OT: 2018-2020 USA Basketball Men's National Team - 2020 (2021) Tokyo Olympics Updated Schedule, Page 13

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Re: OT: 2018-2020 USA Basketball Men's National Team - Updated Schedule, Page 5 

Post#241 » by Fundamentals21 » Fri Jun 4, 2021 3:16 pm

The U.S. team has achieved unparalleled success in the Olympic games. While always being at a disadvantage to the Eastern Bloc countries that had used their best and most experienced professional players listed as soldiers or workers in a profession to subvert the amateur rules,[3][46][47] the U.S. team (typically composed of AAU or collegiate players) did surprisingly well, winning nine out of eleven Olympic tournaments they had entered before the introduction of NBA players.[6][7] The U.S. is the only Western country that achieved success in a team sport during the Eastern Bloc dominance. Canada's results in ice hockey and Western European football teams' results in soccer significantly deteriorated after the introduction of the Eastern Bloc countries and their quasi-professional players in the late 1940s and early 1950s. In 1992, the U.S. team was represented by the NBA players for the first time and defeated its opponents by an average of 44 points en route to the gold medal against Croatia.[48] The Americans have continued to dominate the Olympic tournaments ever since, excluding underachieving performance at the 2004 Summer Olympics.


USA is 138-5 in Olympic games historically. What an absurd amount of dominance. We literally go there to showboat how great we are. Should be a fun time for Pop, gets to add a gold medal to a great career.
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Re: OT: 2018-2020 USA Basketball Men's National Team - Updated Schedule, Page 5 

Post#242 » by G R E Y » Tue Jun 15, 2021 5:15 pm

Get your tickets to witness an incredible collection of talent!

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Re: OT: 2018-2020 USA Basketball Men's National Team - Updated Schedule, Page 5 

Post#243 » by G R E Y » Tue Jun 15, 2021 5:19 pm

OK! Some terrific talent committing so far! Keep it coming, gents!

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Re: OT: 2018-2020 USA Basketball Men's National Team - Updated Schedule, Page 5 

Post#244 » by G R E Y » Fri Jun 18, 2021 9:48 pm

YES! Tatum, Beal, and Booker commit!

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We're going to need some 4/5 commitments to continue filling out the roster. I wonder where Bam stands and when we'll hear from him?
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Re: OT: 2018-2020 USA Basketball Men's National Team - Updated Schedule, Page 5 

Post#245 » by G R E Y » Mon Jun 21, 2021 12:26 am

OOOOOOO This. Is. BIG! :rockon:

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Re: OT: 2018-2020 USA Basketball Men's National Team - Updated Schedule, Page 5 

Post#246 » by G R E Y » Mon Jun 21, 2021 6:06 pm

OH. YEAH!

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Re: OT: 2018-2020 USA Basketball Men's National Team - Updated Schedule, Page 5 

Post#247 » by G R E Y » Mon Jun 21, 2021 6:17 pm

EDIT: Harden pulled out of his commitment due to hamstring injury needing time to heal (I was surprised he confirmed to begin with given his injury).

Anyway, there are two subsequent confirmations:

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Re: OT: 2018-2020 USA Basketball Men's National Team - Updated Schedule, Page 5 

Post#248 » by G R E Y » Fri Jun 25, 2021 6:43 am

And so here's the updated roster for Team USA!

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Two returning players from FIBA, Tatum and Middleton, and Tatum was injured. Durant is the most experienced, and he and Green are the only returning players from the 2016 Team USA squad. A new collection of players, then, but filled with highly skilled, athletic, two-way playing scorers. I'm very happy that despite the challenges, such a high level of collective talent is dedicating to the program.

Nothing is a given; nothing should be taken for granted. They will have to come together quickly and be willing to have their talent channeled by Pop and the coaching staff. Lots of guys are the main weapons on their respective teams, so accepting roles for the greater good will go a long way to reaching the ultimate goal.
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Re: OT: 2018-2020 USA Basketball Men's National Team - Updated Schedule, Page 5 

Post#249 » by G R E Y » Fri Jul 2, 2021 10:29 pm

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Re: OT: 2018-2020 USA Basketball Men's National Team - Updated Schedule, Page 5 

Post#250 » by G R E Y » Fri Jul 2, 2021 10:37 pm

Select squad:

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Keldon! :clap:
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Re: OT: 2018-2020 USA Basketball Men's National Team - Updated Schedule, Page 5 

Post#251 » by G R E Y » Tue Jul 6, 2021 10:19 pm

Training Camp - Las Vegas, Nevada, July 6-9, 2021

PRACTICE 1, 6-7-2021:

Pop sporting a stylish new haircut! :D
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EDIT to add: Link to full post-practice interview with Pop: https://foxsanantonio.com/sports/watch-popovich-talks-team-usa-udoka-getting-the-job-in-boston-and-more

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^Bottom left, that looks like Chip! Great to have him here. I think I saw trainer Will Sevening, too. Nice for the continuity and trust.

