Beijing Bound: Carmelo Athony, Kobe Bryant, & Team USA Qualify For Olympics With Win Over Puerto Rico.September 01 07 A few of life’s certainties: death, taxes, and Team USA succeeding at the 2007 FIBA Americas Tournament. Stars and Stripes officially joined death and taxes on Saturday, beating Puerto Rico 135-91 in the semi-finals to earn a birth in next year’s Beijing Olympics.
Sure, the first-half was close. And, sure, Puerto Rico had a tiny measure of success containing the Team USA machine with a soft zone. But the United States are heading to the Olympics, so the first part of their mission is complete.
Here are my observations: - Give Puerto Rico their due. They played a strong first-half and made the game somewhat interesting by slowing the tempo with a zone. Still, Jason Kidd made Puerto Rico pay, hitting most of his shots against their sagging defense.
- Some have questioned my view that LeBron James is a facilitator. Watch last night’s game. King James is at his best when creating for others.
- I’m normally not a fan of half-time shows. But last game’s feature on Dwight Howard was excellent. And today’s half-time feature was also excellent; showing how the 1992 Dream Team motivated the current American squad.
- Carmelo Anthony’s versatility came in handy after half-time. During the break, the Americans moved ’Melo to the perimeter, where he hit several three-pointers.
- Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd form a great defensive backcourt. Laker fans must watch these two and wonder what could have been.
- Carlos Arroyo has thrived in international tournaments. However, I’m not sure if he could do the same in a starting role with an NBA team.
- The fourth quarter turned into a practice. It was good to see Michael Redd go off. Safe to say, the Milwaukee guard has rediscovered his stroke. Team USA had a great night from beyond-the-arc, hitting 23 three-pointers.
- Broadcaster Bill Walton has a story for everything. Some good, some not so good.
- Team USA will face Argentina in tomorrow’s final. Both teams will go for the win even though they’ve already qualified for next summer’s Olympics.
What did you think of Team USA’s play against Puerto Rico? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts.
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Posted by
kb24#1fan2dafullest
on 09.5.2007 | there is no doubt in my mind that they will win the olympic they have chemistry great players and they stay together and the biggest reason of all 2 words KOBE BRYANT ,hello the best athlete in the world not in the u.s the world!!! and with the additions of dwyane wade next year thats just sick...imagine this team KOBE, BRON, MELO, D-WADE, KIDD , JUST THOSE 5 MAKES U DROP YOUR JAW THEY JUST AN UNSTOPPABLE TEAM.. they blew out ever team in the fiba and almost every game none of the starters even played the last 2 quaters ,, there just unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!! . | Posted by
Chamillitary Main
on 09.2.2007 | they might not win gold at olympics, they only beat argentina by 15 points without their star players such as manu ginobli, and fabricio orbetro and others. I also 4got 2 say in my previous post that tyson chandler also shouldnt be on the team, he hasnt been that useful, anyone can do what hes doing, which is why durant should have been there instead of him, he would concentarte on rebounding, and do a little scoring if he wants 2, even tho he duznt need 2, due to all the scorers on the team (even tho he is as great a scorer as them, but this could be used as a chance 2 strengthen his rebounding, and defense, and even play making, as well as power forward position.) anyone know when d-wade is coming back ( at full strength), will it be at start of season, and if he will be as good as he was before the injury, and if he will be back on the starting lineup, instead of kobe, since he is a tri captain. GO NUGGETS, HEAT, TRAILBAZERS, SONICS, CELTICS and ROCKETS next season !!! . | Posted by
Chamillitary Main
on 09.2.2007 | durant should have been on the team, theyre idiots for not putting him, jason kidd is the best, he should have been mvp last year, look at his number almost averaged a triple double for a whole season. chauncey billups shouldnt be on the team, hes useless when compared with jason kidd, and even deron williams, they dont need a scoring point guard, they already have all the scorers they need. anyone know when dwyane wade is coming back, will he start instead of kobe, and will he be back to the player he was before then injury (mvp-worthy, averaged 27 ppg and almost 8 asissts per game, thats just crazy, how can u score that much, and get that many assists.) . . | Posted by
Jacob from Australia
on 09.2.2007 | wait... Ryan W.O did u say assist man for melo??? which games have u been watching? hes neva been an assist man! especially in this team with j kidd lebron and d-will mixing it up. lebron is leading with 44 assists, j kidd got 42 and d-will got 41! melo has 12 or sumthin crap like that. his 1st thought wen he touches the ball is to shoot or dunk it on sum1. thats y lebron is the facilitator. oh and j kidd and d-will help a bit haha. that said i think it is defintely kobe and tashyaun prince that is holding this team together. yes PRINCE! this man can score wen he feels coz hes free of double teams, he boards, distributes, can shoot open shots as good as any1 and is the best team playa on the USA team. massive respect for this guy taking a back seat role in such an important team! . | Posted by
Chamillitary Main
on 09.2.2007 | durant should have been on the team, theyre idiots for not putting him, jason kidd is the best, he should have been mvp last year, look at his number almost averaged a triple double for a whole season. chauncey billups shouldnt be on the team, hes useless when compared with jason kidd, and even deron williams, they dont need a scoring point guard, they already have all the scorers they need. anyone know when dwyane wade is coming back, will he start instead of kobe, and will he be back to the player he was before then injury (mvp-worthy, averaged 27 ppg and almost 8 asissts per game, thats just crazy, how can u score that much, and get that many assists.) . | Posted by
wal
on 09.2.2007 | one more step closer to gettin the gold and goin down in history books lol but i guess you can all thank kobe and j kidd they the ringleaders man i dont care how much points they do or dont score AMERICA f-YEAH lmao . | Posted by
Ryan Wayne Oakley
on 09.1.2007 | The USA Team is going to win it all this year. Carmelo Anthony is like the scorer, rebonder, assist man, he is just all around good. If Carmelo and every body else playes like they have been playing they will win it all and maybe they won’t lose a game. P.S. Kobe, Lebron, Carmelo please write to me. Iam a huge fan. . | Posted by
on 09.1.2007 | chamillitary main . | Posted by
on 09.1.2007 | Go TEAM USA . |
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