July 22, 2006Krzyzewski Melds a National Team From Young StarsBy LYNN ZINSERLAS VEGAS, July 21
- Thread starter JoshA
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Re: USA Basketball is on its way to recovery
July 25, 2006
Sports of The Times
Krzyzewski Is Putting His Reputation on the Line
By WILLIAM C. RHODEN
MIKE KRZYZEWSKI climbed into the USA Basketball team bus Sunday afternoon after another practice. Krzyzewski, the coach of the men
July 25, 2006
Sports of The Times
Krzyzewski Is Putting His Reputation on the Line
By WILLIAM C. RHODEN
MIKE KRZYZEWSKI climbed into the USA Basketball team bus Sunday afternoon after another practice. Krzyzewski, the coach of the men
Island Visitor
Senior Insider
Re: USA Basketball is on its way to recovery
Coach K is sandbagging.
Give The K the fellows he wants and five months to train them and they will run roughshod over everyone else.
I aint buying the "We're too stupid to learn that the lane is wider and you can goaltend once it hits the rim" arguement.
Coach K is sandbagging.
Give The K the fellows he wants and five months to train them and they will run roughshod over everyone else.
I aint buying the "We're too stupid to learn that the lane is wider and you can goaltend once it hits the rim" arguement.
Re: USA Basketball is on its way to recovery
I agree. We don't need Shaq, Garnett and Duncan. The players that have signed up are plenty good enough (LeBron James, etc) to stomp the competition if they buy into really playing for a national team. Coach K won't stand for showboating or a lack of commitment. The rule changes are minor.
I agree. We don't need Shaq, Garnett and Duncan. The players that have signed up are plenty good enough (LeBron James, etc) to stomp the competition if they buy into really playing for a national team. Coach K won't stand for showboating or a lack of commitment. The rule changes are minor.
Island Visitor
Senior Insider
Re: USA Basketball is on its way to recovery
Here is The Skinny on International Ball:
It is a TEAM sport where talent is subjugated for the good of the team.
The NBA is an individual show, kind of like opera. Sure, you want the tenor to sing well tonight. Even so, you are The Diva and nobody, and I mean NOBODY upstages The Fat Lady.
So, the facts is these:
They have better teams made of lesser athletes. We have worse teams made of better athletes. They cant do anything to improve their athletes but Coach K can do something to improve our team.
Here is The Skinny on International Ball:
It is a TEAM sport where talent is subjugated for the good of the team.
The NBA is an individual show, kind of like opera. Sure, you want the tenor to sing well tonight. Even so, you are The Diva and nobody, and I mean NOBODY upstages The Fat Lady.
So, the facts is these:
They have better teams made of lesser athletes. We have worse teams made of better athletes. They cant do anything to improve their athletes but Coach K can do something to improve our team.
Island Visitor
Senior Insider
Re: USA Basketball is on its way to recovery
Bassetball is not a game that requires Rhodes Scholars.
Had these guys never played the game, he would be in trouble. But they have. And they do know what to do.
They just get paid not to do it.
Bassetball is not a game that requires Rhodes Scholars.
Had these guys never played the game, he would be in trouble. But they have. And they do know what to do.
They just get paid not to do it.
Island Visitor
Senior Insider
Re: USA Basketball is on its way to recovery
Apparently Coack K knows that getting fellows to follow you is about credibility. And knowing that the NBA is all about Street Cred, Coach K is doing everything he can to get tight with his posse
Apparently Coack K knows that getting fellows to follow you is about credibility. And knowing that the NBA is all about Street Cred, Coach K is doing everything he can to get tight with his posse
Re: USA Basketball is on its way to recovery
August 15, 2006
LeBron James Leads U.S. to 116 - 63 Win
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 10:36 a.m. ET
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- LeBron James is on a mission to put USA Basketball back on top of the world. In a game that was decided in the first 10 minutes, James scored 23 points Tuesday to lead the United States to an emphatic 116-63 win over South Korea in a tuneup game for the world championships.
''We were a little sluggish at first and I was able to pick up my energy level and the guys followed,'' James said. ''We got better as the game went on and took care of business.''
The Americans took control early, led by James. The Cleveland Cavaliers star hit a 3-pointer two minutes in, and then gave the United States an early 9-2 lead with an easy layup.
