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U.S. sticks to gameplan crushes Germany
The United States continued its destruction of the Olympic games by destroying Zie Germans 106-57. Oddly enough, the game might not have been as close as the score indictates. The US man-handled Nowitizki and company from the start and they didn’t have a shot.
I must say that I have been very pleased in how they are playing. The major difference between the U.S. and the rest of the world is the U.S. is much more athletic and not neccessarily more skilled. With this type of team, a coach wants to pressure defensively, create turnovers and get out on the fast break to get easy baskets. The U.S. has gone and out and done this exact gameplan: exploiting their strenghts while hiding their weaknesses (shooting).
On the flip the side, I haven’t seen the rest of the world come out with the right gameplan to stop the Americans. They have seemed to have adapted to more of an “American” style of play. I see the recipe for the international teams beat the “Redeem Team” as the following:
(Sidenote: Who came up with the Redeem Team name? It is awful. NBC, ESPN and whoever elses uses it please stop.)
Pack in the zone and beg the U.S. to shoot
Most of the teams have come out man-to-man to start the games and didn’t go zone until it was too late. I wouldn’t have my team go beyond 18 ft until Coach K puts Michael Redd or Tayshaun Prince in the game. Most of the U.S. players are not used to being a “catch and shoot” guy. Make them a “catch and shoot” guy and play mind games with them. Hey, they are scoring at will anyways might as well try something different.
Slow the game offensively to a snail’s pace
Run a motion/passing game offense and keep moving the ball. I want to see how much the Americans will rotate. They have been going for steals on the first or second pass, but will they continue to play hard defensively through the entire shot-clock? The international teams have come out with plenty of pick and rolls, pick and pops and trying to penetrate and kick. These situations worked well before when the U.S. was not prepared, but, now, they have prepared for it and their athletic dominance creates way too many opportunities for turnovers in these situations.
Pray to whatever God your country follows
I don’t see how the U.S. can be beat in these Olympics. They are just flat-out playing great and do not think another team has a shot. Therefore, pray pray pray that your team gets on fire like Michael J. Fox in TeenWolf .
Image Source: ESPN
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August 18th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Jaime, I agree with your assessment - primarily that the other teams have adapted a more American game - which is ridiculous, since this plays directly into the U.S.’s hands. I see the other teams try to penetrate and overdribble on half of their possessions. I see them even trying to press! It’s enough to make me fly to Europe and try to get hired as a coach there. They should learn two or three half court zone defenses and switch them up with a touch of man to man. They should also have a rule where no shot goes up unless the ball has gone to either the high or the low post. Also - every team should simply post up Carmelo Anthony until he fouls out or gives up 20 points to his man in the first half. I also haven’t seen a charge taken by any of the United States opponents. Anyhow, Argentina is the only team capable of getting the ball up the floor and running an offense, so we’ll have to wait til then to see a potentially good game.
August 19th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Argentina being the only team capable of bringing the ball up the floor? Interesting. From what I have seen, Argentina’s weakness is at the point. They have Jaime’s boy, Manu, bringing up the ball a lot for them during the course of the game. I mean Manu is a good player and all but I just don’t see him being able to bring the ball up. He never has to do it during the season and I doubt that he is practicing this throughout the year. That spells trouble for Argentina. Plus, “The Spanish Pistol Pete” aka Ricky Rubio looked unimpressive/shaky/uncomfortable against the US and he is supposed to be the greatest thing in Europe since Foie Gras. Where is Pepe Sanchez when you need him? Not only could Pepe solve the PG issue (a slight joke of course) he might also be able to teach the match-up zone to his team mates instead of going man to man against USA (no joking at all, seriously WORLD, STOP PLAYING MAN AGAINST US).
Jaime I do agree with your thoughts on horrible game planning by teams who are playing the US. Your ideas for game planning against a team like the US of A is a true testament to what this website can become once up and running (shameless plug). I personally would rather go to Argentina to coach just due to location and eye candy and see if Brandon Jennings can come play his “sit out year” in the Argentine Leauge and get that guy a passport so he can get on the National Team. Hopefully in four years he will be a better choice at the point than Jaime’s favorite player and personal man crush, Manu.