athleticism to play up tempo with the USA.

From the standpoint of team USA, they needed a dose of reality. Not everybody is going to be so physically overwhelmed like China was. Frankly, I did not think the USA ran their half court offfense that smoothly in after they got that big lead. They killed the Chinese with steals and breaks, but did not show patience against the zone.

 

[George O'Brien]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-us-lithuania&prov=ap&type=lgns

.S. 111, Lithuania 88

By JIM ARMSTRONG, AP Sports Writer
August 13, 2006

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- Good news for the United States as the world championships approach: Carmelo Anthony is at full strength and the team is playing tough defense.

Both elements were evident Sunday in a 111-88 victory over Lithuania in a tuneup for the worlds, which begin Saturday in Sapporo, Japan. The Americans are 4-0 in exhibitions leading to the tournament.

Anthony hyperextended his knee during a win over Brazil last week. The Denver Nuggets forward scored 19 points against Lithuania, setting the tone with a slam in the opening minutes that drew a huge ovation.

Kristov Lavrinovic led Lithuania with 26 points. But Lithuania, ranked fourth in the world, hardly looked like the medal contender many expect it to be in Japan.

"Our game plan was to just keep the ball moving," said Anthony, who leads his team in scoring in the four games. "We know we can score from just about anywhere, so we don't have to wait for a fantastic shot."

Dwyane Wade added 14 points for the U.S., which placed seven players in double figures. LeBron James and Antawn Jamison added 13, Joe Johnson 12, and Kirk Hinrich and Chris Paul 10 each.

"I thought we played very good defense," U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "Lithuania is a strong team and we were able to take them out defensively. I think we got better today by playing an outstanding team."

After an exhibition Tuesday against South Korea, the U.S. will head to Sapporo, Japan, for its tournament opener against Puerto Rico.

Anthony, Wade, Hinrich, Shane Battier and Elton Brand started for the U.S. The Americans brought 14 players to Asia and must cut the roster to 12 before the worlds.

This latest performance was an impressive one for a team quickly adjusting to the wider lanes of international play. The United States finished sixth at the worlds in 2002 and third in 1998. The last time the Americans won the tournament was 1994.

Wade had 10 points in the first quarter. The Miami Heat guard hit back-to-back 3-pointers to give the U.S. a 25-9 lead midway through the opening period. James closed the first half with a 3-pointer before the buzzer to make it 56-32, and the Americans led by 28 after three quarters.

Early in the fourth, James brought the crowd to its feet with a one-handed dunk that made it 87-55. The Cleveland Cavaliers star put the U.S. ahead 108-78 with another jam with two minutes left.

In another game at the World Basketball Challenge, Stefano Mancinelli's 16 points carried Italy past South Korea 96-61. Lee Kyu-sup led South Korea (0-3) with 16 points.

Updated on Sunday, Aug 13, 2006 3:37 pm EDT

 

[Chaz]

It seems like the offense is improving. More guys not hesitating to shoot the ball when open and more shots off of passes instead of one-on-one moves. They need to be able to score when they are not forcing turnovers.

The team has so much talent they just need to move the ball to the open man and let it fly.

 

[Azlen]

Should this still be a sticky considering that neither Amare or Shawn is currently playing for Team USA?

 

[George O'Brien]

There is still a Suns connection - D'Antoni.

I've been thinking this series may turn into a coaching clinic for Mike. He's a great coach, but he's getting a chance to learn from some guys who are first rate in their own right. Coach K and Nate McMillian are both well known for teaching defense while Boeheim is considered a master at attacking zones.

I'm especially interested in whether D'Antoni will try to incorporate elements of the USA team's pressure defense with the Suns. Pressure is a way to offset size on defensive end.

 

[nowagimp]

There is still a Suns connection - D'Antoni.

I've been thinking this series may turn into a coaching clinic for Mike. He's a great coach, but he's getting a chance to learn from some guys who are first rate in their own right. Coach K and Nate McMillian are both well known for teaching defense while Boeheim is considered a master at attacking zones.

I'm especially interested in whether D'Antoni will try to incorporate elements of the USA team's pressure defense with the Suns. Pressure is a way to offset size on defensive end.

I doubt that this is a "coaching clinic" for DAntoni. All star teams, by ther nature, do not use as complex strategies as NBA teams that play 100 games a year together. There is a whole lot more time to learn, from the coach, tendencies of teammates, and install help D strategies. What has to be done with these guys is get them to play together quickly, that is a different kind of coaching challenge. As far as attacking the zone, DAntoni coached and played in europe for decades, I think he knows how to attack a FIBA zone, ya think? As for defense, perhaps, except that the DAntoni style uses so much energy on offense that defensive energy does take a hit. The reason the suns are defensively average has alot to do with the energy sapping uptempo style. Oh yeah, I forgot Mcmillan was the sonics coach last couple of years, one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA, and they also played the same uptempo style.

I think that its every coachs dream to have a stable of players like team USA. Less coaching is required when you have so many talented pieces. There is no need to "protect weaknesses" with help D, and with all that one-one one talent, complex half court sets are not as important to scoring efficiency.