Australia..........No Match!

Team USA went on to improve their undefeated record to 6-0 as they flattened Australia earlier this morning. Led by Kobe Bryant's 25 points on 10 of 16 shooting, the US never looked back beating Australia 116 to 85. As the game got under way, it was evident what the US wanted to establish. Throwing the ball to the inside presence of Dwight Howard provided early foul trouble for Australia and the former number 1 NBA draft pick Andrew Bogut. Bogut picked up two early fouls as he tried to defend Howard deep in the paint. Being physical with the US players was something that Australia had circled in their game plan. The Aussies wanted to let team USA know that this was going to be a physical game and that they were not going to back down.

The young, yet fearless Aussie point guard Patrick Mills entered late in the first quarter and provided a spark for Australia. Mills, who will be a sophomore next year at Saint Mary's University in California, showed his ability to run his ball club finishing the game with 20 points. Australia shot well from the three point arc in the first quarter. At the end of the first quarter the Aussies trailed only by a point 25 to 24.

As the second quarter opened, the unheralded Dwayne Wade opened with a knifing drive to the basket, converting a three point play. The US started to break away from Australia, who used a Princeton style offense to keep the US on their heels in the first quarter. This offense causes a lot of defensive attention because of the constant movements by the Australian players. The US adjusted by switching to a smaller line-up that was able to keep up with Australia. Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Deron Williams, and LeBron James all were able to disrupt Australia's offensive attack with aggressive defense. The line-up also provided fast break points that increased team USA' s lead. Deron Williams hit a buzzer beating three to send the US into halftime up 55 -43. The three that Williams hit was only the second three point field goal the US connected on in the first half. The US shot 2 of 12 from the three point arc and 10 of 20 from the free throw line in the first half.

Opening up the second half, the US knew about their shooting woes from three. Kobe Bryant fixed the shooting problems with a dead eye three point field goal and Carmelo Anthony followed with another three pointer the very next play. The back to back threes put the US up by 18 points and started a 14 to 0 run early in the second half. The better shooting made Australia come out and guard the US from the perimeter. Opening up the once packed in lane allowed penetration by US guards and set up thunderous crowded cheering dunks by Chris Bosh and other US players. Team USA kicked up their feet and relaxed as they outscored Australia 34 to 18 at the end of the third quarter. Much of the same continued as the fourth quarter got underway. The reserves for team USA played the majority of the 4th and didn't drop in energy on the offensive end. Michael Redd and sparingly used forward Carlos Boozer were able to get some playing time and make the most of it.

Australia saw a different team USA from the last time they played them in Shanghai, China. In that exhibition game on August 5th, team USA won by 11 points, but Australia never went away as they fought the US for every basket. Many felt that the Aussies could upset the US in this re-match, but they never came close. Next up for team USA is a semifinal match up between the winner of Argentina and Greece. The game will be played this Friday.

• LeBron James! Not only is he the vocal leader for team USA, he displays his defensive efforts every game for 40 minutes. Add that with a forceful aggression towards the rim on offense and you have a Gorilla of a player. James is the showing his leadership ability at the tender age of twenty-three.



• Keep in mind the US free throw shooting. As a team they are shooting 65% and that has to be improved immediately. Better concentration and efficiency will turn this negative into a positive for team USA.



• Kobe Bryant is starting to get more comfortable shooting the basketball in these Olympic games. Look for Bryant to assert himself more in the upcoming semifinal game on Friday.

Be Peaceful