U.S. Dominates Again

The USA men's basketball team still hasn't learned. They survived China and Angola with dunks. Yet, if they continue to miss outside shots and depend on dunks, they will, again, be thwarted by the likes of Greece and Spain. The prediction here is that if they continue to have poor outside shooting and depend on those dunks, the U.S. will, again, be looking at bronze.

Lamine Cisse, no matter how panafricanist you are, I told you the US would beat one of the best African team!

I'M A CHINESE,I LIKE U.S TEAM SO MUCH,THANKS FOR THEIR EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE.ITHINK THEY WILL BE CHAMPIONSHIP WITH NO DOUBT.

Does America beats Angola" really warrant a headline??? I'm sure they could beat my high school's team too.

Sorry, but winning by 21 points is not a "domination" nor is it a "crushing" victory. Maybe against Greece or Spain, but not against Angola. When I saw the headline, I anticipated 97-56 or 127-76, not the actual score.

unbelievable!!!Angolan is so weak,the consequence should be larger!

Bear in mind Coach K has not played Michael Redd that much yet. I have no doubt as the competition gets tougher Redd will see more action for his 3 pt. shooting. Coach doesn't want to show his hand against weak teams. He'll adjust and Redd's minutes should go up.

"Does America beats Angola" really warrant a headline??? I'm sure they could beat my high school's team too. - Posted by: Corky"

Not just that, the headline on the homepage is "Team USA crushes Angola".

Great. A team composed of the cream of the professional NBA crushes Angola. Jingoism run amok.

It cannot be overemphasized that the key to winning for the U.S. team is to outscore the opponent. It can be done by preventing the other team from scoring, or it can be done by scoring more often than the opponent. But the team should never forget that it must have a higher score when the game ends, or it will lose.

I hope that Kobekidd is right that coach K is not showing his hand against weaker competition because so far they look like the 2004 team to me: enamored with the dunk, can't hit the 3s, and overly aggressive on defense (especially out top) leading to backdoor cuts, pick and rolls, and easy 3s -types of play at which the good international teams excel.

a 20+ point win is not domination... it's cruising, but not domination...

Come on guys... seriously? Its no matter what the team does there's always criticism. If we ran up the score to 120 we would be rediculed, and if we only win by 20 then its not good enough and not dominating. Did anyone here actually watch the game, and how our starters were playing about as hard as they would in and warm up session.... think about it.

OK just to clear things up 2004 olympics, US didnt send any top super stars over because of all of the global terror and it was unsafe which is why they lost to "POS" teams, this year they have everyone they need plus more, no team in the world can match up to them. Oh yea the dude that says they rely on dunks, dunk come from fast breaks and turnovers buddy. Research

To win against strong teams US must stick to the basics

Incredible! The US beat Angola by 21? Now, this was a truly dominant performance; something worth celebrating. A bunch of overpaid superstars without a concept of team basketball defeated the representatives of a small impoverished country that does not even have a professional league. I sincerely hope that one of the true teams of the tournament (Greece, Spain, Argentina, Lithuania) kicks their arrogant butts once again.

what a joke - NBA allstars beat lowly Angola by 20 pts - yeah "crushed" em ;)

Lebron you are so tuff staring down a dude from angola after you dunked on him. Wow you da man ;) zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I think we're all missing a very important point from the article... Chris Bosh performed the very first left-handed windwill dunk ever. The Greeks will have no answer to that kind of weapon.

Go "Caremlo"!

"Crushes"? Couldn't you just say "defeats," or even "wins game against"? Angola? Have we fallen so far that we need to boost our egos by talking about "crushing" tiny backward nations in sports? Geez...

Okay, would everyone be happier if the NEWS source had phrased it as: "USA wins over Angola"? Does it change the facts?

You people should be criticizing the writer of the story, and the editor. The basketball team simply did what it was capable of doing, easily.

I hope this comment doesn't ruin a perfectly good rant by everyone.

Why is when Phelps conserves energy or holds back in his races it's considered "strategy" but when the Redeem Team does it, it's considered the apocalypse of US Basketball?

I suspected as much from the peanut "comment" gallery. I see cynics come in all shapes, sizes and colors. This sport will produce a gold for the good 'ol US of A. This ain't about morals or point spreads...bottom line, the US will win gold in basketball.

