Olympic Basketball- Germany Thread

[BlueintheFace]

USA is in with the #1 seed... Germany is out. It should be a thrashing. Here are a few things I will be looking at in the Germany game.

1) German Rotation- How much time do NBA stars Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Kaman get? Germany is out of the tournament and if one of these two stars were to be injured in a game against America, you can bet some heads would be rolling...

2) Chris Kaman- How is Kaman treated by the Americans? I don't expect a lot of dirty plays or anything, but Kaman was an American born in Minnesota. The only thing allowing him to compete for the Germans is his grandfather's German citizenship. It will be interesting to see if Lebron gives him an extra long stare after a dunk, or whether he gets the cold shoulder from the team before the game.

3) American Rotation and Strategy- This game has zero implications for the tournament. Of course the Americans want to win for the sake of pride, but how much time will the star players get. I would be shocked if we did not see more of Boozer and Prince. Also, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see K tinkering with some strategies for the knockout phase. We might see some Zone or a few more set plays in the half-court offense.

4) German scoring- They have Nowitzki and Kaman... that is it. That is their offense. Nobody else even averages double figures. I'm not saying it will happen, but the US could hold Germany to 50 points or less in this game...

Please add your comments here....

[roywhite]

Should be a decisive win for the USA team. I'm sure K has been stressing "no bad habits" for a game like this, to continue to play strong defense, and take good shots.

As BIF mentions, should be good opportunity for Boozer, Prince, and Michael Redd to get bigger minutes. Each could play a role in the medal round at some point.

I've seen some interviews with Kobe, LeBron James, and Chris Paul today; the team seems very focused and hungry.

[Cdog923]

I doubt anyone would take a shot at Kaman. There's more respect between the players than that, and no one would fault Kaman for taking a chance to play at the Olympics when there was no way he was going to make the US team.

[billybreen]

The US will get cocky and overlook this game. Germany by 2 in a stunner on a desperation Kaman 3 pointer at the buzzer.

[godukerocks]

The US will get cocky and overlook this game. Germany by 2 in a stunner on a desperation Kaman 3 pointer at the buzzer.

No. I don't see that, at all.

[hc5duke]

2) Chris Kaman- How is Kaman treated by the Americans? I don't expect a lot of dirty plays or anything, but Kaman was an American born in Minnesota. The only thing allowing him to compete for the Germans is his grandfather's German citizenship. It will be interesting to see if Lebron gives him an extra long stare after a dunk, or whether he gets the cold shoulder from the team before the game.

I just don't get what the big fuss over Kaman is. If my grandson was an NBA player, and decided to play for the Korean national team (I was born there, moved here when I was 11), I'd be honored. On a related noet, I think the Korean Olympic team (which didn't qualify for this round) does have two Korean-American players (Tony Atkins from GTech and one other guy whose name I forget).

My prediction: the first quarter will be close, but the US will be up by 20 before half time. U.S. by 30, and Chris Paul will do his best to emulate Reggie Evans (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFcinlrgojk).

[gep]

The US will get cocky and overlook this game. Germany by 2 in a stunner on a desperation Kaman 3 pointer at the buzzer.


No. I don't see that, at all.

If I'm not mistaken, this is billybreen's way of "guaranteeing" a Team USA win... for him to pick the other team to win...:D Do I recall correctly?

[billybreen]

If I'm not mistaken, this is billybreen's way of "guaranteeing" a Team USA win... for him to pick the other team to win...:D Do I recall correctly?

Don't jinx my reverse jinx!

[gep]

so noted... I retract my post... :)

[jwg]

This game is on TV. NBC has a high definition station that broadcasts all of the basketball games. On Verizon it is channel 896. I would think that most cable outfits also carry that chanel.

[hc5duke]

This game is on TV. NBC has a high definition station that broadcasts all of the basketball games. On Verizon it is channel 896. I would think that most cable outfits also carry that chanel.

Not Comcast.

[Uncle Drew]

My TV listings say the game will be on USA, I guess I'll find out in a few hours.

[devildownunder]

I just don't get what the big fuss over Kaman is. If my grandson was an NBA player, and decided to play for the Korean national team (I was born there, moved here when I was 11), I'd be honored. On a related noet, I think the Korean Olympic team (which didn't qualify for this round) does have two Korean-American players (Tony Atkins from GTech and one other guy whose name I forget).