Late in the first period, James' two-handed slam dunk made it 13-5 and the Americans finished the first quarter with a comfortable 22-13 lead.
With the win, the Americans improved to 5-0 in exhibition games leading up to the worlds which begin later this week in Japan.
Dwyane Wade gave the U.S. a 20-point lead midway through the second period when he broke through the Korean defense and finished with a two-handed jam.
James, who had 19 points in the first half, stole the ball at center court and went in all alone for a slam dunk with 3:49 left in the second period as the U.S. widened its lead to 62-35 at the break.
Despite the one-sided score, there was no letting up for James.
In the third period, Wade made an alley-oop lob to James who saluted the crowd after yet another dunk made it 73-38. The United States took an 86-52 lead into the final period when coach Mike Krzyzewski took the 6-foot-8 forward out.
When introduced, the U.S. players got a huge ovation from the South Korean fans. Tuesday was a national holiday to mark the 61st anniversary of the end of Japanese colonial rule on the Korean Peninsula.
Carmelo Anthony, Shane Battier, Elton Brand, Kirk Hinrich and Wade started for the U.S. team.
After a visit to a U.S. military base Wednesday, the team will head to Sapporo, Japan, for its opening game of the championships on Aug. 19 against Puerto Rico.
The United States finished sixth at the worlds in 2002 and third in 1998. The last time the Americans won the tournament was 1994.
In previous tournaments, the United States was criticized for not playing as a team. James doesn't see that as a problem with this team.
''I didn't play for the team in 2002,'' James said. ''I played on the Olympic team in 2004 and we didn't have the right mind-set. This team has the right mind-set to get the job done.''
The U.S. still must cut one of its players before the world championships. The roster was reduced to 13 when Gilbert Arenas strained his groin during practice Monday and was unable to compete for a spot on the 12-player roster.
''We have to get down to 12 players before the worlds and that will be a tough decision,'' Krzyzewski said.
August 15, 2006
LeBron James Leads U.S. to 116 - 63 Win
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 10:36 a.m. ET
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- LeBron James is on a mission to put USA Basketball back on top of the world. In a game that was decided in the first 10 minutes, James scored 23 points Tuesday to lead the United States to an emphatic 116-63 win over South Korea in a tuneup game for the world championships.
''We were a little sluggish at first and I was able to pick up my energy level and the guys followed,'' James said. ''We got better as the game went on and took care of business.''
The Americans took control early, led by James. The Cleveland Cavaliers star hit a 3-pointer two minutes in, and then gave the United States an early 9-2 lead with an easy layup.
Late in the first period, James' two-handed slam dunk made it 13-5 and the Americans finished the first quarter with a comfortable 22-13 lead.
With the win, the Americans improved to 5-0 in exhibition games leading up to the worlds which begin later this week in Japan.
Dwyane Wade gave the U.S. a 20-point lead midway through the second period when he broke through the Korean defense and finished with a two-handed jam.
James, who had 19 points in the first half, stole the ball at center court and went in all alone for a slam dunk with 3:49 left in the second period as the U.S. widened its lead to 62-35 at the break.
Despite the one-sided score, there was no letting up for James.
In the third period, Wade made an alley-oop lob to James who saluted the crowd after yet another dunk made it 73-38. The United States took an 86-52 lead into the final period when coach Mike Krzyzewski took the 6-foot-8 forward out.
When introduced, the U.S. players got a huge ovation from the South Korean fans. Tuesday was a national holiday to mark the 61st anniversary of the end of Japanese colonial rule on the Korean Peninsula.
Carmelo Anthony, Shane Battier, Elton Brand, Kirk Hinrich and Wade started for the U.S. team.
After a visit to a U.S. military base Wednesday, the team will head to Sapporo, Japan, for its opening game of the championships on Aug. 19 against Puerto Rico.
The United States finished sixth at the worlds in 2002 and third in 1998. The last time the Americans won the tournament was 1994.
In previous tournaments, the United States was criticized for not playing as a team. James doesn't see that as a problem with this team.
''I didn't play for the team in 2002,'' James said. ''I played on the Olympic team in 2004 and we didn't have the right mind-set. This team has the right mind-set to get the job done.''
