USA versus Serbia

[George O'Brien]

On Friday the USA team will meet Serbia. Besides being one of the top contenders for gold, this game will be the first chance for most of us to see Vujanic in action. It will also be a chance to see how much progress Carbakapa has made in getting make his confidence following his wrist injury.

The Serbs have a good team. It is not as good as it might be since Divac and Stojakovic won't be playing. But we will get to see the new Net Kristic and veteran NBA players Pavlovic of the Cavs, Radmanovic of Seattle, Marko Jaric of the Clippers, and Drobnjak of the Bobcats play.

One disappointment for me was that Kosta Perovic did not make the Serbian national team. Listed at 7'2" 240 he was considered to be a possible lottery pick until he and the other Euros pulled out of the draft. I'm not sure we will get a chance to see any of the main draft prospects.

BTW, inspite of the poor play by the USA team, it should have little trouble getting out of the first round.

Sunday - Aug 15 versus Puerto Rico
Tuesday - Aug 17 versus Greece
Thursday - Aug 19 versus Australia
Saturday - Aug 21 versus Lithuania
Monday - Aug 23 versus Angola

Obviously if they play badly anything is possible, but the game against Lithuania is only one that looks dangerous.

Quarterfinals
The top four finishing teams from each preliminary round group advance to the medal round quarterfinals. The fifth and sixth place finishers in each group play for 9th-12th place. The exact order and starting times for the quarterfinals and semifinals games will not be officially finalized until the evening of August. 24.

That's when things start getting interesting. Serbia, Spain, Italy, and Argentina are all possible gold medal teams from the other track.

 

[elindholm]

The top four finishing teams from each preliminary round group advance to the medal round quarterfinals. The fifth and sixth place finishers in each group play for 9th-12th place.

So there are only twelve total teams participating? I didn't realize that the field was already so slim.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

That's when things start getting interesting. Serbia, Spain, Italy, and Argentina are all possible gold medal teams from the other track.

despite the drubbing they gave the americans, the italians are not considered serious medal contenders, much less gold medal contenders.

 

[Djaughe]

It'll be sweet to get a rematch with the italians!

 

[George O'Brien]

despite the drubbing they gave the americans, the italians are not considered serious medal contenders, much less gold medal contenders.

If they shoot like they did against USA, they could beat anyone. There were wild shots going in that would have made Kobe proud.

 

[scoutmasterdave]

But we will get to see the new Net Kristic and veteran NBA players Pavlovic of the Cavs, Radmanovic of Seattle, Marko Jaric of the Clippers, and Drobnjak of the Bobcats play.

Marko Jaric is not with the team - he pulled out just like Divac & Stojakovic.

 

[Alan]

Does Vujanic get much PT?

 

[George O'Brien]

Does Vujanic get much PT?

I can't find a box score, but he scored 12 points against Lithuania.

 

[JJ Slim]

http://www.fiba.com/pages/en/events...popup.asp?RoundID=4098&GroupName=9&GameName=A

Here's a link to the box score. Vujanic had a team high of 30 minutes. Strangely enough I don't see Zarko on the roster.

 

[panfolk]

so he made the cut to 15 (earlier post), but not 12. Damn. He misses summer leagues and the Olympics.

 

[George O'Brien]

http://www.fiba.com/pages/en/events...popup.asp?RoundID=4098&GroupName=9&GameName=A

Here's a link to the box score. Vujanic had a team high of 30 minutes. Strangely enough I don't see Zarko on the roster.

I could have sworn I saw Zarko during the introductions with that goofy haircut, but did not see him on the floor.

I wasn't always sure that it was Vujanic I was looking at because the video is rather small, but it was clear the Serbs guard play was vastly superior to the Lithuanians. The Serbs defense created 15 turnovers to only 10 by the Serbs (3 by Kristic). Jasikevicius had more assists (8 to 3), but the Serbs held him to no points while Vujanic scored 12 on 50% shooting including 4 of 7 for three points while making 3 steals to Jasikevicius 1.

 

[slinslin]

Bodiroga absolutely KILLED Anthony twice already. He made him look really stupid on the first play.

Vujanic broke Marbury's ankles on one play.

USA leading by a couple after the first.

No time for Amare or Marion but Boozer.

 

[cheng]

what channel is this game on?

I thought it will be 7:00PM on espn?

 

[George O'Brien]

what channel is this game on?

I thought it will be 7:00PM on espn?

It's tape delayed. So Slin - don't give away TOO much. Just tell us how Vujanic is doing.

 

[NJYAJ09]

Slin, you gotta spoil us... I'm missing the game anyway I'm going to the d'backs game.

 

[slinslin]

Umm it's a blowout for the US anyway.

They were up by about 20 in the 2nd quarter and now 16 or 17 at the half.

Vujanic made some layups.

Lebron got to play the entire 2nd quarter and had a tip in and 3 fastbreak dunks/layups.

Amare again played backup center for 5 minutes in the 2nd quarter replacing Duncan. Did a good job defensively , not sure if serbia even scored a bucket in that stretch but didn't even touch the ball on offense once except that he broke the pressing defense or serbia once.

 

[slinslin]

Oh and I hate Bill Walton. He starts a sentence "Amare Stoudemire has quickly become the favorite of this team be.." and then they suddenly stop and talk about something else.

 

[slinslin]

Duncan 10
Vujanic 9
Rakocevic 9
James 8

 

[slinslin]

Milos highlight was that he went away from Marbury with the ball and had him trailing on his back.
Quickly turned around with a crossover and had Marbury going absolutely in the wrong direction.
Serbia didn't convert on that posesssion however.

Another time Bodiroga was holding the ball infront of Anthony, gave him a bodyfake and dribbled behind his back blowing by Anthony for the layup.

 

[Joe Mama]

Umm it's a blowout for the US anyway.

They were up by about 20 in the 2nd quarter and now 16 or 17 at the half.

Who is blowing out whom?

Joe

 

[slinslin]

USA had a 22 point lead in the 3rd. I think they are up 16 now at the end of the 3rd. Serbia made a short run off of Carmelo's turnovers.

Looks like Amare is not going to play in the 2nd half again. Duncan was replaced by Boozer ( who is stinking it up again).

 

[slinslin]

Usa 78 S&m 60

 

[JS22]

Did amare get a DNP? Im not seeing him in the box score.

wtf? Boozer over Amare? What is wrong with Larry Brown?

 

[samtheman]

Did amare get a DNP? Im not seeing him in the box score.

wtf? Boozer over Amare? What is wrong with Larry Brown?

amare was in the game, although i'm not sure that he scored any points. Amare is backing up tim duncan at the center spot.


Marion looked very good. He had some nice fast break dunks, and played good defense.

 

[JS22]

im watching the game. (I taped it.) In comes amare...so apparently the box score is wrong.