Official website.

Group A: NIGERIA / LEBANON / ARGENTINA / FRANCE / VENEZUELA / SERBIA & MONTENEGRO

Group B: PANAMA / NEW ZEALAND / GERMANY / JAPAN / SPAIN / ANGOLA

Group C: QATAR / AUSTRALIA / TURKEY / LITHUANIA / BRAZIL / GREECE

Group D: SENEGAL / UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / CHINA / ITALY / PUERTO RICO / SLOVENIA

Team USA survives Puerto Rico to win their first game, 111-100. (Interestingly, while the headline on ESPN.com was that Team USA "survives" Puerto Rico, NBA.com said Team USA "cruised" and "picked apart" Team Puerto Rico.)

Tony Parker to miss the tournament with injury.

There are no less than 5 of the new-look Toronto Raptors in the tournament: Chris Bosh (USA), Jose Calderon (Spain), Jorge Garbajosa (Spain), Rasho Nesterovic (Slovenia), Uros Slokar (Slovenia). No. 1 pick Andrea Bargnani is not playing for Italy, however.

This is a fun event....I made the trip to Indy four years ago and seeing the nationalism with all of the various fans there was superb.

Some of those fans are absolutely nuts, I remember seeing 10 of the clubs play and if I had to rank the Cameron crazies in that bunch I would have had them fourth or fifth. Americans have no idea what boisterous fans are til you see some of these international groups cheer.

A very, very, very miniature World Cup type of event. I'd certainly do it again.

Well Australia's big test comes on Sunday when they play team USA. My prediction is USA by 30 points (unless they step off another plane). Australia are just rebuilding back to where they were in 2000. Let's hope we don't get any more tech fouls for screaming out "Clock, clock, clock" or for our Assistant Coach standing up. The refereeing is appalling.

Italy already tried the Zidane-lite approach with Dwayne Wade when one player scoffed that Wade "..is no Michael Jordan."

Wade appropriately answered with a "Thank you for the complement" and enough points to turn around the game.

Aussies can get rough sometimes but I think this team will handle it better than Vince Carter did. That Aussie-guy had the hots for Vince-bab.

Elite eight bracket.

Argentina vs. Turkey
Spain vs. Lithuania

Greece vs. France
USA vs. Germany

Interesting the advertising on the jersies of the teams in the WBC.

Manu Ginobili looks to be playing for Team Visa (and it seems to say "BEEF" on the shorts... Argentinian beef, perhaps?)

Lithuania promotes Svyturys (a beer).

Turkey advertises Garanti (a bank) and Turkcell (cellphones).

Australia has the Australian post office on their jersies.

Greece sports the Eurobank logo.

Germany promotes ING bank.

Engin Atsur could sell me a weekend at a spa in Antarctica as long as he's coming.

Team USA loses to Greece in the semifinals 101-95. Now the best they can hope for is a bronze. The Greeks have 0 NBA players on their team, but are the European champions.

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[ September 01, 2006, 05:11 AM: Message edited by: canmark ]

Spain defeats Argentina 75-74 to make it to the gold medal game vs. Greece. Team USA will meet Argentina for the bronze.

My boy Jose Calderon of the Raptors, point guard for Spain.

[img]http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/nm/20060901/2006_09_01t095645_358x450_us_basketball_world.jpg?x=274&y=345&sig=E8bAzFN0wLpMxow6BKqRgQ--[/img]

Apparently the celebration by the Greek players got out of control!

It's not that difficult to understand why TEAM USA lost the game to Greece. I stayed up til 4:30Am to watch this snoozefest. Pick-and-roll....pick-and-roll....pick-and-roll....Jesus....John Stockton and Carl Malone in perpetual rewind. Maybe that style of basketball is popular in Europe, I don't know, but I wouldn't waste five minutes of my time watching that boring crap. I don't watch the Utah Jazz, I don't watch Princeton, and I especially don't watch Wisconsin basketball. That style of play bores me to death.

