Team USA vs. Brazil

Deep breath, everyone. Just because Team USA barely eked out a win yesterday over a decent Brazil team is not a reason to feel we are doomed to witness another disappointing finish in an international event. There were many factors that caused a performance that was less than average, and most of them do not concern me at all. And there was one that does.

 Let’s start with some of the issues that can be dismissed-stuff that should not happen again. Getting outrebounded 41-26 is shocking, but anyone who has traveled that far to play 2 games on consecutive nights can recognize that the team was clearly suffering from what I call “travel lag”. Our hearts were willing, but our legs were just a step slow to make the plays in those “50/50” balls. Brazil got them just about every time. That we played well in the first half, but couldn’t make a play in the second, is rather common. When your legs go, they just go.

 Our shooting-making 27 shots but missing 40, is also something that can be somewhat attributed to our poor energy. Open looks were there, but front rimmed shots were commonplace in the second half. That we took almost half our shots from 3 (29 three attempts in 67 shots overall) is also a direct result of a lack of energy in attacking Brazil’s zone defense. I’m sure the USA coaches will spend more than a little time bringing up that statistic in practice today. That, and fresher legs, will ensure a better zone attack in future games.

 Losing 2 of the team’s 3 best perimeter player almost simultaneously early in the 2^nd half hurt us the most, I felt. Carmelo was the best player on the floor before getting hurt, and D-Wade played a total of 10 minutes before fouling out. Combined, these 2 players scored 20 points in 22 minutes, while LeBron and Chris Paul scored the same 20 points in 50 minutes. Wade is a guy who can really “figure things out” as the game goes on-as I personally witnessed in game 5 of the championship series against Dallas.   He had a horrendous first half, but finished the game with 43 points and made all the big shots late. He and ‘Melo would have been a huge upgrade in those last 10 minutes against Brazil over anyone else that lined up in their place.

 I’m not concerned about our energy in future games, or Carmelo’s knee, or our zone attack. I am concerned, however, about the same thing I cautioned in my last blog. Leadership. The lack of it was evident early in the 2^nd half yesterday as Brazil made their first run. Chris Paul never took the reigns of the team, in fact, he did just the opposite. He allowed us to lose our control and tempo and never dictated anything. Hinrich wasn’t much better, and the 2 of them combined for 9 turnovers in 45 minutes. Again, bad wheels make for bad passes, but I would have liked to see one of our point guards play with more authority when the game was slipping away. Of course, I would like to have seen ANYONE step up and control the team. That it didn’t happen may be because of Wade and ‘Melo’s absence.

 Who else can serve that role in their absence? Who can lead us in a tough game? Leadership does not come from sounding like a leader, it comes from acting like one. My dictionary defines leadership as “breathing spirit into the hearts and minds of others”. Everone recognizes that Lebron James is a world class player and passer. But read his quote from after the game and you’ll wonder if he will ever provide the “spirit” this team needs in crunch time:

 “Some of the guys were a little nervous of course being in this position for the first time. But, I've been in this position before, playing in the games before. And I know what to expect when games get close”.

 What guys? What position? First time? Is he saying that there are players on this team who are not as experienced as he is in playing important games on the road? After all, LeBron did not play in college and has played a grand total of 13 playoff games in his career. Wade played that many playoff games as a rookie. In fact, James is surrounded by players with little playoff experience. Only 3 guys, Brad Miller, Bruce Bowen, and Wade, have what would amount to serious playoff experience. Those 3 players account for 181 playoff games and 3 World Championships. The rest of the team has 115 playoff games-TOTAL, and no rings. Let’s look at college, where the intensity is just as high in road conference games and NCAA tournament experiences. Jamison’s Tar-Heels made it to the Final 4.  Hinrich played in the Big 12, and an NCAA Championship game. So did Arenas and Brand, at Arizona and Duke. ‘Melo won a title. So did Battier. Those players must be shaking their heads at LeBron’s quote. Yes, he made the winning basket after a rather poor performance. Yes, he is mega-talented, and probably the best wing transition player in the world. But no, he is not yet a leader. Had he said “this team is made up of young players who have played for numerous NCAA and World Championships and we are confident that we’ll rise to the occasion again and again”, I’d be impressed. That’s the spirit our team needs, because WE ARE YOUNG. We need the most famous basketball player on our team to instill confidence in his teammates, not get them to be confident in him. Until that happens, I fear that the next time the team is in a tight game, we will not come out on top.

Comments

[Damon]

I could not agree more. This team needs more leadership and more people that can: (1) Stop dribble penetration, (2) score points in the 15-20 foot range, and (3) control tempo and lead. Sam Cassell, Kobe (injured), J Kidd would have been great.

[Braggbear]

The think James was strictly referring to international play. He meant that this was the first time most of these US players had been in a tight international game and that he had been in tight international games a couple years ago. I wouldn't make too much of his comments.

[Mike in Seattle]

Well DUH LeBron was talking about international play.

Now let's all get together and overreact, shall we?

[Joey]

Geeeeze...common give it a break. Talk about disecting comments. The dudes 21 years old and your harping because he doesn`t appear to be showing leadership to YOU with his quotes. I feel he more then likely spoke candidly about exactly how the team is feeling. Would you rather he lied? Would you rather he just made a comment in the manner you prefered? He had an avergae game where he got away from penatrating and his shot wasn't falling. He still made the basket near the end of the game that helped seal things. I think the thing that scares us all the most is inspite of everything that happened we are feeling insecure with the fact that our mighty US team did not get a 3rd consecutive blowout.

[Mr Hood]

That should say "took the reins", not "reigns"