Such a pleasure to watch this Boomers team. 77 assists from 98 field goals in this tournament. Their offense demonstrates what international ball outside the US has valued for a long time now -- ball movement, passing, teamwork and chemistry. Imagine the dominance of Team USA if they learnt how to play some team ball. How long will Team USA be able to rely on hero ball?
I'm not sure if Paul George meant it as a slight when he called the Boomers NBA players all "role players", but it is something I think the USA team is missing out when it comes to selections. The US should have focused more on role players when selecting the team. Team-first role players, who play their guts out, and sacrifice for the team. If I were selecting the USA team, I would focus less on selecting a team full of All-Stars, and instead go with more solid role players who fit the FIBA game. Keep a handful of the least egotistical superstars and fill the rest with FIBA-style role players. Then actually develop some chemistry with more preparation. That's when USA will be truly dominant.
nike1 wrote:watched it on delay, man i love delly/mills backcourt
Mills works much better as an undersized shooting guard, so he fits well with a taller pure point like Delly (not that Delly is especially tall, just not a midget guard). Giving Mills the freedom to be a pure scorer is what suits him. Let Delly run the team.
It will be interesting to see how Exum's game develops to go alongside these two. It could be a nice and versatile 3-guard rotation as each can play the 1 or 2 and each are solid defenders. I'm not sold on Exum yet, especially based on his Boomers play in the 2014 World Champs and his rawness in his rookie NBA season, so I hope to see him develop more in Utah, especially with his playmaking and shooting as his defense is already solid. A point forward like Simmons would be nice to relieve Delly at times too. Defensively, the 4-spot is the Boomers main weakness right now, so not so surprising that Carmelo Anthony repeatedly spot up. I'd expect some defensive adjustments to deal with that if these teams match up again.
Serbia should be another physical encounter next up for USA. Should be interesting.