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JGX2
Guest
Why? It's not the first huge blowout in major international competition.
Indeed a pretty pathetic effort by Nigeria, but once the US got off to the hot start they might as well save their energy for the last two games.
Why? It's not the first huge blowout in major international competition.
Indeed a pretty pathetic effort by Nigeria, but once the US got off to the hot start they might as well save their energy for the last two games.
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Federoy2
Guest
I'm not sure what you're insinuating: is it shameful that the US ran up the score or that Nigeria stopped playing? Certainly the lopsidedness of their contest doesn't help advance the sport one bit. But in defense of the US, Nigeria's reaction after being completely overwhelmed in the first half was to simply stop competing, something that a team with true character and pride never does. Could you imagine Argentina laying down like this? Absolutely not.
Which could lead some to speculate, rightly or wrongly, that because the Nigerian roster constituted predominately American players of Nigerian ancestry that they weren't as emotionally invested in representing their country since they weren't born and raised there. I personally don't believe that, but there are skeptics out there who will pounce on such a notion.
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Federoy2
Guest
Couldn't agree more D. It's like somebody forgot to tell them that there's a marriage after the wedding.
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JGX2
Guest
The upside-down exclamation point is my favorite letter in the Spanish alphabet. Is three of them in a row also an Olympic record?
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Raze Lupin2
Guest
Notable: only 50 of the USA's 156 points against Nigeria were scored in the paint.
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Sykes2
Guest
Was it neccesary? Really?
You don´t have to prove you are the best if you have to humilliate a weaker team to prove it.
It would be better USA take the gold, and go back home leaving the rest of the teams playing for silver.
I´m so dissapointed to see that USA basketball players are the best in the pitch, and the worst persons in the olympics.
Olympics spirit.....
Where it was?
You don´t have to prove you are the best if you have to humilliate a weaker team to prove it.
It would be better USA take the gold, and go back home leaving the rest of the teams playing for silver.
I´m so dissapointed to see that USA basketball players are the best in the pitch, and the worst persons in the olympics.
Olympics spirit.....
Where it was?
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greenarcher2
Guest
LOL here we go again.
Would you rather see the Americans running out the shot clock without taking a shot? Or would you rather see them shoot the ball from half court in each possession? Better yet, did you want them to give the ball to their opponent after every inbound intentionally to keep the score respectable?
The badminton players have just been criticized for intentionally playing to lose. For the sake of "sportsmanship", does it mean USA should have played to lose as well?
If USA did play to "lose", Nigeria wouldn't get anything out of it, either way there wouldn't be any dignity left.
Would you rather see the Americans running out the shot clock without taking a shot? Or would you rather see them shoot the ball from half court in each possession? Better yet, did you want them to give the ball to their opponent after every inbound intentionally to keep the score respectable?
The badminton players have just been criticized for intentionally playing to lose. For the sake of "sportsmanship", does it mean USA should have played to lose as well?
If USA did play to "lose", Nigeria wouldn't get anything out of it, either way there wouldn't be any dignity left.
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Barney Stinson2
Guest
Great call, brother! You nailed it!At this rate USA is going to score 150 points during this game!!
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Barney Stinson2
Guest
As for concerns of the US showboating, they were just taking advantage of them shooting well as a team.
That's the problem. Nigeria offered no resistance at all. They watched the US pummel them to the ground and etch them to Olympic infamy. They did nothing. Not even lay down an American player to send a message.
And if the USA did showboat, it's because they can.
That's the problem. Nigeria offered no resistance at all. They watched the US pummel them to the ground and etch them to Olympic infamy. They did nothing. Not even lay down an American player to send a message.
And if the USA did showboat, it's because they can.
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Nikoo2
Guest
Nigeria didn't know what hit them from the start. They are used to be more athletic and fast than their opponents and base almost all of their game plan on that...when Kobe and co. D'ed them up they were in complete shock...after that US got into the rhythm and the things got ugly.
Too bad that USA switched to zone D, they should have played full court man-to-man pressure defense during the 2nd half, if they did they might have broken the 200 points.
Too bad that USA switched to zone D, they should have played full court man-to-man pressure defense during the 2nd half, if they did they might have broken the 200 points.
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fasoulaki2
Guest
Which game plan? Nigeria has no systems, no tactics, no strategy! They only have athleticism. This worked against tired and unprepaired European teams in the OQT but does not work against a team which is even more athletic than Nigeria.
But I fear thats the future of FIBA basketball. With the new 3pt shooting line and the rectangular zone there is much more space available which athletic players can use to outplay their opponents by their speed and strength. This as a result means that team strategy and tactics have less impact than before.
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Pleasant2
Guest
That's not quite fair. I thought the same thing as you when I was just looking at the score, but when I watched the replay of the game, my impression changed. The US just shot from the outside the whole game - mostly uncontested, low-percentage jumpers, with the occasional alley-oop. It wasn't just about the gap in talent. Nigeria just surrendered and played 3.5 quarters almost without any passion, especially on defense.
