Team USA

Olympics: Team USA Wins Gold

Shawn Siegel — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 06:30:41 -0700

Team USA defeated Spain in the Olympic Gold Medal Game on Sunday by the score of 118-107. With the victory, the U.S. completed an 8-0 sweep of its competition in Beijing and more importantly accomplished the "Redeem Team" mission of bringing gold back home to the United States.

Spain got off to a good start, taking a 22-17 lead after just six minutes. While Team USA looked to be pulling away into the second quarter, the Spanish remained in the game deep into the fourth. Spain began the 4th period with a 7-0 run, cutting the lead to just two points. But Kobe Bryant answered with 2 of his 13 4th quarter points to get the Americans back on track. With USA leading by just 4 with 7:30 left, Deron Williams hit a big three to extend the lead to 7 points. Spain made another late push, but with Team USA leading 108-104 with 2:37 left, Dwyane Wade hit another clutch three that sealed the victory.

Wade led all scorers with 27 points, including 4 of 7 from downtown. Overall, Team USA hit an impressive 13 of 28 threes. Rudy Fernandez (recently acquired by the Portland Trailblazers) led Spain with 22 points, despite being limited to 17 minutes due to foul trouble.

Olympics: Team USA 116 - Australia 85

Press Release — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:08:25 -0700

Following a slow start, the United States quickly regrouped and rolled past Australia by the score of 116-85 in Olympic quarterfinal action Wednesday night in Beijing. Team USA improves to 6-0 with the win and more importantly advances to Friday's semifinal round.

Deron Williams (Illinois) hit a big 3-pointer to close out the first half, putting the United States up by 12 and providing a momentum lift that the U.S. carried over into the second half when the squad quickly put Australia away for good with a 14-0 run to start the third quarter. Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 25 points, including 4 of 7 from three.

Patrick Mills (Saint Mary's) led Australia with 20 points.

Team USA will play reigning Olympic champion Argentina in the semifinals Friday at 9:15 a.m. Central Time. This will be a rematch of the 2004 semifinal in Athens that saw Argentina defeat the U.S. In the other semifinal, Spain takes on Lithuania.

Olympics: How to Beat Team USA (or Die Trying)

Hoopsworld — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 02:12:07 -0700

By: Mike Moreau

If opponents keep turning the ball over and Team USA makes perimeter shots, no team in these Olympics - or on the planet for that matter - can beat them. Team USA is getting better with each game as opponents get tougher – a truly scary combination. This team is a juggernaut and clearly the best team in the world.

But, not until they win the gold medal.

This team has some weaknesses and can be beaten. But, it will take great execution and shot making by an opponent, coupled with defensive breakdowns, poor decision making and dreadful shooting on the part of Team USA.

That may be an impossible combination for the rest of the world to put together. All of the X's, O's and game planning in the world won't do any good if Team USA is on their game.

But, in an attempt to create this scenario, opponents' game plans might look something like this:

OFFENSIVE KEYS TO BEATING TEAM USA

The strength of Team USA's swarming defense is ball pressure and denial of passing lanes. This is where athleticism, quickness and anticipation can be best utilized, and this is where the turnovers and easy baskets are occurring. To limit these mistakes, look for opponents to:

Play with more two guard fronts and use the high post as a pressure release to reverse the ball. This keeps the ball moving quicker on the pass so defenders have to adjust, preventing them from just locking in on pressure and denial. It also draws center Dwight Howard away from the basket, opening driving lanes and backdoor cutting areas.
Initiate more backscreen action. This is the screen NBA players see the least. If the defense plays straight, it is a good way for the screener to get an open three-point shot. And with Team USA switching many screens, this also allows the screener to slip to the basket for an easy score.
Run more "screen the screener" action on the perimeter and in the post. This catches Team USA in the middle of a switch and can cause momentary confusion. Spain had good success with this when they weren't throwing the ball all over the gym.
Isolate the point guard on the switch. When point guards Chris Paul or Deron Williams switches onto a bigger man, take advantage by posting that man on the smaller guy. Bury him and make him pay.
In high ballscreen action, skip the screener and make the pass to the shooter in the corner, whose man is cheating to the roll man. Greece did this very well. This guy is open and must make a high percentage.
Also in high ballscreen action, flatten the other three offensive players on the baseline. This creates space in the middle, allowing shooters to roll to the top on the help rotation. Spain had success with this as well. It's there but again, the shots must get knocked down.
Don't concede the rebound. This is a double-edged sword since attacking the offensive glass leaves fewer defenders back in transition. However, offensive rebounds lead to lay-ups and free throws, and could keep Team USA from breaking out early.

DEFENSIVE KEYS TO BEATING TEAM USA

The easy baskets after turnovers allow Team USA to turn close games into blowouts; they may be the best transition team in the history of basketball. Opponents must make this a slower, halfcourt game. To force this pace, look for opponents to:

Sprint back to the rim in transition. Don't get caught trying to match up outside or stop the ball between the circles. Spanish center Marc Gasol digging in and trying to stop Chris Paul at halfcourt was comical. Australia did the best job of getting back and protecting the paint.
Sag and play ridiculously soft defense on the perimeter. Lay off so much that you just beg Team USA to shoot jump shots. Just keep backing up - all jump shots, all the time.
Play combination defenses – Triangle and Two, Diamond and One, changing from man to zone every possession, etc. You can't play them straight up – they are in a groove against both man and zones. You have to do it with smoke and mirrors, anything to create hesitation or give them pause.
Foul hard at the rim. You dunk, you go down. Simple as that. It might start an international incident, but there will be no highlight reel dunks. This can also get Team USA caught up in physical play, officiating, and create a distraction to get them out of their rhythm. Get in their heads by making it more of a fight and less of a game.

Every opponent of Team USA up to this point has tried some combination of all of these and had limited success. Can any of these teams put together an intricate game plan like this in a couple of days, execute it to perfection, shoot a high percentage and force Team USA into it's worst performance of the Olympics?

Not likely. But the medal round is one and done – back-to-back-to-back Game 7's. Anything can happen.

What is most likely to happen? More of the same for the rest of the world, and a gold medal for Team USA.

Olympics: Team USA 106 - Germany 57

Press Release — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:23:14 -0700

Team USA concluded its perfect run through Preliminary Play with its most dominating Olympic performance to date, throttling Germany by the score of 106-57 Monday night in Beijing. With the victory, the U.S. wrapped up prelims with a perfect 5-0 mark in Group B and has the top record entering the single-elimination medal round.

Dwight Howard led all scorers with 22 points and 10 rebounds while LeBron James added 18. Dirk Nowitzki led Germany with 14 points in 23 minutes.

Up next for the United States is the medal round, which begins on Wednesday. The U.S. will face Australia in quarterfinal action while Greece takes on Argentina, Spain goes up against Croatia and China plays Lithuania.

Poll: Who is the Best Player on Team USA?

Shawn Siegel — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 08:44:40 -0700

Olympics: Team USA 119 - Spain 82

Press Release — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 08:53:50 -0700

Team USA improved to 4-0 in Olympic Preliminary Play, blowing past reigning FIBA World Champion Spain by the score of 119-82 Saturday night in Beijing. With the win, the United States has clinched the No. 1 seed for Group B when the medal round begins next week.

Former Illinois All-American Deron Williams had his highest point total thus far in the Olympics, scoring 11 points to go along with three assists and two rebounds. Eight U.S. players reached double figures in all, led by 18 points from LeBron James and 16 apiece from Dwyane Wade (Marquette) and Carmelo Anthony (Syracuse).

The U.S. shot 58 percent and tied a team record in Olympic play by nailing 12 three-pointers. The United States also kept up its intense defense, recording 16 steals while forcing Spain into 28 turnovers, marking the third straight opponent to have 25 or more miscues against the U.S.