The U.S. still must cut one of its players before the world championships. The roster was reduced to 13 when Gilbert Arenas strained his groin during practice Monday and was unable to compete for a spot on the 12-player roster.
''We have to get down to 12 players before the worlds and that will be a tough decision,'' Krzyzewski said.
MIke R
Senior Insider
Re: USA Basketball is on its way to recovery
wow..."big win over South Korea " eh???...who is next on this brutal schedule of theirs....St Anthonys Home for the Blind or the South Miami Senior Center???
with the kind of formidable line up that is taking to the floor this time around they had BETTER be undefeated
wow..."big win over South Korea " eh???...who is next on this brutal schedule of theirs....St Anthonys Home for the Blind or the South Miami Senior Center???
with the kind of formidable line up that is taking to the floor this time around they had BETTER be undefeated
MIke R
Senior Insider
Re: USA Basketball is on its way to recovery
I know they are exhibition games...I know the tournament starts Saturday.....my point remains...they had better win all these games with that lineup....beating Korea shouldnt even be news worthy
ok...Andy..Im going to take a walk down Commercial Street now and find a little ol lady to beat up...make sure it gets in the press....LOL
I know they are exhibition games...I know the tournament starts Saturday.....my point remains...they had better win all these games with that lineup....beating Korea shouldnt even be news worthy
ok...Andy..Im going to take a walk down Commercial Street now and find a little ol lady to beat up...make sure it gets in the press....LOL
Re: USA Basketball is on its way to recovery
Vibrant US eager to restore pride
By Alastair Himmer
A hungry United States team have ditched style for substance as they seek to restore pride at the world basketball championship after six years of hurt.
Ego and trash-talk have been replaced by teamwork and hustle by a young U.S. squad installed as the bookmakers' clear favorites at the 24-team tournament, which begins on Saturday.
Olympic gold medallists Argentina, defending champions Serbia and Montenegro, Spain, France, Slovenia and Lithuania are among several dangerous opponents who could upset the odds in Japan.
Even without the likes of Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson, the U.S. team that faces Puerto Rico in Saturday's Group D opener in Sapporo still contains an awesome array of NBA talent.
With a nucleus of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony, the U.S. have the quickest, most athletic team in the tournament.
They looked sharp in the run-up, blitzing through their warm-up games by an average margin of victory of over 34 points.
The Americans have a point to prove after a humiliating six-place finish at the 2002 world championship and bronze at the 2004 Olympics. Gold at the 2000 Sydney Games is a faint memory.
"We've got everything to prove," Anthony told reporters.
"Right now we don't think people respect us as a country or as a basketball team so we feel we have to go and prove something."
U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski believes his team have come together at the right time.
"Our guys have really grown together as a team," he said after Tuesday's 116-63 blowout over South Korea.
"No ego is bigger than the team. I think we're ready to take the next step."
DARK HORSES
Olympic finalists Italy, Slovenia, Senegal and a China team boosted by the return of towering center Yao Ming are also aiming to fill the top four slots in Group D and reach the last 16.
Slovenia could be the tournament's dark horses after beating the Serbs to win a warm-up event in Singapore.
An experienced Argentina team who captured gold in Athens are also extremely hard to overlook, and San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili fired an early warning to the U.S.
"I don't think you're ever going to see a U.S. team beating everyone by 30 points again," he said. "That's part of the past."
Argentina are drawn with Serbia and Montenegro, France, Nigeria, Venezuela and a Lebanon team who endured an arduous bus journey through Syria and Jordan to escape Israeli air strikes.
"It's like a snowball rolling in the wrong direction," Lebanon's American coach Paul Coughter. "They feel exactly how you would expect them to feel."
Argentina's Group A game against a French team inspired by NBA pair Tony Parker and Boris Diaw in Sendai will be one of the highlights of Saturday's first day.
Spain and Germany head the teams in Group B while African champions Angola, hosts Japan, New Zealand and Panama will likely be left to contest the last two spots for the knockout stage.
The Spanish, propelled by Memphis Grizzlies forward Pau Gasol, demonstrated their title credentials by twice beating Argentina in the run-up to the tournament.
Germany will look to Dirk Nowitzki to lead their charge in Japan but they suffered a blow to their confidence with an 84-47 defeat by Greece in China in their final pre-tournament game.
