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Team USA's swarming defense, offense too much

by Charley Rosen

Charley Rosen is FOXSports.com's NBA analyst and author of 15 books about hoops, the current ones being The First Tip-Off: The Incredible Story of the Birth of the NBA and No Blood, No Foul.

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Updated: August 19, 2008, 1:45 AM EDT
Since there was really nothing at stake for Team USA, their 106-57 obliteration of Germany showed few surprises. Still, every team in every game has some ups and some downs.

First, the upside:

  • Coach K perpetuated his game plan of going to Dwight Howard ASAP, and the young man responded by totally dominating Germany's bevy of 7-footers. It should be noted, though, that there's nothing radical about this procedure — the well-known principle being that after getting early touches (and shot opportunities), bigs will then run the floor, be active on the glass, and hustle on defense.

  • The Americans did a great job of pushing the ball and attacking Germany's zone defense before it could get set.

  • Against Germany's man-to-man defense, the Americans were routinely able to carry the ball into the middle, resulting in layups and even more dunks.

  • As ever, Team USA's hounding defense translated into a dunk-o-rama at the other end of the court.

  • America's defense was so stifling that the Germans had trouble getting shots up, completing passes and even maintaining possession while they were standing still.

  • Dirk Nowitzki was repeatedly swarmed on defense and was subsequently never a factor.

  • Their 3-pointers were also on target.

  • No matter how large their lead, they always played hard and smart.

    Now the downside:

  • Germany's defense was so overwhelmed that it was often difficult to discern whether they were playing zone or man-to-man. Nevertheless, when operating against clearly identifiable zones, the Americans shot only 8-for-20 (for 17 points) and committed four turnovers. Not bad, but not good either.

  • Howard's continued failures at the free throw line (4-for-9) could prove costly should Team USA find themselves in a tight game during the medal round.

  • The U.S. resorted to several isolations against man-to-man defenses — mostly by Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony — with only limited success. It's imperative that this team keeps the ball moving whenever they're forced to play a half-court possession.

  • Kobe missed two dunks!

    Biggest surprise performance: Jason Kidd maintaining his perfect shooting percentage by dropping a 3-pointer. He's now 2-for-2.

    Most disappointing performance: Carlos Boozer missing a 4-foot jumper by two feet.

    Conclusion: The guys were loosey-goosey and having fun, yet they still played with discipline. In addition to their collective talent and depth, the overall confidence of this squad makes them even more formidable.

    Outlook: They have yet to be seriously challenged, and perhaps they won't be. But with every play fraught with increased importance in the forthcoming one-and-done tournament, and with the rugged, fearless Aussies on deck, nothing is guaranteed.

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    {fsComments::userName}

    (Report inappropriate content)

    I like Bobby. He's an amazing guy. I saw his profile on a FREE & HOT celebrity dating site called ' R i c h M a t c h M a k in g . co m'. But I don't know if it is him. You may go there and check if it is just a rumor

    richeberrricheberr
    8/22/2008 5:06:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)

    USA USA USA all day gold for sure no doubt about it. BEst game abotu basketball is cyberdunk u get drafted into leagues in cluding euro league and play for them trying to make it to the US. Test the game otu its pretty good www.cyberdunk. com/?ref=960170

    chrisp3chrisp3
    8/20/2008 11:39:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)

    D.Wade, L. James, are America's best! Eyes don't lie. Go USA!

    RamboheelRamboheel
    8/20/2008 1:06:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)

    I say call Bruce Bowen so he can trow some karate kits at some of this europeans, to make it more watchable, it's boring, or brin Barkeley to the commentary so we can laught at the stupidities he always talks about

    champcallchampcall
    8/20/2008 0:35:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)

    And just where are the amateur players in Europe? Where are they hiding? You going to have teams of 15 and 16 year old players for Spain, Italy and Germany? The 18 and older players in Europe are all already playing on pro clubs just like in soccer. Get a clue here.


