Serbia and Montenegro Defeated By New Zealand

[Mossfan8480]

Unbelieveable! I was eagerly anticpating watching this game today at 2:00 AM, but for some reason they took it off of MSNBC and put on Vollyball. The final score was NZL 90 and SCG 87. Based off of the play by play given over at NBC.COM, NZL was up by 1 and SCG missed a shot to take the lead. NZL was fouled and hit both free throws. SCG's leading scorer missed the game tying three pointer at the end. By the way, NZL outscored SCG 35-21 in the 4th quarter. Now I am even more mad that NBC decided not to air the game for some odd reason. However, this is good news for the USA because it means that maybe those top teams aren't as good as everyone thinks. If America comes through today and pounds Austrailia, I think the only team they have to really fear (I'm not talking about respect, but fear) is Spain. Spain looks deadly and I hope that they are unseated by Argentina or SCG because they seem like the team to beat.

Anyway, I am looking forward to USA's game at 7:30 AM on USA Network, as well as China (YAO) verse Argentina (Ginobli) wich will air at 1:00 PM on MSNBC. USA will start out fast and beat Austrailia in the first quarter and never look back. The main guys will be Duncan, Odom, and either Wade or Carmello (going on a limb). Yao will have a good game and there may be a time in the game were he shows anger either toward his teamates or opponents, but it won't be enough as China loses by double digits to Argentina. However, don't take my word for it because for some reason I have a wierd feeling in the back of my head that China might win.

Hope everyone tunes in to support The C.R.E.A.M. Team (don't care how much money they make, I still love the NBA and its players)

[devilsjaw]

Re: Serbia and Montenegro Defeated By New Zealand

USA will start out fast and beat Austrailia in the first quarter and never look back.

Um, have you seen the first few games at all? I'm not sure the US is capable of blowing anyone out.

[devilsjaw]

Re: Serbia and Montenegro Defeated By New Zealand

USA will start out fast and beat Austrailia in the first quarter and never look back.

Um, have you seen the first few games at all? I'm not sure the US is capable of blowing anyone out.

[Mossfan8480]

Re: Serbia and Montenegro Defeated By New Zealand

Wow, a little angry about something? I have watched every single game the USA has played so far except for the first exhibition game against Puerto Rico. It seems like I was right in that they would blow them out, as they were up 15 with 2 minutes remaining and brought in the 3rd string (Okafor). However, I was incorrect in a fast start as both teams started out slow. Duncan had a great game, as did James, Marion, and Wade.

The United States team four games from now will be far superior to the one that played and lost to Puerto Rico. As you can see by the 2nd half of today's game, when the US is flowing, it’s hard to stop them. The key to US winning the gold is DEFENSE. They must get stops, and with stops will come confidence and momentum which will carry over to their offensive game and lead to open looks. You must understand that they have only been playing with each other and under Larry Brown (Greg Popavich and Roy Williams) coaching for three weeks. I don't know if you have ever played basketball before on a team, but after two weeks (amount of time together when they lost to Puerto Rico) you are just starting to get to know each other and the coach's way of interpreting the game.

If USA makes it into the Qualifying Round and wins, from then on they will surely be a force to reckon with and the leading contender in my book for the gold medal.

Now I can't wait to watch Yao play, I wish he does his thing out and brings an upset upon Argentina. Anyone else looking forward to this game?

[Mossfan8480]

Re: Serbia and Montenegro Defeated By New Zealand

Wow, a little angry about something? I have watched every single game the USA has played so far except for the first exhibition game against Puerto Rico. It seems like I was right in that they would blow them out, as they were up 15 with 2 minutes remaining and brought in the 3rd string (Okafor). However, I was incorrect in a fast start as both teams started out slow. Duncan had a great game, as did James, Marion, and Wade.

The United States team four games from now will be far superior to the one that played and lost to Puerto Rico. As you can see by the 2nd half of today's game, when the US is flowing, it’s hard to stop them. The key to US winning the gold is DEFENSE. They must get stops, and with stops will come confidence and momentum which will carry over to their offensive game and lead to open looks. You must understand that they have only been playing with each other and under Larry Brown (Greg Popavich and Roy Williams) coaching for three weeks. I don't know if you have ever played basketball before on a team, but after two weeks (amount of time together when they lost to Puerto Rico) you are just starting to get to know each other and the coach's way of interpreting the game.

