Group B, day 3: USA vs Greece

[Ilya2]

I don't think that way of thinking(as in hiding things and giving away wins) suits Yiannakis' mentality, nor would I want it to. I think they are going to play a good game, give it their best, but knowing this game is not a must win one. Which means, at least for these specific Greek players, that they might be cooler than they should...or just as cool as they should. It's strange how mentality works in this wonderful game. Anyway, coach Yiannakis has been saying from the beginning that our objective in this stage is 3 wins and he really means it. Not that he would mind a victory over the US team.

BTW, I don't think there is an unbeatable team anymore, at least not in an elimination game. So, if there is the least chance of Greece beating the US, I would rather it be when it matters. Because the truth is, with a team like the US, you don't get a lot of chances to beat them. It can happen once in a game out of 7 for example.

 

[christodoulou762]

Momentum

Momentum

i think the key for Greece is that they played well so that they don't lose the momentum from the Germany game. If they get blown out by the US then it will be like starting from zero in terms of momentum. China's game against Spain has shown us that China should not be overlooked and that is the key game for Greece to secure a quarterfinal spot. No team in Group A should scare Greece so the game against the US means very little. The only thing that matters is that they continue to play well, focused, without any dry spells on offense and without frustration and complaining against the refs. If they play well and lose by <10 points, I think they should be happy and it will set them up nicely for the deciding game against China.

Also, something that no one has mentioned yet is that even if Greece beats the US they will still likely finish 3rd in the group, the same place they will get if they lose to the US (and beat China). If Greece beats the US and the US beats Spain, those three teams will tie at the top of the standings at 4-1. Since Greece loset by 15 to Spain and is unlikely to beat the US by anything more than 5 points, and the US will probably beat Spain by 5-15 points, Greece would end up in 3rd place on points differential.

So the game against the USA has no significance for the standings. The only thing that matters is keeping the momentum going.

 

[fasoulaki2]

i think the key for Greece is that they played well so that they don't lose the momentum from the Germany game. If they get blown out by the US then it will be like starting from zero in terms of momentum. China's game against Spain has shown us that China should not be overlooked and that is the key game for Greece to secure a quarterfinal spot. No team in Group A should scare Greece so the game against the US means very little. The only thing that matters is that they continue to play well, focused, without any dry spells on offense and without frustration and complaining against the refs. If they play well and lose by <10 points, I think they should be happy and it will set them up nicely for the deciding game against China.

Also, something that no one has mentioned yet is that even if Greece beats the US they will still likely finish 3rd in the group, the same place they will get if they lose to the US (and beat China). If Greece beats the US and the US beats Spain, those three teams will tie at the top of the standings at 4-1. Since Greece loset by 15 to Spain and is unlikely to beat the US by anything more than 5 points, and the US will probably beat Spain by 5-15 points, Greece would end up in 3rd place on points differential.

So the game against the USA has no significance for the standings. The only thing that matters is keeping the momentum going.

There are too many ifs in your post!

 

[christodoulou762]

There are too many ifs in your post!

I'll rephrase it for you:

The game against the US will not affect the standings. Greece is likely to get 3rd place in Group B either way.

The game matters because they need to retain the momentum from the Germany game.

OK?

 

[achinet2]

Obiusly that game is going to be very hard for the USA. They score the most points in dunks, but Greecks have one of the best D. Also USA is scoring badly away the basket. The key is to slow the game for Greecks. Althoug I think that USA is going to win.

 

[Russ2]

BTW, I don't think there is an unbeatable team anymore, at least not in an elimination game.

To me, so true.

(((((((((((((((((())))))))))))))

No big thought here but, to me, this game is huge for the United States, imo. Both teams will be all business and Greece and the US will want to measure themselves against each other. I would love to see a triple overtime one point win by either squad.

If Greece defeats the US it will be extremely interesting to see how they handle the loss.

I'm just looking for the ultra fun this game promises. Who's with me?

 

[christodoulou762]

To me, so true.

(((((((((((((((((())))))))))))))

No big thought here but, to me, this game is huge for the United States, imo. Both teams will be all business and Greece and the US will want to measure themselves against each other. I would love to see a triple overtime one point win by either squad.

If Greece defeats the US it will be extremely interesting to see how they handle the loss.

I'm just looking for the ultra fun this game promises. Who's with me?

i agree you Russ. It would be so great if this game turned out to be another classic, a close game full of tough defense and hard fought points on offense, surprise players coming through in the clutch and many reversals in score. Let's hope for a close game!

 

[fasoulaki2]

I'll rephrase it for you:

The game against the US will not affect the standings. Greece is likely to get 3rd place in Group B either way.