    8/19/2008 22:05:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)

    The average margin of victory for the US is 32 points, the next closest squad is Argentina with a 13 point average victory margin. That is impressive in anybodys book. Australia is in deep, deep trouble.

    bballnerdbballnerd
    8/19/2008 18:56:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)

    So far the U.S. team has proved what I've been saying all along, and that is we still are and always have been light years ahead of the rest of the world in basketball WHEN we 1. put our best players out there and 2. are motivated enough to get the job done offensively and defensively

    spochspoch
    8/19/2008 18:32:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)

    I am going on record and saying China will beat Lithuania and Greece will beat Argentina. Any takers? I am more confident about the China game.

    bballnerdbballnerd
    8/19/2008 17:37:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)

    Congratulations Larry Brown, with every passing day it becomes more obvious you did the worst coaching job in the history of the game of basketball in Athens 2004. Good work, Granny Clampett.

    JayStar2K8JayStar2K8
    8/19/2008 15:12:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)

    Azoutlawz you are a ass were are you getting this junk from grow up punk and go play with your big wheel you prick.do not write anything else this a sports page b---it--ch

    steelcurtain757steelcurtain757
    8/19/2008 13:42:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)

    AZOutlawz:<br />OMG Give it a rest! How long ago did OJ get acquitted? Did OJ sleep with your wife or or daughter? Let it be.<br /><br />Well anyway...<br />It looks like Rosen finally is jumping on the TEAM USA bandwagon. First it was Greece, then Spain. TEAM USA is winning the GOLD.


    8/19/2008 11:36:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)

    PROBLEM IS ...THE OTHER COUNTRIES ARE STILL SCARED O.J SIMPSON COULD BE SITTING IN THE SEATS WITH A BIG KNIFE JUST WAITING FOR HIS CHANCE TO CUT OFF BLONDE LOOKING PEOPLE'S HEADS..HE FREAKY LIKE THAT..I SEE THE PLAYERS OFTEN LOOKING FOR A BIG BLACK DUDE WITH A BLADE IN THE CROWD..BLESS THEIR HEARTS FOR THEY MAY SOON HAVE THEM CUT OUT..

    AZOUTLAWZAZOUTLAWZ
    8/19/2008 10:13:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)

    Go USA!

    Zen_and_TonicZen_and_Tonic
    8/19/2008 9:43:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)

    I can't believe I'm saying this, being a Celtics fan for so many years but... GO KOBE!!!

    itsspideymanitsspideyman
    8/19/2008 8:36:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)

    Medal results for Men's Basketball:<br /><br />Gold medal- USA<br /><br />Silver medal- Who cares<br /><br />Bronze medal- Who really cares

    astley1985astley1985
    8/19/2008 7:53:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)

    After losing their first two the Aussies are looking tough and undefeated. They destroyed Lithuania the other day by knocking down 19 tre's. WOW. I hope the USA comes ready and focus. This could spell let down.

    SoloRo31SoloRo31
    8/19/2008 7:10:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)

    CHINA HAS BEN DRESSING UP AMERICAN TO LOOK LIKE CHINESE SO THEY COULD WIN..ALSO THEY HIRED O J SIMPSON TO STAND AT THE COMPETITIONS WITH A HUGE KNIFE IN HIS HANDS AND STARE AT PEOPLE..ITS A SYCHE THING

    AZOUTLAWZAZOUTLAWZ
    8/19/2008 7:05:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)

    Greensleeves and eightys baby the dynamic moronic duo!!!

    bluedarterbluedarter
    8/19/2008 4:20:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)

    islandpriest,<br />So how many gold medals have you won???<br />I thought so.

    ThaBullDawgThaBullDawg
    8/18/2008 20:30:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)

    baseball players get the most rest out of anyone, they stand around all the time

    theReturnofMitheReturnofMi
    8/18/2008 19:44:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)

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