European champions Greece, three-times Olympic bronze medallists Lithuania, Brazil and Australia appear the strongest four teams in Group C, which also contains Turkey and Qatar.
Copyright
Vibrant US eager to restore pride
By Alastair Himmer
A hungry United States team have ditched style for substance as they seek to restore pride at the world basketball championship after six years of hurt.
Ego and trash-talk have been replaced by teamwork and hustle by a young U.S. squad installed as the bookmakers' clear favorites at the 24-team tournament, which begins on Saturday.
Olympic gold medallists Argentina, defending champions Serbia and Montenegro, Spain, France, Slovenia and Lithuania are among several dangerous opponents who could upset the odds in Japan.
Even without the likes of Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson, the U.S. team that faces Puerto Rico in Saturday's Group D opener in Sapporo still contains an awesome array of NBA talent.
With a nucleus of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony, the U.S. have the quickest, most athletic team in the tournament.
They looked sharp in the run-up, blitzing through their warm-up games by an average margin of victory of over 34 points.
The Americans have a point to prove after a humiliating six-place finish at the 2002 world championship and bronze at the 2004 Olympics. Gold at the 2000 Sydney Games is a faint memory.
"We've got everything to prove," Anthony told reporters.
"Right now we don't think people respect us as a country or as a basketball team so we feel we have to go and prove something."
U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski believes his team have come together at the right time.
"Our guys have really grown together as a team," he said after Tuesday's 116-63 blowout over South Korea.
"No ego is bigger than the team. I think we're ready to take the next step."
DARK HORSES
Olympic finalists Italy, Slovenia, Senegal and a China team boosted by the return of towering center Yao Ming are also aiming to fill the top four slots in Group D and reach the last 16.
Slovenia could be the tournament's dark horses after beating the Serbs to win a warm-up event in Singapore.
An experienced Argentina team who captured gold in Athens are also extremely hard to overlook, and San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili fired an early warning to the U.S.
"I don't think you're ever going to see a U.S. team beating everyone by 30 points again," he said. "That's part of the past."
Argentina are drawn with Serbia and Montenegro, France, Nigeria, Venezuela and a Lebanon team who endured an arduous bus journey through Syria and Jordan to escape Israeli air strikes.
"It's like a snowball rolling in the wrong direction," Lebanon's American coach Paul Coughter. "They feel exactly how you would expect them to feel."
Argentina's Group A game against a French team inspired by NBA pair Tony Parker and Boris Diaw in Sendai will be one of the highlights of Saturday's first day.
Spain and Germany head the teams in Group B while African champions Angola, hosts Japan, New Zealand and Panama will likely be left to contest the last two spots for the knockout stage.
The Spanish, propelled by Memphis Grizzlies forward Pau Gasol, demonstrated their title credentials by twice beating Argentina in the run-up to the tournament.
Germany will look to Dirk Nowitzki to lead their charge in Japan but they suffered a blow to their confidence with an 84-47 defeat by Greece in China in their final pre-tournament game.
European champions Greece, three-times Olympic bronze medallists Lithuania, Brazil and Australia appear the strongest four teams in Group C, which also contains Turkey and Qatar.
Copyright
Is USA Basketball on its way to recovery?
Misplaced confidence
Team USA facing tougher task than it realizes
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/chris_mannix/08/17/team.usa/index.html
All the pieces seem to be in place for a return to glory for USA Basketball at the World Championship. The man responsible for one of the most successful (and entertaining) franchises this decade put this team together. It is coached by one of the greatest college coaches in history. And for the first time in a decade, the Team USA roster looks more like a cohesive unit and less like one of Steve Nash's celebrity pickup games.
So why are we all still worried?
Because the United States' men's national team has been in a state of disrepair for the better part of the 21st century. It can't shoot. It doesn't defend. It treats coaches like hall monitors.
With Phoenix hoops boss Jerry Colangelo calling the shots, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski on the sidelines and a roster of players who have committed to the team for three years, things should be on the upswing. But I'm not so sure that's going to happen.
The most pressing concern about USA Basketball over the last four years has been the team's propensity to morph between Jekyll and Hyde. They win by 50. They lose by seven. They win by four. No one ever knew which team was going to show up.
