The qualifying tournament for the 2008 Olympics starts today in Las Vegas. There are two groups of five teams each:

Group A
Panama
Puerto Rico
Argentina
Uruguay
Mexico

Group B
USA
Venezuela
Brazil
Virgin Islands
Canada

I think the format is that the top 4 teams from each group qualify for single elimination, and then the two teams that reach the finals are the ones who qualify for the Olympics.

The USA games will mostly be on ESPN Classic or ESPN2. Tonight's game is against Venezuela at 11 PM Eastern time; ESPN's own site can't seem to make up its mind about which channel it'll be on, so I guess it won't be totally clear until game time. Chat will be open for anyone who wants to stop by.

Thanks D4E!

It looks like I got the tournament format slightly wrong. According to this link (http://www.nba.com/news/fibaamericas_preview.html), after the first phase of group play, the top four teams in each group will play another round-robin where they face each of the top four teams from the other group. Once that's finished, the top 4 teams in the overall standings will advance to the semi-finals.

I just hope LeBrone don't go crazy and start driving and dunking on Chauncey and Tayshaun when the three of them are on the court playing tonight. :pound:

I just hope LeBrone don't go crazy and start driving and dunking on Chauncey and Tayshaun when the three of them are on the court playing tonight. :pound:

ok that was funny.... lol thanks for the laugh

I just hope LeBrone don't go crazy and start driving and dunking on Chauncey and Tayshaun when the three of them are on the court playing tonight. :pound:

Good stuff! :pound:

Lebran does not get any calls in that format. Its tough for him.

I think Lebrun will have a great tourney...

Lebrin will not se the ball much with Kobe and Carmella as teamates!

LeBryn is an overhyped media darling.

I think LeRaisinbran will get burned out from playing too much.

Lebran does not get any calls in that format. Its tough for him.

By "that format" you mean, refs who aren't intimidated by him or controlled by Stern? Wouldn't Euro refs be a breath of fresh air for the NBA?

Anybody watching the Canada vs Brazil game?

CA aka the dribbler, against Mexico just turned in one of the worst performance ever for a pg.

23 minutes, 0-10, 5 turnovers, 2 assists

CA aka the dribbler, against Mexico just turned in one of the worst performance ever for a pg.

23 minutes, 0-10, 5 turnovers, 2 assists

Yeah, but it was against Mexico... ouch.

Chat's open. Looks like the game will be shown live on ESPN Classic.

also on espn360

LeBryn is an overhyped media darling.

I can't want until the season starts when that clown will have to work without the refs in his pocket.

Its also going to be very interesting if he still gets the love after america decided he was not important enough to watch in the finals. That had to be a huge blow to the hype machine. Everyone was so convinced that he was going to save the sagging ratings.

The US team is a powerhouse. It's a joke watching them play Venezuela.

Only caught the end of the Canada/Brazil game. We have a long way to go to rebuild our national program. But it is promising.

Thanks D4, BillL and Illmatic for the chat. Good times.

Just watched the 1st quarter. This is one of the best teams the USA has fielded for International competition. Nice mix of athletic players who can both shoot and penetrate. This team is going to be extremely difficult to defend because they can burn you in so many ways.

I also like the decision to go with a College head coach as this more like the college game with all the creative matchups out there. Takes someone to think outside of the NBA box to succeed.

Lebraun...i heard the game started off slow. This game is not a guage what so ever.

The team is pretty good.

The addition of Kobe is a big one. Chaunce, Tay, and Mike Miller too.

They said Kobe lost 18 lbs or something since last year. He looked much slimmer and was a real pest on defense. Very Lindsey Hunter-like in his tenacity. With D-Ho cleaning up the shots around the hoop, I don't see how any team in this tourney can give them a scare.

tay got the most minutes vs, VEN

tay got the most minutes vs, VEN

Do you have a box score of the game? I couldn't locate one.

Do you have a box score of the game? I couldn't locate one.

box score (http://www.2007lasvegas.fibaamericas.com/pages/eng/fe/07/fibaAmer/men/scheResu/p/eventid/3965/gamename/2/groupname/B/langid/1/langlc/en/roundid/5730/fe_scheStat_boxScor.html)

box score (http://www.2007lasvegas.fibaamericas.com/pages/eng/fe/07/fibaAmer/men/scheResu/p/eventid/3965/gamename/2/groupname/B/langid/1/langlc/en/roundid/5730/fe_scheStat_boxScor.html)

Thanks, I was wondering how many pts Lebrxn had.

What's up with the deranged Sesame Street character at the top of that official web page?

LeBryn is an overhyped media darling.
Yeah, Roscoe, why don't you tell us exactly how you feel about LBJ.

