The Cool Kids: Jinglin’ like Ben Wallace
Just ’cause The Cool Kids’ new album, The Bake Sale, is fantastic. And, ’cause there’s a jab at Big Ben.
Comments (3)USA vs Greece: Part 2
In the wake of their loss to Greece in the 2006 World Championships, the US looked to the play of their defense as the major area of concern. Hellas scored 105 points… in 40 minutes of basketball. Angola wasn’t involved people, we’re talking about the USA.
Fast forward to Beijing, 2008. The US definitely had something to prove. Unlike everywhere outside North America, young basketball players in the US of A do not grow up thinking about a gold medal. Dwyane Wade was not imagining hitting the game winning shot on the last day of the Olympic tournament as a kid in Robbins, Illinois. The reputation of what everyone deems to be the best basketball nation in the country had taken a hit from 2002-2006, but it takes time to develop that pride and desire to fend off the charging hoards. It looks like the two years since that loss to the Greeks have helped.
The US seemed a little more confident in its first two walk-in-the-park games versus China and Angola - not cocky, but ready. Even while playing those games, it was today’s rematch against Greece that would really show how far they’ve come. The game stayed close in the 1st with the Greeks trailing by four after 1. For most of the 2nd, starters Kobe Bryant and LeBron James were joined by reserves Chris Paul, Wade and Chris Bosh. The Greeks were outscored by 15 as the US displayed some serious passion and some frantic feet and hands on the defensive end. There is no doubt, the US is the most athletic team on the planet, and the bench really fired up the superheroes in white.
Dwyane Wade is back. And, I mean, 2006, win the championship on his own, back. Chris Bosh has been the team’s best big man; maybe all his Olympic-loving Euro teammates in Toronto have rubbed off on him. And, Chris Paul is most definitely this squad’s best PG - the “leadership” of Jason Kidd is not needed and is severely lacking, as pointed out in this terrific live blog by Mr. Skeets. The US had dunks on 4 straight possessions caused by their defensive intensity in the Q as they started to pull away. The normally savvy Greeks were rushing things, taking shots with hands in their faces because they were rattled. Greece hadn’t seen this much fire since their post-game saganaki celebration in ‘06; the Americans sure didn’t bring any in that semi-final game. This isn’t often said about this collection of players, but the USA wanted it more today.
So, what is it all USA in this 23-point win, or did the Greeks just play poorly? The easy answer is “a little bit of both”, and that maybe the case, but it’s often the squad that takes it to the other team, that ends up on top (see: the Celtics beating the Lakers this past June.) Spain is the other team in this tournament that seems to be able to turn their game up another level when they need it. It should be a goody this Saturday, 10:15 am EST, the Americans and the Spaniards.
Comments (5)USA Ad Featuring The Wonderful Marvin Gaye
I know this was on BumpShack yesterday, but anything that can make a Canadian shed a tear deserves a 2nd look. I give you the USA Basketball Anthem for these next 2.5 weeks. Too bad Michael Redd had to make an appearance.
Don’t Cry For Carlos
Carlos Arroyo has signed a 3-year deal to play for Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel. When the Magic signed Anthony Johnson to backup Jameer Nelson at the point, it was only a matter of time before Carlito was on his way.
Personally, I’ve found it difficult to watch Arroyo play; his erratic style has always been both a blessing and a curse. No NBA coach has been able to coerce the more cerebral Carlos for an extended period. Even in the most memorable game of his career, Puerto Rico’s upset of the US in the ‘04 Olympics, it just felt like he could implode at anytime. That’s what makes him so good, but it’s also what makes him so frustrating.
Sure, throw him on the list of NBAers going abroad, but Arroyo made all he could of his talents in the NBA. He cramped the style of 5 teams over 7 years. He was the 3rd best PG for Orlando during last year’s postseason, playing in only 4 of the team’s 10 games. At 29, we may see Carlos back in the NBA - he can disappoint yet another team by opting out at the end of each season with Maccabi. One thing’s for sure, Stan Van Gundy’s pit stains are in the shape of smiley faces today.
Comments (5)About
The Basketball Jones is a NBA blog and podcast, written and recorded five times a week by J.E. Skeets, Tas Melas and Jason Doyle. Comments, questions and cold hard cash are always welcome and much appreciated. Contact us.
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