Tonight's game against Argentina promises to be the most interesting game of the FIBA America's Tournment. Most important, it will be the first real test of this year's version of the D'Antoni offense
After last year's fiasco, the USA team looks far more effective this year. Granted, most of the teams are simply overwhelmed physically, but in the past teams were often able to stay competative for a while. Only Mexico kept it moderately close in the first half and they lost by 27.
One obvious factor is that this year's team has more shooters. The result is that opponents are not able to simply pack the paint like they did in Japan. However, in watching this team, it is clear that the outside shooting is not just a tool for itself, it is a also a way to create openings for getting to the basket. This is pretty effective when you have Carmelo, LeBron, and Kobe finishing at the basket.
Opening up the lane has made it easy for Amare to dominate, shooting 70% from the field against teams playing zone. But with shooters like Redd, Miller, and Kobe; it is hard to have enough guys back to deal with Amare's speed and power.
The odd part of this is that the USA team rarely if ever runs the pick and roll. Much of what they do is drive and kick or drive and dump to cutters. Against spread out defenses, this has been almost impossible to stop.
Mexico came out with a pressure trapping defense that seemed to disrupt the USA team for a while (outscroing the USA in the second quarter). But the USA made some half time adjustments and Mexico could not keep the pressure up.
Seeing the D'Antoni system with the optimal collection of players is interesting. It has similarity to the Suns, but is also pretty different. (I'm only focusing on offense, because MacMillian is running the defense.)
SIMILARITIES:
1. Push all the time. Last year's USA team ran, but was not geared to breaking off made baskets while this year's team does. They are getting shots far quicker than last year.
2. Shoot the ball. This year's team has some great outside shooters and they have a green light to shoot. Last year's team did not shoot well.
3. Spread the floor. This year's team is using guys like Carmelo and LeBron at power forward. These guys are pretty good sized, but have SF skills which mean opponents cannot just sit in their zone.
4. Team Play: Not everybody is bought in, but for the most part these guys are moving the ball and hitting cutters rather than being concerned about hitting their own shot.
DIFFERENCES
1. Team USA has some very good point guards, but their offense is not as PG dependent as the Suns.
2. USA is far more agressive at attacking the basket. Obviously with guys like LeBron and Carmlo it is to be expected, but there seems to be a greater emphasis on exploiting the spread out defenses than the Suns do.
3 More drive and kick by USA and less pick plays.
4. More layups and fewer three point shots off the break.
My expectation is that the Suns offense will look a bit more like the USA approach due to the addition of Hill, but will not lose its Nash flavor.
After last year's fiasco, the USA team looks far more effective this year. Granted, most of the teams are simply overwhelmed physically, but in the past teams were often able to stay competative for a while. Only Mexico kept it moderately close in the first half and they lost by 27.
One obvious factor is that this year's team has more shooters. The result is that opponents are not able to simply pack the paint like they did in Japan. However, in watching this team, it is clear that the outside shooting is not just a tool for itself, it is a also a way to create openings for getting to the basket. This is pretty effective when you have Carmelo, LeBron, and Kobe finishing at the basket.
Opening up the lane has made it easy for Amare to dominate, shooting 70% from the field against teams playing zone. But with shooters like Redd, Miller, and Kobe; it is hard to have enough guys back to deal with Amare's speed and power.
The odd part of this is that the USA team rarely if ever runs the pick and roll. Much of what they do is drive and kick or drive and dump to cutters. Against spread out defenses, this has been almost impossible to stop.
Mexico came out with a pressure trapping defense that seemed to disrupt the USA team for a while (outscroing the USA in the second quarter). But the USA made some half time adjustments and Mexico could not keep the pressure up.
Seeing the D'Antoni system with the optimal collection of players is interesting. It has similarity to the Suns, but is also pretty different. (I'm only focusing on offense, because MacMillian is running the defense.)
SIMILARITIES:
1. Push all the time. Last year's USA team ran, but was not geared to breaking off made baskets while this year's team does. They are getting shots far quicker than last year.
2. Shoot the ball. This year's team has some great outside shooters and they have a green light to shoot. Last year's team did not shoot well.
3. Spread the floor. This year's team is using guys like Carmelo and LeBron at power forward. These guys are pretty good sized, but have SF skills which mean opponents cannot just sit in their zone.
4. Team Play: Not everybody is bought in, but for the most part these guys are moving the ball and hitting cutters rather than being concerned about hitting their own shot.
DIFFERENCES
1. Team USA has some very good point guards, but their offense is not as PG dependent as the Suns.
2. USA is far more agressive at attacking the basket. Obviously with guys like LeBron and Carmlo it is to be expected, but there seems to be a greater emphasis on exploiting the spread out defenses than the Suns do.
3 More drive and kick by USA and less pick plays.
4. More layups and fewer three point shots off the break.
My expectation is that the Suns offense will look a bit more like the USA approach due to the addition of Hill, but will not lose its Nash flavor.
