Olympic Quarterfinals

…it will also be interesting to see how the US plays against the Aussies this time around. They really got slowed down last time and the Aussies played some very nice offensive sets that kept the game close. Also, Spain has to be happy that Argentina isn’t in their bracket.

we won the unwinnable America’s Cup. I can still see Dennis Connor’s face to this day!

but I still don’t think it will be close – the Aussies will win easily ;)

I agree. Seriously…….

I have no expectation of winning, but I do expect my boys to give it a red hot go.

Brian Goorjian is a very clever coach and he has a group of guys who are now working well together. It really just comes down to looking after the ball and working hard for your teammates. And perhaps taking a leaf out of Nancy Kerrigan’s book pre-match. Twelve times.

…if you want to write about Australian b-ball in general, it would be much appreciated.

but Australia are currently locked in a tense softball match with Japan (it’s the top of the 13th innings right now), so the game ISN’T ON. Needless to say, unimpressed.

…at www.nbcolympics.com

and I saw most of the second quarter.

My boys are sticking at it; Worthington is doing a good job on LeBron and Brad Newley (rights owned by Houston) is having a brilliant tournament. And the more I see David Andersen, the more my thoughts are confirmed. He has a niche in the NBA.

As for your lads – well class will see it out in the end. Disgraceful shooting, particularly free throws. Have control of the glass. One or two “star calls”; that one Kobe got was ridiculous. He could have signed the damn ball and shot it after the whistle.

Australia is keeping the pace down, being (mostly) patient with the ball and shooting well. The task for the coaching staff is to get them to keep their head even as the margin increases.

I asked for an effort and I’m getting it. Pleased.

…is getting some favorable calls. There have been a few muggings on the defensive end that have went uncalled against your guys. However, after a wonderful 1st, you guys started turning the ball over and missing some gimmies. They have to limit turnovers, spread the floor with a high set and keep running their cuts and picks. Also, that mowhawk’d guy needs to shoot less. Ugliest. Shot. Ever. :)

The US has gone to a hard man d in the 2nd half and it’s starting to look like an NBA game….which is not good for the yellow and green.

…think thats David Barlow. Local league guy.

Yeah, it’s getting ugly.

The patience is wearing out and they are trying to match tempo. All goes to hell from there.

…going to wear teams down. It will be a tall order to beat them.

on Patrick Mills. One year of NCAA ball but looks comfortable at this level. Has he got an NBA game?

The bench are all getting a chance to be on court with the USA and have a taste of playing against the very best.

And I had better go to bed.

here in the US as his team is considered a mid-major conference and he plays way out on the west coast so most of his games come on late here in the midwest. I’ve only seen a game or two of him in college and again here in the Olympics. He’s a tad undersized but he can handle and finish with both hands and I think if he can prove that he can run a team for another year or two in college he could be a nice backup point a’la Kyle Lowry in the NBA. I do think that the Australian program has made the right decision to put some of its better younger players in college rather than go to the Euro League or stay in the Australian League. If the goal is to get to the NBA, I think that’s the right way for Aussie players….which is funny considering that it’s starting to look the opposite for top level American high schoolers like Brandon Jennings.

PS: How cool would it be to be a bench player to say you had a crack at the best 20-30 years down the road? I had the chance to play against some guys that made it to the NBA but never on a level like the guys on team USA. It was more along the lines of Sam Jacobsen and John Thomas (former Gophers).