I see that Tay is still practicing his 3 ball and got his obligatory 0 offensive rebounds. Did he put on any weight this summer to help grab boards and defend the post this season?? Sorry I still have visions of him stepping aside and giving LBJ a free pass to the bucket in game 5........:stirthepot:

The only one with more boards than Tay was D-Ho.

The only one with more boards than Tay was D-Ho.

I know he got five boards on the defensive end which is good...but after five years I want to see if he has expanded his game with some mental toughness and not still being the passive one offensively. In other words if he can make this FIBA team show some consistency and see if he can join these guys in February at the NBA Allstar game.....ya know what I mean... Can he finally be the defensive stopper and still be the consistent 3rd scoring option when Sheed or CB take the night off...

Can he finally be the defensive stopper and still be the consistent 3rd scoring option when Sheed or CB take the night off...

I thought Rip was the Pistons first option?:)

There is a reason Tay led the team in minutes. The announcers talked about how awestruck (insert Duke coach's name) was when he saw Tay in practice. They said he considered Tay to have the highest bball IQ on the team and was the glue that will keep it together.

Could have been Walton hyperbole, but he wasn't complimenting the Pistons too much on the night. In fact he had several rants about how much we are going to suck this year.

We are going to suck this year. Suck the air out of Walton's lungs!

I think billy walton just likes to hear himself talk

Delfino was 1/7 but contibuted 2 reb, 2 stls and 4 ast in a win. Looks like business as usual...good contributions marred by abysmal shooting.

Also, a nice comeback game from Arroyo. 16 pts, 8 ast, 5 rebs.


I watched that US game last night and fell asleep when we were up 50+ points. Jason Kidd is unusually effective when surrounded by a bunch of athletic freaks.

And again, Kobe's intensity is scary.

Also of particular interest to us should be the rebounding display by Tay.

2007 FIBA Americas Championship (http://www.2007lasvegas.fibaamericas.com/pages/eng/fe/07/fibaAmer/men/scheResu/p/eventid/3965/gamename/3/groupname/B/langid/1/langlc/en/roundid/5730/fe_scheStat_boxScor.html)

12 rebounds in only 19 minutes. The next highest total on the team was 6.

So, Tay got 9.5% of the minutes and nabbed 31% of the rebounds.


For a skinny forward, that is some hard work.

Picking up right where he left off shooting too - 14%.

Pretty nice distribution of minutes by Coach K.

P.S. Prince is averaging more minutes than anyone else on the team.

YouTube - FIBA Americas Top 10: Thursday (http://youtube.com/watch?v=17rMbfV6YBA&feature=dir)

wow. highlights from the USA game are globetrotter-esque.

Picking up right where he left off shooting too - 14%.


Yeah, the shot looks whack. The one he made was a forced shot over a defender that was in his grill.

At least he found a way to contribute.

P.S. Prince is averaging more minutes than anyone else on the team.

He's the one guy needed on the floor to counterbalance all of the superstar egos.

J Kidd will distribute, but Prince will play D and not mope on O cause he's the last option.

BTW, Delfino came strong tonight, 15 and 8 with 2 steals.

He's the one guy needed on the floor to counterbalance all of the superstar egos.

J Kidd will distribute, but Prince will play D and not mope on O cause he's the last option.

BTW, Delfino came strong tonight, 15 and 8 with 2 steals.

Exactly. Thats probably one of the reasons why the coach likes him so much. He is not out there trying to be the MVP or anything.

I'm not sure how it is physically possible for Howard to get 4 boards while Tay gets 12.

It just seemed like Prince had a gravitational pull and the ball was going straight to him every time. It is entirely possible that it was the luck of the bounce.

BTW, Delfino came strong tonight, 15 and 8 with 2 steals.
that's what I want to see!! I wish i could watch the games.

did anybody hear it when i think it was bill walton that said mello admitted that playing under lb hurt his confidence. if lb could hurt his confidence in 3 months imagine what he was doing to darko in those 2 seasons.

back to fiba.
this is the best usa team since back when they were putting the dream teams together. mello is the international man. we have also provided some shooters to help with those zones. i wonder how we will do against the euro style teams because these american teams still play kinda an american style. we will maybe have trouble with the euro teams.

did anybody hear it when i think it was bill walton that said mello admitted that playing under lb hurt his confidence. if lb could hurt his confidence in 3 months imagine what he was doing to darko in those 2 seasons.



Darko had a tough coach at Homofarm...I doubt if he was that mentally fragile when he got coached by LB. Give him a little more credit than that.

I sure hope Prince doesn't get worn down.