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Re: OT: 2018-2020 USA Basketball Men's National Team - Updated Schedule, Page 5 

Post#252 » by G R E Y » Thu Jul 8, 2021 6:02 am

PRACTICE 2, 7-7-2021:

Post-practice interview with Pop: https://news4sanantonio.com/sports/spurs-zone/watch-popovich-talks-team-usa-suns-monty-williams-and-more

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Chip is indeed on board. As are Kerr, Wright, Udoka from who I've noticed so far:
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KD to Zach for the athletic finish. Maybe it's just the angle, but Love's looking a little bottom heavy at the end of the clip. I hope he gets his legs under him and wind in his lungs in the next few weeks and has a resurgence of his best game for Team USA.

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Impressions are of constant ball movement and passes from everyone, even those who normally are the finishers. It'll be interesting to see the roles emerge with so many stars on the team.

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Re: OT: 2018-2020 USA Basketball Men's National Team - Updated Schedule, Page 5 

Post#253 » by G R E Y » Thu Jul 8, 2021 7:53 pm

Off-court activities:
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PRACTICE 3, 8-7-2021:

Full post-practice interview with Pop: https://news4sanantonio.com/sports/watch-popovich-talks-team-usa-former-spurs-coach-mike-brown-team-conditioning-more

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And finally, so much GOATness in such a short practice snippet! :-D :clap: :bowdown:
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And in Select Team news:
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Oof.
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Re: OT: 2018-2020 USA Basketball Men's National Team - Updated Schedule, Page 5 

Post#254 » by G R E Y » Sat Jul 10, 2021 5:04 am

PRACTICE 4, 8-7-2021:

Full post-practice interview with Pop: https://news4sanantonio.com/sports/spurs-zone/watch-popovich-talks-team-usa-kevin-durant-and-more

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"Coach Pop, he's awesome," said Beal. "His spirit just trickles down to everybody else. He's always in a great mood."

The 3-time NBA All-Star then reiterated what many have previously said about Gregg Popovich's leadership style.

"He holds everybody accountable," continued Beal. "Whether it's KD, Kevin Love, me, Jayson. It's the same across the board. He's a great communicator. He's been perfect. His energy is contagious."

"We gotta go win a gold medal," said Beal. "We didn't like how our last outing went. He wants us really dialed into that and locked in.

https://airalamo.com/posts/san-antonio-spurs-bradley-beal-loves-playing-perfect-coach-popovich-olympics

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Congratulations to Keldon and Cam!

Keldon's number for Team USA:
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Re: OT: 2018-2020 USA Basketball Men's National Team - Updated Schedule, Page 5 

Post#255 » by G R E Y » Sat Jul 10, 2021 8:16 pm

The friendlies are already here!

EXHIBITION GAME 1, 10-7-2021

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Re: OT: 2018-2020 USA Basketball Men's National Team - Updated Schedule, Page 5 

Post#256 » by G R E Y » Sun Jul 11, 2021 12:25 am

1ST Q: TEAM USA 23 , NIGERIA 22

Competitive, have to say it's closer than I expected, but this is a good eye opener for Team USA in terms of a gauge of where they are and need to be. International teams have the cohesion advantage and it's where Team USA has to quickly close the gap.

Kerr just said in an interview between Q's that Team USA is looking to get their legs underneath them, that they're looking to improve rebounding and pace.

2ND Q: TEAM USA 43 , NIGERIA 41

Green and Durant don't look great, with the former a bit old and the latter like he's waiting for the game to come to him. I've seen driveway players with more juice. Love needs conditioning and timing is the nicest way to say it.

Didn't like the Bealism of full ISO on the final possession to end the half.

Lots of turnovers by Team USA, too. Just not crisp and organized and competitive. Have to bring it up a notch each Q, each game. Can't give opponents any hope.

Overall some Team USA players' tendencies need to be brought out more, and others' less. More team play and cohesion - but these will be brought out through the games themselves. Just need to bring up the intensity and competitiveness.