The Quarterfinals begin on Wednesday.

USA Beats Angola 97-76

Press Release — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 07:05:32 -0700

The U.S. men's basketball team improved to 2-0 in Olympic Preliminary Play in Group B with a 97-76 victory over Angola on Tuesday night in Beijing. Former Illini Deron Williams played a team-high 22 minutes for Team USA in the win, totaling seven points, four assists and two steals.

Dwyane Wade led the U.S. with 19 points while Dwight Howard added 14. The U.S. shot 56 percent for the game and played aggressive defense, forcing Angola into 25 turnovers which led to easy baskets.

The U.S. continues Preliminary Round play on Thursday morning, facing Greece at 7 a.m. Central Time. That game will be televised on USA.

Yaosers: Team USA Beats China 101-70

Press Release — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 20:30:13 -0700

The U.S. men's Olympic basketball team dazzled President Bush and perhaps a billion more fans in one of the most anticipated events of the Summer Games.

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and company put on a dunk contest Sunday night against China, playing up to the basketball-crazed Chinese fans that packed the arena.

While the U.S. squad struggled shooting jump shots, the Americans soared for an array of reverse slams and tomahawk jams drawing oohs and ahhs from the fans as they cruised to a 101-70 victory.

Former Demon Deacon Chris Paul came off the bench to dish out a game-high six assists. The point guard, making his first Olympic appearance, played 20 minutes and finished with three points, three rebounds and a pair of steals.

Of the team's three point guards, which also include Jason Kidd and Deron Williams, Paul played the most minutes against China.

Wade scored 19 points, and James had 18 for the Americans. Kobe Bryant finished with 13 points.

But the score and the game didn't seem to matter, this was an event.

China's Yao Ming, an All-Star center for the Houston Rockets, finished with 13 points. He started the showcase by drilling a 3-pointer from the top of the key for the first score of the game.

Bush and his family were wrapping up another long day of sports, more than 12 hours after they watched swimmer Michael Phelps win his first gold medal of these Games.

The guys Bush caught here expect to bring home gold, too.

The Americans made 21 of their first 25 shots inside the 3-point arc, though they had another inept night behind it. Still, with James, Wade and Bryant repeatedly getting out on the break, the poor 3-point shooting wasn't a problem on this night.

NBA players are wildly popular in China, where the league estimates 300 million people play basketball. The Americans, still known as the Dream Team here, enjoyed a huge backing during exhibition games in Macau and Shanghai, support that will surely help them here on their gold-medal quest.

Bush came out first, walking to his seat above center court about a half hour before the 10:15 start. He was still shaking hands and slapping five with fans around him minutes later when Yao, back from season-ending foot surgery in March, led China's players onto the floor to a thunderous ovation.

The Chinese team gathered in the center circle and waved to their flag-waving fans, then began their pregame warm-ups. Fans remained standing and let out another roar when Yao made his first hoop -- possibly the first standing ovation ever for a layup line.

The Americans sprinted out a few minutes later to an ovation that was just as loud. They were wearing their home white uniforms -- and it felt like a game with two home teams. A listener going just by the noise from the crowd would have never known which team just scored.Fans throughout the arena chanted "Jia You! Jia You!" [Let's go!] and cheered plays on both ends. There was nothing resembling a boo until the referees called Yao for a blocking foul, instead of the charge he hoped for, on a basket by James almost 5 minutes into the game.

Yao's 3-pointer to start the game sent the crowd back into a frenzy and China stayed in the game for a while by hitting from behind the arc. The Chinese hit eight of their first 12 attempts, with Sun Yue's 3 tying it at 29 with 6:09 remaining in the second quarter.

Poll: Who Will Win the Gold Medal?

Shawn Siegel — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:31:10 -0700

Olympics: Is Shooting a Concern for Team USA?