By that standard, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade went on to have spectacular seasons after playing for Brown in what many consider to be "not enough minutes" during the Olympics. I think Melo had a pretty good season too.

Not saying Brown is perfect or the coach for any and all players, but a case can be made for the players developing mental toughness under fire.

I tried to watch the game today, but all I saw was the USA team trying to run up the floor faster than Bill Walton's mouth. According to Walton, everyone else is playing for second...Once the score got above 25 it was no fun watching it anymore.

I hate to bring up old storylines, but if we had drafted mello, we'd be in the midst of a Piston dynasty even if LB didn't play him his rookie year....:stirthepot:

I tried to watch the game today, but all I saw was the USA team trying to run up the floor faster than Bill Walton's mouth. According to Walton, everyone else is playing for second...Once the score got above 25 it was no fun watching it anymore.

I hate to bring up old storylines, but if we had drafted mello, we'd be in the midst of a Piston dynasty even if LB didn't play him his rookie year....:stirthepot:
:deadhorse:lalala:

Why Lord Jesus, do we always digress??

that's what I want to see!! I wish i could watch the games.

Delfino with 20 points, 11 boards, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 1 TO in a win over Mexico tonight.

Delfino with 20 points, 11 boards, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 1 TO in a win over Mexico tonight.

delfino has always been a great rebounder. i love that about his game.

Darko had a tough coach at Homofarm...I doubt if he was that mentally fragile when he got coached by LB. Give him a little more credit than that.

I sure hope Prince doesn't get worn down.
mello had a tough coach in college but his confidence was still hurt by lb. i'm in no way saying darko couldn't or can't recover from it. i just found it interesting that mello was bothered by lb mentally.

mello, wade and lebron were also able to go to nba teams and be the man after lb. darko had no such luxury after lb. playing heals all wounds. you will all see this year.

we'd also have a dynasty if we had kept and played arroyo, delfino and darko.

Darko had a tough coach at Homofarm...I doubt if he was that mentally fragile when he got coached by LB. Give him a little more credit than that.

I sure hope Prince doesn't get worn down.

Darko has said repeatedly that it wasn't the coaching (he's said LB was no tougher than his Hemofarm coach) it was the DNPs and lack any meaningful chance to play that got him down.

I tried to watch the game today, but all I saw was the USA team trying to run up the floor faster than Bill Walton's mouth. According to Walton, everyone else is playing for second...Once the score got above 25 it was no fun watching it anymore.

I hate to bring up old storylines, but if we had drafted mello, we'd be in the midst of a Piston dynasty even if LB didn't play him his rookie year....:stirthepot:
Carmello would have demanded a trade 3 years ago, after being stuck playing 10 mpg behind Prince.

Carlos goes for 20 and 11 boards to lead Argentina over futuro immigrantes de Los Angeles

Argentina hits 15 3s in 104-83 victory over Mexico to clinch top spot in its group - Olympics - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news;_ylt=AgXXEh2JC4HQlAqLXh3iUuS8vLYF?slug=ap-bko-mexico-argentina&prov=ap&type=lgns)

:hoops:

Carmello would have demanded a trade 3 years ago, after being stuck playing 10 mpg behind Prince.

LB would not have played him that much during that "championship season", but he would have got more minutes than the HVC and eventually during that sophmore season possibly move ahead of Tay, since the fresh prince played most of the 04-05 season in a passive mode. Either of them would have been a great six man averaging 20 minutes a game. But alas as you say...being the number 2 pick, he as well as the NBA would have expected him to be starting that second year no matter if we were the defending champs or not. After all didn't everyone demand that Darko play too...:sssh:

Sorry for the old school rant, but 3 years of disappointments since the rings....... :focus: OK, where were we, oh yeah the FIBA stuff> Btazil within 15 near halftime..so finally they found some competition

Delfino with 20 points, 11 boards, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 1 TO in a win over Mexico tonight.

This one balances out with his 1-for-7 shooting game the other night.

Brazil hung in there for most of the first half, but the U.S. went on a big run going into halftime, and the rest of the game was blowout city. They won by 37, after being up 50 at one point. These guys are playing hard but still having a lot of fun together.

As mentioned in another thread, Tay had to be helped off the floor after coming down awkwardly in the first half, and there was no further report the rest of the game. So hopefully there'll be more info on that tomorrow.

Its hard to judge those couple of weeks under LB at the Olympics as any indication. Given a full season his methods may have made Mello a better player a lot sooner. Mello was not that great in his 1st 2 seasons. Browns problem was he was spending too much time teaching. Don't have the time to teach in that short time span.