Greece plays an efficient and intelligent game of basketball. They've got huge players at every position except PG. They set picks like nobody's business and stopped every over-under attempt by smallish and physically over-matched defenders like Paul, Hinrich, and LeBron. As if that wasn't enough, Greece played a tight 3-2 zone on defense and effectively forced the Americans to shot perimeter shots; although Mello woke up in the second half, the team as a whole failed to drain long range jumpers with consistency. They needed a big man; a true center, ala Shaq, in the worst way. Shaq's presence would have helped break down that zone by drawing double teams and creating space on the floor for dribble penetration by D. Wade and Lebron. Without a big man on team USA, Grece was able to stay in that zone and close down the driving lanes, which made it made it difficult for D. Wade and Lebron to get to the basket. The Greece coaches devised a defensive strategy of forcing the ball outside and keeping it there. A very smart move because they would have gotten blown out of the building in man-to-man. That strategy worked for them this time round. Had someone, anyone, got hot from the outside, this strategy would have blown up in their faces becaue they would been forced to play man to man. So, the Greece team and their coaches deserve credit for that, and for their victory over Team USA. I give them major props for their game plan.

How do I feel about Team USA? I still like them; love them in fact. Sure, they could benefit from better coaching. And , yes, they weren't as alert as they should have been, allowing their opponents to rush in from the free throw line to grab rebounds that, had they been alert and hustled to ball rather than waiting for it to come to them, would have been theirs. The speedy Chris Paul, Hinrich, and Battier might be tremendous ballers in the open court of the NBA, for which they are prefectly suited, but are too small for international play. All of them were easily picked off; constantly caught in match-up hell; and unable to create their own shots. Also, I really hope that Lebron, if he truly wants to be great, develops an outside shot before he returns to International play. Mike and the rest of the coaching staff had no clue how to bust that zone, or, how to stop that perpetual and very successful Greek pick-and-roll. I don't think Team USA ever tried a different defense; they never tried to get the ball out of the Point Guards' hands and force someone else to run the offense; they never doubled-teamed anybody; they never tried an all-court press. Seems like they should have tried something to break the rhythm and timing of the Greek players because what they were doing wasn't working at all. I would have expected the Team USA coaches to try something different on defense, but inexplicably, they never did.

I would rather Team USA not play in these international events at all, and that includes the Olympics. It's a style of play very different from the open court NBA style that showcases their athelticism and brilliant play-making creativity. Team USA would need a national team that stayed and played together in order to win another of these events, and these players make way too money money on and off the court to do that. So, I would rather they stayed home. I'd rather that than listening to the constant criticism about how far American basketball has deteriorated over the years; than have to watch our best pro players humiliated and criticized for doing the best they can with a style of play most of them are not comfortable with and do not fully understand. I don't want to watch another USA team go through this, and I won't.

I think NBA basketball is the most entertaining sport in the world; has the best athletes in the world; and is the one of the most watchable sports in the world. And that's all that matters to me. I'd rather watch magicians like Lebron, D. Wade, Shaq, Kobe, Shane, Nowitzski, Nash, Ginobli, and Parker play an entertaining game of basketball than sit through another robotic, clinical, unwatchable, and boring display like that we saw today from the Greek players. You could have switched players and/or positions at any time on that team without any perceptible notice or deterioration in play. Team Greece plays as one; they think as one; so, they are one. Yes, that makes them a very good basketball team; the best in Europe; very hard to defend and very hard to beat, but I'll take the expressed individualism, fun, and enthusiasm of the NBA player anyday over the boring, personality-challenged, and intellectually-superior Greek clones any day. I didn't see a smile, a smirk, or any emotion from any of them the entire game. Did any Greek player even have a single dunk? Would you shell out your hard-earned money to watch a basketball team like that? I wouldn't. That team is a very difficult watch.

