USA/Spain

[Brian in Mesa]

Why can't you just enjoy the win? Spain made it ugly. Flopping at the air.

Ugly, perhaps in the helter skelter action. But, a beautiful win nonetheless. Especially in front of a hostile crowd.

It was an ugly game, but then again most basketball these days is ugly.

Being an American, of course I enjoy the win.

For all the talk about "the refs being against us," I saw a couple of unbelievable calls for us. When it was something like 74-70, the ball bounced clearly off of Marion's foot and out of bounds...the ref's call? USA ball. Very next play, the ball is basically inbounded to the empty end of the court where it goes out of bounds...ref's call? USA ball. That was ugly, even though it was to our benefit.

 

[PhxGametime]

Juan Navarro travels ever bit as much as Marbury does (that floater of Juan's sure looks like steps - I did watch live though).

Brian you should be used to ugly ball - Kobe going against 5 players, Shaq running over everyone, Derek Fisher's flops, although all the calls Lakers get - maybe I should take that back?

 

[Chaz]

For all the questionable calls for the Americans I saw some questionable calls (or non-calls) for Spain. The American were drawing contact inside with no call but the Spanish team was drawing contact and it was a parade to the FT line. Now come the 4th quarter it didn't seem like they were calling much if anything.


Marbury had a good game but I never got the feeeling like I did when he was playing for the Suns where he just took over the game by himself. He was playing very much within the offense. He told Craig Sager after the game that he "learned quite a bit being overseas" and they were saying he worked on his shooting for 90 min on Tuesday (their day off).

I feel bad for Spain because they had a good enough team to get a medal for sure but because the Americans slept through the prelims the Spanish got a bad draw in the medal round. The Americans certainly didn't play like the 4th best team in their pool today. The Spanish coach is really acting like a bad sport and a sore loser if you ask me.

 

[wsupkid]

The Spanish coach was upset that Brown called the TO at the end of the game.

Afterward he went over to the refs, then he yelled at Pop for a while then he was walking off the court and the US coaches were trying to talk to him about it but he kept yelling and pointing. Finally LB just walked away after the Spanish coach was restrained by his own assistants.

I feel bad for the players from Spain because they just got a bad draw. I don't feel so bad for the Spanish coach now because he was acting like a jackass.

Doug Collins just quoted the guy and he says now that he lost all respect for Brown.
Brown called a TO when Spain was pressing and the US had committed a turnover. The refs did not call it untill the next dead ball but by then it was a little late. Popovich said they tried to take it back but the refs had already blown the whistle and stopped play.

Screw everyone IMO this was LB first well coached game with that time out the USA team now has confidence to shoot for the top.

 

[Gaddabout]

It's all a ploy by the NBA to create interest in Dream Team again. They were sandbagging through the qualifying games. Now they're turning it on and we're all caught up in the drama.

Also, the NBA conspires with television networks and the referees to control the games.

Is that where we're going with this?

 

[Gaddabout]

The rumors of our demise have been greatly exaggerated.

I don't think there's any secret here. Team USA had matchup advantages galore against a Spain team that doesn't play this passing/cutting game like all the other teams the US struggled with.

 

[sly fly]

After watching a few of these games, it's clear that there's no room for error if we expect to win gold.

And International ball game is like a sprint. An NBA game is more like a mile. (In relative terms.)

Getting in the defenders faces is extremely crucial. Not one shot should go uncontested in these games.

At times, it will look like we are in total control. Total domination. Yet, someone will come down and bury a 3 and get them right back into it. Getting back on D and getting over the top of the moving high post screens are going to be absolutely crucial.

- BTW, Spain's coach is a jerk. If he can't accept Larry Brown's explanation for the timeout than he needs serious help.

Every excuse in the book poured out of his mouth afterwards, and he showed no class in denigrating our team.

- For all the talk about us Americans not playing fundamental basketball anymore... I think this has proven that things aren't as bad as they seem. Or, are created. You need great fundamentals to beat a team like Spain. And, our team has adjusted as well as we could expect considering the circumstances.

 

[George O'Brien]

It is pretty weird that Spain was the favorite and felt humiliated because a weak team from the USA upset them.

Am I the only person who is surprised that the USA is in contention for a medal while Spain and Serbia are not?

BTW, the next game for USA is against the winner of the Greece - Argentina game. If the can win that game, they get the winner of the Lithuania - Italy matchup. Lithuania is undefeated while Italy lost to Spain in the first round.

