Blog Posts From Active.com 2008 Olympics Tagged With usa_basketball

USA Basketball: USA 106 - Germany 57

Coach Corey — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:05:52 GMT

BRING ON THE AUSSIE'S

After passing back-to-back tests against the elite teams of Europe, the U.S. men’s basketball team probably could have beaten overmatched Germany wearing lederhosen to close the preliminary round of the Olympic tournament 5-0. Dwight Howard scored 22 points and LeBron James had 18, 16 in the first half, Monday as the United States completed an undefeated march through pool play.

The Americans were scoring so easily, they practically got in each other's way. Chris Paul led a 3-on-1 break and threw an alley-oop that could have gone to either James or Dwyane Wade. James jumped higher and got it to lay it in, then stepped outside to hit his second 3 for a 23-5 bulge. Up 19 after one, the U.S. scored the first eight points of the second to make it 39-12. The lead was 28 after James drilled 3-pointers on consecutive U.S. possessions, and ballooned to 30 for the first time when Dwight Howard scored four straight to make it 49-19 with 3 minutes left in the half.

The U.S. isn't ready to crown themselves the next big thing, a la Phelps. At the moment, the Americans are thinking about their quarterfinal game against Australia, the last team to push the U.S. Also, Spain plays Croatia at 2:30 a.m. Lithuania plays China at 4:45 a.m., and Argentina plays Greece at 10:15 a.m. The U.S. knows Australia is a physical team that lost by just 11 when the two countries played an exhibition game in Shanghai on Aug. 5. They kept it close despite not having their lone NBA player, Milwaukee Bucks center Andrew Bogut, available for the contest.

When the quarterfinals tip off tomorrow, everybody is 0-0. Should the Americans lose, they won't even end up with a medal — as happened to Spain in 2004, after they went unbeaten in pool play. Watch TEAM USA lift their basketball game to an entirely different competitive level against the Aussie's.

USA Basketball: USA 119 - Spain 82

Coach Corey — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:26:01 GMT

Redeem Team Gets Redemption on Spain

LeBron James led eight U.S. players in double figures with 18 points and pulled down eight rebounds as the Olympic men's basketball team continued its dominating ways with a 119-82 pounding of previously unbeaten Spain. With the game tied 9-9 in the first quarter James took the ball from the top of the key and drove to his left a and threw down a left handed jam like a man possessed. The very next trip James comes down and splashed a three pointerin the heart of the Spain defense. Then the very next trip down the floor earned a trip to the free throw line and sank both free throws for another quick two. Team USA never looked back from that point on.

The Americans had 7 steals in the first quarter alone and finished with 18 for the game. "We are never going to take a step back in this tournament," said James. "We'll only take steps forward and give ourselves a chance to win. This game means we're 4-0. A statement game? I don't know."

We looked like the United States of Athleticism on Saturday. From steals to dunks to sinking the three pointers the Americans look unbeatable at this stage in the competition. A 17-5 flurry in the second quarter extended the margin to 56-36 and the Redeem Team was on its way to another rout, certainly a major difference to what was witnessed four years ago when the Americans were relegated to the bronze medal at the Olympics.

It was 61-45 at the half and Spain never threatened over the final 20 minutes.

The final game for the U.S. in preliminary round play is Monday versus Germany.

Here are some of the Top 10 plays from this years USA Mens Basketball Team.

USA Basketball: USA 92 - Greece 69

Coach Corey — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 20:05:49 GMT

United States gets Revenge against Greece

Two years ago, Greece surprised the USA men's basketball team at the 2006 FIBA World Championships. They took it to the Americans by shocking them 101-95 in the semifinals. This time, there would be no letdown for the Americans.

Greece was ahead 13-9 with four minutes left in the opening quarter, but less than two minutes later a steal by Chris Paul led to a Kobe Bryant bucket giving the Americans the lead for good. The United States forced 25 turnovers and outscored Greece by 28-4 off the turnovers.

The Americans’ best moments in this tournament have been with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, who both come off the bench, on the floor. Greece ran 42 of its trademark pick-and-rolls in the teams’ 2006 match-up. On Thursday, it did not get half of that number, with the activity of Wade on the perimeter and Bosh inside keying a disruptive defense.

After looking sloppy and uninspired at times in its first two games, the United States played its best game of these Olympics. The United States led by 19 at halftime and rendered the second half a formality. It was 51-32 at the half, and Mike Krzyzewski's team was in the driver's seat throughout the final 20 minutes. Greece couldn't get closer than 16 in the third and the U.S. led by at least 19 throughout the fourth.