Practices had a LOT more movement and passing. Let's see how they respond in the second half.

3RD Q: TEAM USA 64 , NIGERIA 66

Team cohesion has a ways to go what with so many guys being the main option on their respective teams. Getting outhustled, too, not the best look.

4TH Q: TEAM USA 87 , NIGERIA 90

A game of 21 made 3s versus 8 I think for Team USA, but more importantly, too many players flat out were in like second gear for too long. Durant was 2-11 missing on in-the-paint Js and lackadaisical drives and still in the game before he made a couple of 3s; a lot of players missed bunnies at the rim on drives; too many turnovers; not enough consistent hustle.

I think once Booker joins the team he should start over Beal who is too used to being such an ISO heavy player that his natural default setting is tunnel vision and this takes away from the team-first game that can maximize this team's best weapons.

The turning point was when Team USA got up 9 easily and then allowed three consecutive 3s to tie the game. It felt like a shift. Lack of hustle on both ends is what was picked up on and picked apart. Each time Team USA got a nine or ten point lead it got too comfortable and allowed a punch back to close the gap. Eventually Team USA gave up the lead and that killer instinct lacking to maintain and build it wasn't strong enough at the end of the game to catch up. Mental mistakes, lack of execution.

I thought that Team USA players were tentative because the sets and chemistry didn't come to them naturally from familiarity. That part you can understand as they got together but a week or so ago. But the lack of consistent competitive juice is disappointing. And another lesson learned.

Pop lets Spurs assistants run plays during exhibition games, and on the last play it was Lloyd Pierce (I think) who diagrammed a play when Team USA was down 3. I don't know how passing the ball around the arc without taking a 3 or driving was the play before being fouled, but there it was.

I think there's pressure on Team USA to win every single game, even exhibition ones, and desirable as it may be, it's what the guys take from these games and how they respond that will largely determine how far they go.

It starts with consistent defensive intensity, pushing the ball with intensity, running the plays with purpose, and finishing with intensity. Hopefully they'll be smarted by this result and up the focus and personal responsibility to do one's best, all to a man, all for the team's best.

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Full post-game interview with Pop and Jayson Tatum:
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Re: OT: 2018-2020 USA Basketball Men's National Team - Updated Schedule, Page 5 

Post#257 » by G R E Y » Mon Jul 12, 2021 6:22 pm

EXHIBITION GAME 2, 12-7-2021

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Re: OT: 2018-2020 USA Basketball Men's National Team - 2020 (2021) Tokyo Olympics Updated Schedule, Page 13 

Post#258 » by G R E Y » Tue Jul 13, 2021 12:51 am

1ST Q:

Keldon! :love:

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2ND Q: TEAM USA 46 AUSTRALIA 37

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Better hustle - even Beal was in on some deflections that caused turnovers! - D to O transition points, some wrinkles to iron out on O, but it's already looking more cohesive. Guys are communicating better, too, and are just more engaged. The quicker they can get used to the physicality and rules of the international game, the better.

3RD Q: TEAM USA 64 AUSTRALIA 69

Porous defense and settling for outside shots too much flipped a 9-point lead to a 5-point deficit. The third Q's have not been strong by Team USA. Aussies finished the Q on a 19-6 run. Team USA got some rotations confused on D, and Pop had his arms up on the side for Team USA defenders to do the same versus their ball handlers but that wasn't consistent on the perimeter. Need a big bounce back in the final Q.

4TH Q: TEAM USA 83 AUSTRALIA 91

Wasted opportunities with about three or four O possessions where Team USA tried to cut the deficit all at once. And on D they got beaten on drives rather badly on the perimeter and then there was not nearly enough help D at the basket. Rotations for back cuts were poor as well. Aussies finished the 4TH Q on a 11-1 so after their strong finish of the 3RD Q they were rolling.

Again, SO many times Pop was on the sidelines with his arms out and it was sporadic on the part of the Team USA players. I thought Tatum was a better defender but he got driven by quite a lot. Then again, his teammates are supposed to rotate over on help D but drivers got too many open drives instead. Durant got driven on as well, surprising, but Green did a good job at coming over for blocks. On O at times we either shot too early and settled outside or over-cooked the passing for turnovers or poor late clock shot selection. When the ball movement worked, it was beautiful, better than in the first game, as were the D to O transition points, so there was some better execution.

