USA hoop team clobbers Greece

Wait a minute—wasn’t the US team supposed to finally receive their comeuppance against Greece? That’s what the European media, as well as their sycophantic followers in the US, was telling us all along. You see, the US doesn’t know FIBA rules, they don’t embrace the team concept, they don’t shoot the 3 well, blah blah blah.

Here’s the reality: the US destroyed Greece by 23 points. The Greeks were never in the game after the 1st quarter; the US led 51-32 at the half and coasted the rest of the way. If this is one of the ‘toughest tests’ that the talented and deep US hoop team is to receive during the Olympics they might as well go ahead and cue up “The Star Spangled Banner” and get ready for the medal ceremony.

While the anti-US media balefully points to the American’s “struggles” from beyond the arc and the free throw line they conveniently ignore their dominance in every other phase of the game. The US team held Greece—who was supposed to carve up the Americans with their outside shooting accuracy—to 41.3% shooting. And for “not embracing the team concept”, the US team’s scoring was again very balanced with LeBron scoring 13, Kobe 18 and off the bench sixth man Dwayne Wade scoring 17 with Chris Bosh adding 18.

Once again the depth of the US team was a formidable weapon. In particular, the Greek team struggled with Utah Jazz pointguard Deron Williams on the floor which enabled starter Jason Kidd to play only 6 minutes. In addition to sixth man Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and Chris Paul also logged 20+ minutes. In other words, the “team concept” of the European teams has no chance whatsoever to “wear down” the US starters. The depth of talent on the US team is mindboggling—case in point: Michael Redd, Tayshaun Prince and Carlos Boozer have been struggling to find playing time. When Carlos Boozer is the tenth man on the bench you’ve got one talented basketball team.

Another concept that the anti-US international media likes to toss around is that the American players “don’t care”. They’re all multi-millionaires, the fallacious logic goes, who are only playing in the Olympics to raise their International profile and thus enhance their sponsorship and endorsement earning potential. That was clearly refuted prior to the game, with the US team led by the fearsome looking LeBron staring down their opponents like professional fighters. Sure, they may all have 8 and 9 figure ATM balances but it was obvious that Team USA cares—a lot.

The only semi-realistic challenge remaining for the US will occur on Saturday against Spain. The Spaniards have some talent—including Kobe’s LA Laker teammate Pau Gasol—but like the rest of the world can’t match the American depth. The Spanish team will likely rely on a zone defense to try and force the Americans to beat them from the outside, but that’s far from a guarantee for success. Deron Williams’ slick playmaking and the insane individual athleticism of his teammates were effective in negating the Greek zone defenses, and there’s nothing to suggest that Spain’s defensive sets will be any more effective.