Should the US just have waited until the shot clock expired and then kindly passed the ball to Nigeria? That would have been even more disgraceful. There's just nothing "classy" to do when your opponent puts up so little resistance.
Anyway, this is a "problem" I doubt we'll have in future Olympic games.
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durden_tyler2
Guest
To add, this isn't grade school or high school intramurals. These are grown men. You don't want to get embarrassed? Play some defense. Try harder. At the end of the day, Nigeria wouldn't want to be embarrassed like this again that they'd work harder in the next games and future events.
Khalid802
Moderator
The fact that:
1) Some people were comparing this NT to that of the 1992 team as which is better and making a big fuss out of it.
2) This is probably the last time we will see a US NT being represented by such caliber of players knowing that the US will be represented by U23 year olds in the next Olympics.
3) Having bad starts in the first half against both France and Tunisia and in general not dominating Tunisia..
4) Nigerian NT not showing any fighting spirit and giving up so early on in the game
If we combine all these factors together then we can understand why this team was so motivated to keep going the whole 40 minutes without showing any mercy and having such a high level of concentration...
If you ask me which of the 4 factors above inspired this US team the most last night I think it would be point number 1 as ultimately, I think they are trying to send a clear message to the 1992 team
1) Some people were comparing this NT to that of the 1992 team as which is better and making a big fuss out of it.
2) This is probably the last time we will see a US NT being represented by such caliber of players knowing that the US will be represented by U23 year olds in the next Olympics.
3) Having bad starts in the first half against both France and Tunisia and in general not dominating Tunisia..
4) Nigerian NT not showing any fighting spirit and giving up so early on in the game
If we combine all these factors together then we can understand why this team was so motivated to keep going the whole 40 minutes without showing any mercy and having such a high level of concentration...
If you ask me which of the 4 factors above inspired this US team the most last night I think it would be point number 1 as ultimately, I think they are trying to send a clear message to the 1992 team
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pohani komarac2
Guest
that's my toughts....i rather watch USA players humiliating Nigeria than that badminton match....Or game France-Greece in EB 09. where Greece was celebrating De Colo winnig shoot whille his teammates wannted to "kill" him
I didn't watch 2nd half, it was to much of "all-star game" for me and I hate all star games, but I first half I could only see one thing. Nigeria tried to runn, finish plays in 5-10 secends, in defense they colapsed after first drible so USA had tons of open shoots. Just like we say, it was Nigeria who comited "suicide from ambush"
I'm not sure can we blame USA players for taking and making open shoots and givig some efort on defense and board....Also anyone who played some sport know how weak oponents can make you fall out of rytham if you play withot some concetration and efort. Lay down aproch can become habbit so If I was coach I rathr pushed my team for bow out just to make sure they are focused for 40min., then see some lay dow aproach from my team
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Wayne White2
Guest
Last time I checked the Olympics is about the best going against the best, compeating at the highest level to show who is better. Team USA dominated this game in which half the time they wasn't running anything. How many times did we see Melo walk into a three in transition or D-Will or paul get a steal or rebound and instead of pushing the ball up the court racing for oops, lay ups and dunks they pulled back and try to allow everyone even the Nigerians to get back on D. Coach K isn't known for running scored up not in international play nor in College play. There a many times at DUKE where his team has out match and overwhelm their oppenant and in the last four minuets of the game he runs what I call the victory formation of college basketball offense, running the shot clock down and shooting a outside shot.
You should never blame Team USA for blowing their opposition out of the water, they came to prove they are the best team not only in the world but one of the best to ever play in the Olympics. If they want to score 150 points than so be it, it is up to their opposition to stop them or at least try. USA could of easily gone for more than what they did, they pulled up and basically had a shooting practice against a team that no longer wanted to even play the game.
AND to further show that K was no longer interested in trying to show off he basicly had his reserves (if you can even call them that) play all of the second half. The two best players not only on team USA but in the world Lebron and Kobe sat out the whole second half. This was a great day for basketball records broken, a few games including the GB VS SPAIN game going down to the wire. Really excited to watch what happens from here on. But I do agree, this tournament is seemingly a tourney for who can win silver, the way team usa is playing right now I don't see anyone coming with in a single digit margin let alone beating them, but hey stuff happens who knows.
You should never blame Team USA for blowing their opposition out of the water, they came to prove they are the best team not only in the world but one of the best to ever play in the Olympics. If they want to score 150 points than so be it, it is up to their opposition to stop them or at least try. USA could of easily gone for more than what they did, they pulled up and basically had a shooting practice against a team that no longer wanted to even play the game.
AND to further show that K was no longer interested in trying to show off he basicly had his reserves (if you can even call them that) play all of the second half. The two best players not only on team USA but in the world Lebron and Kobe sat out the whole second half. This was a great day for basketball records broken, a few games including the GB VS SPAIN game going down to the wire. Really excited to watch what happens from here on. But I do agree, this tournament is seemingly a tourney for who can win silver, the way team usa is playing right now I don't see anyone coming with in a single digit margin let alone beating them, but hey stuff happens who knows.