This is a great team the US has. Thing is when the Olympics rolls around it will be different with a different coach.

Just got done watching Argentina beat Panama. Sure is strange seeing Delfino being used properly (as a setup guy, not as a spot up guy). 19 points, 5 boards, 6 assists.

Chris Sheridan's game summary for ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olybb/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&page=USA-Brazil)says this about Tay, which makes it sound like it isn't too serious an injury:


James and Carmelo Anthony (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3706) led the U.S. team with 21 points each, Bryant had 20 and Michael Redd (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3442) 16. The only sour note was Tayshaun Prince (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3621) spraining his left ankle late in the first quarter. He was listed as day-to-day for the Americans, who open second round play on Monday against Mexico.


Hey, has he been reading The Low? Sour Notes? ;)

we'd also have a dynasty if we had kept and played arroyo, delfino and darko.

I think you are reading a little too much into their play this summer.

I was really suprised at how poorly Mike Miller was passing the ball yesterday. Not sure if he always does that, or if he just got caught up in that all-star game mode, where everyone tries to force amazing passes for the crowd.

He didn't exactly have Kobe Bryant guarding him either.

Also, I'm gaining a lot of respect for J Kidd through watching these games. Usually, I'm rooting against him, so maybe I'm just seeing things through a clearer lens now.

Its hard to judge those couple of weeks under LB at the Olympics as any indication. Given a full season his methods may have made Mello a better player a lot sooner. Mello was not that great in his 1st 2 seasons. Browns problem was he was spending too much time teaching. Don't have the time to teach in that short time span.


it seems maybe mello should have been teaching lb some things about international play. he destroys the international competition yet lb couldn't put him on the floor cause he wanted to teach the wrong kind of lesson. lb always finds time to teach young players thier place in the world. given a full season i think mello would be tired of sitting on the bench when it's clear that he should be getting minutes and request a trade.

mello wouldn't have been a great player sooner under lb. mello is great now because he was getting heavy minutes on a lottery team. mello was allowed to make mistakes and grow his game.

Just got done watching Argentina beat Panama. Sure is strange seeing Delfino being used properly (as a setup guy, not as a spot up guy). 19 points, 5 boards, 6 assists.

it's a wonderful thing to watch. i've always said fino was a triple double threat. i wonder why flip wouldn't give him a chance running the offense. it's interesting how things will turn out in toronto. i know sam mitchell is loving watching delfino develop.

Can Tay realistically put on weight? I know a guy who tried that trick. He would pig out, eat as much as he could, drank 2000-calorie weight gainers. All he had to show after 2 months was measly 2 lbs.

it's a wonderful thing to watch. i've always said fino was a triple double threat. i wonder why flip wouldn't give him a chance running the offense. it's interesting how things will turn out in toronto. i know sam mitchell is loving watching delfino develop.
CD 19 and 11 on 7 of 12 shooting. What was Joe thinking only getting a couple of 2nd rounders for him?

That he plays in the NBA, not in FIBA? :)

That he plays in the NBA, not in FIBA? :)

You beat me to it. Let's see how Delfino does when he faces Team USA.

it seems maybe mello should have been teaching lb some things about international play. he destroys the international competition yet lb couldn't put him on the floor cause he wanted to teach the wrong kind of lesson. lb always finds time to teach young players thier place in the world. given a full season i think mello would be tired of sitting on the bench when it's clear that he should be getting minutes and request a trade.

mello wouldn't have been a great player sooner under lb. mello is great now because he was getting heavy minutes on a lottery team. mello was allowed to make mistakes and grow his game.

I am sure Mello would have apprecitated the significance of winning an NBA championship right out of the gate. That may have helped. Nothing nightmarish about that. Most guys try for that their whole career, take massive pay cuts for the chance, and never get one.

That he plays in the NBA, not in FIBA? :)

That says it all. Delfino was doing quit well in the Italian league when he was drafted.

Too bad Delfino did not want to be here because things were comming around for him. He played in all 82 games at almost 20 per game. Probably not going to see anymore than that in Toronto. Sometimes guys have to try a few teams before it sinks in that they are not talented enough to start in the NBA.

Also, I'm gaining a lot of respect for J Kidd through watching these games. Usually, I'm rooting against him, so maybe I'm just seeing things through a clearer lens now.

I agree, although this style of play is perfect for him and he is a true pure PG unlike Chauncey and D. Williams (to a lesser degree) that are just combo guards that are excellent passers.

C$ and Deron can see passes that almost nobody else can see right before it happens. Kidd can see everything all the time that nobody can see well before it happens...