One more thing...writers use sensational terms to play on your sensibilities. Stop being so darn gullible. Strip all the adverbs, adjectives, and superlatives from the story and you are left with facts. Good gracious, mercy me, just slap my face and call me Susan. Hahahahahahahahaha.........

I agree the article headline was a bit misleading. However, I do not believe the US squad had to sweat this one out that much. What's most important from this point on is that we wipe the floor with teams such as Greece, Spain and others.

Anyone will have to agree that seeing Bryant, James, Wade, Anthony and others is a very intimidating sight. James and others will not stand for anything less than the gold medal this year. Redeem the dream!!!

97-76? This is Angola you are talking about. You put together an all-star team that defeats a team that can barely hold it's own against most NCAA teams and the term "crush" seems so out of place. I have seen NBA teams loose by a wider margin in the playoffs, so let’s ease off on the enthusiasm; some of us are not impressed. And for you rabid right wingers do not mistake the lack of enthusiasm with lack patriotism the two are not synonymous.

I watched the USA play against China... BORING. Watching team USA play is about as exciting as watching the NBA. I think the main problem is they simply arent very athletic. They're all 6'7" + and have 5" vertical leaps.

Yawn, I could dunk in 9th grade (and didnt have to be 7' tall). They look like they're playing in slow motion, unlike Germany, Spain, Argentina, Greece....they all play quick-paced, TEAM basketball.

USA's precious tattooed, thuggist "stars" will be lucky to win bronze.

They were up by 33 in the 4th quarter. That's pretty crushing. Of course it was reduced to 21 as they let up with a lead that big that late in the game.

Hey guyz stop being Sarcastic and arrogant,these were men to men, if Angola made it in Olympics then its possible to perform even more than that. COME ON Corky, What do you mean by your stupid question "Does America beats Angola" really warrant a headline? too fake!! why not? are you out of your mind?you even sound local, in a game there is always improvements, and if you're in those days of foot ball was made in Germany or basketball is for Americans only, its means you are still an amateur, your argument is still so much of a Layperson, i'm sorry but your much anticipated quest to reign the world seems to be divorced per now, people don't seem to bend over antictics,i.e people don't seem to dance over your tunes, sorry you are gonna lose a lot in every sphere, this time....

Everywhere else in the world where basketball is played it's about fundamentals and skill; not the dumbed down version of thug-ball that the NBA glamorizes. If these players don't learn how to work the distance game they'll get schooled by a team with the strength to shoot from outside the arc.

These overpaid, pampered, boring, unathletic NBA thugs are gods in asia (for whatever moronic reason). I wonder if the team's rapist(I mean captain), Kobe Bryant will ascend into heaven after they lose to a tiny nation.

if leading by 20 or more for 60% of the game isn't dominating....then what is?

"The Americans missed 16 of their 21 three-point attempts overall against Angola, with Bryant shooting just 0-for-8 from three-point range."

The Rapist bricked all eight chucks from Downtown.

Can we let The Rapist take his whiny, I-Can't-Win-Without-Shaq act to Italy right now?

Please!

"Team USA Crushes Angola"
why we need to use the word like CRUSH. It sounds so barbarian. It is just sounds better that way to us as a nation.
So pretty soon we will be hearing Team USA destroyed Russia,annihilated China...
How about we stick to Team USA beat Angola? is it enough?

As an American, I find this article, player behavior, and many of these comments embarrassing. Why not give Angola credit and appropriate headlines for refusing to give up? Just because many of our players are bad sports, there is no reason why USA fans shouldn't behave better. The Olympics should be a showcase for sportsmanship and good will. There is no room for angry staredowns from players or fans. I prefer to lose than have the world think Americans are all a bunch of spoiled brats like LaBron James. Coach, please control your players. American fans, please think sportsmanship. If necessary, look up the meaning.

Eh, I dunno. The US played hard and won against an inferior component. They probably gambled too much on defense (which led to points but could come back to bite them against the strong teams), didn't show a dominating inside prescence (because they don't have one) and stunk from the three point line (which could easily turn out to be the Achilles heel, if that situation continues). Anyway, they played hard, with a good team effort, making extra effort to make sure all the players (incl. Tayshaun prince and carlos Boozer) were involved, and got a win by a large (if not the wished for freaky) margin.