My prediction: the first quarter will be close, but the US will be up by 20 before half time. U.S. by 30, and Chris Paul will do his best to emulate Reggie Evans (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFcinlrgojk).

The big deal is that the Olympics are supposed to be about representing your country, not being a selfish mercenary. Kaman has absolutely NO personal connection w/Germany. His great-grandparents are from there, that is his only link. If a player has spent several years in a country, etc., then maybe I can see how he/she is justified in playing for a nation other than the one they were born and raised in, but this business Kaman and Becky Hammon are doing, signing on to whoever will have them so they can get some better competition during the summer (Kaman) or enjoy the "olympic experience" (Hammon) makes a mockery of the Games. And I'm just old-fashioned enough to be upset about that. No matter how perverse the original concept of the game has become.

They have the right to do whatever they choose within the law. I am American, so I would never say otherwise. But if they think they'll get any support from me for doing it, they're nuts. I hope Team USA beat Germany by 100 tonight and Kaman fouls out without scoring. As for Hammon, well, I'm hoping she spends next weekend watching the US win gold and realising that will NEVER be her.

[Trinity84]

USA leads 31 - 12 after the first quarter.

[sagegrouse]

USA leads 31 - 12 after the first quarter.

Halftime score is 53-29. Germany now has 55% of the US total as opposed to 39% after Q1.

sagegrouse
'BTW, this no-commercial channel -- DirecTV 754 -- is really neat. It's like halftime is study time (just a static shot of the arena with piped-in music) and then back to watching the game.'

[billybreen]

Not Comcast.

Nelson Muntz has something to say to you.

[devildownunder]

The box score I just saw on espn.com (no live game coverage here is australia, grrrr) has the final 106-57 USA, Chris Kaman 3-9 for 6 points.

Nice.

All right, play time is over. It's time to find out what we've got when it counts. I have a good feeling about this but I take nothing for granted. Seen too much.

Go Coach K, go USA!!!

[Trinity84]

Did Germany even show up? 106 - 57?

Box scores can be deceiving. Howard scored 22 points? Did Team USA just pound the ball inside? 54.5% shooting for the game - was this a dunk fest?

I didn't watch the game but would appreciate the thoughts of anyone who did.

Thanks.

[sagegrouse]

Has anyone found a source for Olympic hoops? I can't seem to find the box scores on either ESPN or FIBA.

sagegrouse
'106-57 final. Germany got just over 1/2 the points of the US (53%).'

[roywhite]

Did Germany even show up? 106 - 57?

Box scores can be deceiving. Howard scored 22 points? Did Team USA just pound the ball inside? 54.5% shooting for the game - was this a dunk fest?

I didn't watch the game but would appreciate the thoughts of anyone who did.

Thanks.

I watched most of the first half and part of the third quarter. The US was very sharp in the 1st quarter, clicking on all cylinders. Yes, they did make a point of establishing Dwight Howard down low, but also hit outside shots. LeBron James was sensational (again).

I'm not sure what Germany's effort level was; it was more that they were over-matched IMO than not showing up.

The US team looks more and more familiar in playing together. I believe they get Australia in the first quarterfinal game; Australia played fairly well against the US in an exhibition game, and played very well against Lithuania, shooting something like 64% from 3-pt. The US just looks too tough for any other team, though.

[sagegrouse]

Did Germany even show up? 106 - 57?

Box scores can be deceiving. Howard scored 22 points? Did Team USA just pound the ball inside? 54.5% shooting for the game - was this a dunk fest?

I didn't watch the game but would appreciate the thoughts of anyone who did.

Thanks.


The US began by opening up an 18-3 lead. Defense, steals, fast breaks, inside shooting, outside shooting, rebounds. It was a tour de force.
I scarcely paid attention to the last 3Qs, although I did see Carlos make a couple of nice plays.

sagegrouse

[wilson]

Has anyone found a source for Olympic hoops? I can't seem to find the box scores on either ESPN or FIBA.

sagegrouse
'106-57 final. Germany got just over 1/2 the points of the US (53%).'

I haven't had any trouble finding box scores (http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer08/basketball/men/boxscore?gameId=788) on ESPN.com.

