As we continue to find new and exciting ways to make Team USA sound inferior after twenty point wins that look like less work that mowing the lawn, the question has to be asked. What do we expect out of Team USA?
On the one hand, everyone's quick to acknowledge that the rest of the world has made huge strides, if not caught up with, the United States in basketball talent and development. On the other, we seem to expect Team USA to blow out teams so bad that the other team's members are left unable to ever pick up a basketball again out of shame. Double digit wins aren't enough, that much is clear.
TrueHoop makes the case that making the goal equal to the Dream Team is both irrelevant and unproductive. It seems the more common sentiment, though, is that Team USA hasn't put together a complete game yet. Sure, they're rebounding and scoring and causing turnovers, but they're not playing perimeter defense well enough, and they're not knocking down their threes. There is discussion of whether teamwork is the issue, but then, there's also been criticism that the players are deferring too much and its costing them.
So what do we expect out of this squad?
Given the obvious global improvements, a gold medal should be enough, right? Beating good teams in spirited competition? It may not be as memorable as the Dream Team, but things have changed. Meanwhile, we're glossing over the fact that Dwyane Wade has been not only phenomenal but inspiring, playing with a renewed focus and intensity on both ends of the floor. We're missing the fact that LeBron James is taking a floor leadership position and doing it convincingly. We're missing Chris Bosh playing considerably better than people expected, and Deron Williams looking like the best point guard on the floor for Team USA. We're missing the concentrated focus this team has played with in spurts when it needs to, with no indication that they can't turn it on when they need to.
Are they still ironing things out? Absolutely. And it's good that we're taking the time to be careful with our analysis. But Greece also seemed to be ironing things out when they lost to Spain, and Spain looks to be still working the kinks out considering the overtime game this morning with China. If we're going to say the competition has improved, it has. But we're managing to take the joy out of a team that's loaded and playing with passion.
It seems like we're expecting some level of decimation you're just not going to get with ten minute quarters, in a defensive-centric league. Is 40 enough? 50? How well do we need to shoot from the arc? 45%? 50% Beating any team in the Olympics should be something to be proud of, not torn over for not annihilating a team well enough, or in a complete enough manner. Every team has strengths and weaknesses, and every team has hot and cold shooting streaks. And if we should lose, which is entirely possible given the effect of globalization on the game, it shouldn't be an unspeakable disgrace anymore. It just means the game has evolved to that point. So what are our goals for Team USA?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-12-2008 @ 6:53PM
KD said...
Who said they were "inferior?" We have to lessen the hyperbole, here.
I don't think anyone is pointing to point differential as a yardstick, and I don't think TZ would feel more satisfied with a 41-point win over a 21-point win. But that's for him to say.
The bottom line is that we saw signs early in the 2002 tourney, which I covered, the 2004 mess, and up late at night watching in 2006. Those same signs were there, and the US ended up losing. We're allowed to point out those signs.
Because of the short sample sizes, I'm not even paying attention to stats. I couldn't tell you what Team USA's shooting percentage is from behind the arc, or their defensive three-point percentage. I've no idea, other than Kobe's odd stat from long range.
What I am paying attention to is the little quibbles that totally remind of years past. And all it takes is one unlucky day, followed by someone having the game of their lives (Manu, Arroyo, V-Span), and a loss could happen.
Also, playing the exact same way, the team could win the whole damn thing without having to call a timeout.
It's the NCAA tourney ideal. We can point out that Memphis isn't a good free throw shooting team while completely expecting them to win the tournament. And we can understand when they lose. It isn't the end of the world or the dawning of a new day should either come true.
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8-12-2008 @ 7:06PM
Ziller said...
Matt, you're missing the point. It's as KD says: there are indicators that Team USA hasn't fixed the danged things which have killed it in the last two major tournaments. Angola and China just aren't good enough in that 20-point wins should require we bow in the glory of the American juggernaut.
As I wrote, Team USA beat these teams by the same or more when Team USA won bronze. These wins mean nothing, based on very recent history. No amount of histrionics -- "we're managing to take the joy out of a team that's loaded and playing with passion" ... what? -- will make us moderates throw away our observational experience to get on the bandwagon defending bronze medalists.
Moderation, man.
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8-13-2008 @ 2:42AM
mcjesus666 said...
why is everyone hating on the U.S.? Granted, the first two wins have been nothing short of unspectacular, but they have found a way to win, and unlike previous years, realize the difficulty in winning a medal. I think that struggling agaisnt the world teams is better for the U.S. because it makes them concentrate for every game. As far as how close the games are.....just remember, What do you call the team that wins every game, just barely, by just a few points? Gold Medalists! The world has caught up but the U.S. should still take gold despite playing with a rule system completely differant from their own. Also, the officiating is sub-amateur at best. Why the hell do I even care? OH ya .....I don't.