Angola showed a lot of heart, especially in fighting until the end and not letting the score get out of hand. Unfortunately, the game was a bit of a snore as Angola didn't really have the ability to compete for a win, nor did Team USA have it together enough to turn it into a historic-type blowout. Oh well.

The next games will be a lot more challenging, and then the medal rounds will be win-or-disaster. pkenty of drama ahead!

As an American in Angola 1) the country is not backwards and 2) 20 points doesn't count as crushed. The Americans were clearly the superior team, but they were also working and showed how sloppy they can be. I don't think their win or their play was definitive enough to show anything about medal contention.
And Lebron could have done a lot more for the game and for our reputation as Americans by helping the guy off the floor after he blocked him. It just made him look like a bully. The most famous player in the world needs to stare down an Angolan player? To prove what?

I agree, give team USA a break and be critical of the writers. They only did what they were suppose to do which is win.

Who cares that LeBron stared downed Felizardo, if you made a play like that you would probably do the same, he's playing with intensity and emotion, what next ask the Chinese to smile more on close ups? Wait, that's already been done.

The U.S. will NOT medal at the Olympic games - and this is very - very good news !

When you go up by 33 in the third quarter, you often end up winning by only 20. What are they supposed to do -- leave all their starters in and run up the score just to embarass angola? there's no need to blow teams out by 40 points -- it's rude.

That's right, I think team USA exhibit good sportsmanship by not running up the score, who cares by how much they win as long as they win?

There's alot of negativity and racism for this team because they are young, black and rich. All you fat rednecks need to get a life.

"There's alot of negativity and racism for this team because they are young, black and rich. All you fat rednecks need to get a life.

Posted by: Anonymous | August 12, 2008 2:08 PM"

There are several white racists that do not want the team to medal, forget about winning the gold.

Who cares about these spoiled bums? I hope the group of individuals wearing USA jerseys get schooled by one of the good TEAMS at the Olympics.

everybody keep saying that the US cant win against greece, spain argentina...etc....because they cant shoot from outside...i dont believe it...basketball is about defense, i dont care if they win against this team by 2 points or 50 points as long as they got the W....(so as the team usa either) as you can see the us team rely on their defense not by their offense,this all i can say to you guys, if any team that can beat the US team defense then they will gonna win against the US..but some how the truth is,,everybody will criticize the US team if they will not beat their opponent by more than 30 points...tsk tsk tsk...thats the reality....isnt it??? hmmmm...do i need to explain it why??? heheheh....(if your a moroon then you wont understand it unless you want to be acknowledge)....USA 100 - argentina 99....finals

spain barely beat china....they were losing to the chinese by 14 points and then mounted a furious comeback to beat china in overtime...the us team bodied the chinese by 31 points and this was despite a 1-15 three point performance...us is gonna beat greece and spain for sure...the only team i think has a chance to beat usa is argentina...if ginobili gets hot..

I'm sure the writers toyed with the idea of "USA beats Angola", I really am... I mean if that won't entice readers what will?!
Come on guys, the US dominated this game and when playing Greece in two days had every right to conserve their undeniable quality superiority against a team which never stood a chance. It would have been silly to throw all at this game and all you cynics would be watching a tired team against Greece in a couple days and saying 'It's because they put everything into the Angola game'.
The victory was glorified... but newsflash you're on a news website, and the media have a funny habit of glorifying.
If you want to see the cold hard facts, you're looking in the wrong place I'm afraid.
Bottom line: Your team won.

It's real sad to see all of the negative comments submitted by individuals who try to make jokes, criticize, and use slanderous remarks about the players who are representing the USA. All of you people who submitted slanderous comments about Kobe and LaBron was born with hatred in your heart when it come to young, rich male athletic individuals of color. I realize that you can't help it because your interlect and up bringing is very limited to say the least. As long as we have people like you in the world we will never be able accomplish unity. So stop bieng jealous and stupid because you will never be able to accomplish in a life time what these young men has accomplished so far in their young lives. By the way how much ball have all of you player haters played in your life time? And wheather you like it or not we will win the GOLD EL-DOMINO. SO GET OVER IT.....