The game matters because they need to retain the momentum from the Germany game.

OK?

Yes, your post is much better now!

The outcome of the group stage and IMO of the whole tournament has already been decided last Sunday.

 

[christodoulou762]

Yes, your post is much better now!

The outcome of the group stage and IMO of the whole tournament has already been decided last Sunday.

I have been one of the few Greek fans on this forum who has not been triumphantly ensuring Greek victory before the Spain game and then lamenting the loss of everything after the loss to Spain. I have said throughout that Greece has a good team and that all games will be tough. But if you stop and think for a second, you will realize that unless Spain beats the US, Greece will almost certainly finish 3rd in the group regardless of the result of the USA-Greece match. I am not saying that the whole tournament is predetermined. Just that in this one case, it is highly likely that Greece will finish 3rd and that the result of the USA-Greece match will not affect that.

Why is that such a problem for you?

 

[KrisPen2]

I'll rephrase it for you:

The game against the US will not affect the standings. Greece is likely to get 3rd place in Group B either way.

The game matters because they need to retain the momentum from the Germany game.

OK?

+1

Greece doesn't need this game it will not affect the standings. It's HARD to beat 2 times in a tournament a team like USA so I believe that if the USA take a lead Greece will not try to win the game but we will try to follow the score and test our opponents.
We will be ready to strike at the Semifinals

 

[fasoulaki2]

I have been one of the few Greek fans on this forum who has not been triumphantly ensuring Greek victory before the Spain game and then lamenting the loss of everything after the loss to Spain. I have said throughout that Greece has a good team and that all games will be tough. But if you stop and think for a second, you will realize that unless Spain beats the US, Greece will almost certainly finish 3rd in the group regardless of the result of the USA-Greece match. I am not saying that the whole tournament is predetermined. Just that in this one case, it is highly likely that Greece will finish 3rd and that the result of the USA-Greece match will not affect that.

Why is that such a problem for you?

Now I am sorry! My last post was not ironic but reflects my humble opinion.

The most crucial game for Greece was at Sunday against Spain. Because as you said yourself it determined the group standing. And because of the fact that the group standing determines the opponents in the K.O game, the outcome of the tournament is already clear too, which for Greece means no medal.

Why I am so sure about that? Because it became obvious that the team chemistry is not of the same quality as in 2006. Giannakis does not rotate enough. Maybe he is right in doing that because the addition on this years team lack quality but without a good rotation and the spread of the responsibility on several shoulders the team will fail against the top teams.

 

[T.W.Is.M.2]

It's gonna b a tough match 4 both teams. Team USA is the favorite, especially since it's not a knock-out match. The Americans seek revenge 4 their loss in Japan and it gives them extra motive. However, they have shown a weakness in outside scoring so far and if they don't hit their first shots, anxiety may take them over. The greek defense will probably close in the paint 2 stop the drives and provide help in 1 on 1 plays. So the Americans have 2 hit some outside shots. But so do the Greeks. Greece is also weak in long range shooting because we lack of a consistent shooter(while USA have Redd by the way). As mentioned above, the greek team has evolved into a quicker team that can play a transition game better than in 2006. We had a good game today, so the momentum and psychology is not low as it was after the game vs Spain. The greek team has no pressure, provided that the game is not out of hand(i.e. 20+ pt margin 4 the US). Greece is aware of the Americans' desire 4 revenge, but on the other hand Team USA now know their opponents r a capable team and not members of the third world of bball. Overall, I'll give a clear advantage 2 USA with a probable margin of 10-12 points. Of course, nothing is impossible and surprise could happen again. We just have 2 play even better than today.
As 4 the standings, I don't agree that the game doesn't mean much. Sure, if USA beat Spain, Greece probably ends 3rd. But what if Spain beats USA? Since we r talking about the possibilities of Greece beating the US, why can't Spain beat them too? Alternatively, if we think that USA will probably beat Spain, can't they beat them with a big difference? Today China was up by 15 at a point. So we could take 2nd place with a victory over USA.
However, a possible final score could b sth like 85-73 for USA.

 

[fasoulaki2]

However, they have shown a weakness in outside scoring so far and if they don't hit their first shots, anxiety may take them over.

Why should they became anxious? They are already qualified for the quarterfinal and it is not a K.O. game.

 

[T.W.Is.M.2]

Why should they became anxious? They already qualified for the quarterfinal and it is not K.O. game.

Don't forget that USA want not only 2 win the gold, but also 2 do it undefeated and especially 2 beat Greece, no matter what they say 2 the press.

