The past two games against Lithuania and Russia were no match for team U.S.A. In the game against Lithuania, Kobe Bryant took the challenge of shutting down Lithuania's cocky scorer Sarunas Jasikevicious, who four years ago torched the Americans for 28 points in Athens. Bryant displayed a fiery attitude on the defensive end by forcing Jasikevicious to shoot poorly from the floor. "He had a great game against us a few years ago, and he was real brash about it, trash talking and things of that nature. So it's my responsibility to bring it to him," Bryant said. "He reminded me of it, so we sicked The Doberman on him."
That "Doberman" Bryant has inside of him is unlike any species known to mankind. In Olympic play and during the NBA season Bryant guards the opposing teams best player, no matter who it is. This is unheard of during this era of basketball. Arguably the best player in the world wants to go out and play hard nose defense against the best. Team U.S.A. beat Lithuania 120-84, displaying more of a defensive presence throughout the whole game.
That "Doberman" Bryant has inside of him is unlike any species known to mankind. In Olympic play and during the NBA season Bryant guards the opposing teams best player, no matter who it is. This is unheard of during this era of basketball. Arguably the best player in the world wants to go out and play hard nose defense against the best. Team U.S.A. beat Lithuania 120-84, displaying more of a defensive presence throughout the whole game.
Russia put up more of a fight against team U.S.A., but it wasn't enough as the US won 89-68. In the game there was a decision made by head coach Mike Krzyzewski to start the second half with back up point guard Chris Paul. Many people wondered why team leader Jason Kidd didn't play at all during the second half against Russia. Chris Paul still provided stability to the point guard position in Kidd's absence, Paul also maintained the flow of the team and showed some improvement of his strength as a point guard. Paul displayed his upper body strength by penetrating to the basket and absorbing contact as he went up for his shot.
By resting veteran Jason Kidd, Coach K allowed Paul to be more comfortable with running the team. Kidd doesn't need to be playing whole games, especially when the US is dismantling opponents like Russia. Coach K is studying what chemistry Paul has with the team when he is in the driver seat on the floor. Coaches know and understand strategy, sometimes you need different plans for your team if injury, foul trouble, or poor play occurs. I expect to see more line-up changes with team U.S.A. when they go up against Australia this Tuesday.
Keep these players in mind when you watch Tuesday's game. Dwayne Wade, Michael Redd, and LeBron James. Wade aka "Flash" has re-emerged like Thomas Shepard from the movie "Above The Rim". Carmelo Anthony put it best when he said that Dwayne Wade is back. Michael Redd displayed his lights out shooting in the game against Russia. Redd will be team U.S.A.'s secret shooting assassin because of his quick and accurate shooting touch. Lebron James is showing no ill effects from the ankle injury he suffered last week in practice. The King is soaring even higher to the rim, displaying an agility never seen before from a 6'8 , 260 pound force. James is emerging as a third leader, along with Jason Kidd and Kobe Bryant.
Be Peaceful
5 comments:
Kidd benched for second half, no big deal. In fact he should play less and less as the olympics get under way. Kidd was choosen soley because he is the only veteran to win a gold medal and to mentor emerging point guard sensations Chris Paul and Derron Williams. Simply a passing of the torch of floor leaders. Even if Kidd does not play as much as the olympics get into the grind, his leadership and knowledge of the game will still benefit team U.S.A.
I like the fact that the reigning MVP is focusing more on his defensive skills than his god like offensive skills. Kobe could beat any of these subpar international teams alone but he is doing it on the defensive end first and as any real sports fan knows defense wins championships and in this case GOLD MEDALS!!
Jason Kidd being benched in the second half was just to rest him and allow Chris Paul to be more comfortable with the offensive. I think it's very clear that Chris Paul will be the backup point guard for team U.S.A. Jason Kidd is a huge part in the machine of this Olympic team. What Kidd brings is experience, leadership, and productivity that cannot be matched by anyone else. Remember that Kidd is the only player on the team that has a gold medal.
Is that a Nick Jones siting?? Woooooooooooooow....where'd you come from? I wonder if you would've commented on a blog if lets say "Shed" wrote it?? My spidy sense is sensing favortism! LOL...but if yall didnt see already, the Aussies gave the USA some difficulty this morning! I watched this morning on 360.com...brother man be at work early! But the Aussies was not backing down at all! It showed how good the world has become in bball. But I think Coach K did a good job in keeping the team composed...if you watch tonite you will see. You will also notice how Kobe and Lebron are playing well into the 4th quarter, because at one point, I believe the Aussies were down just 4 points (Sorry for the spoiler). But overall I believe that this team has what it takes to bring home the gold. If not the USA will look to boycott this part of future Olympics. Its also great to see Kobe focus on D, as he chooses day in and day out to guard the best perimeter player on the oppoisite team. Even though we have a great team, I think we will be challenged a great deal and we wont be winning by the usual 20-30pts. Look for the games to be in the 10-15pt range, with majority of the spread coming in the final minutes. Maybe I should start my own blog...I think Im pretty good at this also!! LOL
My good brothers,
It is always good to see friendly banter amongst fellow BH statesmen. Camron, this is well written article. I recognize your theme and also your love for Kobe, The Doberman, Black Mamba, or whatever other alias you would like to call him. Major cliche alert!!! What I think Chris Paul represents is the future. Everybody knows Jason Kidd is a future first ballet Hall of Famer.
Come the 2016 Olympics in Chicago(yes I'm claiming the bid early!) you will see a polished Chris Paul leading that team. This is good practice for him. By then we might be making the same argument for another hot shot point guard. The NBA is a profession. Just like any other job, you have to pay your dues. Even if you'r e averaging 20 points, 11 assists, and 3 steals. Ew!!! Sometimes I forget how beastly CP3 really is.
One thing that USA has to work on is their cohesiveness.
In the States, many accolades are focused on individual play and not the team. Big ups to And 1 basketball, and more specifically Mr. Skip to my Lou ala Rafer Alston.
If you closely watch other nations(See Argentina) hoop you see chemistry much like a drumline. One band. One sound. Laughs out loud... But in all seriousness, the chemistry I speak of can be attained this year.
I think Team USA has the right group of guys who believe in the same goal--to win the gold. I don't really believe there are a lot of egos this year. Everyone seems to be tuned into the little things.
One could probably ascertain this new outlook to the coaching pedigree of Coach K. Well, that and getting spanked in Athens, but I digress.
Arguably, no coach gets more out of his players than this man. Most Duke teams do the little things to win games.
Intangibles like team defense, fundamentals(not turning the ball over), and concise execution.
I also agree with your predictions of Michael Redd. I think he will be one of the X-factors. Remember the signature Duke plays to free up the likes of Trajon Langdon, JJ Redick, and now Jon Scheyer? Well, in similiar fashion, you will see a healthy amount of screens being set for Redd and the rest of the perimeter position players.
Don't worry about too many sets being ran for Kobe. Just give him the damn ball...
The Swagnificent
Grant,
I hate to rain on your little parade, but "DA CHI" is not gettin no Olympics!!! Is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay 2 many "colored folk" who live there! They tried blessing you "Coloreds" in 1996 by having the Games in ATL...and you see what happened, somebody bombed da joint, although it was a white man who did it, im sure they found a way 2 blame us "colored" folk for that 1 too!!! LOL...but as you say....I DIGRESS!!!
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