[ September 01, 2006, 09:28 PM: Message edited by: Thomas ]

Team USA salvages a bronze, defeating Argentina 96-81 behind 32 points by Dwayne Wade.

France wins the 5th place game over Turkey.

Pau Gasol will miss the gold medal game tomorrow with the injury to his foot that came near the end of the Argentina game.

But haven't many of the recent NBA champs been teams that grind it out, and play slow, defensive, low-scoring games (ie. Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs)? And weren't people complaining how boring those series were?

But the fact of the matter is boring efficiency can trump flashy erratic play. Not always, but sometimes.

And if you want really exciting basketball you can look no further than the And1 Mix Tape Tour. Now that's fun, exciting basketball. Won't see no pick-and-roll there.

But in the International game, Americans can't expect the rest of the world to adapt to their style: they need to adapt to the international style. That means more passing, more set plays, more screens, more spot up shooting... and less 1-on-1, less dunking over 7-footers, less showtime.

If this team is able to stay together, they can work on those skills, and work on defending against the the pick, and offending against the zone. They can be a team, and not just all-stars hastily thrown together.

Get a room, guys.



Your bronze medalists: Team USA.

Good observation Canmark. And that "0" may explain why they stuffed the USA - in a way.

Recruiters have obvious biases and can be herd-followers: one goes for the urban stereotype, they all follow; another goes for the eastern European, they all follow; somebody gets a good latin American and...you get the idea.

Greece hasn't been a focal point and has, as a result kept it's best players together year round with no NBA to unfocus them. They become a better team and it shows.

They are also less intimidated by a USA team they haven't played - with as individuals - but know is eminently beatable; and they found their weakspot. Not defense ironically, but weak offense from three-point range.

Unfortunately players like Redick opted out of playing for USA to avoid injury (to "fully recover" from an injury in his case) before the NBA season, something many current NBA prima donnas had been heavily criticized for at the time with previous dream teams. Also ironically, Redick's game is more suited to international play than it ever will be to NBA play.

Coach K could probably have convinced him to make a command appearance (as the French football coach did with several prima donna players who claimed they would not play with the national team again) had he realized what a deficit the current team had from outside.

Still I love this team, and the effort they have put out. I think they are an unusually dedicated bunch and bouncing back from a loss to defeat an arguably better team than Greece (Argentina) to get the bronze may say a lot about them.

Maybe they will find a way to compensate for their faults with extra effort on things like set plays and a passing offense, along with varying their defense to negate individual team's, and player's, offensive strength.

With Paul Gasol on crutches, Spain rolled over Greece, 70-46, in the gold medal match.

Final results: USA #3, Hellas #2, Espana #1:





[ September 03, 2006, 06:45 AM: Message edited by: canmark ]

Staying together? Canmark, you know as well as I do that NBA players are not about to spend their time developing a cohesive international and/or olympic basketball team. Those guys are paid millions for what they do, but aren't paid very well at all for international play, unless you count national pride, which, heretofore, hasn't swayed many of the NBA's top players. Just as you mentioned, most NBA players actually look for and fabricate reasons NOT to play on these teams. And the ones who do simply do not fully understand international rules and/or strategies.

I heard an interview from Sir Charles the other day. Utilizing the Original Dream team as example of how USA teams can come together in a short time frame and learn to play as a cohesive unit that plays with heart and within the team concept, he sharply criticized 2006's Team USA for their offensive selfishness and lack of defensive intensity, but reserved his harshest criticism for what he preceived to be a lack of national pride. From what I saw from Team USA against Greece, I don't think they failed to play as a team; they did. The team simply didn't get it done that night; the cutters and slashers couldn't lay the ball off or get to rim; the perimeter shooters couldn't find the net; and their defense against the pick-and-roll was ineffective. But Sir Charls is entitled to his opinion.