They still don't.
Sandwiched among blowout wins over Puerto Rico, China, Lithuania and Korea in this year's exhibition slate was a four-point squeaker over a Brazil team that besides Anderson Varejao, Leandro Barbosa and future NBA draft pick Tiago Splitter fields a roster that for all the average fan knows might be on loan from the Brazilian soccer team. I had to check my box score to make sure that wasn't Ronaldinho I saw sitting at the end of the bench.
But the Brazilian team has been playing together for years, as have most of the other teams that will be playing in the World Championship. That's an advantage the U.S. can't match yet, unless it decides to send the NBA champions to international competitions. (Which is not the worst idea, by the way. But seeing as how Shaquille O'Neal would as soon picnic with Kobe Bryant than participate, that isn't going to happen.)
The U.S. did take some positive steps in the assembling of its roster. That is, of course, until effective international players such as Chauncey Billups (ball-handling, decision-making), J.J. Redick (shooting) and Michael Redd (more shooting) all bowed out. The team's best outside threat now is a guy (Kirk Hinrich) who was on the bubble two weeks ago and was a late addition to begin with. Even more puzzling, Krzyzewski inexplicably sent Bruce Bowen back to the States on Wednesday -- does Team USA think superb defenders and deadly spot-up shooters are so easy to come by?
Certainly there will be some highs, especially in preliminary play. Beginning Saturday, the U.S. will play in Group D, a field that includes welterweights Slovenia, Senegal and Puerto Rico. That's a far sight better than having to run the gantlet of Group A: Argentina (the defending gold medallists from the 2004 Olympics), France (featuring Boris Diaw and Tony Parker) and Serbia & Montenegro.
Root for the USA. Cheer them from afar. But don't let your enthusiasm cloud your logic. Manu Ginobili and Andres Nocioni still play for Argentina. Pau Gasol and Juan Carlos Navarro have been playing together in Spain for years. Parker, Diaw and RonnyTuriaf have been playing for France for even longer. The U.S. losing this tournament -- or even failing to medal -- won't be as big a surprise as winning it.
Misplaced confidence
Team USA facing tougher task than it realizes
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/chris_mannix/08/17/team.usa/index.html
All the pieces seem to be in place for a return to glory for USA Basketball at the World Championship. The man responsible for one of the most successful (and entertaining) franchises this decade put this team together. It is coached by one of the greatest college coaches in history. And for the first time in a decade, the Team USA roster looks more like a cohesive unit and less like one of Steve Nash's celebrity pickup games.
So why are we all still worried?
Because the United States' men's national team has been in a state of disrepair for the better part of the 21st century. It can't shoot. It doesn't defend. It treats coaches like hall monitors.
With Phoenix hoops boss Jerry Colangelo calling the shots, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski on the sidelines and a roster of players who have committed to the team for three years, things should be on the upswing. But I'm not so sure that's going to happen.
The most pressing concern about USA Basketball over the last four years has been the team's propensity to morph between Jekyll and Hyde. They win by 50. They lose by seven. They win by four. No one ever knew which team was going to show up.
They still don't.
Sandwiched among blowout wins over Puerto Rico, China, Lithuania and Korea in this year's exhibition slate was a four-point squeaker over a Brazil team that besides Anderson Varejao, Leandro Barbosa and future NBA draft pick Tiago Splitter fields a roster that for all the average fan knows might be on loan from the Brazilian soccer team. I had to check my box score to make sure that wasn't Ronaldinho I saw sitting at the end of the bench.
But the Brazilian team has been playing together for years, as have most of the other teams that will be playing in the World Championship. That's an advantage the U.S. can't match yet, unless it decides to send the NBA champions to international competitions. (Which is not the worst idea, by the way. But seeing as how Shaquille O'Neal would as soon picnic with Kobe Bryant than participate, that isn't going to happen.)
The U.S. did take some positive steps in the assembling of its roster. That is, of course, until effective international players such as Chauncey Billups (ball-handling, decision-making), J.J. Redick (shooting) and Michael Redd (more shooting) all bowed out. The team's best outside threat now is a guy (Kirk Hinrich) who was on the bubble two weeks ago and was a late addition to begin with. Even more puzzling, Krzyzewski inexplicably sent Bruce Bowen back to the States on Wednesday -- does Team USA think superb defenders and deadly spot-up shooters are so easy to come by?