If USA makes it into the Qualifying Round and wins, from then on they will surely be a force to reckon with and the leading contender in my book for the gold medal.

Now I can't wait to watch Yao play, I wish he does his thing out and brings an upset upon Argentina. Anyone else looking forward to this game?

[WTF]

Re: Serbia and Montenegro Defeated By New Zealand

Yep, exactly. I can't imagine the US without the gold this year. If we keep the defensive intensity up that we came with in the second half of this game, then we will win. Lebron got more minutes like he deserves, and made a HUGE difference. Other than missing two 3 pointers badly, he had an excellent game.

I can't wait to watch China vs. Argentina today! Horray for great basketball...

[WTF]

Re: Serbia and Montenegro Defeated By New Zealand

Yep, exactly. I can't imagine the US without the gold this year. If we keep the defensive intensity up that we came with in the second half of this game, then we will win. Lebron got more minutes like he deserves, and made a HUGE difference. Other than missing two 3 pointers badly, he had an excellent game.

I can't wait to watch China vs. Argentina today! Horray for great basketball...

[PdiddyPop]

Re: Serbia and Montenegro Defeated By New Zealand

The key to US winning the gold is DEFENSE. They must get stops, and with stops will come confidence and momentum which will carry over to their offensive game and lead to open looks.

ive been saying that for about a week now this team wont win on just skill level it has to be on the defensive end of the floor. if we stop other teams from scoring we win. simple as that. as for attacking the zone. penetrate and kick out for someone else to slash and get fouled so we can get to the charity stripe and soon the middle might open a bit for duncan. we have to hit free throws and play defense and we win. might not be pretty but a win is a win. just like a gold medal is a gold medal no matter how you earn it (legally).

[PdiddyPop]

Re: Serbia and Montenegro Defeated By New Zealand

The key to US winning the gold is DEFENSE. They must get stops, and with stops will come confidence and momentum which will carry over to their offensive game and lead to open looks.

ive been saying that for about a week now this team wont win on just skill level it has to be on the defensive end of the floor. if we stop other teams from scoring we win. simple as that. as for attacking the zone. penetrate and kick out for someone else to slash and get fouled so we can get to the charity stripe and soon the middle might open a bit for duncan. we have to hit free throws and play defense and we win. might not be pretty but a win is a win. just like a gold medal is a gold medal no matter how you earn it (legally).

[Sully]

Re: Serbia and Montenegro Defeated By New Zealand

Wow, a little angry about something? I have watched every single game the USA has played so far except for the first exhibition game against Puerto Rico. It seems like I was right in that they would blow them out, as they were up 15 with 2 minutes remaining and brought in the 3rd string (Okafor). However, I was incorrect in a fast start as both teams started out slow. Duncan had a great game, as did James, Marion, and Wade.

The United States team four games from now will be far superior to the one that played and lost to Puerto Rico. As you can see by the 2nd half of today's game, when the US is flowing, it’s hard to stop them. The key to US winning the gold is DEFENSE.

I wouldn't consider being up by 15 with 2 mins remaining an absolute blowout. Also, you talked about how they were "flowing" in the second half, and it being "hard to stop them"....It was AUSTRALIA! I'm still not convinced this team can do any better than a bronze. The US playing good defense will only keep the games tighter because any team that zones up and forces them to shoot jumpers all day has a chance at beating them.

[Sully]

Re: Serbia and Montenegro Defeated By New Zealand

Wow, a little angry about something? I have watched every single game the USA has played so far except for the first exhibition game against Puerto Rico. It seems like I was right in that they would blow them out, as they were up 15 with 2 minutes remaining and brought in the 3rd string (Okafor). However, I was incorrect in a fast start as both teams started out slow. Duncan had a great game, as did James, Marion, and Wade.

The United States team four games from now will be far superior to the one that played and lost to Puerto Rico. As you can see by the 2nd half of today's game, when the US is flowing, it’s hard to stop them. The key to US winning the gold is DEFENSE.

