There were a minimal number of surprises in Team USA's 112-69 thumping of Venezuela.
As expected, the Americans' fast break was awesome. Jason Kidd made several snappy passes. Kobe Bryant converted his obligatory spectacular layup. And against the shorter, slower, less-talented Venezuelans, Team USA frequently seemed to be playing five-on-four — and sometimes even five-on-three.
But, nevertheless, there were some surprises, both positive and negative.
· The U.S.'s aggressive defensive pressure on the Venezuelan ball-handlers (especially by Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd) completely stymied the unfolding of the losers' offense.
· The quick-handed help on ball penetrations by Team USA helped induce 20 turnovers and produced innumerable layups.
As expected, the Americans' fast break was awesome. Jason Kidd made several snappy passes. Kobe Bryant converted his obligatory spectacular layup. And against the shorter, slower, less-talented Venezuelans, Team USA frequently seemed to be playing five-on-four — and sometimes even five-on-three.
But, nevertheless, there were some surprises, both positive and negative.
· The U.S.'s aggressive defensive pressure on the Venezuelan ball-handlers (especially by Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd) completely stymied the unfolding of the losers' offense.
· The quick-handed help on ball penetrations by Team USA helped induce 20 turnovers and produced innumerable layups.
· Given the overall weakness of their opponents, the Americans still stuffed virtually every screen/roll they encountered. They accomplished this mostly with quick switches in tandem with a wingman discouraging the screeners from rolling hoopward by cheating toward the middle. As a change-up, the screener's defender sometimes stepped into a help-stance on the nether side of the screen while the weakside wing looked to jam any roll-action. Whether these schemes will work against stronger, more skilled opponents remains to be seen — but they certainly addressed Team USA's most glaring defensive failure in losing to Greece in last year's World Championship.
· With the point guard (mostly J-Kidd) setting down- and cross-screens, Team USA's man-to-man offense was lively and the ball-movement was extremely unselfish. But there wasn't nearly as much activity when Kidd was on the bench.
· Nor did Team USA exhibit much ball- or player-movement on those rare occasions when Venezuela played a zone. Aside from some simple (and ineffective) baseline screens, Team USA's zone offense relied on baseline drives (which were readily available) and an abundance of 3-point shots.
· Team USA's free-throw shooting was deplorable — only 20-29. And its long-range shooting was also subpar — 10-26 for 38.5% — especially since the 3-point arc is so close. (Michael Redd said that international treys were "layups".) Indeed, their overall 55-percent shooting from the field was hugely inflated by a barrage of layups and dunk shots.
· The Americans only forced a total of four shots — one each by Kobe, Chauncey Billups, Mike Miller and Michael Redd. As a result, their shot selection was admirable.
· The biggest surprise of all, however, was Carmelo Anthony getting three of his shots blocked!
Late in the game, with their lead approaching 50 points, the Americans became somewhat sloppy — but only on defense. They yielded too many offensive rebounds, and were also burned when they jumped too quickly into the passing lanes. But these lapses were totally understandable. Staying alert and disciplined at the conclusion of such a lopsided contest is not an easy task.
So, then, what — if any — conclusions can be drawn from Team USA's opening game in this latest FIBA tournament?
J-Kidd's presence does make a difference — in sharpening his teammates' competitive chops, in executing the offense, and in extending the defensive pressure to the time-line.
Kobe's defense was better than his offense, and his offense was beastly. He, too, will make a huge difference if and when Team USA finds itself in a tight ball game.
· With the point guard (mostly J-Kidd) setting down- and cross-screens, Team USA's man-to-man offense was lively and the ball-movement was extremely unselfish. But there wasn't nearly as much activity when Kidd was on the bench.
· Nor did Team USA exhibit much ball- or player-movement on those rare occasions when Venezuela played a zone. Aside from some simple (and ineffective) baseline screens, Team USA's zone offense relied on baseline drives (which were readily available) and an abundance of 3-point shots.
· Team USA's free-throw shooting was deplorable — only 20-29. And its long-range shooting was also subpar — 10-26 for 38.5% — especially since the 3-point arc is so close. (Michael Redd said that international treys were "layups".) Indeed, their overall 55-percent shooting from the field was hugely inflated by a barrage of layups and dunk shots.
· The Americans only forced a total of four shots — one each by Kobe, Chauncey Billups, Mike Miller and Michael Redd. As a result, their shot selection was admirable.
· The biggest surprise of all, however, was Carmelo Anthony getting three of his shots blocked!
Late in the game, with their lead approaching 50 points, the Americans became somewhat sloppy — but only on defense. They yielded too many offensive rebounds, and were also burned when they jumped too quickly into the passing lanes. But these lapses were totally understandable. Staying alert and disciplined at the conclusion of such a lopsided contest is not an easy task.
So, then, what — if any — conclusions can be drawn from Team USA's opening game in this latest FIBA tournament?
J-Kidd's presence does make a difference — in sharpening his teammates' competitive chops, in executing the offense, and in extending the defensive pressure to the time-line.
Kobe's defense was better than his offense, and his offense was beastly. He, too, will make a huge difference if and when Team USA finds itself in a tight ball game.
With a dearth of dominant big men, the U.S. managed to out-rebound the undersized Venezuelans by an alarmingly small margin — 43-32. This lack of commanding boardwork could be a problem as the tournament progresses.
In the long run, though, the easy win over the hapless Venezuelans might have been too easy. The Americans' over-confidence in the most recent international competitions has contributed much to their repeated poor showings. But it's safe to assume that the previous pitfalls of arrogance and lack of focus will be avoided this time around.
Discerning NBA-watchers have learned that fielding a squad with overwhelming talent isn't necessarily a guarantee of success. Not even against theoretically inferior opposition. Perhaps this latest incarnation of Team USA has also done its homework and taken the same lesson to heart.
There'll be no acceptable excuses should the good guys fail to cop the gold in Sin City.
In the long run, though, the easy win over the hapless Venezuelans might have been too easy. The Americans' over-confidence in the most recent international competitions has contributed much to their repeated poor showings. But it's safe to assume that the previous pitfalls of arrogance and lack of focus will be avoided this time around.
Discerning NBA-watchers have learned that fielding a squad with overwhelming talent isn't necessarily a guarantee of success. Not even against theoretically inferior opposition. Perhaps this latest incarnation of Team USA has also done its homework and taken the same lesson to heart.
There'll be no acceptable excuses should the good guys fail to cop the gold in Sin City.
by Charlie Rosen
FoxSports.com
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