Next Game Saturday vs. Spain

USA Basketball: USA 97 - Angola 76

Coach Corey — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:57:53 GMT

Can you say DREAM TEAM II?

Yes I know it is still early, but the 2008 USA Basketball team improved to 4-0 today with a Win over Angola. This is Angola's fifth consecutive Olympic appearance as the African champion. The Redeem Team stretched its muscles, got in a good conditioning run and left a chalk outline of Angola with a 97-76 thumping on Tuesday. While the Americans are fielding a smallish lineup with only Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh taller than 6-9, the Angolans were still overwhelmingly undersized with just one player as tall as 6-8. How easy was it? LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony were a combined perfect 18-for-18 shooting in the first half.

In 1992 the Dream Team lit up Angola with a plethora of exciting baskets and ending up winning by 68 points. Today when a player from Angola received the ball in the low post memories of 92' were in the air. Felizardo Ambrosio took the feed in the post turned and intended to score over Carlos Boozer, but before Ambrosio could even get to the apex of his jump, LeBron James flashed in like a rolling ball of thunder and swatted down the shot like it was a fly on the wall.

Kobe Bryant was an eyeful in the second half, stepping into the passing lanes for steals, kissing the ball in off the glass and giving the worshipping Chinese crowd all that it wanted with a breakaway 360-spin for a dunk in the third quarter.

Angola's Carlos Almeida said after the game, "What I will remember is the play in the second quarter, the USA was on a fast break and somebody passed the ball to LeBron and he dunked it with his left hand. I think it was amazing."

When Wade took a bounce pass from Deron Williams and climbed the ladder on the left baseline for a one-handed tomahawk slam, all it did was evoked more memories from '92. USA will win the Gold Medal this year, but will they play well enough to be finally dubbed Dream Team II?

USA Basketball vs. China: U.S. Wins 101-70

Coach Corey — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:24:48 GMT

USA Basketball vs. China: U.S. Wins 101-70

Dwyane Wade picked up right where he left off in exhibition play,leading Team USA to their first Olympic basketball win with 19 points. Despite Yao Ming's rise to stardom, the Chinese are still incredibly weak in basketball because they lack the physical stamina, creativity and toughness it takes to win on the international level. Their best finish was a meager 8th in the 2004 Athens Olympics - and just three of their players have NBA experience (which is almost a necessity these days to understand how to beat Team USA mentally).

China played an impressive passing game, especially in the early going, as Yao Ming was surrounded by defenders. Chinese players loved the three-point line; the first points of the game were scored on a three (by of all people, Yao) and by game's end, no less than six Chinese players had hit threes. Yi Jianlian and Wang Zhizhi, both of whom have NBA experience to add to their maturity as international-level players, each hit four threes.

TEAM USA used relentless defense to trigger turnovers and force the weaker Chinese team into mistakes - leading to countless easy layups and highlight reel ally-oops. Although the weakness of the American team is all too apparent: Zero halfcourt offense. It's really scary that a team composed of guys like LeBron and Kobe, and penetrators like Deron Williams and Chris Paul struggle in a half court setting, but these guys manage it somehow. If Team USA doesn't force turnovers to create easy baskets, you're going to see them struggle to put away opponents like Germany, Argentina, and Spain. We'll have to see if the opposing countries try and slow down the game of the Americans to force them into a half-court set. The ROAD TO THE GOLD has only just begun for "The Redeem Team."

USA Basketball: Russia meets Kobe

Coach Corey — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:58:52 GMT

USA Basketball: Russia meets Kobe

Kobe Byrant scored 11 of his 19 points in the third quarter to lead the U.S. Olympic team to an 89-68 victory over Russia on Sunday. Carmelo Anthony added 17 points in what was by far the Americans' most competitive tune-up yet for the Olympics. Having averaged 118 points in winning its first three exhibitions by an average of 41 points, the U.S. found itself in a more competitive game against the Russians, who slowed the pace the entire contest.

The U.S built a 12-point lead after the first quarter and extended the margin to 46-31 at the break. The Americans remained in control despite scoring just 17 points in the second quarter. With Team USA leading 50-33 and 8:19 to play in the third quarter, Bryant scored his team's next 11 points on an assortment of dazzling moves.

