United States Basketball

[Mean Green Matt]

Is anyone else watching the FIBA World Championship? It't not as cool as the world cup, but still pretty fun to root for the USA!

The next USA game is tomorrow morning at 10:00am vs. Russia. This is the quarterfinals.

Spain, one of only several teams in the world the experts say had a chance of beating us was eliminated by Serbia this morning. Argentina and host Turkey are both still in it though.

What is really cool about the team though is that a lot of the big NBA stars are not on it (Lebron, Dwade, Kobe...), and they are still doing very well.

Go USA!

[CMJ]

I've been watching when i can. Do not look forward to playing Turkey in the Finals(where I think we'd match up with them if we both made it that far?). That will be a pit of hate and venom spewed at us if it's for the Gold Medal.

On a side note, major props to Turkey for playing so well. Usually they're not really thought of as a major international power.

[KRAM1]

I've been watching when i can. Do not look forward to playing Turkey in the Finals(where I think we'd match up with them if we both made it that far?). That will be a pit of hate and venom spewed at us if it's for the Gold Medal.

Just wondering why you say that? Basketball related or politics related?

[CMJ]

Just wondering why you say that? Basketball related or politics related?

More basketball, but I am sure politics might be in there. I really meant basketball though. Think about it...dominant power(even though we lost in 2002 and 2006 we're still perceived that way) in the sport facing plucky home underdog who has had a miracle undefeated run to this point.

It'd be like their version of the 1980 Miracle on Ice.

[Green Mean]

Just wondering why you say that? Basketball related or politics related?

It is probably more basketball related. There won't be any venom that is politically related.

[eulesseagle]

1972 Olympics in Munich.....hope this does not repeat itself....USA vs. USSR..........

how many remember this?

[Army of Dad]

1972 Olympics in Munich.....hope this does not repeat itself....USA vs. USSR..........

how many remember this?

Coach K remembers! He had a terse reply about the some commnets the Russian coach made about '72.

[CMJ]

A lot of folks hate Coach K because of their animosity towards Duke and his overexposure with being a coorporate shill.

But damn, I've always thought highly of the guy -- and he once again doesn't disappoint.

Edited September 8, 2010 by CMJ

[Mean Green Matt]

I have liked Coack K since he said that winning an olympic gold medal was more important to him than a national championship with Duke. His explanation was (paraphrased) that representing your country was as good as it gets.

I still hate Duke though...

Edited September 9, 2010 by Mean Green Matt

[CMJ]

Well, he did serve in the military - so it's not a shocker he'd feel that way.

[CMJ]

Tough first half against Russia. USA by 5.

[Mean Green Matt]

I did not know Coach K was in the military...I suppose I was not all that thorough with his wikipedia page.

As far as the basketball, we are insanely athletic, and look pretty good considering that Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, and Dwayne Wade all found reasons not to represent their country this summer.

USA by 7...4:54 left 3rd quarter.

[CMJ]

Westbrook and Odom really stepped up in that 3rd quarter. USA by 13 going into the 4th -- looking good.

[CMJ]

USA 89

Russia 79

Final

Played pretty well overall I'd say. Durant was a beast all game long. Onto the semis!

Edited September 9, 2010 by CMJ

[Mean Green Matt]

USA 89

Russia 79

Final

Played pretty well overall I'd say. Durant was a beast all game long. Onto the semis!

Way to go USA! I sure hope we get Lithuania instead of Argentina in the semifinals.

[Mean Green Matt]

Lithuania downed Argentina 104-85...maybe I was wrong about wanting to play the Lithuanians.

The semifinals with world ranking in parentheses are: USA (2) vs. Lithuania (6), and Serbia (5) vs. Turkey (18).

[CMJ]

Almost gametime. Let's go USA.

[CMJ]

Good start...USA 16-11. Durant already has 10! This feels like it's gonna be a down to the wire one though.

Edited September 11, 2010 by CMJ

[CMJ]

USA 23-12 after 1 quarter. That was as good as we've played the whole Tournament given the level of competition.

[Mean Green Matt]

Great start USA!! After seeing what Lithuania did to Argentina though, we need to stay sharp the whole game.

[CMJ]

USA 42

Lithuania 27

Halftime

Durant has 24 already. Odom and Love are making all the "little" plays. Westbrook had a fantastic block on a Lithuanian breakaway with about 3 minutes to go in the 2nd quarter. Really looking sharp so far, Coach K has to be pleased.

[CMJ]

USA 65-53 after the 3rd. I shoulda mentioned earlier how well Andre Iguodala is playing as well. He's usually a great scorer but is really playing solid defense, rebounding, and making the extra pass. Really I love the way this team is playing right now. They might not be as good as our team that won in Bejing, but in some ways I like the make-up of this one more.

[MeanGreenTexan]

Kevin Durant is a monster. If he improves at all (not really much to improve) on his play last year, he'll be MVP.

[CMJ]

USA 89

Lithuania 74

Final

Durant goes for 38, a Team USA record in the World Championships. Nice defensive performance by USA. I gotta go into work tomorrow, but I'll try to sneak away to watch some of the Gold medal game when I can.

[Mean Green Matt]

25-17 USA over Turkey in the championship game. 9:22 left 2nd quarter.

Edited September 12, 2010 by Mean Green Matt