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8-13-2008 @ 3:04AM
TCO said...
Essentially ripped from my blog, and rather unrefined, but I'll play the devil's advocate and take the position taht Matt had taken.
t's a bit like getting an Ace and 10 and be left wanting an Ace and a Jack. Thus is a bit like what I feel is happening after US defeated Angola by "only" 21. Before I get to some of the more nuanced part of the argument, I would like to take a topical approach at this. A possible way to look at this victory is that even though the U.S. played quite poorly, they won by 21. Sure they didn't shoot the three well, but why does it matter? It matters because U.S. wont be able to do the press and run defense/offense against good teams? Well, exactly WHO has or will stopped the U.S. from doing generally whatever they want? Greece? They looked simply awful against Spain and looked good against an inexperienced German team that already has a relatively weak backcourt and had a Caveman trying to play point. Spain? Ricky Rubio isn't exactly Jose Calderon and is prone to giving up the ball, especially when he'll probably be matched up with CP3. Furthermore, do we really expect the most complete player in the world to continue shooting .069 from the three point line? I for one do not. And for those calling for more Redd, its not like he's lighting up the building either. Yes, I know he is the designated "zone buster" but Tayshaun Prince and Kobe has made about the same amount (give or take one or two 3s) of non garbage 3s as Redd has made. I thought the purpose of most bloggers was to get through the misconceptions? If so how is one not a hypocrite for being harshly critical of someone like Jason Kidd but not on Redd if he is not performing? Granted, the sample size is small, but you get the idea. Also, I'd like to note that some players, namely Kobe Bryant, are not showing much energy on the defensive end, a trend that should change once the U.S. starts playing higher profile opponents.
As for 2006, experience cant be undervalued. FIBA IS different than the NBA and quite honestly, as the players themselves would admit, they are a lot more comfortable now than they have ever been. This has been helping their defense, in moreso than allowing them to grab the ball off the top of the rim, as they have found a comfort zone defensively in increasing their aggressiveness especially in curbing rolls to the basket. It would look better on paper and to watch if the U.S. were hitting their threes. That much, I will grant. However, that is not enough to start like its the day after the semi finals of the 2006 World Championships.
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8-13-2008 @ 11:55AM
Scott in Scottsdale said...
I have a feeling we're going to wish we had Mike Miller on this team still. The only reasonable strategy against us defensively is to force us into outside shots, and the way it looks now, Michael Redd might not be enough.
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8-13-2008 @ 1:02PM
Jesse said...
Point blank USA needs at least 2 more STEADY 3 point shooters to come in the game at anytime they want to zone us and the main one should be Ray Allen. I cannot for the life of me understand why would could not convince Ray to come, cause in my opinion if you add him to this roster its unbeatable by any team in the world. It's gonna suck if we dont bring home the gold again and the main reason could be because one of our champions over here didnt play for us....
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8-13-2008 @ 3:07PM
riboy said...
We should win the Gold anything less is unacceptable. Consider this Basketball was invented in Mass.and mastered in America by Americans,where does this ioc come off changeing the rules of our game? They changed the rules so the other countries could have an advantage and thought the US would not adapt,well guess what they were wrong! I wonder how good Spain really is lets play NBA rules then People like Pao Gasol will choke like he did in the NBA playoffs.
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8-13-2008 @ 4:47PM
Mike said...
Do you guys really think that they are going to play like that against Greece, Spain, or Germany.... i really doubt it. The intensity will definitely pick up for the U.S. The Angola game seemed to be too easy for them, so it seemed like they didn't even put much effort.... which i do criticize the U.S for not treating each game like its their last or an NBA final. They do have to prove themselves. I saw the Angola game and when they started hitting shots the U.S picked up their defense and in less than 3minutes they were up by 25 again. If i recall U.S starters didn't even play in the fourth.
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8-13-2008 @ 5:17PM
joe said...
Kobe is at it again!!! The MVP is back as ballhoggerand a non-team player but an individual player!! Imagine (8) three point attempts in the Angola game and NADA, NONE, ZERO!! COACH K SHOULD BENCH HIM. Do not treat him like a primadonna. The Olympics is not the Lakers or the NBA. If I were Kobe I would cease and desist. The team can win gold without him! Kobe how about it??
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