 

[Darthkiller2]

i dont think the greek team will try real hard, it's too early to upset the team usa.

 

[Vasileios Spanoulis2]

I don't think Greece goes all out to win here. They should keep in mind the mistake Lithuania made in 2004.

 

[Vasileios Spanoulis2]

Can anyone link me to a Greek sports site that is in English? I'd like to see the Greek sporting media's perspective on the upcoming game.

I don't know of any.

 

[Dtown2]

Can anyone link me to a Greek sports site that is in English? I'd like to see the Greek sporting media's perspective on the upcoming game.

Found this http://www.greekbasketball.com/ not sure how good a site it is yet though.

 

[christodoulou762]

US and Greek commentaries on the game

US and Greek commentaries on the game

Found this http://www.greekbasketball.com/ not sure how good a site it is yet though.

This site is not that great. If you want to know how people are thinking, you have to read the columnists in the national newspapers and online sites such as sport-fm.gr and sport24.gr. Alas, their essays are in Greek.

Commentaries about the upcoming USA-Greece game will be up tomorrow, but already Nikos Zervas has written a piece about the Germany game and looking ahead to the US: http://www.sport-fm.gr/article/141989

In it, he says that the Germany game affirmed Greece's strength as a team and showed how premature were the Cassandras proclaiming Greece's imminent demise after the Spain game. As far as the game against the US, he said Greece has nothing to lose since no one expects them to win the game. The important thing is for them to play well. He thinks it will be very difficult to win because of the US memory of their loss to Greece in 06.

It is also interesting to see what American journalists are writing about the game. Charley Rosen (Fox Sports) and Chris Sheridan (ESPN) see warning signs in the Angola game:

http://msn.foxsports.com/olympics/story/8441928/Warning-signs-abound-in-Angola-win
http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summe...lumnist=sheridan_chris&page=USA-Angola-080812

American commentators, stung by the premature triumphalism they exhibited in the past, are much more cautious than the fans about this 08 team. This becomes obvious when one reads the comments at the end of the Sheridan piece. The American fans are upset at Sheridan and other journalists who are not ensuring crushing victories after every game. Under the logic that the team with the most talent wins and the NBA is the best league in the world, the NBA superstars on the US team tower above everyone else under this logic. For most of the fans commenting on Sheridan's piece, it is absurd to even suggest that a team like Greece with no players in the NBA can beat the US.

While I think the US will win, it is interesting to see the disconnect between the likes of Sheridan and Rosen and the average NBA fan tuning to the Olympics in order to see the Redeem Team beat everyone by 30+ points.

 

[Vasileios Spanoulis2]

This site is not that great. If you want to know how people are thinking, you have to read the columnists in the national newspapers and online sites such as sport-fm.gr and sport24.gr. Alas, their essays are in Greek.

Commentaries about the upcoming USA-Greece game will be up tomorrow, but already Nikos Zervas has written a piece about the Germany game and looking ahead to the US: http://www.sport-fm.gr/article/141989

In it, he says that the Germany game affirmed Greece's strength as a team and showed how premature were the Cassandras proclaiming Greece's imminent demise after the Spain game. As far as the game against the US, he said Greece has nothing to lose since no one expects them to win the game. The important thing is for them to play well. He thinks it will be very difficult to win because of the US memory of their loss to Greece in 06.

It is also interesting to see what American journalists are writing about the game. Charley Rosen (Fox Sports) and Chris Sheridan (ESPN) see warning signs in the Angola game:

http://msn.foxsports.com/olympics/story/8441928/Warning-signs-abound-in-Angola-win
http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summe...lumnist=sheridan_chris&page=USA-Angola-080812

American commentators, stung by the premature triumphalism they exhibited in the past, are much more cautious than the fans about this 08 team. This becomes obvious when one reads the comments at the end of the Sheridan piece. The American fans are upset at Sheridan and other journalists who are not ensuring crushing victories after every game. Under the logic that the team with the most talent wins and the NBA is the best league in the world, the NBA superstars on the US team tower above everyone else under this logic. For most of the fans commenting on Sheridan's piece, it is absurd to even suggest that a team like Greece with no players in the NBA can beat the US.

While I think the US will win, it is interesting to see the disconnect between the likes of Sheridan and Rosen and the average NBA fan tuning to the Olympics in order to see the Redeem Team beat everyone by 30+ points.

I have been banned twice for talking about the basketball IQ of the average NBA fan so apparently I cannot talk about it, as it's not allowed here (and I really don't want to be banned).

I will just say that, the average NBA fan = Mamouhalo