The Dream Team cant make 3'

U.s.a is the best team ever to be made in this world. They will win the Olympics with eass. If not then i would pay up 1million dollars.

you can never gamble too much on defense. Defense defense defense. Do you know what defense does to a team. It takes stamina away, it controls the tempo, it leads to fast breaks easy baskets. Allot of people are looking down on Angola, take time to think a bit. They are here at the olympics there must be a reason. No team in the Olympics should be looked down. Everyone has a chance to take gold. As for the word Dominating and crushing on the headline, Its a Head line man, A head line is suppose to draw readers and catch their attention. Take this into consideration. To hold your opponet down to just 39 % shooting is enough said. You dont "survive" by dunks, I dont like that comment, If you can get inside to dunk than you must be doing somthing right! Dont compair this 2008 team to the old 2004 team. Its a different system different combination of players. NBA PROS not scattered group ROOKIES.

usa team won the match with fast break points if they play teams like greece who's guards are good it would be difficult for Usa they need to get some points from outside REDD can do this may be but it is not easy to take the golden medal for usa

QUEEN JAMES will be the reason the usa will not win the gold,she's jinxed.

People get over the pity party!! It's not the U.S. basketball team's fault that Angola is an impoverished country. If Angola can't play with the best then they should not compete in the Olympics.

All you people making negative comments, let's see you do better. Didn't think so!

GO KOBE!!!

The US team would win the gold if they intensify their defense more against the better teams like Argentina, Lithuania, Spain or Greece. Gone are the Dream Team days where players of the opposing team just watch the US superstars do their thing. Basketball has already evolved. And other countries had already caught up with the US in terms of player skills. The only edge the US has is the individual athleticism of the their players. But in order to win gold they must improve their team work and defense. 3 pointers does not win games, defense wins games. I think the US has a better chance to win gold now than 4 years ago. James, Wade & Anthony were just rookies & sophomores when they compete in Athens, Olympics & World Championships. Now they are veterans of the game and much better players. With the addition of Bryant , their chances of winning the gold are much better.

Come on guys, you have to give credit to the team of USA, the world's basketball is improving so fast, that's why we have a bunch on non-american player in the NBA. Remember Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker...
Winning with a margin of 20 points with this poor outside shooting ?!! How you do that ? it's simply impossible !!
Spain and Greece are not very good either in this tournament...The US beated China by 30 and Spain needed overtime to beat China...think about it ! Sincerely, I don't know how these teams could beat the US.

USA team sucks.They are arrogant,and they havent learnt lesson from the failure of 2002 ,2004,and 2006. They are still showing off their individual atheletic ability.one on one most of the time ,no team strategy.u can't count on such selfish team to win the gold medal.

110% the U.S team got the GOLD medal.

you all need to relax,they will win the gold,it is that simple.they better than every body else,i have no worry we are talking about kobe,lebron,Dwade,carmelo.common guys ya all know better than that.

you all need to relax,they will win the gold,it is that simple.they better than every body else,i have no worry we are talking about kobe,lebron,Dwade,carmelo.common guys ya all know better than that.

all u guys,critizing US of A's team.Stop!Look! & Watch out!

some of you clearly watch little basketball or play very little competitive sports. i have seen people on here say that lebron should have helped the angolan up or that he and the us are being bullies. that is a ridiculous notion. part of competition is disheartening the opponent and hopefully any opponents to follow. the stare down is one method of doing so. if you followed lebron AT ALL, you would know that there is hardly anyone in the league that comes across as a genuinely nicer person. within the "battle lines", though, niceness sends the wrong message; if you are really playing to win. side note- tatoos dont make you a thug, but making generalizations about people because of their appearance makes you ignorant.

I think the USA will win the Gold and let the rest of the world know that we are still the the BEST TEAM even though we lost before but the past is the past and right now is our time, its enough going in the USA for those guys that are playing LeBron,Kobe,Dwade,and Melo and the rest of the team for them not to feel the pressure of the United States and bring something positive back like winning the Gold Medal and look at Phelps he's winning everyday and winning rubs of on the USA Basketball Team thats why they want to hangout with him...the United States is seeing hard times and gas prices are way to high, so with that said bring home the GOLD for people working hard everyday and maybe that will be the start of "Change" maybe like when Obama wins also, God Bless everyone white,black,hispanic,asian, and all the other races, Peace Im Out and WIN THE GOLD USA!!!!

USA cant win the GOLD because of their arrogance.so better they have to accept that Dream team is no longer the best team.go argentina.show them that team work is better than talent.