Lithuania crushed China 95-75 inspite of a big game by Yao Ming: 29 points and 11 rebounds. Lithuania hit 11 of 20 three pointers compared to 11 of 34 by China. Arvydas Macijauskas scored 32 points on 11 of 16 from the field and 4 of 4 for three.

I'm guessing the USA team will meet Argentina. They lost to Spain (badly) and Italy (by a point) in the first round, while beating Serbia, China, and New Zealand.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Am I the only person who is surprised that the USA is in contention for a medal while Spain and Serbia are not?

I am a bit surprised that Serbia isn't in medal contention, but they are missing their 2 best players this year. I didn't expect them to win gold, but missing the medal round entirely was surprising.

I think I might be more surprised that Spain was the only undefeated country before last night then them loosing to USA to be out of the gold medal race.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

I don't think there's any secret here. Team USA had matchup advantages galore against a Spain team that doesn't play this passing/cutting game like all the other teams the US struggled with.

I didn't see the game, but I think you nailed it. By all reports, Spain played the most familiar game to the USA players. Not to mention the centerpiece of their team was a guy the best American big men faced 4 times a year.

 

[George O'Brien]

I didn't see the game, but I think you nailed it. By all reports, Spain played the most familiar game to the USA players. Not to mention the centerpiece of their team was a guy the best American big men faced 4 times a year.

Going into the Olympics, a lot of people were concerned the USA team wasn't big enough, but so far they have dominated the boards. This was the first game that Spain did not have an advantage on the inside, so a strong game by Gasol was not nearly enough to make up for their weak outside shooting.

 

[PetryJr]

I am a bit surprised that Serbia isn't in medal contention, but they are missing their 2 best players this year. I didn't expect them to win gold, but missing the medal round entirely was surprising.

I think I might be more surprised that Spain was the only undefeated country before last night then them loosing to USA to be out of the gold medal race.

Two things.

Peja and Bodiroga are Serbia's two best players. Divac is not in Bodiroga's level anymore. Anyway, they're missing Jaric and Gurovic too, so I see your point. Still, a team with Bodiroga, Vujanic, Rakocevic, Krstic, Radmanovic and Drobnjak should be fighting for a medal.

And Lithuania is undefeated too.

 

[PetryJr]

Going into the Olympics, a lot of people were concerned the USA team wasn't big enough, but so far they have dominated the boards. This was the first game that Spain did not have an advantage on the inside, so a strong game by Gasol was not nearly enough to make up for their weak outside shooting.

Spain had 36 boards, USA had 30.

 

[Lars the Red]

I didn't see the game, but I think you nailed it. By all reports, Spain played the most familiar game to the USA players. Not to mention the centerpiece of their team was a guy the best American big men faced 4 times a year.

Agreed. The other thing that needs to be mentioned is Steph didn't have just a great game, he had a game that no one else on the US had had thus far. Unfortunately, it didn't really rub off on his team mates from a shooting perspective. I am anxious to see what the next couple of teams do to try to get the Americans out of their game. My guess is screens, screens and more screens on offense, followed by back cuts. And a box and one if we get someone hot again on the defensive end.

I agree, the Spainish coach acted really badly. You could see the guy wanted to knock the US out so bad he could taste it.

Bad refing on both sides, but this game was probably the least International style ref job of all, and that didn't really hurt Spain, because they play a more freelancing game.

 

[fordronken]

Is this game being shown, or did I already miss my last chance?

 

[sly fly]

Agreed. The other thing that needs to be mentioned is Steph didn't have just a great game, he had a game that no one else on the US had had thus far. Unfortunately, it didn't really rub off on his team mates from a shooting perspective. I am anxious to see what the next couple of teams do to try to get the Americans out of their game. My guess is screens, screens and more screens on offense, followed by back cuts. And a box and one if we get someone hot again on the defensive end.

Marbury's shooting was indeed contagious. Allen Iverson was just as effective and hit equally big shots. If AI didn't counter Marbury's shooting, Spain could have snuck this one out.

If another country tried to go box & 1, the U.S. would have a field day inside. It already takes 5 guys sucked into that trapezoid vacuum to stop them. Too much athleticism to go box & 1 against the U.S.

