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U.S. continues impressive Olympic march
by Marc Narducci / August 16, 2008

When the United States Olympic men’s basketball team is forcing turnovers and hitting from the perimeter, there isn’t an opponent in the world that can give them a competitive game. This was proven during the United State’s 119-82 win over previously unbeaten Spain, improving the Americans’ record to 4-0.

Once again this game was over by halftime, when the U.S. took a 61-45 lead despite the fact that Kobe Bryant was saddled in foul trouble and not much of a factor on the offensive end.

In the first half, the U.S. caused 17 turnovers and shot 7 for 11 from three-point range. Entering the game, the U.S. was shooting just 29 percent from three-point range.

The U.S. exhibited outstanding ball movement, especially when playing against Spain’s zone defense.

What has to be comforting to the U.S. was the performance of Carmelo Anthony, who had averaged just 7.7 points in the first three games. Anthony scored 16 points in just under 16 minutes and stretched the defense with his perimeter shooting. He shot 6 of 8 from the field and 4 of 6 from beyond the arc.

Spain is an extremely talented team, but a number of its top players didn’t perform up to expectations. And against a team like the U.S., a team must have its best players performing at an all-star level.

Spain’s unquestioned leader is Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers, who is prone to periods of inconsistency as proven in the NBA finals. If Spain is to contend for any type of medal, Gasol needs to play with fire and a purpose.

Against the U.S., he was taken out of the game for long stretches. Gasol’s statistics were decent, but he padded them while playing during garbage time, a highly questionable decision. Against the U.S. Gasol had 13 points and six rebounds, but also contributed five turnovers.

Spain also needs a top effort from point guard Jose Calderon of the Toronto Raptors, who was almost a non-factor against the U.S. Calderon, who led the NBA with a 5.38 assist-to-turnover ratio last season, never really got in the flow of the game. He didn’t turn the ball over much, but also had just one assist in the first half.

For the game, he had just four points and four assists, while shooting 1 for 9 from the field and 0 for 4 from beyond the arc.Calderon hasn’t played particularly well these Olympics and he has to step it up if Spain has designs on earning a medal of any type.

In fact heralded 17-year-old Ricky Rubio showed as much poise for Spain against the U.S. as any of his teammate. Spain committed 28 turnovers and became the fourth straight team that just couldn’t handle the quickness and defensive intensity of the U.S. And Spain also didn’t shoot well.

The U.S. has done a great job defending the pick and roll and limiting wide-open shots. Spain shot just 6 for 28 from beyond the arc. Juan Carlos Navarro, who played last season for the Memphis Grizzlies, missed all five shots from beyond the arc.

Once gain the U.S. received a major spark off the bench from Dwyane Wade. It could be argued that in the first four games, Wade has been America’s best player. He forces turnovers with relentless defensive pressure, and picks up the tempo, as if the U.S. needs much help in that department.

Wade scored 16 points, shooting 8 for 12 from the field. In the four games, he has shot 27 for 37 from the floor (73 percent). Tayshaun Prince, who had seen limited playing time in the first three games, gave the U.S. a big lift off the bench in the second quarter, hitting a three-pointer and serving up a great alley-oop pass on a LeBron James dunk. For the game he had 10 points in under 14 minutes.

Prince is a strong defender and it will be interesting if his performance against Spain will earn him more minutes. Competing with Wade for the top U.S. player in these Olympics has been James. The Cleveland Cavaliers all-star has been too strong and quick to be stopped going to the basket. And James has been one of the defensive leaders of the U.S. team.

Against Spain, James typically filled up the stat sheet with 18 points, five rebounds, eight assists and four steals. Had James seen more playing time in the 2004 Olympics, the U.S. likely would have done better than its bronze medal finish.

James has set the tone with his intensity and his teammates have followed. Clearly, this is a much more focused and hungry team and right now, one that looks awfully difficult to beat in these Olympics.

Marc Narducci s a frequent contributor to HoopsHype.com

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