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klakis2
Guest
I am not a US team fan but if they keep playing like that i think i am going to be one!
That`s what we want from the olympics ....to see the best performance of the best athletes!!!
Amazing performance even with a poor opponent!!!
I just hope that US will keep playing like that!
Perhaps the most certain gold medal of the olympics!
P.S. i wish that US doesn`t win the gold so that they have to send their best team in the next olympics also!
That`s what we want from the olympics ....to see the best performance of the best athletes!!!
Amazing performance even with a poor opponent!!!
I just hope that US will keep playing like that!
Perhaps the most certain gold medal of the olympics!
P.S. i wish that US doesn`t win the gold so that they have to send their best team in the next olympics also!
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Strida2
Guest
The US team stopped running fast breaks in the 4th quarter, Carmelo was benched as soon as it was evident that he wasn't going to miss another shot, all the reserves were playing, and they started playing INACTIVE ZONES. They actually damn near stopped moving as much on defense, but still cremated Nigera.
The only way for the US not to annihilate Nigeria would be to just do a shot clock violation on every possession...which would be far more insulting to Nigera.
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Raze Lupin2
Guest
Why are you so fearful??
Why are you so fearful??
You make it seem like Nigeria is so athletic that they are jumping over Europeans like Vince Carter during the 2000 Olympics. To comment more about the Nigeria's suppose athleticism advantage against Europeans lets compare Nigeria to the top Euro teams.
Spain: I shouldn't have to say much here but Spain is either stronger, faster or more athletic in every position over Nigeria.
Russia: Alexi Sheved, AK47, Timofey Mosgov is enough to over power the Nigerians in any physical match up.
France: I shouldn't have to say anything here. Nando DeColo, Tony Parker, Nikolas Batum, Joakim Noah are all fast athletic and strong.
Turkey: The Turks are far superior to the Nigerians in both strength and athleticism. Omer Asik, Enes Canter, Ersan Illysova, Semih Erdan. If the Turks had elite strategy and tactics they could beat anyone in the world. Tactics are still important.
Lietuva: Can field a front court of Donatas Montieunas, Jonas Valenciunas, Robertas Javtokas, Linas Kleiza. They have Martynas poicus. Lietuva has a superior combo of athleticism and strength. Particularly in the front court.
Even teams like Italy and Serbia have guards or forwards that are superior to anything that Nigeria has. I'd put Danilo Galinari's athleticism against any Nigerian forward. Nigeria or any other African team does not hold a significant advantage in athleticism to the point where strategy and tactics are irrelevant. There is no Hakeem Olajuwon on the Nigeria team. Just because Greek and Lietuva lost to Nigeria doesn't mean the basketball world is over turned. It just means there is more parity in FIBA. Why are you so fearful?
Why are you so fearful??
You make it seem like Nigeria is so athletic that they are jumping over Europeans like Vince Carter during the 2000 Olympics. To comment more about the Nigeria's suppose athleticism advantage against Europeans lets compare Nigeria to the top Euro teams.
Spain: I shouldn't have to say much here but Spain is either stronger, faster or more athletic in every position over Nigeria.
Russia: Alexi Sheved, AK47, Timofey Mosgov is enough to over power the Nigerians in any physical match up.
France: I shouldn't have to say anything here. Nando DeColo, Tony Parker, Nikolas Batum, Joakim Noah are all fast athletic and strong.
Turkey: The Turks are far superior to the Nigerians in both strength and athleticism. Omer Asik, Enes Canter, Ersan Illysova, Semih Erdan. If the Turks had elite strategy and tactics they could beat anyone in the world. Tactics are still important.
Lietuva: Can field a front court of Donatas Montieunas, Jonas Valenciunas, Robertas Javtokas, Linas Kleiza. They have Martynas poicus. Lietuva has a superior combo of athleticism and strength. Particularly in the front court.
Even teams like Italy and Serbia have guards or forwards that are superior to anything that Nigeria has. I'd put Danilo Galinari's athleticism against any Nigerian forward. Nigeria or any other African team does not hold a significant advantage in athleticism to the point where strategy and tactics are irrelevant. There is no Hakeem Olajuwon on the Nigeria team. Just because Greek and Lietuva lost to Nigeria doesn't mean the basketball world is over turned. It just means there is more parity in FIBA. Why are you so fearful?
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Raze Lupin2
Guest
1)If you watched the game you know that the USA stopped playing aggressive defense after the first half. The Nigerians scored a respectable 73 points. Also as its been said USA only shot jumpers the greater majority of that was 3 point shots.
2)USA are the worst persons? Seriously? What about the Spanish footballers that physically assaulted the refs during this 2012 Olympics. There was even fighting in the tunnel after the game!! Its obvious you are both biased and blind. You need to let that hate go.