After the U.S. reached the quarterfinals by routing a series of finesse-oriented teams, the traditional bully-boy tactics of the Aussies figured to present a different kind of challenge than the Americans had faced so far. But after a sluggish start, Team USA aced its latest test by totally overwhelming Australia, 116-85.
As usual, both sides of the ledger are hereby opened for perusal.
On the plus side:
The Americans refused to be intimidated by the Aussies' physicality and gave as many bumps and bangs as they received. Team USA used a combination of quickness and power to assault the offensive glass (18 offensive rebounds to Australia's 8), thereby creating several extra shots when the game was tight in the opening half. Once Deron Williams bagged a 3-pointer to close the first half, the lid on the basket was broken. The U.S. had hit only two of its 12 treys to start the game, but finished 12-for-28. The Americans took full advantage of the subpar passing skills of the Aussies, creating numerous turnovers that led to easy breakout scores. The game turned for good early in the third quarter when Coach K went to a small, lightning quick lineup that featured LeBron James at center. Once again, the team's depth and versatility were deciding factors. Kobe Bryant had his mojo working to the max, scoring 25 points on 9-for-15 shooting.On the debit side:
More horrible free-throw shooting — 18-for-31. J-Kidd couldn't keep his opposite numbers from driving into the lane. When the game was close at the start, Team USA began taking quick 3-pointers, over-dribbling, and generally forcing too many shots. This was the same recipe that created such unpalatable results in Athens. But Coach K was quick to restore order. The Aussies succeeded in penetrating Team USA's defense and shooting a total of 28 layups. Even if only 15 of these gimmes went down, this is an unacceptable number of easy shots. The point here is that, once their aggressive perimeter defense is breached, the Americans' interior defense is untrustworthy.Biggest surprise performance: While LBJ's unique combination of speed and power is old hat to veteran purveyors of NBA action, his emergence as the team's enforcer was unexpected. It was LeBron's hands-on response to an overly belligerent foul on Carmelo Anthony in the first quarter that let the Aussies know that the Americans wouldn't take being bullied.
Most disappointing performance: Dwight Howard's continued difficulties both at the stripe (2-for-5) and in making acceptable decisions on defense.
Conclusion: The Australians demonstrated more guts than talent, and were eventually run off the court. Team USA's defensive quickness prevented the Aussies from executing their slow-down, half-court game plan.
Outlook: If any team has the passing ability, toughness, discipline, experience, dead-eye-shooters, star-power, and quickness to make the Americans sweat, it's Argentina. Lack of depth, however, is Argentina's biggest flaw, one that will prove to be their undoing against Team USA.
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