Certainly there will be some highs, especially in preliminary play. Beginning Saturday, the U.S. will play in Group D, a field that includes welterweights Slovenia, Senegal and Puerto Rico. That's a far sight better than having to run the gantlet of Group A: Argentina (the defending gold medallists from the 2004 Olympics), France (featuring Boris Diaw and Tony Parker) and Serbia & Montenegro.
Root for the USA. Cheer them from afar. But don't let your enthusiasm cloud your logic. Manu Ginobili and Andres Nocioni still play for Argentina. Pau Gasol and Juan Carlos Navarro have been playing together in Spain for years. Parker, Diaw and RonnyTuriaf have been playing for France for even longer. The U.S. losing this tournament -- or even failing to medal -- won't be as big a surprise as winning it.
Unselfish play and defense by NBA players
August 20, 2006
U.S. Wins 2nd Straight at Worlds
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 6:37 p.m. ET
SAPPORO, Japan (AP) -- One day Carmelo Anthony leads the U.S. in scoring. The next game, it's Dwyane Wade's turn.
Wade scored 26 points Sunday night to lead the U.S. to a 121-90 rout of Yao Ming and China, the Americans' second victory in as many games at the FIBA world championships.
Someone else may lead the way against Slovenia on Tuesday.
This is how the Americans were assembled. Unlike many teams in the world championships, they don't have to rely on one or two stars to carry the scoring load.
''We have to be unselfish because of the caliber of players that we have,'' captain LeBron James said. ''There's no reason for us to be selfish. Guys can make shots. Guys can make plays at any given moment of the game. I go out there to be unselfish and it kind of rubs off on everybody else. That's the kind of team that we have.''
James averaged 31.4 points per game last year for Cleveland. He's averaging 13 in the first two games here.
''The dimensions we have on our team, I don't need to score at all,'' said James, who has eight assists in two games.
The Americans have averaged 116 points against lightweights Puerto Rico and China. And they haven't relied on any single player.
Anthony scored a team-high 21 points in the opening 111-100 victory over Puerto Rico, and nine of the 11 Americans who played scored at least two baskets.
On Sunday night, Wade had 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting. And he didn't even start.
The U.S. spread the ball around from the start. Shane Battier, who took only two shots in the opener, opened the game with a 3-pointer from the corner, then drove for a basket.
Dwight Howard made two free throws. Then Anthony and Chris Paul each hit 15-footers.
The only starter who didn't score in the first four minutes was James.
''We've got 12 guys on this team who can make shots,'' Anthony said.
It certainly looked like that Sunday night. The only players who didn't score were Chris Bosh, who missed two shots, and Brad Miller, who didn't shoot.
With so many options, it makes the Americans tough to stop. As Slovenia prepares its game plan, will it try to neutralize Anthony or Wade? Or will it focus on James, who has yet to put up the big numbers he's capable of? But it can't ignore Paul, who is 8-for-15 from the floor and is averaging 12 points.
''For one, you can't key in on one player,'' James said. ''You've got to play team defense. You can't just worry about a Dwyane Wade or a Carmelo Anthony or a big man like Dwight Howard or myself. You've got to try to key in on everybody and try to stop us, which is very hard to do.''
For many of the Americans, the team-first attitude represents a change from the NBA.
''There are a lot of individuals out there, especially on their respective NBA teams,'' forward Elton Brand said. ''So we're trying to be a team out here and get assists and do the extra things.''
Although the U.S. has been potent in the first two games, it has been plagued by poor long-range shooting. The Americans have posted the two worst 3-point shooting percentages in Group D's first six games.
The U.S. shot 33 percent (9-for-27) from 3-point range against Puerto Rico. The U.S. was even worse from beyond the arc Sunday night, shooting 30 percent (6-for-20).
Anthony and Paul have each gone 2-for-7 from 3-point range. James and Wade are each 0-for-3.
''Three-point shooting is a funny business,'' said Battier, who has hit two of five 3-pointers. ''We have guys who can make those shots, obviously. We're not concerned about that.
