UPDATE: My worst-case scenario held sway for about the first 15-minutes of the game, but in the third quarter in particular the USA’s defense took over, and that was the difference. KD emphasized the defense and Kobe’s role in his great roundup. Craig W. said the same thing in the comments: All the flash and […]
International/Team USA
Vacation And Other Thoughts
I just got back from a vacation that included Chicago and the Detroit suburbs, and first things first, thanks to Reed for the breakdowns, Darius for his game thoughts, Gatinho for his history and game thoughts, and Nomuskles for filling that live-blog Jones we all had. This site never misses a beat with them around. […]
Team USA, Free Agency, and Other Stuff…
Some quick hit notes about what’s going on recently in the Olympics and the NBA in general… *Team USA ran away with it’s third consecutive game with a 92-69 bashing of Greece. From the recap, this was obviously a meaningful game for the Americans. Out of all the recent failings of Team USA in international […]
Talking Schedule (And Other Stuff)
The new 08-09 NBA schedules are out, including the Lakers. My thoughts at first glance — the Lakers should get off to a fast start. With the depth of the West there just are few if any “gimmes” but the front end of the schedule is fairly friendly. First, 10 of the first 15 games […]
Olympic Scouting Report
Regular readers of this site know Xavier, a professional basketball coach living in Barcelona (who recently earned a well-deserved promotion). He has a very good blog although the updates have been slow because he’s been working. The guy knows his stuff, and he has seen most of the world’s basketball teams much more than we […]
Team USA and Other Thoughts
A few thoughts after watching the USA v. Lithuania game, plus some other stuff. • We still don’t know how this USA team will fare against a team that can maintain ball control against their aggressive defense — but the question really is how many teams are going to be able to do that? In […]
Argentina and Other Thoughts
I got injured the other day just watching Beckham play….. • Well, if Argentina wants another shot at the USA, they should get it in a few days. But after watching the first meeting I’m not sure the second one will turn out any differently. • News flash: Kobe likes big games. He scored the […]
We’re Off On The Road To Beijing…
Forgive the corny Hope/Crosby headline, but the USA looks like a lock to go to the 2008 Olympics — and first and foremost this is what had to happen in this Tournament of Americas we’ve all been glued to. (Well, maybe glued isn’t the right word….) After watching all four USA games plus a little […]
What Kobe Wants….
Just as I went on a few days of vacation a new rash of “What Does Kobe Want?†and “What Will Kobe Do?†stories and speculation hit the media. The LA Times, ESPN, just about everywhere. I’m already sick of it, and as a Laker fan I guess I’m going to have to get used […]
It’s the Defense, Stupid
Up over at Ballhype is my first post for them, a discussion of Team USA and it’s defense. The numbers will look familiar to regular readers of this blog, but this new post (made after further review of my notes and other thoughts at the time of the Team USA on the international stage, I […]