USA Basketball is still dominant. You don't see their dominance by just looking at the scores. Lebron, Kobe and Dwight sits up almost the entire 4th quarter! Can you imagine letting them loose for another 10 minutes? Just watch Lebron and D-Wade play! Although some of the careless plays and missed 3-point shots is a pressing problem, I still think they will get together to win the Gold. I'm a big USA basketball fan. :)

I feel sorry for you ignorant kids,people talk about strong teams Spain struggle and went into overtime vs China like common now greece,lithuania and the rest of the europeen teams are no match for the US. The only team thus far who is capable of giving a decent run to the US is Australia. No doupt the team is not like the 92 dream team but they won't lose to any of the weak and clueless europeen team and thats why the euro guys neva get playin time in the NBA like them lil fellas need to hit GYM.
Around here we call those guys lil softies

Did you guys not see LEBRONS BLOCK! All I have to say!

Hey "JR" the 92 team aint all that, look at those games!!!! Our highschool teams can beat any of those weak countries back then!!!!

all my life ive been thinking that usa is a dream but the way i saw the likes of lebron james, kobe bryant, dwayne wade and other superstars...men its a terrible nightmare

I definately see echoes of the regular season when I see the first two performances of the "redeem team". These first two games have parallels with opening season games.. rusty, unenthusiastic and paced. Positives: excellent full court defense, killer instincts paint domination and a functioning fast break. Negatives: The outside shot and problems in offense when facing a solid zone defence. With China and Angola ten solid minutes were enough to put those opponents away. Greece is another matter. If the US cannot perform against the zone and keep missing the outside shots, they could face their first defeat. The threes will be the deciding factor as that will stretch any zone defence.
Stefano Sancho, Melle, Germany

kobe, we are waiting for you! let's your basket speaks, it is not your game.

I AM PROUD OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE USA TEAM..hope they can play also here in philippines someday......c:

you people complain too much. IF they win by 20, you complain, if they won by 50 you would say they should have won by 70. not to mention all the Kobe haters, Give respect where its due.Yes US is full of talent, but so are the other countries whether small or large. Do you really think they pull some no name nobodies of of the streets to represent their countries? Of course not! its their bests. On & the whole "Kobe rapists" thing is so played out. get over it!! If God forgives, than what you all say dont matter. You all have can't find anything else to say about him so you revert to say stupid immature comments. The US will dominate regardless how much they win by because because in the end a W is a W. Quit crying alreadu. You all give other countries too much respsct even more than ur own USA team. Team USA is the best of the best. In the end, you will all see, the other countries dont have the full line up of stars on their teams as we do. Our outside shots will fall. You all sound like cynics that speak negatives, just to have something to fall back on and say "i told you so!" if they dont win, but if they do, then you will still find something to criticize. I'm sure y'all criticize your own favorite teams. Shut up and just enjoy the game.

Thank you, I was waitin for that. First thing I thought when I heard US crushes Angola, "thats what Im talking about." They're the home team be proud. I played basketball my whole life and when you're up against an inferior team by double digits, usually you'll get carried away and start trying to have fun. no worries. Hint the 360 dunk by kobe. Shots weren't falling because they weren't into the game like they will be against greece. And ya Kobe was tried for rape(seems like a life ago) get over it. And the Lebron James thing(starring down his opponent) where im from it would of been way more than that. People laughing at you for getting blocked and maybe even kicked off the court. Thats how he(and most of nba players) play. Just like how they say Greece plays physical, deal with it. Being in the military and hearing americans going against the home team is sickening. "USA Crushes Angola." It dont bother me or the soldier next to me.

Have you seen how the Greeks and Spanish defend? Have you seen how the Greeks and Spanish communicate in offence? These two are real TEAMS. USA Team is just 12 great athletes. In 2006 they could have lost by Italy, Germany and Argentina. The Greeks had better guards (Papaloukas, Spanoulis, Diamantidis) and performed the "miracle". Only it wasn't a miracle and it won't be a miracle if it happens again in this tournament. Have you seen in the american team any team effort in offence? Yes, they could dunk against smaller guys, but that's not enough nowadays. Just consider this: when was the last time that a usa team won the gold in Olympics or World Championship? I can't remember....

Dan Jenkins once defined "Redneck" as a "terminal case of the dumbass". Certainly, this applies to the person whose deficiencies lead him/her to the racist conclusion that all persons who disagree with his/her point of view are 'fat, racist rednecks'. Why should sportsmanship be limited to one skin color?