I agree with Bill Simmons that Kidd should be an all star every year as long as he can play just because you need a pure PG to make the games enjoyable. The Magic/Isiah all star games were the best for the same reason.

I thought this was pretty funny:

"Kobe came to me and, in perfect Spanish, he told me I should allow his defender to play harder or he'd get bored," Argentinian referee Daniel Rodrigo told La Nacion, Argentina's largest newspaper.

Team USA dreaming again (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070828/SPORTS08/708280333/1127/SPORTS0102)

It is really one of the cockiest statements I've ever heard.

Can Tay realistically put on weight? I know a guy who tried that trick. He would pig out, eat as much as he could, drank 2000-calorie weight gainers. All he had to show after 2 months was measly 2 lbs.

What would he eat? Muscle also weighs more than fat, so eating isn't the only thing that helps put on some weight. The only reason chubby people usually weigh more than fir people is because the chubby people have a lot of excess fat.

That he plays in the NBA, not in FIBA? :)
if it's that easy why isn't anybody on the us team dropping 19 and 11 on a regular basis in international competition. the only difference with delfino is that his coach is putting the ball in his hands and letting him play. i love how guys try to justify joes bad trades by trying to downgrade what players do in other roles on new teams.

i wonder if joe could have waited to do that trade until after the tourney. i think we'd be getting much much more. joe only got 2 second rounders because the rest of the league only saw delfino playing a role that didn't fit his game. delfino wanted out and toronto knew what they were getting. joe got duped once again.

I am sure Mello would have apprecitated the significance of winning an NBA championship right out of the gate. That may have helped. Nothing nightmarish about that. Most guys try for that their whole career, take massive pay cuts for the chance, and never get one.

yeah. mello didn't like coming off the bench behind richard jefferson, odom and marion. i'm sure he would have accepted his role seeing his minutes to to darvin ham.

if it's that easy why isn't anybody on the us team dropping 19 and 11 on a regular basis in international competition. the only difference with delfino is that his coach is putting the ball in his hands and letting him play. i love how guys try to justify joes bad trades by trying to downgrade what players do in other roles on new teams.

i wonder if joe could have waited to do that trade until after the tourney. i think we'd be getting much much more. joe only got 2 second rounders because the rest of the league only saw delfino playing a role that didn't fit his game. delfino wanted out and toronto knew what they were getting. joe got duped once again.

put most our players on alot of those teams and they would average a heck alot more then 19 and 11. delfino is what he is... a nice bench player who in the right situation will help a team, but don't get to far ahead on him being a great player.

I think that Jay has a point with the timing of the transaction.

Maybe it would have been better to showcase him in FIBA, so that other teams could see what they are getting.

We didn't really get much for him. We may miss his rebounding and his situational defense.

If the new guys pan out, then it is water under the bridge.

put most our players on alot of those teams and they would average a heck alot more then 19 and 11. delfino is what he is... a nice bench player who in the right situation will help a team, but don't get to far ahead on him being a great player.

rasheed and mcdyess could and that is it. i'm not saying he's a great player i'm saying that we gave away a guy that can drop 19pts and 11rebs from the guard position for peanuts.

rasheed and mcdyess could and that is it. i'm not saying he's a great player i'm saying that we gave away a guy that can drop 19pts and 11rebs from the guard position for peanuts.

Billups, Rip, Tay, Flip Murray, Stuckey, Acker, Amir Johnson, and JMax probably could probably hit 20 points in these games too, if they were the go-to guy on a South American team. I would even guess that Nazr could do some serious damage if he played Uruguay.

Not trying to diminish Delfino's performance, but all of the NBA players in the tournament are doing well (Barbosa, Arroyo, Dalembert, Splitter, Nene, etc.).

Billups, Rip, Tay, Flip Murray, Stuckey, Acker, Amir Johnson, and JMax probably could probably hit 20 points in these games too, if they were the go-to guy on a South American team. I would even guess that Nazr could do some serious damage if he played Uruguay.

oh yeah. i forgot about jmax and amir. i'll add them to the list. so rasheed, amir, mcdyess and jmax could drop 20 and 11. all of them are big men.


Not trying to diminish Delfino's performance, but all of the NBA players in the tournament are doing well (Barbosa, Arroyo, Dalembert, Splitter, Nene, etc.).
yeah i agree. but none of them would be traded for 2 second round picks either.

if it's that easy why isn't anybody on the us team dropping 19 and 11 on a regular basis in international competition.
I didn't say International is inferior. I'm implying that it is different.

For example, Ron Hornaday is a two time Nascar truck series champion. But he's never been more than a marginal Nascar Winston/Nextel Cup Series driver.