''The quality of the 3-point shot has been good for us,'' Battier said. ''It's a whole different ballgame if we take shots under contest and under duress. We've had wide-open shots, and our guys will hit them.''
On Sunday, there was no reason for the Americans to shoot from long range. They were at their best when they were attacking the basket against the overmatched Chinese, especially when Yao was on the bench. He played 27 minutes before fouling out with a team-high 21 points.
As the blowout wore on, the U.S. brought the otherwise sedate Sapporo Arena crowd to its feet with a series of slam dunks. Howard dunked so hard in the fourth quarter that the ball bounded off Anthony's head.
''We take the shots the defense gives us,'' Battier said. ''We want to attack.''
August 20, 2006
U.S. Wins 2nd Straight at Worlds
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 6:37 p.m. ET
SAPPORO, Japan (AP) -- One day Carmelo Anthony leads the U.S. in scoring. The next game, it's Dwyane Wade's turn.
Wade scored 26 points Sunday night to lead the U.S. to a 121-90 rout of Yao Ming and China, the Americans' second victory in as many games at the FIBA world championships.
Someone else may lead the way against Slovenia on Tuesday.
This is how the Americans were assembled. Unlike many teams in the world championships, they don't have to rely on one or two stars to carry the scoring load.
''We have to be unselfish because of the caliber of players that we have,'' captain LeBron James said. ''There's no reason for us to be selfish. Guys can make shots. Guys can make plays at any given moment of the game. I go out there to be unselfish and it kind of rubs off on everybody else. That's the kind of team that we have.''
James averaged 31.4 points per game last year for Cleveland. He's averaging 13 in the first two games here.
''The dimensions we have on our team, I don't need to score at all,'' said James, who has eight assists in two games.
The Americans have averaged 116 points against lightweights Puerto Rico and China. And they haven't relied on any single player.
Anthony scored a team-high 21 points in the opening 111-100 victory over Puerto Rico, and nine of the 11 Americans who played scored at least two baskets.
On Sunday night, Wade had 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting. And he didn't even start.
The U.S. spread the ball around from the start. Shane Battier, who took only two shots in the opener, opened the game with a 3-pointer from the corner, then drove for a basket.
Dwight Howard made two free throws. Then Anthony and Chris Paul each hit 15-footers.
The only starter who didn't score in the first four minutes was James.
''We've got 12 guys on this team who can make shots,'' Anthony said.
It certainly looked like that Sunday night. The only players who didn't score were Chris Bosh, who missed two shots, and Brad Miller, who didn't shoot.
With so many options, it makes the Americans tough to stop. As Slovenia prepares its game plan, will it try to neutralize Anthony or Wade? Or will it focus on James, who has yet to put up the big numbers he's capable of? But it can't ignore Paul, who is 8-for-15 from the floor and is averaging 12 points.
''For one, you can't key in on one player,'' James said. ''You've got to play team defense. You can't just worry about a Dwyane Wade or a Carmelo Anthony or a big man like Dwight Howard or myself. You've got to try to key in on everybody and try to stop us, which is very hard to do.''
For many of the Americans, the team-first attitude represents a change from the NBA.
''There are a lot of individuals out there, especially on their respective NBA teams,'' forward Elton Brand said. ''So we're trying to be a team out here and get assists and do the extra things.''
Although the U.S. has been potent in the first two games, it has been plagued by poor long-range shooting. The Americans have posted the two worst 3-point shooting percentages in Group D's first six games.
The U.S. shot 33 percent (9-for-27) from 3-point range against Puerto Rico. The U.S. was even worse from beyond the arc Sunday night, shooting 30 percent (6-for-20).
Anthony and Paul have each gone 2-for-7 from 3-point range. James and Wade are each 0-for-3.
''Three-point shooting is a funny business,'' said Battier, who has hit two of five 3-pointers. ''We have guys who can make those shots, obviously. We're not concerned about that.
''The quality of the 3-point shot has been good for us,'' Battier said. ''It's a whole different ballgame if we take shots under contest and under duress. We've had wide-open shots, and our guys will hit them.''
On Sunday, there was no reason for the Americans to shoot from long range. They were at their best when they were attacking the basket against the overmatched Chinese, especially when Yao was on the bench. He played 27 minutes before fouling out with a team-high 21 points.