Hoopsworld — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 09:19:19 -0700

By: Mike Moreau

As Team USA heads into their final preparations for the Olympic Games, three point shooting and the ability to make free throws are becoming a focal point of the offensive discussion. There are some causes for concern here, as well as reasons for confidence.

Taking a look at both of these areas, here's what we find:

THREE POINT SHOOTING

Cause For Concern #1:

There are 13 American NBA players who in the 2007-08 regular season made over 100 threes and shot over 40% from behind the arc.

None of these players are on Team USA.

In fact, no player in the Top 36 in NBA three-point percentage is on the team. Designated shooter Michael Redd was only 69th in the league this year.

NBA stars like Kevin Martin and Chauncey Billups all shot better than anyone on Team USA. Even players such as Anthony Parker, Daniel Gibson, Steve Blake and Derek Fisher out-shot every player on the roster for TEAM USA from the three-point line during the regular season.

Cause For Concern #2:

The International three point line, at 20 feet 6 inches, is in an area of the floor deemed a "long two" by NBA standards – which is considered the worst percentage shot on the court in the league.

This means that many players don't normally shoot from that distance in a game. It's either an NBA three from 23-9 on top and the wings, 22 feet in the corners or a one dribble pull-up from 18 feet.

The spot on the floor where the line now sits is unfamiliar territory, and some players will be pulling up and taking shots from spots they don't ordinarily practice from or shoot from in NBA competition.

Reasons For Confidence:

Over half of Team USA's roster shoots better than 35% from behind the NBA three-point line – led by point guards Deron Williams (39.5), Jason Kidd (38.1) and Chris Paul (36.9).

The others are Tayshaun Prince (36.3), the aforementioned Michael Redd is fifth best on the team (36.2) and Kobe Bryant (36.1). Carmelo Anthony shoots a respectable 35.4.

Of those players, Kobe Bryant made the most threes of anyone during the regular season, ringing up 150.

So, although the team doesn't really have any of the league's top catch-and-shoot marksmen, our perimeter players are all decent shooters – with seven of our 12 players in the Top 85 in the league.

Also, most of these guys have good shooting mechanics and would shoot a much higher percentage if this had to be their calling card.

It may not be the same guys making shots from game to game, but we do have enough quality shooters that a few of them should be feeling it on any given night.

FOUL SHOOTING

Cause For Concern:

None of the Top 20 foul shooters in the NBA are on the roster of TEAM USA. Again, this includes players like Chauncey Billups, Ray Allen and Caron Butler who shoot over 90%, and Kevin Martin and Derek Fisher who shoot better than 86%. All of these players are better at the line than anyone on the roster of Team USA.

We also boast Dwight Howard, who shoots 58.9% from the line. That's only eight percentage points ahead of Shaquille O'Neal and 10 points behind Joakim Noah – neither of whom have any shooting videos on the market.

Reasons For Confidence:

Half of Team USA shoots better than 80% from the foul line – led by Chris Paul at 85.1, Chris Bosh at 84.4 and Kobe Bryant at 83.9. Michael Redd, Jason Kidd and Deron Williams all shoot better than 80%. Carmelo Anthony, Tayshaun Prince and Dwayne Wade all shoot better than 75%.

That means three quarters (9 out of 12) of the team makes three quarters of their free throws.

In a close game or when protecting a lead, Team USA can put five players on the court at the same time who all shoot 80% or better.

We can put various combinations of guards and forwards on the floor that shoot a high free throw percentage, and still have enough size, athleticism and defensive presence on the court as well.

CONCLUSION:

Team USA has all of the three point shooting it needs to succeed against the zones and collapsing man-to-man schemes they will see in these Olympics. They have a better and larger mix of players who can make the international three with consistency. We also have enough quality foul shooters to protect leads and win close games down the stretch. No games should be lost at the foul line with this team.

If Team USA has to literally "shoot for the gold" – it is more than capable of bringing it home from behind the arc or from the line.