[jwg]

I haven't had any trouble finding box scores (http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer08/basketball/men/boxscore?gameId=788) on ESPN.com.

But they are wrong. For example, they list Boozer as a starter...at least they do now, at 10:15 EDT.

[roywhite]

I haven't had any trouble finding box scores (http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer08/basketball/men/boxscore?gameId=788) on ESPN.com.

To be picky, the espn box is not the final or "official" boxscore.

Usabasketball.com is a good source for game information, quotes, and the official boxscore. I just checked, and the official boxscore is not yet posted for the US--Germany game.

[wilson]

FWIW, the ESPN box appears to be correct now, with minutes filled in and the starters adjusted.

[roywhite]

From usabasketball.com

http://www.usabasketball.com/seniormen/2008/MOLY-Box%20Scores/USA5.pdf


On to the medal rounds!

[LetItBD08]

The FIBA website is also very useful:

http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fe/08/olym/men/scheResu/p/openNodeIDs/6576/selNodeID/6576/fe_scheStat_sche.html

[BlueintheFace]

Darn, I was so close to my prediction of Germany getting less than 50... Oh well. Can't say I'm disappointed in the game.

[91_92_01_10_15]

From usabasketball.com

http://www.usabasketball.com/seniormen/2008/MOLY-Box%20Scores/USA5.pdf


On to the medal rounds!

Also, there are links to comprehensive post game quotes from USA basketball here:

http://www.usabasketball.com/men_team.php?page=msnt_schedule

The quotes from today's game include comments from Michael Phelps, as well, who attended the game and visited the locker room afterward.

[godukerocks]

Don't jinx my reverse jinx!

Sorry about that Mr. Billybreen. I was not familiar with that. Um, yes, Germany by two in a stunner.

[hc5duke]

The big deal is that the Olympics are supposed to be about representing your country, not being a selfish mercenary. Kaman has absolutely NO personal connection w/Germany. His great-grandparents are from there, that is his only link. If a player has spent several years in a country, etc., then maybe I can see how he/she is justified in playing for a nation other than the one they were born and raised in, but this business Kaman and Becky Hammon are doing, signing on to whoever will have them so they can get some better competition during the summer (Kaman) or enjoy the "olympic experience" (Hammon) makes a mockery of the Games. And I'm just old-fashioned enough to be upset about that. No matter how perverse the original concept of the game has become.

Sure doesn't seem like a big problem for the US table tennis team (http://www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/olympics/articles/2008/08/13/chinese_dominate_table_tennis__even_for_us/). I do have a problem with Becky Hammon playing for Russia (http://www.dukebasketballreport.com/forums/showpost.php?p=174803&postcount=2) (and I suppose the ping pong team, too), but again I fail to see what's wrong with playing for your ancestor's home country.

[devildownunder]

Sure doesn't seem like a big problem for the US table tennis team (http://www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/olympics/articles/2008/08/13/chinese_dominate_table_tennis__even_for_us/). I do have a problem with Becky Hammon playing for Russia (http://www.dukebasketballreport.com/forums/showpost.php?p=174803&postcount=2) (and I suppose the ping pong team, too), but again I fail to see what's wrong with playing for your ancestor's home country.


I brought up Kaman and Hammon because this is the germany-us thread and Kaman plays for Germany. Plus, I find them to be two of the more egregious examples, AND their actions draw more of my emotional ire because they are Americans. But I don't like this business of mercenaries at the Games. It's not a right to play in the Olympics, it's an honor; if you're not good enough to represent your country, too bad. And if the athletes don't have any more pride than to respect the Games as such, than the IOC and each sport's respective governing body needs to make the rules so that this kind of stuff can't happen. I would suggest that anyone who wants to compete for a country 1) forfeit the ability the play for their country of origin or any other, permanently, as soon as they state their intention to play for the new country 2) Have to wait six years from the time they apply to play for the new country to the time they actually do so, during which time they must live and work in that country for at least 4 years 3) Obtain citizenship and a passport for their chosen country prior to the Games BEFORE the ones in which they want to compete.

That would weed out all the mercenaries. Seeing athletes win medals for the US on quickie passports doesn't fill me with any joy either and is against the spirit of the Games -- something I'm still naive and idealistic enough to believe in.