Regarding the slow down, half-court style, I can't stand it. It's boring. I love basketball, but I'm not a basketball purist. I want to be entertained, and am happiest when I get to watch high-flying dunks, fast breaks that include clever passing to the trailer and/or perimeter wingmen, or cutting and slashing that ends up with a layup or kick out for a long three point bomb. I would love to see team USA win another of these tournamnets, but, honestly, I don't think I can watch another clinical basketball display like the one I saw from team Greece, even if team USA is in it or even if they win it. Of the teams I saw in this tournament, I think a game between Team USA and Argentina or Spain would have been a lot more enertaining. These three teams are very watchable because they feature clever point guards that can run the fast break with nifty passing and decision-making; they seem to understand that basketball is more than just strategy and execution, but entertainment as well. They get it. Team Greece is boring and I won't watch them again no matter how many championships they win. That's a personal choice. I won't bash or criticize those who watch and enjoy textbook basketball, but I can't do it, Bro.

[ September 04, 2006, 08:17 PM: Message edited by: Thomas ]

No wonder Greeks are afraid of being labeled bottoms. wink

The pick and roll is a tough play. It's probably been responsible for more fights on the playgrounds of the USA than anything except the blocked dunk and elbowing.

Who gets to a space first is not an easy call to make. Standing your ground when 200 pounds of flesh is hurling toward you at high speed can be a decision with career-ending consequences. I'd rather see improvements in outside shooting and free-trows than a USA team of Shaquille O'Neal's.

Finally some real USA content on this topic. I'm glad to see that we have some people in the USA who are geniunely interested in their national team.

I'm just disappointed that the Bronze medal win did not even make the daily update for the Outsports news nor was there any comprehensive report on what is typically considered one of the most American of sports.

For my 2c worth - 12 great individuals do not equal a team. Greece showed us how a team is formed. Having said that, Basketball USA are at least committed to having a real team concept instilled for Beijing 2008 (assuming they qualify).

I have always wondered if one of the disabilities that Team USA would have is the fact because pretty much all of them play NBA, when they come up against a really good zone defence, they have a bit of a problem. It must also be pretty tough transitioning to the style of refereeing at these events too, where travels and contact tends to be called much harder than during the NBA season.

A few thoughts:

The Worlds historically have not gotten the coverage here or the hype like say the Olympics have through the years. It was barely noticed until the US started sending its pros in the 90's.

Heck, I remember attending a few sessions in Indianapolis back in '02. If the US wasn't playing, there were vast amounts of seats available for virtually any game(this in basketball's so called heartland).

Yes a group of individuals will not beat a team, world wide basketball has caught up to the US to the point where the US can no longer do that. That being said, I believe that if any one of our NBA clubs were made up exclusively of Americans said team would demolish any foreign national club.

As far as style of play goes it is amazing how things have changed through the years. Once upon a time it was the US who had the athletic, freewheeling style of play and the Europeans and such who had the rep for being hardnosed and physical.

By '02, the trend had been reversed with the US playing an individual, phyiscal style relying on isolations and such while other clubs used to the international style were playing fluid, freewheeling systems which were at very least far more enjoyable to watch.

Also another reason why interest may have been down was simply due to the time difference. Games were live at 12:30, 3 and 6:30 am Eastern time. One would have had to be a real fanatic to get up in the middle of the night to watch the games.

I can accept the argument about the games being on so late at night in the USA, except of course that Australia had a similar issue with the World Cup (try 11pm, 2am, 4:30am as start times in Sydney). As soccer does not interest me, I didn't stay up to watch but I know that a significant number of people did because I was woken up by the noise being generated every time we scored a goal. If you say that soccer is more popular than basketball, then you are, of course, correct - there are 2 more soccer federations in the world compared to basketball (Basketball has 214 at last count).

As you said, the really disappointing thing is at Indianapolis, when the world's were on then, there were empty seats at most of the games. Compare this with the official attendance at the Grand Final in Japan of 18,500.

There was a move a few years ago to try and bring International Rules and NBA rules closer together. I wonder how many more losses the USA will sustain before they start examining whether or not to move the rules a bit closer again.