"They had some gaps there and I just took advantage of them," Bryant said. "The ball found me and I was able to make them pay. In that kind of situation where the game is kind of see-sawing back and forth, we have so many weapons - it could be LeBron (James), it could be D-Wade, one of us is going to kick into high gear."

The sellout crowd of 14,523 clearly favored the United States, and Bryant clearly was the fans' favorite. They chanted "MVP!" when he went to the free-throw line, and generally oohed and aahed whenever he squared up to take a shot.

"It feels like home away from home," Bryant said. "It's great to be so far from Staples Center and still have so much support. I feel like I'm home." Bryant hadn't been looking for his offense on the tour, averaging only 11.7 points -- sixth-best on the team --while focusing his efforts on defending the top perimeter threat. But it was needed yesterday, since he's the Americans' best half court player.

USA Basketball: Red, White, and Dunk?

Coach Corey — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 21:06:25 GMT

USA Basketball: Red, White, and Dunk?

Team USA stroke again with the help of LeBron James back off of injury as USA defeated Turkey 114-82 on another dunk fest tune up game before the team heads to Shanghai for their final two of three games. James scored 20 points and was a defensive force Thursday night in his exhibition debut, helping the U.S. Olympic basketball team overcome some early sloppy play.

At the end of the first quarter USA lead by a very skinny point, 31-30. That means there was zero defense by either team which you won't see in the Olympic Games in Beijing. Here is the key for TEAM USA Basketball and help me out here with this one if you agree? There is a difference in playing unselfishly and playing as a TEAM. (Together Everybody Achieves More). Granted the team is playing unselfishly and that is a plus, and it's really leading to some great 1 on 1 highlight dunks. Awesome! But I believe it's breeding false confidence within the team and the fans here in the United States who may not be watching these exibition games.

Just because were playing unselfishly doesn't mean were playing World-Class basketball as a team. Winning the Gold medal this year at the games is going to take a total team effort. Team USA's full court press last night was a joke and even to Team Turkey who were able to expose the gigantic holes in our press defense. I hope over the next 2 games Coach K is stressing Red, White, and Blue which defines TEAM USA and continuity. Right now were playing Red, White, and Dunk basketball which will prevent us from getting to the Medal stand if we continue this 1 on 1 mentality.

Having said that Turkey pretty much gave up in the quarter and the United States went on for the easy victory. They improved to 2-0 in Olympic tune-up play and face Lithuania here Friday before moving on to Shanghai for their remaining two games.

James was 8-of-9 from the field and finished with six rebounds, five steals and four assists in 23 minutes, sitting out the fourth quarter. James had 12 points in the half and added eight more and some of the game's highlight plays in the third. Following a basket by Turkey, he took the ball out and whipped a pass to the other end of the court to a streaking Dwyane Wade for a dunk. A minute later, James had another steal and passed ahead to Kobe Bryant, who bounced it in front of the basket to Anthony for a dunk.

Turkey didn't qualify for the Olympics and has an automatic berth into the 2010 world championships as the host country.

Game Highlights (USA vs. Turkey)

USA Basketball: Team USA defeats Canada

Coach Corey — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:37:47 GMT

Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Michael Redd scored 20 points apiece Friday as the USA dominated Canada 120-65 in a Beijing Olympic basketball tune-up.

Chris Paul handed out eight assists for the United States, who will play two warm-up games in Macao and two more in Shanghai before their Olympic opener in Beijing against hosts China on August 10.

Although Canada may not have been serious competition it did look like Team USA played very solid from as an overall team aspect. TEAM USA looked like one big "dunk" highlight reel with Chris Paul taking over the front court.

Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James injured his right ankle in a scrimmage Tuesday when he landed on the foot of reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Kevin Durant. As a result, James did not play on Friday, but he wasn't needed as the United States outscored Canada 34-18, in the third quarter en route to taking a 95-56 advantage entering the final period.

"I thought for our fifth day of practice we showed a lot of energy," coach Mike Krzyzewski said. "Guys are committed to playing defense. I liked the effort we had on the defensive end of the court. We're still developing this team. The more the game went along, the more comfortable they became. We got a commitment to protect each other's back. We're collectively responsible on defense."

The United States are vying to regain international basketball glory for the first time since claiming Olympic gold in 2000. Team USA was embarrassed en route to winning bronze medals in the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2006 World Championships. Since then, the team has been restructured. USA Basketball hired veteran NBA executive Jerry Colangelo to build the squad and appointed iconic Duke University coach Krzyzewski.

Players since have had to commit to Team USA for three years to foster the kind of continuity other international teams possess.