Who can possibly stop Team USA?
As a sign of respect to the ’92 Dream Team, I will not call this year’s American basketball team by the same name.
In their third clash of the round robin stage, Coach K’s men took on a dismal Nigerian side. Going into every game so far, the expectation has been that the likes of Bryant, James and Durant would blow teams out of the water.
Up until now, that had not been the case, as they hadn’t really had much more than a standard win.
In an ominous warning to Spain, Brazil and Argentina, the US team put on an absolute clinic against Nigeria, defeating them 156-73.
Leading all comers was Carmello Anthony, who dropped 37 points and hit 10/12 three pointers.
This amazing feat came in just 14 minutes of game time.
Other notable contributors were the OKC duo of Durant and Westbrook, who combined for 35 points and shot 7-11 from three point land.
This shooting display had many reaching for the record books.
Anthony’s dazzling show broke Stephon Marbury’s record haul of 31 points in a game from 2004, as well as the Olympic record for three pointers attempted and made.
As a team, the U.S. set Olympic records for points scored, field goals made (59), three-pointers made and attempted (29-for-46) and their 41 assists tied a record.
In my opinion this is great for the game of basketball, because it gets attention from the world because of the positive style and attitude in which the Americans played.
As usual, the other teams in the draw look like having their final position determined not by how well they perform, but when they meet the US.
Who can stop them? How can they be stopped?
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August 4th 2012 @ 1:22am
Johnno said | August 4th 2012 @ 1:22am | Report comment
Spain the only team really , to be honest.
August 4th 2012 @ 10:25am
Swampy said | August 4th 2012 @ 10:25am | Report comment
Spain as an outside chance but they really needed Rubio and Navarro in top form and not in street clothes.
Unfortunately, for those like me who want a close game for the USA, there is no other team that is smart enough or have the right balance of slash and kick big guards, with a great 3pt threat and tough banging big men inside to trouble the USA.
I’m not saying I would hope the USA lose – just from a world perspective it’s good to have the threat of the USA losing. Blow out losses will inevitably lead to discussions about u/23 teams playing in the Olympics and we will lose a part of the Olympics I have loved for the last 20 years. Seeing the best team each country can put together playing each other.
Greece, Turkey & Serbia all play styles that could have given the USA fits. All kudos to France, Lithuania and Russia for making it to the Olympics but their style and talent is that of a poor man’s USA.
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August 4th 2012 @ 10:46am
Johnno said | August 4th 2012 @ 10:46am | Report comment
Swampy initally i was against the under 23 olympics now i support it.
Unless the IOC is willing to allow say 20 or teams compete at the games olympic basketball is losing credibility.
Greece ranked 5 are not there, serbia,italy rank 7 and 8, turkey , to silver medalsit last world championships, then whats the point. Nigeria 21 are there coz of allocation to african teams. So the IOC better allow fiba to increase or they will lose olympic basketball seniors , theres no point with just 12 teams and al the good euro teams majority not there.
August 4th 2012 @ 3:58pm
Terry Tavita said | August 4th 2012 @ 3:58pm | Report comment
Olympic basketball is a farce..I reckon it should be dropped as an olympic sport..no country takes basketball more seriously than the americans (they invented it) and no one is going to beat them in the foreseeable future..20/20 cricket, netball and rugby league nines would be much more competitive..
August 4th 2012 @ 4:02pm
Johnno said | August 4th 2012 @ 4:02pm | Report comment
Terry is rugby league popular in samoa, or do all the juniors play rugby and league is just seen as an option when they get to pro level ages. Like an insurance policy to samoans if they cant get a pro rugby contract.
August 4th 2012 @ 4:21pm
Terry Tavita said | August 4th 2012 @ 4:21pm | Report comment
It can be given the right support and access to pro ranks..at the height of rugby league sevens in the early nineties, samoa, tonga and fiji put together very strong teams..I also reckon league sevens is more entertaining than union sevens..its certainly more brutal, much faster and much more smash mouth, exactly what’s missing at the Olympics..
August 4th 2012 @ 4:33pm
Johnno said | August 4th 2012 @ 4:33pm | Report comment
Great video terry , i miss sevens rugby league too it is very physical and very tough and fast.