Pep Talk

Anyone who uses "Nightmare Team" to describe any Dream Team should be horse-whipped. Maybe they suck, maybe they don't, but that phrase is tired.

I think I'm absolutely alone here, but I was delighted when Team USA took that pre-Olympic whipping from the Italians. It wasn't because Italians, as Eddie Murphy once said, do not fear American blacks. "Yo, get me some Juju Beans"....

Am I rooting against Team USA? Of course not. I could live in several countries if I wanted to, but I like the USA best. The reason? We kick the most ass.

After we were allowed to let go of Italy's sleeve, the maturation process began. Hopefully, we saw the first baby step today, as Team USA squeaked by the Germans on an Iverson prayer.

Before we examine the team, let's shake a finger at the NBA stars who turned down the call of their country. America has been very good to Shaq, TMac, KG, and others. Air Jordan can't be that busy, and may have enjoyed the challenge this time around. The least they could do is put on the colors and represent.

Security? Don't you think those poor souls defending this country in Iraq and Afghanistan have security issues? You're supposed to be Heroes. Ted Williams would call you all words I can't put here. Grow a set, and heed the call. Your country needs you....and is Miami really that much safer than Athens?

Kobe is excused...this time. Anyone else who turned down the call has less courage than Mia Friggin' Hamm.

The team we actually have over there is good...but young. Methinks USA Basketball is trying to get a little international seasoning for a few guys they hope to go to again in Beijing. Look to see LeBron, Carmello, Wade, and the other young'uns turning up at the next several Olympics.

Larry Brown knows what he's doing. He will analyze these early games, and try to get it into the kids' heads that this isn't a playground game. They'll have to play like a college team.

The Interational game has unique facets that work against the NBA players. It has that funky trapezoid lane. It has a closer 3 point shot. Players can inbound the ball without having a ref touch it first- watch LeBron get burned for a layup on that when he kvetches about some offensive foul call. Big men can't set up directly under the basket, due to that goofy lane they use. It is a game designed to have mid-size guys jump shooting.

The advantages Team USA brings to the table is in individual physical talent. Marbury and Iverson can break down a zone with their street ball stuff. Other countries- who indeed have fine players- lack these kind of NYC street points. Having AI become captain was a good move, even if he sleeps through practice here and there. The man plays with heart, and he will fire up the other Colonials. Marbury may be trying to sell a few shoes during this Olympiad, but he has the same Ghetto Pass a lot of other team's guards don't have. Wade, and LeBron in certain situations, are able to run point.

Duncan should be watching Bill Russell tapes- inside D, rebound, outlet pass, again and again. He could score a lot in this series, but it will be harder to get inside points. He has a nice mid-range jumper, and he can get it off on any European.

 

Okafor, Boozer, and Stoudemire should be watching the Russell tapes with him, because they will have more difficulty scoring in this game. They must establish an inside presence, especially on D. Marion is the emergency power forward. Larry Brown will, before the series is over, mistakenly call Boozer "KG" in the way that cheating spouses call out the wrong name in bed. He wishes Das Boozer was someone else, I'm sure.

The wing players may also get called "Kobe," "TMac," or "Rip," once in a while. That sound you just heard was Jefferson maxing out the "How much respect a can guy get for being in the Finals twice" machine. He's a fine player, but we can produce better.

Marion and Odom will have the most difficulty of any USA players in adjusting their NBA game to this level, but they can also excel if used properly. Carmello is a pure scorer, and will come in handy if his shot is dropping. Wade can shift between guard spots, and plays like a Doberman- he'll be tough to keep off the court.

LeBron gets his own paragraph, and it has nothing to do with him being the youngest guy we've put out there since Spencer Haywood. LeBron is capable of playing bothguard spots, and small forward. He should never start, because he can be thrown into any hole. Like Carmello, he'd better have his shot together.

Brown needs an offense that can break zones, and a defense centered around Duncan. None of that NBA isolation stuff will work here. AI has to penetrate, and the big men need to make quick cuts to the hoop. But the most important thing is for those wing men to make the outside shot. That is how games are won over there, and it is also how reputations are lost.

They got spanked early, and they nearly got spanked today. The celebration you saw after the Germany game was just like any other NBA game-winner. The gap is closing, and the rules favor the Bad Guys. They're in for a real fight, and I'm glad they figured it out in an exhibition game.