Team USA has had FOUR practices. That's it. And it's missing a quarter of its roster with three players still playing in the NBA finals. And so with everyone also still learning the international game, it's not a big surprise they're not as cohesive as teams that have been practicing three weeks or playing together for years. But the D rotations, the physicality, the diminishing ball movement that was there in the first half but not in the second (Team USA didn't get the ball into the post or run some alley oop plays) comes from players resorting to their familiar habits - each guy being the main guy on his respective team resulted in too many shots too early in the clock from the outside rather than driving hard to get more fouls.

Missed opportunities, cohesion that needs to improve, better physicality, and attention to detail on D, and increased intensity and consistency throughout so that Team USA can come back from leads and maintain them are the next steps in their progress.

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Re: OT: 2018-2020 USA Basketball Men's National Team - 2020 (2021) Tokyo Olympics Updated Schedule, Page 13 

Post#259 » by G R E Y » Tue Jul 13, 2021 6:13 pm

EXHIBITION GAME 3, 13-7-2021

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Re: OT: 2018-2020 USA Basketball Men's National Team - 2020 (2021) Tokyo Olympics Updated Schedule, Page 13 

Post#260 » by G R E Y » Tue Jul 13, 2021 11:15 pm

1ST Q: TEAM USA 33

ARGENTINA 19

Choppiest. Stream. Ever. It was like a slide show of pictures. I'm given to believe Team USA hit a healthy amount of 3s in the 1ST Q - 6, I believe? Solid. But hopefully they don't fall in love with it too much so as to not settle for it.

2ND Q: TEAM USA 58

ARGENTINA 42

Second. Choppiest. Stream. Ever. Some better passing, more purposeful, some better D to O transition, still settling for some drives, and got switched on with smaller players in the post as Argentina wanted to increase the physicality down low, but Team USA stayed on top with some clutch shots late.

Seeing some higher and more consistent intensity to start the 3RD Q and at least maintain the lead would be a good improvement now.

3RD Q: TEAM USA 81

ARGENTINA 62

Much better start to the second half, much better team ball, communication on D, switching - even if sometimes they didn't really need to. Argentina made a push late in the Q to bring it down to under 20, but to build it and keep it around 20 is a good result. Pop likely won't like the open 2s allowed at the top of the key regardless of the lead, so these will probably be in the film to go over. Much better hustle overall. And to that, Keldon and his putbacks have been awesome. Great punch presence down low.

Let's see how Team USA sustains a lead.

4TH Q: TEAM USA 108

ARGENTINA 80

Solid team effort - good breakdown of full court press and doubles in the second half. Better rotations and coverage down low for blocks by Green and Grant. I thought they settled for outside shots for a spell when up over 20 there, and Argentina kept pushing with more physical play, but terrific run outs for quick 3-pass-to-bucket fast breaks put a break to any kind of consistent run. Better 3s coverage, too. It looks like the players are getting more used to one another's tendencies and are trusting the pass. Good movement, passing, and scoring distribution - games like this show too many weapons to stop when the passing is crisp and movement is sharp.

Good drives, although some were allowed by Team USA too easily, too. Pop hates the ones down the middle the most so that's something to work on. Also, at times the last two players down low didn't even bother trying to contest - perhaps a function of a big lead, but habits must be reinforced at all times. At the very least, get into contested space first, arms up to contest.

Kevin Love, to put it politely, looks like he needs conditioning the most. His ass looks like it's its own gravitational pull. He got crossed over by a driver and while his legs and arms were moving towards the ball handler, his ass was still pulling him away. His touch around the rim still needs refining, as does his accuracy from the arc. Still, getting him involved in some P&Rs where he can use his bigger body to get to the rim can only help him and us. He's one of only three players with previous Olympics experience, so his knowledge of the international game and ability and willingness to pass it along makes his presence valuable alone. All contributions on the court are a bonus.

Durant's a better passer than I realized. Beal's a more willing defender, too. Good team hustle, players falling to the ground after the ball. I love Keldon's big body game. he just doesn't give up on a play. I love the growing selflessness and balance between sharing the ball and sniping when the opportunity presents itself.

I thought the reserves looked terrific in the final three or so minutes of the game. They knew their roles, ran the sets, took their shots with confidence and fundamentals in defense rotations and fast breaks. They looked very solid.

A much better overall team effort. There are still plenty of things to work on and improve, but building and growing a lead and looking more like a team is a good start. Each game there have been improvements, and winning convincingly is a good foundation for the upcoming games.

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