U.S. 114, Turkey 82
The U.S. still has another three exhibition games before they open Olympic play, but it looks like Chris Paul is going to be their primary point guard off the bench and Deron Williams is going to have to get used to life as an off guard.
It's not an easy role for Williams, with Paul bringing up the ball on offense and Dwyane Wade at his best when leading the fast break, but at least there's a role for the Jazz guard on the U.S. team.
That's more than can be said for Carlos Boozer, who again was one of the last players off the bench in the U.S's 114-82 victory Thursday over Turkey in Macau. Williams had six points and four assists while Boozer had five points and two rebounds.
Williams played 20 minutes and Boozer played 10. Only Chris Bosh and Tayshaun Prince played fewer minutes than Boozer.
* * *
As expected, the U.S.'s depth wore down Turkey in the final three quarters, turning the game into a dunk contest. But the U.S. gave up 30 points in the first quarter, all the more alarming when you remember quarters are only 10 minutes long in international play.
Turkey collapsed inside on Dwight Howard and turned two steals into baskets in the quarter. After a Jason Kidd three-pointer, the Americans got beat down court, with Turkey lobbing a pass ahead for an easy layup.
Williams got victimized when Omer Onan came off a screen and knocked down a three-pointer. A little later, Ender Arslan hit another three-pointer after Carmelo Anthony gave him too much space to shoot.
Arslan's three, which came with the shot clock about to run out, gave Turkey a 27-24 lead. Turkey hit another three-pointer from the corner and closed the quarter down just 31-30, scoring at least eight points off the U.S.'s turnovers.
* * *
The U.S. was much, much better in the second quarter, giving up only seven points. The Americans trapped off the pick-and-roll, leading to a steal and basket for James. He also ripped away the ball on the perimeter and threw down an alley-oop dunk off another U.S. steal. Paul also made a nice play, hustling back on defense to deny a layup.
* * *
Don't know how many people caught it, but NBA referee David Jones was part of the FIBA crew that worked Thursday's exhibition. It must be completely counterintuitive for Jones to not call things like goaltending when a player snatches the ball off the rim.
--Ross Siler
It's not an easy role for Williams, with Paul bringing up the ball on offense and Dwyane Wade at his best when leading the fast break, but at least there's a role for the Jazz guard on the U.S. team.
That's more than can be said for Carlos Boozer, who again was one of the last players off the bench in the U.S's 114-82 victory Thursday over Turkey in Macau. Williams had six points and four assists while Boozer had five points and two rebounds.
Williams played 20 minutes and Boozer played 10. Only Chris Bosh and Tayshaun Prince played fewer minutes than Boozer.
* * *
As expected, the U.S.'s depth wore down Turkey in the final three quarters, turning the game into a dunk contest. But the U.S. gave up 30 points in the first quarter, all the more alarming when you remember quarters are only 10 minutes long in international play.
Turkey collapsed inside on Dwight Howard and turned two steals into baskets in the quarter. After a Jason Kidd three-pointer, the Americans got beat down court, with Turkey lobbing a pass ahead for an easy layup.
Williams got victimized when Omer Onan came off a screen and knocked down a three-pointer. A little later, Ender Arslan hit another three-pointer after Carmelo Anthony gave him too much space to shoot.
Arslan's three, which came with the shot clock about to run out, gave Turkey a 27-24 lead. Turkey hit another three-pointer from the corner and closed the quarter down just 31-30, scoring at least eight points off the U.S.'s turnovers.
* * *
The U.S. was much, much better in the second quarter, giving up only seven points. The Americans trapped off the pick-and-roll, leading to a steal and basket for James. He also ripped away the ball on the perimeter and threw down an alley-oop dunk off another U.S. steal. Paul also made a nice play, hustling back on defense to deny a layup.
* * *
Don't know how many people caught it, but NBA referee David Jones was part of the FIBA crew that worked Thursday's exhibition. It must be completely counterintuitive for Jones to not call things like goaltending when a player snatches the ball off the rim.
--Ross Siler
4:09 PM
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