Preparation Game: USA vs Australia

[Genjuro]

From the scouting reports I've read, the Aussies were suppose to be strong with their big men, weak with their small ones. Looked like we got fooled, it was the other way around! Patrick Mills played superb for a 19 year old. It was in my opinion last month that the Aussies should of had more of their NCAA players on the NT roster. I think it would of helped them do better, and be more physical up front as the 2 US centers combines 100% of their field goals made.
As for the US, don't look like "the best pure shooter in the world" Michael Redd, lived up to his reputation! they hit an horrendous 18% of their 3 point shots. Rather experiemental when Coach K had 2 point guards in at the same time and send Kobe to play forward. It did'nt quite work out that well though.

At least the US can recouperate from their poor showing by playing the 2 easiest teams in group B, 1st. Anybody knows why Boozer did'nt play?

It's hard to get a clear picture of a team when playing against Team USA, because it's a whole different basketball concept compared to any other. So a guy who can handle and take care of the ball, be aggressive and run, even if he's not a great distributor, can shine brightly against USA -because they gamble a lot with steals and there's plenty of space as a result- and then look useless against some other team that play more of a set defense (and I'm not saying Mills is useless, but I don't think he's a good distributor).

[Dtown]

I'm both worried and relieved if that makes sense.

I'm worried in that we've struggled when the pace is slowed down to a crawl. Granted if we shot remotely better the zone wouldn't have been nearly as effective. Still it's something to be concerned about with Spain and Greece looming.

On the other hand it's one of those games that snaps you back into focus. Don't let the Lithuania game fool you, we're in for some tough times. Coach K can easily point to this game to keep us focused.

[demonyito]

US Redeemers knew that it will be a tough game for them. just 4 years ago in Athens, its still in their memory how hard they have fought to win this game:

http://www.usabasketball.com/seniormen/2004/04_moly3_box.html

[stickkeys108]

Was todays performance a worry for you guys or not?

No.

I posted pretty regularly on here a few years ago, but have mainly been a lurker since. I guess it's time to brush off the cobwebs and become active at interbasket again!

Anyhow, I don't see any of these friendly games as a worry.

We all know the questions that will determine whether Team USA will win Gold or not. However, I feel as thought this year's team is, in fact, better, and more experienced than any team in the past.

It's simple. USA has to make free throws, and shoot competitively from the outside. If they take care of business there, then Gold is what awaits.....

[Unimane]

From the scouting reports I've read, the Aussies were suppose to be strong with their big men, weak with their small ones. Looked like we got fooled, it was the other way around! Patrick Mills played superb for a 19 year old. It was in my opinion last month that the Aussies should of had more of their NCAA players on the NT roster. I think it would of helped them do better, and be more physical up front as the 2 US centers combines 100% of their field goals made.
As for the US, don't look like "the best pure shooter in the world" Michael Redd, lived up to his reputation! they hit an horrendous 18% of their 3 point shots. Rather experiemental when Coach K had 2 point guards in at the same time and send Kobe to play forward. It did'nt quite work out that well though.

At least the US can recouperate from their poor showing by playing the 2 easiest teams in group B, 1st. Anybody knows why Boozer did'nt play?

That comment about Redd today as "the Greatest Shooter in the World" was comical. I've never heard anyone say that about Redd, even in the NBA. He's a great shooter, but there are some better ones in the NBA. I think Jason Kopono, Peja Stojakovic and Mike Miller are all better pure shooters.

[hotjam_2]

That comment about Redd today as "the Greatest Shooter in the World" was comical. I've never heard anyone say that about Redd, even in the NBA. He's a great shooter, but there are some better ones in the NBA. I think Jason Kopono, Peja Stojakovic and Mike Miller are all better pure shooters.

the 2 anouncers of espn said that about Micheal Redd in the previous game. I don't know who's going to cover basketball on NBC, but I sure do miss Jeff Taylor from the Media Zone broadcasts. He sort of grew on me from watching all the euro 2005/2007 and 2006 WC broadcasts. He sometimes could'nt keep up with the action, but kept it very positive, & he always seemed to bring forward a true 'Love' for all basketball & and it's players.

That 'Love' sometimes seems to be missing in this mesage board

[hotjam_2]

It's hard to get a clear picture of a team when playing against Team USA, because it's a whole different basketball concept compared to any other. So a guy who can handle and take care of the ball, be aggressive and run, even if he's not a great distributor, can shine brightly against USA -because they gamble a lot with steals and there's plenty of space as a result- and then look useless against some other team that play more of a set defense (and I'm not saying Mills is useless, but I don't think he's a good distributor).

It's interesting to note however, Australia got something like 100 basketballers playing somewhere in the USA(mostly in the NCAA)

http://www.australiabasket.com/abr.asp?Cntry=AUS&CntryNbr=55

only one of them(Mills) played in yesterdays game

[KWSN-Men]

It's interesting to note however, Australia got something like 100 basketballers playing somewhere in the USA(mostly in the NCAA)
http://www.australiabasket.com/abr.a...US&CntryNbr=55

only one of them(Mills) played in yesterdays game

Reason is obvious. They are far away from anywhere and they need to play somewhere more competitive.

[redred]

most of those Aussie guys playing NCAA wouldnt be good enough to play for the Boomers yet. Mills is however, as you can see, outstanding. Ingles, who is college age, is very talented as well and made it in as 12th man. A couple like Ogilvy (who is a sure fire mid round draft pick) and Maric were unlucky. Jawai will also be added to the squad eventually, and its the makings of a nice young team to build around Bogut.

Australia is a team to watch out for in the future.

[each way]

Jawai was actually selected to play for the Boomers in Beijing however had to decline given he had to prepare for his fiirst NBA season.

Agree it looks like they have some nice talent emerging. The current team is definitely going to create some headaches for the more established teams in Beijing. The first game against Croatia is going to be very interesting.

[Federoy]

Yes I did watch the ESPN feed via the online broadcast that I posted below. The only deficiencies I picked up from the commentators were that the US has not called a timeout and that the need to. Then finally they called their first timeout in all the games they have played thus far.

Yes there was mention of the "elite" teams Greece, Spain and Argentina and maybe a comment that they need to prepare for them but I didnt hear him put them above the US team.

I personally did not hear much crtisicism on the US team and found it a bit more of "look how great this team is" type commentating. Example like is Redd the best shooter in the world? Isnt Kobe the #1 Time athlete of the year etc

First off, let me school you on how sports broadcasting works in the US; you have a color commentator, whose job it is to entertain the audience by commenting on plays and drawing attention to game action. He usually has basic knowledge of the sport he's commentating on, so he's not considered an expert. An analyst works opposite of a color commentator and provides the audience with detailed breakdowns from a coaching/strategic perspective. Consider the source: the "is Mike Redd the best shooter in the world?" flip and the bit about Lebron (not Kobe) being on the cover of Time (as 1 of 100 athletes to watch in Beijing, not #1 athlete of the year) came from the color commentator, not the analyst Fran Frascilla. Had you been paying attention you would've noticed that Fran has rebuked the team several times during the tour for sloppy play, poor execution on offense, lack of concetration (he said at one point they looked "bored.") and defensive breakdowns, and repeatedly talked about the threat the Greece, Spain, and Argentina posed to the USA. As for him not putting other teams ahead of the US, well he believes the US is going to win gold, so if that's his opinion why should he?