As the blowout wore on, the U.S. brought the otherwise sedate Sapporo Arena crowd to its feet with a series of slam dunks. Howard dunked so hard in the fourth quarter that the ball bounded off Anthony's head.
''We take the shots the defense gives us,'' Battier said. ''We want to attack.''
USA moves on to sweet 16
US through as China face early exit
By Alastair Himmer
The United States turned on the style to blow by Slovenia 114-95 and reach the last 16 of the world basketball championship on Tuesday.
Olympic runners-up Italy joined the U.S. while European champions Greece virtually assured they would also be involved in the knockout stages.
However, China's hopes of progressing suffered a huge blow with a 90-87 overtime loss to Puerto Rico despite 29 points from Yao Ming in Sapporo.
Dwyane Wade led the U.S. with 20 points and fellow co-captains LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony scored 19 and 14 respectively in another comfortable win for the favorites.
However, U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski quickly dismissed talk that his team were the dominant power in the 24-team tournament.
"I don't even think of dominance," he told reporters. "The world is too good in basketball. For us to think we are going to dominate it would be very arrogant."
Houston Rockets center Yao again led China in scoring but fouled out with almost five minutes left in a bad-tempered Group D clash.
CHINA CRISIS
China have yet to win a game and must now beat Senegal and Slovenia in their remaining games to have any chance of survival.
"We had some very bad minutes that killed us," China's Lithuanian coach Jonas Kazlauskas told reporters. "It will be very difficult now."
Puerto Rico moved closer to the last 16 with Elias Ayuso scoring 27 points and Carlos Arroyo 25 to secure a second win for the Central America and Caribbean Games winners.
Meanwhile, Italy proved more clinical down the stretch as they beat winless Senegal 64-56 for their third straight win in Group D.
Greece won their third game in Group C as guard Nikos Zisis hit a three-pointer one second before the buzzer for a 72-69 win over Australia, leaving the Boomers at 1-2.
Phoenix Suns guard Leandro Barbosa missed two free throws with six seconds left for Brazil, allowing Turkey to prevail with a 73-71 win that preserved their perfect record. Brazil are 1-2.
Lithuania finally drew a line under their nightmare start by pulverizing winless Qatar 106-65.
The knockout stage begins in Saitama on Saturday.
Copyright
US through as China face early exit
By Alastair Himmer
The United States turned on the style to blow by Slovenia 114-95 and reach the last 16 of the world basketball championship on Tuesday.
Olympic runners-up Italy joined the U.S. while European champions Greece virtually assured they would also be involved in the knockout stages.
However, China's hopes of progressing suffered a huge blow with a 90-87 overtime loss to Puerto Rico despite 29 points from Yao Ming in Sapporo.
Dwyane Wade led the U.S. with 20 points and fellow co-captains LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony scored 19 and 14 respectively in another comfortable win for the favorites.
However, U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski quickly dismissed talk that his team were the dominant power in the 24-team tournament.
"I don't even think of dominance," he told reporters. "The world is too good in basketball. For us to think we are going to dominate it would be very arrogant."
Houston Rockets center Yao again led China in scoring but fouled out with almost five minutes left in a bad-tempered Group D clash.
CHINA CRISIS
China have yet to win a game and must now beat Senegal and Slovenia in their remaining games to have any chance of survival.
"We had some very bad minutes that killed us," China's Lithuanian coach Jonas Kazlauskas told reporters. "It will be very difficult now."
Puerto Rico moved closer to the last 16 with Elias Ayuso scoring 27 points and Carlos Arroyo 25 to secure a second win for the Central America and Caribbean Games winners.
Meanwhile, Italy proved more clinical down the stretch as they beat winless Senegal 64-56 for their third straight win in Group D.
Greece won their third game in Group C as guard Nikos Zisis hit a three-pointer one second before the buzzer for a 72-69 win over Australia, leaving the Boomers at 1-2.
Phoenix Suns guard Leandro Barbosa missed two free throws with six seconds left for Brazil, allowing Turkey to prevail with a 73-71 win that preserved their perfect record. Brazil are 1-2.
Lithuania finally drew a line under their nightmare start by pulverizing winless Qatar 106-65.
The knockout stage begins in Saitama on Saturday.
Copyright