 

[Cheesebeef]

the Spain players and coaches may have just swung me back into the rooting for the US Team. What a bunch of jackasses. Yeah - that's Larry Brown's game - show up the other team wherever possible. Talk about bad sportsmanship - you lost - you were the favorite - as far as rankings were concerned - and you got whipped by a mediocre US team everyone had already written off . . . accept your beating, go home, take a siesta and have some Tappas for dinner bitch while you watch us take home the Gold - AGAIN!

 

[carey]

accept your beating, go home, take a siesta and have some Tappas for dinner bitch while you watch us take home the Gold - AGAIN!

It doesn't take much to get that American swagger back does it?

 

[Cheesebeef]

It doesn't take much to get that American swagger back does it?

apparenly not. I guess when it comes down to it - I still want them to take home the gold after everyone's been dissing us - and although we deserve - there is no doubt in my mind that NBA players are still - bar non - the best players in the world.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I also like that fact that now we are kind of playing the role of villain. Dan Wetzel made that comment and I like it. I mean come on - don't we always root for the villain - but they never win - here evil can win!!!!! Take it home boys!

 

[cardsunsfan]

I also like that fact that now we are kind of playing the role of villain. Dan Wetzel made that comment and I like it. I mean come on - don't we always root for the villain - but they never win - here evil can win!!!!! Take it home boys!

Exactly how I feel We're back Cheese!

 

[George O'Brien]

Argentina beat Greece 69 to 65. Their small margin was due to relatively poor outside shooting, just 5 of 18 for three. Ginobili scored 13 points mostly from 9 free throws.

27/08/2004
Quarter Finals Men: ARG 69 - GRE 64

Argentina see off Greeks in tense finish

ATHENS (Olympics) - Argentina spoiled the party for Greek basketball fans by eliminating the Olympic hosts from medal contention on quarter-finals day.

Greece were looking to make it three European teams in the last four with Lithuania and Italy already in along with the United States.

But Panagiotis Giannakis' team blew an 11-point lead in the second half to Argentina, the team that finished runners-up at FIBA's 2002 World Championships.

Argentina missed some key free throws in the final minutes to give the Greeks hope.

They closed to 65-64 as Nikos Chatzivrettas made his fourth three-pointer of the game.

Greece would end up fouling Luis Scola with 23 seconds remaining and he made both from the charity stripe for a 67-64 advantage.

With plenty of time to go for a quick two, captain Fragiskos Alvertis, who had missed five shots from behind the arc on the night, instead launched another three and it was off target.

Greece fouled Ginobili in desperation to stop the clock and he made both free throws for the final scoreline.

Neither side shot well from the line in this game.

Greece were an appalling 12 of 21 (57%) while Argentina sank just 18 of 28 (64%).

Argentina were in position in the first half to take a stranglehold, however, the hosts went on a 14-2 run for a 35-29 advantage.

They extended that margin to 11 with 5:55 left in the third quarter as Dimosthenis Dikoudis made one of two at the line.

Walter Herrmann, the most valuable player of the 2004 South American Championships and one of the last players to make the Olympic squad, then emerged as a key figure.

He came off the bench to replace an out-of-sorts Andres Nocioni.

Herrmann scored eight points over the next four minutes as Argentina pulled to within 49-43. Inexperience then cost Greece.

Young point guard Dimitrios Diamantidis fouled Emanuel Ginobili when the San Antonio Spur was shooting a three-pointer with 1:44 to go in the third.

Ginobili made all three shots from the line to close the gap to 49-46.

Two possessions later and Diamantidis, just after Theodoros Papaloukas scored on a drive for a 52-46 advantage, was called for a technical foul for an apparent elbow and Ginobili made the free throw.

Pepe Sanchez immediately scored down low to leave Greece with a 52-49 advantage.

Sanchez would later bury a three-pointer to pull Argentina level at 53-53.

Scola's basket in the paint at the start of the fourth quarter put Argentina in front at 55-53 and they led for the remainder of the game.

 

[Lars the Red]

Marbury's shooting was indeed contagious. Allen Iverson was just as effective and hit equally big shots. If AI didn't counter Marbury's shooting, Spain could have snuck this one out.

If another country tried to go box & 1, the U.S. would have a field day inside. It already takes 5 guys sucked into that trapezoid vacuum to stop them. Too much athleticism to go box & 1 against the U.S.

Sly, AI was 4 for 10 from the field and a blistering 38% from 3pt land. Duncan and Boozer were solid, but the rest were the usual clank specials. As far as the box and 1 goes, I think the bigger problem is having a defensive sticker that can shut someone down. A lot of these teams don't have that kind of player.