dada wrote:Not a bad day from Team USA. Brazil...2nd best team? Wow that was weak. The Argies havent been too bad and Brazil hasnt been lighting it up all tourney so maybe that 2nd best label needs some re-evaluation.
Dont forget it was close for the first quaretr and a half before Team USA put the clamps down and Brazil couldnt do anything to stop the Americans. We wont know whether Brazil are the 2nd best team at this tournament... Argentina are missing a big chunk of their team so thats why its hard evaluate who is better... I still though Brazil was the 2nd best team and I'm disappointed they couldnt upset or even be a lil closer to Team USA.
Not saying anything bad about Brazil but Team USA is playing great. They are a much better and different team. They have their shooters and one of the best (Michael Redd who is gunning away), their young players are all a lil older and wiser and better while Kidd/Bryant certainly give the team a muchneeded veteran edge. It certainly opens up a lot for Team USA and I wouldnt be surprised that they could steamroll the compeition in Bejing.
Of course, if i were to say that, people would say I'm being arrogant or getting ahead of myself.
A potential gold medal match against Argentina isn't going to prove much for those trying dispel the theory that Team USA can win gold easily in Beijing. Nor will it prove those who say it will be very easy for USA to make it happen. So I wont take too much out of this tournament excpet for the fact that USA is by far a hell of a lot better than 80-90% of the teams in the Americas.
Judging by how the team is playing, I think it will be hard to once again label them as favourites for gold in 08 in one year's time... will they do it? Only time will tell.
Ty-Land: In case you didn't find your boxscore, Kobe, LeBron and Melo each scored around 20 points... and Kobe and co shut down Barbosa to 1 of 7 shooting...