| Team U.S.A. Takes Care of Business Over Iran 88-51 |
By Jason Behr
September 1 2010
In a game where the out come was never really in doubt the biggest upset might have
been Kevin Love leading all scorers with 13 points in 11 minutes thx to his own
personnel 9-0 run in the 2nd quarter over Kevin Durant. That helped the U.S. get their
feet under themselves and improve upon the paltry 6 point 1st quarter lead.
The gap in talent and experience between Iran and the U.S. is best demonstrated by
looking at Iran’s 2 leading scorers in Hamed Haddadi and Arsalan Kazemi who had 19
and 14 points respectively. Haddadi is currently the only Iranian player to play in the N.B.
A. for the Memphis Grizzlies and Kazemi is the first Iranian player to play Division 1
basketball on scholarship for the Rice Owls. Haddadi did provide us with a rather light
hearted moment as his Grizzlies team mate Rudy Gay bumped into him as he made a
field goal and literally made him vanish in front of the camera. He had a slight chuckle
after the play but Rudy Gay didn’t seem to share the same sentiment. The Iran team
also featured the one Achilles heel of the U.S. team in pure size but obviously a distinct
lack of speed and skill.
Coach K did a very nice job of drastically reducing the starter minutes with Derrick
Rose maxing out at 21 minutes with every other bench player playing at least 10
minutes. This also led to some shaky 1st quarter play as players like Russel Westbrook
who barely played against Brazil playing to much individual basketball and not enough
team basketball. Westbrook was not alone in players who played very little or not at all
like Stephen Curry the previous game needing to regain their confidence and
committing a few show boating individualistic turnovers. However, by the end of the
game the reserves came together very nicely and got to work on both their pick and roll
defense and half court offense execution. The one part of the game that needs no work
is the fast break transition game that highlights the speed and superior athletic ability
demonstrated by 23 points scored off of 24 Iranian turnovers.
I also liked how Coach K went to a more college style full court press defense that
wreaked havoc on the Iranians ball handlers. I also liked how Coach K recognized the
need of the younger players to rebuild their confidence and let them work thru a shaky
start. I am confident that the turnover number will continue to come down after each and
every game/practice the team has together. There is just no substitute for time playing
together and developing that same team chemistry they enjoy on their respective N.B.A.
teams.
Team U.S.A. wraps up pool play against Tunesia tomorrow and will get 3 days off
before the knockout round thanks to there Group B #1 seeding.
September 1 2010
In a game where the out come was never really in doubt the biggest upset might have
been Kevin Love leading all scorers with 13 points in 11 minutes thx to his own
personnel 9-0 run in the 2nd quarter over Kevin Durant. That helped the U.S. get their
feet under themselves and improve upon the paltry 6 point 1st quarter lead.
The gap in talent and experience between Iran and the U.S. is best demonstrated by
looking at Iran’s 2 leading scorers in Hamed Haddadi and Arsalan Kazemi who had 19
and 14 points respectively. Haddadi is currently the only Iranian player to play in the N.B.
A. for the Memphis Grizzlies and Kazemi is the first Iranian player to play Division 1
basketball on scholarship for the Rice Owls. Haddadi did provide us with a rather light
hearted moment as his Grizzlies team mate Rudy Gay bumped into him as he made a
field goal and literally made him vanish in front of the camera. He had a slight chuckle
after the play but Rudy Gay didn’t seem to share the same sentiment. The Iran team
also featured the one Achilles heel of the U.S. team in pure size but obviously a distinct
lack of speed and skill.
Coach K did a very nice job of drastically reducing the starter minutes with Derrick
Rose maxing out at 21 minutes with every other bench player playing at least 10
minutes. This also led to some shaky 1st quarter play as players like Russel Westbrook
who barely played against Brazil playing to much individual basketball and not enough
team basketball. Westbrook was not alone in players who played very little or not at all
like Stephen Curry the previous game needing to regain their confidence and
committing a few show boating individualistic turnovers. However, by the end of the
game the reserves came together very nicely and got to work on both their pick and roll
defense and half court offense execution. The one part of the game that needs no work
is the fast break transition game that highlights the speed and superior athletic ability
demonstrated by 23 points scored off of 24 Iranian turnovers.
I also liked how Coach K went to a more college style full court press defense that
wreaked havoc on the Iranians ball handlers. I also liked how Coach K recognized the
need of the younger players to rebuild their confidence and let them work thru a shaky
start. I am confident that the turnover number will continue to come down after each and
every game/practice the team has together. There is just no substitute for time playing
together and developing that same team chemistry they enjoy on their respective N.B.A.
teams.
Team U.S.A. wraps up pool play against Tunesia tomorrow and will get 3 days off
before the knockout round thanks to there Group B #1 seeding.
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