I'M DOING ALL KINDS OF GARMENTS ,IS THERE ANYONE WANT TO BUY?:)
E-MAIL:CARL@NBVKU.COM

I cant wait to see yor posts, when Kobe gets hot against Greece and Spain and whoever else is left. I hope the negative comments keep rollin'! USA gonna feed off of it! Greece gonna get spanked by 20, Spain is beat by 20. And I'm not hatin on these countries, We are just bigger, stronger, and far more athletic when it comes to basketball. Hate the USA all you want, and please come and cry to us when they put the gold around our necks. And please, tell me how we cheated, or the games were fixed, or how we paid somebody off, something, we want no credit, just your pathetic reasoning and jelousy. When you're hated in a sport it usually means you're at the top!!

give us team a break! too much expextation is equals to pressue... let me remind everybody that its easier to improve from below rather than staying tough on top of the mountain...

I love this U.S.A. Squad, they are the best Men's Basketball team in these Olympics, everybody has a slump every now and then, I believe Kobe will bounce back with fury. They will have that Gold Medal in the end, i believe!!!

I can't wait to see America to domonate the other country left for them to play

I can't wait to see America to domonate the other country left for them to play

I cant wait til' an intense game. The you'll see the "overpaid" superstars perform. Look at Wade's focus. Kobe and LeBron last season, know need to explain. The next couple games should define team usa

Mad Skillz... USA Team already have it.. plus the fact-->"hunger" for the Gold Medal... The Redeem Team will definitely sweep it away...

First off, stop baggin on the US because we won with authority. Maybe the score didn't show it but that was on an off night for the US. Just imagine what it's going to be like for Greece next game when Kobe and them are at full focus. And as for the non-athletic comments; how stupid are you? Saying that team is un-athletic is like saying einstein was un-intelligent. If they lack athleticism, why are the NBA games longer, and the court bigger? I don't know if it's just me, but i don't see any european teams throwing up alleyoops left and right like the americans.

"And Lebron could have done a lot more for the game and for our reputation as Americans by helping the guy off the floor after he blocked him. It just made him look like a bully. The most famous player in the world needs to stare down an Angolan player? To prove what?"

Posted by: RB | August 12, 2008 1:39 PM

Great post RB, but you're right, instead of bringing emotion and intensity to the game Lebron should have helped him up. But why stop there? We should give the other teams high 5's when they score! And when they get thirsty we'll bring them water!

"The Olympics should be a showcase for sportsmanship and good will. There is no room for angry staredowns from players or fans. I prefer to lose than have the world think Americans are all a bunch of spoiled brats like LaBron James. Coach, please control your players. American fans, please think sportsmanship. If necessary, look up the meaning."

Posted by: Michael Hughes | August 12, 2008 1:05 PM

Hmmmmmmm, but no mention of how dirty other teams play? I suppose all the elbows and flops are just ways of saying, "Great playing, you're welcome in my country anytime!"

USA all the way

The U.S. has learned nothing since Lebronz got Bronze in '04. They can't shoot. They have no skill. All they have is brute strength and force. But with a strong defense like Greece or Spain, something's gotta give. The only noteworthy shooter on the U.S. team is Michael Redd. We need more shooters. Ray Allen, Kyle Korver, and Richard Hamilton are desperately needed. If we can't hit 3's, and we can't hit long-range 2's, something's gotta give. We're not gonna win this thing by dunking, that's for sure.

I can see it now. Dickmelo Bronzthony, Lebronz James, Kobe Bronzant, Dwight Bronzard, Carlos Bronzer, Chris Bronze, DerBronze Williams, JaBronze Kidd, Chris Bronzesh, Bronzechal Redd, Bronzyane Wade, TayBronze Prince.

What a haedline!!beating Angola by 21 is a dominant performance? The US played badly, they are bad perimeter shooters, they only make dunks, and commit always starting steps (the referees don't call them), and playing this way they will lose against Greece and Spain because these teams are better, and the US don't know how to face zone defenses.

I think that USA has the best players of the world, but in the last championships we have seen that is not only suficient. They don't play like a tema. This team yes, play more like a team in comparation with the last, but will it be suficient?. Personally I think that USA will win, but all depend of the zone defense, and the team play. 35% for USA, 20% for spain, 20% for argentina, 20% lituania, 5% croatia

I like the way they played for the past few games...they're always looking for fastbreaks...but with their talent i think some of them are Holding back"....they should have built a 40-50 pt. lead against China at Angola.. with all due respect to them. Just try to practice more on those free trows and Threes and Nothing's gonna be in their way...