Still racing, but different rules, environments, techniques.

yeah i agree. but none of them would be traded for 2 second round picks either.

Except for Arroyo... but that further confirms your point that we aren't getting fair value in our recent trade.

It's a complicated game, but in the cases of Darko, Arroyo, Maurice Evans, Delfino, and Ben Wallace, I think that Joe probably could have got more in return if he would have worked it a little better. Most of these guys wanted to leave, which put pressure on Joe to adhere to his policy where he grants players' wishes. However, I think that Joe could have done more through the coaches to make these guys NOT want to leave.

Then if you want to trade them, you can take your time behind the scenes and get a good deal.

Some of it is just a #s game. Salaries and roster spots.

And sometimes we take it for granted that the moves are all sequential based on date, rather than planned based upon preceding moves.

it seems maybe mello should have been teaching lb some things about international play. he destroys the international competition yet lb couldn't put him on the floor cause he wanted to teach the wrong kind of lesson. lb always finds time to teach young players thier place in the world. given a full season i think mello would be tired of sitting on the bench when it's clear that he should be getting minutes and request a trade.

mello wouldn't have been a great player sooner under lb. mello is great now because he was getting heavy minutes on a lottery team. mello was allowed to make mistakes and grow his game.

Yeah, and LB likes HITLER!!!!!

Is Carmella really a great player? He can score, but what about his defense?

I haven't been watching many of the games, so I hadn't realized just how much LeBron is shooting the lights out (http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olybb/news/story?id=2997198):

James was 11-for-11 from the field, making all four of his 3-point attempts, and scored 26 points in the first half Wednesday night to lead the United States to a 118-79 victory over Uruguay in the FIBA Americas tournament.

In a sensational display of speed and power, James raised his tournament-leading shooting percentage to an almost comical 79.7 percent (47-of-59). He is 14-of-20 from 3-point range, a 70 percent mark that also leads the event.

I doubt anyone will expect that to carry over against Olympic competition next year, but it's still pretty impressive.

Lebron's 3-point style seems much better from the shorter international range. Rip Hamilton is the same way.

LBJ is making a lot of shots, but he's also dunking at least 35% of his field goal attempts. That really helps to raise the old average. And they aren't just dunks, they are monster throw downs.

USA – “One on one” with Michael Redd
LAS VEGAS (FIBA Americas Championship (http://www.2007lasvegas.fibaamericas.com/)) – With starst like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Carmelo Anthony, there is chance that Michael Redd would go unnoticed to those who can’t appreciate his quality as a sharpshooter with the Milwaukee Bucks. He was big against Brazil, after scoring 16 points, from an impressive 4-7 from the three point line.

Does it was challenge for you today?

Definitely, it was. Brazil has been playing very well and we’re started a bit weak, but we started with the idea that it could be even.

What does it mean, at your age, to be part of Team USA?

I really want to be with this team. There are some dirty players that I usually face in the NBA. There, they put two or three men on me; that is why I happy here.

Did Team USA need to improve their shooting? Was that one of the problems in the last few years?

Yes. Anyway, we have practice our shooting a lot, and know we are getting better percentages. The three-point line is closer than in the NBA, which forced me to adapt, but I’m fascinated with the challenge.

With Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony in the team, don’t you feel a bit underestimated?

No, I don’t think so. It’s obvious that is not the same than playing in Milwaukee, which is in the national level. I’m one of the top scorers in the NBA, and not a lot of people recognize that, but it’s alright. What’s good about this team is that nobody is thinking about their points or stats. The only thing we have in mind is the gold medal.

Do your teammates ask you to shoot?

Yes, they love the way that I shoot, which is great. I’m feeling my teammates’ support.

Is Beijing in your mind?

No, we need to focus in Mexico now. We’ll think in Mexico when the time comes.

What going to Beijing will mean to you?

The whole world; is the most important tournament in the planet. To bring a gold medal again to USA will be enormous.

Fabian Garcia
FIBA Americas




This is from the FIBA Las Vegas website. I like Michael Redd, and I love foreigners, but this was one painful read. :MusicBigGrin:

We’ll think in Mexico when the time comes.


:pound:

Delfino getting shut down by Kobe... and the rim.

Amazing team this year.

Playing under a different set of rules has been a problem. We are starting to see some adjustments in strategy here. Players like Melo and Lebran are becomming experienced International players. Experience that can be shared with the rest of the team.

Add in some intellegent savy vets like Kobe, Kidd, Billups and Prince who can quickly adjust to any type of game and you get the result that we have been seeing in this tournament.

Another huge advantage the US team has is depth. US players do not have to play 30+ mins in this grueling pace. Mins are kept down so the fatigue is no more than scrimmage type.

