Their offense is good enough to win games comfortably. They have had so many open looks that they have missed. Look at the amount of 3's that are open that these guys seem to be missing. The ISO plays aren't great possessions but they still work. Also, you can't really expect a team that was just constructed like 3 weeks ago to perform like some of these international teams that have been together for years and practice together most summers. I think Matt Moore eluded to this in his article about Team USA. No matter how much talent you have, you can't just build chemistry with limited time. They could be better on offense for sure, but the offense hasn't been bad enough to really say that they're under performing. The defense on the other hand has been pretty bad. Just basic breakdowns due to lack of communication and lazy effort has allowed other teams to score 80+.
what in the world was that second foul on durant? not only did it not look like a foul, it didn't even look like either guy was making contact with each other. the guy didn't even back into durant, he was just dribbling and suddenly they call a foul. that's like the 3rd time i've seen a weak post-up foul like that this exhibition/tournament schedule. and i was going to be mad at cousins for that airball but that was a pretty athletic tip-in that he got.
after that technical, team USA took 6 shots and 2 free throws on one possession and didn't score a point. wow.
Man, Kyle Lowry is like 95% of the way to a top 1-3 PG in the league. Such a bulldog. International ball is great for him, too. Obviously would love him on the Rockets.... ... but its impossible to ignore his playoff struggles in the NBA.
I don't see the love for Butler over Harden... as a franchise guy he would be disastrous. He is NOT a goto player. He can compliment a franchise guy but he is not that.
It's hard to gauge his defensive impact but absolutely agree. He's nowhere close to Harden offensively.
Kyrie is playing horribly. And USA coaching has been pretty bad from the start of the tournament, imo. There doesn't seem to be any gameplan.
Usab is not a true indicator of a players capabilities in the NBA. Some people take what they see too seriously during these games. Guys are going to look uncomfortable and for good reason
Correcting, Ibaka chose not to play. USA is very fortunate that Marc Gasol is hurt and Ibaka didn't want to play. Right now their only issue is they are getting killed on the boards.
the US did a terrible job of taking advantage of spain's slow start. should have been up a lot with better play. and i love how the fiba refs have managed to call 3 technicals already in one half. they always find a way to make me like them less and less. of course durant should know better since he had 2 fouls and a tech would be his 3rd foul.
