Interesting read at CBS Sportsline from Tony YEEHAW!

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nba/story/9608586

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To all of my friends, comrades and companions at PF.com

Thank you for another great season!

US 57 - Puerto Rico 51 at the half.

Halftime of this game and US is up by 6 pts only.

All I kept hearing about on play by play during the exhibition games is how great the pressure defense of US team is. But I've got a bit of a bad feeling that the pressure is only happening on the perimeter while Puerto Rico is passing or slashing into the paint pretty consistently.

We just beat these guys by a lot in exhibition. I hope this isn't a deja vu all over again with Puerto Rico.

US is kind of pulling away now.

This is my 1st game. I notice the International rules seem to effect everyone except Lebran James. Guess he is just that good to be able to adjust. Wade seems to be a non-factor.

Aussies knock off Brazil. Way to go team! Too bad Chris Anstey couldn't play. Bogut contributed his usual 10+10, but I was expecting more from him.

One more good article for folks interested in the World 'Ships

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Basketball...65320-sun.html

Also, this little nugget

M.I.A.
The small African nation of Senegal might have had a good basketball team if Pape Sow (Toronto Raptors), DeSagana Diop (Dallas Mavericks), Boniface N'Dong (Los Angeles Clippers), Saer Sene (Seattle SuperSonics) and Cheick Samb (Detroit Pistons) decided to play in Japan. Each chose not to play for various reasons, mostly because they didn't want to get dunked on by Uncle Sam.

In all fairness, Pape Sow is injured.

__________________
To all of my friends, comrades and companions at PF.com

Thank you for another great season!

Maybe they'll get over their jitters playing in the NBDL or NBA the next year, and join up for the Olympics next time around. It would be fun to see NBA Senegal play ball with anyone!

Watched the USA game on tape earlier today. Out of the big three/captains, Carmelo was the only one who looked good in the halfcourt offense. Wade didn't do too much out of any sets, and Lebron jacked up several idiotic shots early on in possessions. The fast-break, of course, is where these guys are all basically unstoppable, and that was the difference today. Joe Johnson hit a few threes right off the bench, and Hinrich drained a few corner-pocket Mo Evans specials.

On defense for the USA, it was usually feast or famine--either they forced a turnover with a steal or a block, or they got served on dribble penetration by the Puerto Rican guards. And not just Arroyo, they made a couple of other dudes look like All-Stars as well.

Wow. Great game summary d4e. I don't understand how the commentators keep saying defense is our strength on this team. I think it must be wishful thinking. Too much dribble penetration to easy baskets for Puerto Rico, as you say.

Reminder:

US vs. China Sunday today at 6:30 am EST. ESPN2

That's in three hours. If you're still up and checking out pf.com, maybe just stay up for the game.

Chris Paul, Joe Jackson, Kirk Heinrich have been impressive and fun to watch. Chris Paul is the real deal.

I expect great things from LeBron and Wade so in a way they're not as much fun to watch. Carmelo has been a surprise dominant force and might just need to be on a better team in the future. I don't think those Nuggets are the best fit for him.

Wee hour meanderings. Waiting for the game.

Wade leads USA hoops team to rout of China
TSN.ca, Canada

Using a swarming defence and their huge advantage in depth to make life miserable for China and its all-star centre, the Americans rolled to a 121-90 victory Sunday night to remain unbeaten at the world championships.