Granted some teams like Argentina are going to come in a lot stronger for the 08 games when guys like Ginobili play for the gold. Keep this current US team together along with the head coach and I am confident the US team will win Gold. At least I hope they keep everyone together. They have earned the right to be on that 08 team.

Argentina kept that game pretty close considering they didn't have their top 5-6 players and the US was on fire from the 3-point line.

Even though we are crushing teams now, a full strength Argentina has a prayer I think.

I am loving the resurgence of USA basketball. We can't just waltz in there with some long on athleticism/ short on bball IQ guys and dominate. While we were refusing to let Jordan go the world grew up. Basketball has gone global and the US had to stop living in its past...like Lebron. The old lebron not the metrosexual or geeky one.

Scola looked pretty good. Especially inside against some pretty good D by Dwight Howard.

http://assets.espn.go.com/photo/2007/0830/nba_a_bryant2_195.jpg

Excellent help defense by Carlos.

Argentina kept that game pretty close considering they didn't have their top 5-6 players and the US was on fire from the 3-point line.

Even though we are crushing teams now, a full strength Argentina has a prayer I think.

Very true. It kind of weird that Argentina has so many good players. And they will be there for the Olympics.

I do believe that there has been a lesson learned here for the US. Coaches are not there to teach lessons, players are not there to see who can score the most. Everyone has to bring their A-games and treat it like the NBA Finals instead of the NBA All-star game.

Only 2 teams representing America in the Olympics? How many teams play in the Olympics?

Scary thought, Carlos was only the 2nd best player for Argentina. The best player, Scola plays for San Antonio next year.

Somehow, San Antonio has kept the core, and rebuilt with youth. Joe should take a lesson.

Scola was traded to Houston. San Antonio was worried that if they signed him, he and Tim Duncan might develop a Darko/Howard type of negative dichotomy. :MusicBigGrin:

I sure hope someone is reading this thread right now. For the love of God, I cannot find the FIBA games that are on right now on my three tv's at my dogsitting job. I hate this about dogsitting. All these crazy tv systems with about a million different remotes and if you hit the wrong button, it locks you out.

Anyway, who is carrying these Finals Games? I wanted to watch the last game because I've noticed that I don't dislike LeTravel and Kobe and even Mike KXDGHDKAKLJGI as much when they are on the team I am rooting for, instead of against. It's a real healing phenomenon. LOL.

Please someone if you have DirectTV who is the cable provider for this USA/Argentina game today? And isn't it like....right now? AARGH!!!

Thanks. AARGH!!!

I sure hope someone is reading this thread right now. For the love of God, I cannot find the FIBA games that are on right now on my three tv's at my dogsitting job. I hate this about dogsitting. All these crazy tv systems with about a million different remotes and if you hit the wrong button, it locks you out.

Anyway, who is carrying these Finals Games? I wanted to watch the last game because I've noticed that I don't dislike LeTravel and Kobe and even Mike KXDGHDKAKLJGI as much when they are on the team I am rooting for, instead of against. It's a real healing phenomenon. LOL.

Please someone if you have DirectTV who is the cable provider for this USA/Argentina game today? And isn't it like....right now? AARGH!!!

Thanks. AARGH!!!

Kim it is on NBA TV right now via my Direct TV...USA up 35-14 at the end of 1.

Kim it is on NBA TV right now via my Direct TV...USA up 35-14 at the end of 1.

Woo hoo LA Dre thanks for responding so quickly. It is as I suspected. It must be only on NBA TV. The dogsitting client doesn't pay for that channel. I guess I'll have to start giving a discount to clients who are willing to pay the extra $5 for the sports package.

So I guess I'll have to miss this one. If I wanted to be a total idiot I could watch it in one of eight windows on the Direct TV Sports Mix. But I'm not that desperate. I haven't really been following it much as I have been on two months of dogsitting gigs with various and sundry tv arrangements and worse random and foreign computer arrangments. I finally bought a boombox and bunch of new cd's so now my entertainment hours are back under my control!

Enjoy the game everyone. I was hoping to drop my distaste for Coach KZ down a few notches by watching the USA get a nice win.

It's a shame about Nene. I really like that player alot. I hope his injury doesn't set him back too far for the regular season. Anyone know how serious it was?

LA Dre I found it!!! I called up Direct TV and gave them a hard time. It turned out to be on Fox Sports Northwest too. I knew someone other than NBA TV had to be covering this game. So I've got it on the upstairs tv. On the downside, I think I hit the wrong button on the remote on their HDTV so I've got a blank screen. LOL.

