Team USA vs. China

I wasn’t about to wake up at 7:15AM on a Sunday morning, but my DVR did.

1st Quarter

- Kobe is the defensive stopper, and instead of the Mamba, he’s now the Doberman.

- Yao just hip checked Kobe on the screen and knocked down a three.

- Yao was sitting in the key for what seemed like 5 seconds. Lebron runs right over him and scores. Blocking foul. No home town officiating on that one.

- Remember Wang Zhi Zhi? He’s on Team China.

- China can’t really get any shots off, but they’re shooting them anyway. And they’re making them.

- Yao rejects Kobe and on the way back down, Lebron pins someone against the backboard. I still haven’t got Team China’s names right. Well, except Yao.

- First subs for Team USA were Chris Paul, Chris Bosh, DWade. Kobe and Lebron remain from the OG starting lineup which also included Carmelo, Dwight Howard, and JKidd.

- It’s weird because I’m watching the basketball specific HD channel and they don’t go to commercial. They just run replays without any commentary during the timeouts.

- Kobe’s three pointer gives USA a lead of 14-11 with just over 4 minutes left in the first.

- China is 4 for 4 on three pointers.

-  Hometown officiating in full effect. DWade drove to the hoop for a layup right as the shot clock expired. They called traveling. How can one be called for traveling when he’s already in the air?

- In 1992, the margin of victory for Team USA was a staggering 43.8 points per game. In 2004, it was 4.6.

- End of the 1st Quarter - Team USA 20 China 16.

2nd Quarter

- Lebron stuffed a ball against the backboard with both hands and then threw a near full length outlet pass to DWade for the dunk.

- Lebron got caught in screens, had to switch two guys, and number 9 in the Chinese team hit a three to tie the game. DWade couldn’t get out in time.

- Bosh out jumped Yao for an offensive rebound, dunked it in, and then growled.

- Back to back dunks for the Doberman and Team USA is back up by 6.

- When Team USA gets out on the fast break with both Kobe and Lebron, they are to the bucket in 2 seconds. It’s pretty amazing to watch.

- Two passes, the entire length of the court, and a dunk. JKidd threw an outlet pass with Chris Paul caught near the free throw line and immediately threw an alleyoop to James. Team USA now up by 9.

- Team USA 49 - China 37

 

Might Have To Get Me One Of These

3rd quarter

- Team USA is 1-12 from three point land. I thought this line was supposed to be easier to hit from?

- Yi finally scored. He’s now 1-8 from the floor.

- Yao doesn’t look very mobile out there.

- This is a very low scoring third quarter.  China only has 6 points through the first 6 minutes.

- Carmelo is having a rough go of it today. He’s dropped several passes and just doesn’t seem to have the energy that the other guys have.

- Team USA took a 12 point lead at the half and outscored China 25-11 in the third quarter. Their defense is stifling.

4th Quarter

- Carlos Boozer and Tayshaun Prince are now both in the game.

- Deron Williams tried to dunk on Yao, but came up a bit short.

- Michael Redd finally hit that three ball. Team USA is now up by 31.

- Yao is still fired up even though China is down by 27.

- The final score is Team USA 101 China 70.

A few things I learned about Team USA.

Defensively, they’re too long and too fast for most teams to beat them, unless they get hot from the three point line. They cheat and they double, probably just out of habit, but they are so athletic, they can get back. Offensively, they don’t seem to have enough shooters to play against a zone, but they pass so well, that they’re going to get an open look at the basket. Lebron James is going to be the MVP of this tournament and Kobe Bryant is going to be second in command.