Boozer wake up! You're on the team!...")

Do any of you actually play ball?? If so, yhou totally understand the ramifications of you bringing weak stuff to the rim. YOu get it skyrocketed as far as I can reject it. I don't come and shake your hand after that. I don't offer you hand up off the floor after that. No, i stare and you and let you know not to bring that stuff in here again. So what if you are from Angola and I'm Lebron James. The game is still the same no matter what skill level you are on. It's natural instinct for a real ball player to do that. So for you people who think that Lebron was acting like a bully, shut up. It was a blocked shot. Move on and grow up.

WADE

Ninety-nine percent of these comments are hardly good enough to be considered english and full of spelling and grammar mistakes. Not to mention some of the most stupid, ignorant and childish comments I've ever heard in my life. Shut up and get a life. And by the way, for all of you that said the USA team is "unathletic", you must not have ever seen them play in your life. There's a lot you could say about this team, (even though they're amazing and only slumping from behind the different-lengthed arc) but you can't say they're not athletic! This is the most athletic group of players assempled on the planet you retards! These comments are literally making me sick, if you don't know a thing about sports you shouldn't be talking. Oh and Kobe is the best player in the world. Later.

Oh yeah, and the author mis-spelled Carmelo's name as "Caremlo". C'mon, guy: you're a professional.

i am an american and the only reason usa can't hit there 3's they have one 3 point shooter michael redd they need more kobe can't be expected to lead us we still have lebron and wade

Weak!!

if you play baskryball you will understand the emotions of lebron.

if you play basketball you will understand lebron`s emotions.

So many stupid comments here. I'm Spanish, but I know for sure that USA will be gold easily. Bryant, James, Paul, Howard, Williams... These players are as good as it gets.

cant play zone huh. no talent. cant beat greece. eat ur own words and stop hatin

I'm not proud of what Team USA or the "Redeem Team" is showing the rest of the world when it beats a lowly team like Angola by 19 points, but, I do take offense to some of the comments made reffering to this team as not being athletic. When you look at players like Kobe, Lebron, Wade, and Dwight - Do you think of them as not being, quick, fast or agile? Name one player on any of the other teams who would qualify as being more,or even as athletic as any these players.

Correction - 21 points

you know what, you're all good in making comments.. just watch their games and how they'll get the gold medal if they're really deserving to win. Okay?

Usa can do it like non other just have to have faith like itz said before anything can happen in the NBA

These are not an equal olimpic games in basket. US Team condition to participate in Beiijing is not to be investigated any of its guys in doping control, while all the other national teams have to be controlled in this theme. It is not fair, US Team won´t be a real winner of the competition. If rules were equal for all the teams, another results would be produced...

I like the US Team!
No doubts, that they are really excellent performers... because if not, they won't be a part of the US Team.

Just for Three Comments:

1) The world already knew that USA Team is great, really very competitive. May I suggest that, they should refrain from making some "shows", or else they may not be able to "redeem" their dignity and for the GOLD as well.

2) At times, the US Team were so "unselfish" with their plays for their teamates. Instead of already shooting the ball, they've made too much "extra passes" that led to potential errors.

3) US Team, should not be complacent. The applause of the crowd should not go to their heads, or else it would destroy their focus to redeem the gold..., if the the US Team is not aware of this fact, The "Road to Redemption" might be resulted into "Road to Deception".

Please don't get me wrong, I just care for the US Team.

More power to you, US Team!

This is our super-team.

usa basketball is the best by far they showed this with their easy win over greece....they beat greece by more then they beat angola does that make angola better then greece? no it just means that the americans just want the win they dont care if they win by 20 or 40. the usa team should take it as a compliment if they get ridiculed after a 20 point win. only the best have a 20 point win and its said to be an off game.

It seems the USA Team should be more effort on their three point shooting.

all i am reading in this forum is a bunch of little girl crying cause thier stupid team can never be half the team the US has so just stop crying and face the facts that your team will never beat the US also if we crush or dominate over someone has nothing to do with it its the WIN that counts so again STOP HATING on our team you losers