Tay looks pretty good out there. Howard looks massive. It's so wierd to want Kobe to do well. LOL. And LeTravel seems almost tolerable when he is relaxed and not carrying the weight of the Cavs and his own legacy on his shoulders. Not biting his nails as much for sure. I've a resolution to watch more of Kidd this upcoming season. Carmelo looks primo and I do hope everyone will drop the Carmella thing soon. He's very strong, athletic and smart player I think. Chauncey, I don't know...I just don't know about Chauncey. Pressure, team or individually experienced, doesn't seem to help his game much these days.

GO USA!!!

Scola was traded to Houston. San Antonio was worried that if they signed him, he and Tim Duncan might develop a Darko/Howard type of negative dichotomy. :MusicBigGrin:
Now I'm really depressed. San Antonio got less than we got for Delfino. Couldn't Joe have offered something to Scola? After watching him play in FIBA, he'd be great on this team. Can play the 3 or 4. Money inside of 15 feet.

As for the game, Lebron has J, scary. Kobe is Kobe. Tay is well, unfortunately still Tay. Dwight has the most insane inside game I've seen since young Shaq, maybe better, but he is completely useless more than 5 feet from the rim. This US team could beat the original dream team, man I'd love to see Jordan in his prime go one on one with Kobe. My money on Kobe.

Scola will win rookie of the year, unless the fix is in for the top two picks. Delfino showed great passes, rebounding, jump shots, and some dumb a--- drives to lane. Scoop shot infront of Dwight Howard? Huh? He's lucky Dwight didn't break his arm on the block.

US wins the Gold - :winner_first_h4h:

Argentina gets Silver and PR wins Bronze in a close game over Brazil.

So US and Argentina get an automatic invite to the 08 Olympics.

Ok, so how does this work?


This same FIBA USA Team is the same team that will compete in the `08 Olympics?

If so, what happens if a player changes their mind about competeing? Or can they change their minds?

Also, what happens if a current player can`t compete in the Olympics, because of injury, personal problems etc......?

Ok, so how does this work?


This same FIBA USA Team is the same team that will compete in the `08 Olympics?

If so, what happens if a player changes their mind about competeing? Or can they change their minds?

Also, what happens if a current player can`t compete in the Olympics, because of injury, personal problems etc......?

As far as I know they re-select every year. I would imagine since these guys were busting their butts for the auto-pass that they would be given 1st choice.

yes.. As far as I know.. everyone will be back with perhaps the exception of Mike Miller.. he had a bad tournament overall.. there are 2 players that are most likely going to get slotted in if anyone leaves.. Bosh and Wade.

I believe that
LBJ
Melo
Dwight
Amare
Kidd
Kobe
Redd
Chauncey
Tayshaun

are pretty much locks for the team with Mike Miller,Tyson Chandler and Deron Williams being the 3 that might be decided between to get Bosh and Wade onto the team.

Depends a lot on who wants to come back and what Star now wants to play. Someone like Wade can steal a spot from someone. It may not hurt to add another big.

Overall the current team should be given 1st choice.

yes.. As far as I know.. everyone will be back with perhaps the exception of Mike Miller.. he had a bad tournament overall.. there are 2 players that are most likely going to get slotted in if anyone leaves.. Bosh and Wade.

I believe that
LBJ
Melo
Dwight
Amare
Kidd
Kobe
Redd
Chauncey
Tayshaun

are pretty much locks for the team with Mike Miller,Tyson Chandler and Deron Williams being the 3 that might be decided between to get Bosh and Wade onto the team.

It wouldn't surprise me if Durant made the Olympic roster, especially if he puts up big numbers in Oklahoma City, oops I mean Seattle?

:hoops:

Mike Miller, Tayshaun, Tyson Chandler, and Chauncey are on the ropes as far as the olympics go.

Mike Miller will most likely go because he shot poorly during the tournament.

Tyson Chandler is not in as bad as a position as Miller, but Bosh could easily take his spot.

Tayshaun got boards and played defense, but his shot was inconsistent.

Chauncey slowed tempo at the right times and was a good distributor, but his shot was also very inconsistent.

Mike Miller, Tayshaun, Tyson Chandler, and Chauncey are on the ropes as far as the olympics go.

Mike Miller will most likely go because he shot poorly during the tournament.

Tyson Chandler is not in as bad as a position as Miller, but Bosh could easily take his spot.

Tayshaun got boards and played defense, but his shot was inconsistent.

Chauncey slowed tempo at the right times and was a good distributor, but his shot was also very inconsistent.

I'm not sure Coach K is as concerned about having 12 shooters as Flip Saunders is. There may be room for someone or two who can distribute, get boards, and play defense.