USA vs Lithuania for Bronze

[slinslin]

USA up by a few.

Pretty much at the end of the first half Amare finally got the ball in the post for once. He had that Lithuania guy on his back, went baseline and dunked on another one.

And how can anyone say that International Teams are so fundamental, when on fastbreaks everyone runs to the 3'point line. I swear if it was never introduced during the ABA days, the European teams would struggle, because they make up for their lack of inside game with constant 3 point shooting.

How college fans who yell that the line is too short, but then praise the International teams for using the 3 to win (note they hate Duke for this ) is beyond me.

 

[Mainstreet]

slinslin, are you watching it live. I could not find it live on DirecTV so I'm following it on the pc.

Too bad they're not showing it live even if it's a Bronze Medal game. Maybe the television stations are not taking the Olympic games as seriously as they should.

 

[slinslin]

49-46 second half begins.

Marion leads Team USA with 8 points and 4 or 6 rebounds I think.

I'm watching live. Except the Angola game I got all games live.

 

[slinslin]

49-49

Lithuania 10/19 3'pointers.

Lithuania starts the 3rd quarter on a 7-0 run. The USA starting lineup stinks.

 

[Mainstreet]

Originally posted by slinslin

And how can anyone say that International Teams are so fundamental, when on fastbreaks everyone runs to the 3'point line. I swear if it was never introduced during the ABA days, the European teams would struggle, because they make up for their lack of inside game with constant 3 point shooting.

Maybe Eddie Johnson and Steve Kerr should have come out of retirement for the Olympics.

 

[slinslin]

2 more 3s for Lithuania.

59-56 Lithuania 12/22 3's.

 

[slinslin]

Two more 3s.

65-61

14/24 3's...

 

[Mainstreet]

Can't Tim Duncan breathe on anyone without getting a foul?

I understand he has three already.

 

[slinslin]

Can't Tim Duncan breathe on anyone without getting a foul?

I understand he has three already.

No he can't but on the other hand he gets manhandled almost every time.

 

[slinslin]

Wade is such a dud. All he does is shoot bricks, turn it over, get himself or his teammates into trouble...
Marion just bailed him out by converting his twisting layup into an alley-oop.

If anything the NBA should get rid off the 3-pt line. Not adapt FIBA rules.

All Lithuania does is shoot 3s. Nothing else. That's not fundamental basketball. That's exploiting the 3pt line.

67-67 Lithuania on the line for 1. Duncan again called for the foul.

Amare in the game in the 3rd quarter for Duncan now!

 

[Mainstreet]

No he can't but on the other hand he gets manhandled almost every time.

It is really hard to believe Tim Duncan is fouling so much because he essentially plays a finesse game relying on talent and skill.

 

[slinslin]

Marion bailed out Wade or Iverson again whoever threw that alley-oop he was just able to tip it in with his finger tips.

71-71

Amare called for an offensive foul on the rebound.

Marion must have about 14 points right now.

 

[BigBuddy]

All Lithuania does is shoot 3s. Nothing else. That's not fundamental basketball. That's exploiting the 3pt line.

They make 3s cause they get good looks thanks to a great screens and passing. And this game is all about passing ant shooting, that IS fundamental basketball.

 

[slinslin]

Their passing is not that good. It's not even on par with team USA.

Everyone can set screens. The bottom line is that Lithuania is almost exclusively shooting 3s, even on fastbreaks.

Marion hit a 3, Amare with a nice shot.

Lithuania with another two 3s.

79-77 USA.

 

[slinslin]

Marion with a long 2. He is by far their best man today.

83-80. Lithuania hit another 3 before.

 

[slinslin]

Wade airballing show goes on...

83-82 USA.

 

[slinslin]

Duncan replaces Amare again.

6:08 to go

Iverson misses layup.

Duncan on the line. 83-82 5:25 left.

 

[BigBuddy]

Their passing is not that good. It's not even on par with team USA.

Everyone can set screens. The bottom line is that Lithuania is almost exclusively shooting 3s, even on fastbreaks.

So? If the whole thing is that easy, cannot US team do the same? Oh, I forgot, they don't know how to shoot... But wait, why don't they guard any closer behind the 3pt line? Just let those damned Lithuanians drive if 3s are all they have.

 

[Mainstreet]

Their passing is not that good. It's not even on par with team USA.

Everyone can set screens. The bottom line is that Lithuania is almost exclusively shooting 3s, even on fastbreaks.

I beginning to get it. It's a three point shooting contest. Has it really taken the U.S. this long to figure it out and send the appropriate athletes?

Originally posted by BigBuddy

They make 3s cause they get good looks thanks to a great screens and passing. And this game is all about passing ant shooting, that IS fundamental basketball.

Maybe your right but please clarify why the referees give no respect for the inside game in international play, e.g., Tim Duncan.

 

[slinslin]

Jasikevicius gets away with obvious palming.

Marion for 3 again.

Lithuania answers with another 3.

Odom answers with a 3.

Lithuania is 18/31 3's.

 

[Chaz]

Marion for 3 again.

Lithuania answers with another 3.

Odom answers with a 3.

Lithuania is 18/31 3's.

It will probably be over for an hour before NBC shows it on the west coast.

 

[slinslin]

90-85 USA.

Refs stop Marion on the break because Lithuania had a 24sec violation although team USA already controlled the ball.

Marbury with a 2.

Lithuana with another 3.

92-88.

 

[slinslin]

So? If the whole thing is that easy, cannot US team do the same? Oh, I forgot, they don't know how to shoot... But wait, why don't they guard any closer behind the 3pt line? Just let those damned Lithuanians drive if 3s are all they have.

Easier said than done.

The 3pt line is closer than in the NBA and they are shooting the 3s over the defender anyway. If not they are passing it around the 3pt line simply waiting for an open look.

95-88 USA

Lithuania likely is shooting better from behind the arc than inside.

97-88 USA 2:11 left. US ball.

 

[slinslin]

97-90 1:55 left and US ball.

Iverson for 3.

100-90 USA. Lithuania now cold.

Now another Lithuania 3.

100-93 1:10 USA.

100-93 0:52 USA ball.

If Team USA played like that in every game they would have won every game. Playing a different starting lineup (Marion over Jefferon for example) would have helped as well.

 

[slinslin]

Macijauskas fouls Marion.

Hits both. 22 points for Marion.

Lithuania another 3. 102-96. USA on the line again. 40.4 seconds left.