Team USA vs Argentina Official Game Thread
Like a Doritos factory, things are getting VERY CHIPPY!!! (Rudeboy voice)
Argentina is trying to come back by getting under Team USA's skin. Scola has been frustrated at a few calls already (what else is new) but they have reduced the lead a little bit. I wanna see how Team USA responds. More attacking, less settling for jumpers (although they are falling so far)
This is Euro ball at its finest. Passing up open long shots to get easy close shots, much different than us where they just take open long shot and going one on one instead of driving dishing and trying to get the easiest/best shot possible
Very dissapointed in Team USA's performance, they should be blowing out each team by 20, not let them hang around, they have no offensive scheme, and are just running around recklessly, and their help defense has been pretty bad as well, they were fouling Argentina's bigs like crazy, and they didn't have any size.
This team has talent, but very little size, I hope Coach K realizes this and plays Anthony Davis more. I'm sorry but I honestly think that Spain will beat them this summer, whether it be on Tuesday or in the actual olympics. Too much size, Ibaka and the Gasol brothers will get Tyson Chandler in foul trouble, and expose their main seakness, USA will need D-Will and Durant to knock down their threes if they want to win, USA isn't playing against scrubs anymore, and they won't be able to force as many turnovers with Caderon at the point. I'm picking the upset on Tuesday, but I hope Durant or Lebron takeover and dominate. If they gameplan correctly, I could see Durant knocking down 6 or 7 threes.
the 2010 team also really benefitted from odom. He played center and was the second best player on that team. His style is perfect for internaitonal play as a center who can actually move around the court and be versatile. He was far better then chandler on that squad and now chandler has to start.
This team has physical talent and athletes but those Dream Teamers had better fundamentals and understood the game better.
On that team everybody knew that Jordan was the to-to guy, Magic the creator, Pippen was the defensive guy, and Barkley was the all-around
beast. Then Stockton and Malone did their thing as always, with Larry Bird being a great all-around role player who could shoot and pass.
On this team we aren't sure who the top point guard is, or the main go-to guy. Who is our starting point guard? Who is our main creator, one of the point guards or LeBron James? Is LeBron the go-to guy or is it Kobe, Durant, or Carmelo? Bird was our shooter off the bench? Who is that guy this time. That Dream Team had an incredible amount of versatility. You could roll put Magic at point, Mike at shooting guard with Bird and Barkely at the forward spots with a great center in the middle or a younger college kid with a decent skill set that might have been suited for international basketball.
I don't think we have the excuse of saying that we didn't send our best. Dwight would be good, but even Anthony Davis has more shooting range, and Chandler is a better low post defender plus he is taller and longer. Howard's game isn't the best fit for the international game either.
Blake would be nice but Davis is a better fit. More of a shot blocker and center. Maybe we really miss Chris Bosh... Rose would be great but he is another iso guy. We also have two other veteran point guards. Westbrook might make more sense since he can also play shooting guard.
We miss Wade but he is another iso guy without a great outside shot. Harden isn't as well known but he has better size.
Looking ahead to 2016, even if the pro's come back, I think LeBron, Carmelo, Chandler, Iggy, Kobe, and maybe even D Will and CP3 won't be back. It should be a younger team, maybe not as talented even if Howard and Rose play. We might need more shooters like Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Kyrie Irving next time. Probably more bigs too. Davis plus Blake and K Love along with guys like Cousins, Greg Monroe, Faried, and maybe even one of the Zellers.
We have some things to think about now, as well as some issues going forward.
DeMarcus Cousins would've been a big addition, he's a big body that can score really well and has a very underated face-up game.
They NEED to play Anthony Davis more, he is the key to victory. I know there are stars that need time too but they need some size out there.
And Kevin Durant needs to put on some weight. He should be able to play down low considering that he's basically the 2nd or 3rd tallest guy on the team behind Chandler and Davis.
Yeah, a DNP play for Davis and Harden? That's not the way I would go if I were trying to get a win. Also, how is it that Chandler doesn't get a single shot off all game? But I suppose we just have to understand that this is just an exhibition game. I'm sure Coach K won't take any chances in the medal round.
3:30 pm
NBA TV
Should be a great game to watch. Argentina is ranked #3 in the world and is starting Ginobili, Delfino, and Scola.
The USA team is wearing the throwback Dream Team unis as well btw.