I wouldn't consider being up by 15 with 2 mins remaining an absolute blowout. Also, you talked about how they were "flowing" in the second half, and it being "hard to stop them"....It was AUSTRALIA! I'm still not convinced this team can do any better than a bronze. The US playing good defense will only keep the games tighter because any team that zones up and forces them to shoot jumpers all day has a chance at beating them.

[Admiral50]

Re: Serbia and Montenegro Defeated By New Zealand

Blowout? Up until the end of the game, it was anyone's game. That score flattered USA. Not only can the guards not shoot from range, but they don't have the confidence, pump fake, hesitate, shuffling, pump fake, sneak as close to the hoop as possible, look for duncan, no duncan, shoot a one handed runner...

[Admiral50]

Re: Serbia and Montenegro Defeated By New Zealand

Blowout? Up until the end of the game, it was anyone's game. That score flattered USA. Not only can the guards not shoot from range, but they don't have the confidence, pump fake, hesitate, shuffling, pump fake, sneak as close to the hoop as possible, look for duncan, no duncan, shoot a one handed runner...

[Mossfan8480]

Re: Serbia and Montenegro Defeated By New Zealand

I wouldn't consider being up by 15 with 2 mins remaining an absolute blowout. Also, you talked about how they were "flowing" in the second half, and it being "hard to stop them"....It was AUSTRALIA! I'm still not convinced this team can do any better than a bronze. The US playing good defense will only keep the games tighter because any team that zones up and forces them to shoot jumpers all day has a chance at beating them.

Being up by 15 points at the end of a game would be a blow out. I never once said absolute (putting words in my mouth?). They were definitley flowing in the second half, the ball movement was the best we have seen by Team USA since last year. Umm, actually if the USA plays good defense and creates stops on D, then it will lead to a much faster paced, run and gun, style offense. Meaning that teams will not be able to settle down into their zone correctly. The reason USA is missing so many jumpers is because of their confidence in their shot right now. Its in their head (not Iverson's) that they can't hit a shot from the perimeter because it is all people talk about. When their Defense creates turnovers which lead to fastbreak dunks and layups, USA's confidence will rise. This will lead to a much greater shot percentage and much more ball movement. You shall see.

To the above poster, the entire game was close until the fourth quarter when Team USA started to dominate on defense and score. This lead to USA "blowing out" Austrailia until Okafor and Anthony came in. Speaking of Anthony I have lost a lot of respect for him. He seems to be very selfish and arrogant. When he came in with two mins. left and got the ball, he just chucked up a three because he felt like he had to take a shot. The funny thing is next time down the floor he actually had a wide open three, but because he was selfish last time he didn't want to look like a hog in the 60 seconds that he was in there.

[Mossfan8480]

Re: Serbia and Montenegro Defeated By New Zealand

I wouldn't consider being up by 15 with 2 mins remaining an absolute blowout. Also, you talked about how they were "flowing" in the second half, and it being "hard to stop them"....It was AUSTRALIA! I'm still not convinced this team can do any better than a bronze. The US playing good defense will only keep the games tighter because any team that zones up and forces them to shoot jumpers all day has a chance at beating them.

Being up by 15 points at the end of a game would be a blow out. I never once said absolute (putting words in my mouth?). They were definitley flowing in the second half, the ball movement was the best we have seen by Team USA since last year. Umm, actually if the USA plays good defense and creates stops on D, then it will lead to a much faster paced, run and gun, style offense. Meaning that teams will not be able to settle down into their zone correctly. The reason USA is missing so many jumpers is because of their confidence in their shot right now. Its in their head (not Iverson's) that they can't hit a shot from the perimeter because it is all people talk about. When their Defense creates turnovers which lead to fastbreak dunks and layups, USA's confidence will rise. This will lead to a much greater shot percentage and much more ball movement. You shall see.

To the above poster, the entire game was close until the fourth quarter when Team USA started to dominate on defense and score. This lead to USA "blowing out" Austrailia until Okafor and Anthony came in. Speaking of Anthony I have lost a lot of respect for him. He seems to be very selfish and arrogant. When he came in with two mins. left and got the ball, he just chucked up a three because he felt like he had to take a shot. The funny thing is next time down the floor he actually had a wide open three, but because he was selfish last time he didn't want to look like a hog in the 60 seconds that he was in there.