U.S. 89, Russia 68
For starters, it was worth watching the U.S.'s game against Russia just to see Russian coach David Blatt wearing jeans on the sidelines. Not sure if he has some kind of endorsement deal, but it was definitely casual Sunday in Shanghai.
As much as Andrei Kirilenko criticized Jerry Sloan's style and praised Blatt's last summer, I was struck by what I saw in the final minute with the U.S. ahead by 20.
One of Russia's players inbounded the ball in front of his bench. When he cut the wrong way, Blatt shoved him the other direction. Blatt was stomping his feet in frustration with 20 seconds left when Russia took a shot he evidently didn't like.
Not exactly what I was expecting after the events of last summer. As for the game, Kirilenko finished with 18 points, eight rebounds and four assists, and could have posted an even bigger number had he not uncharacteristically missed six of 12 free throws.
We got to see Kirilenko playing power forward, as opposed to his usual role in Utah, and the Jazz forward had several nice moments. He posted up Chris Bosh in the second quarter, faked Bosh right, then went left and pounded in a layup.
Kirilenko's best stretch came in the third quarter, when Russia made it an eight-point game and put a scare in the U.S. Kirilenko assisted on two baskets, then drove twice on Carmelo Anthony for layups, first from the top of the key and then from the wing.
If Kobe Bryant didn't hit a tough three-pointer over Kirilenko, Russia probably would have made it even closer in the quarter. Have to say, the trend hasn't exactly been encouraging for the Americans in these three exhibition games.
They gave up 30 points to Turkey in the first quarter of Game 1. Lithuania had their lead down to nine points in the second quarter of the Game 2. Russia gave up few transition dunks, turned to a zone defense, and was within eight in the third quarter Sunday.
Kirilenko also hit two shots off inbounds plays, hustled back to block Anthony after a bad miss at the other end and got an easy basket in the middle of the lane after the U.S. tried its hand at a zone in the fourth quarter.
With Jason Kidd playing only 10 minutes and not starting the second half, Deron Williams finished with five points and nine assists in 20 minutes. Through three exhibitions, Williams has been the U.S.'s top point guard, even if he hasn't always played the position.
Williams was on the attack the whole game, epitomized by one play in the fourth quarter. He took out the ball and tried to rush it in as quickly as possible. Williams practically snatched it back from Dwyane Wade, drove the lane and hit Anthony for a layup.
After fighting one of Russia's big men for position on defense, Williams led the U.S. on the fast break and hit Michael Redd for a three-pointer to make it 70-52. Instead of trying for some alley-oop dunk, Williams made the great read in looking back to Redd.
Williams also made a nice strip of J.R. Holden (following Bryant's lead of hounding Russia's top ball-handler) in the first quarter, leading to a Chris Paul layup, and knocked down a three-pointer to end the quarter against Russia's zone.
Even though Paul started the second half in place of Kidd, Williams was the only point guard on the floor for long stretches. He played in the second quarter as part of a lineup with Wade, Anthony, Bryant and Carlos Boozer.
Boozer played five minutes - - matched up against Kirilenko in that time - - in the second quarter and had two points and two fouls. Williams hit Boozer inside for the Jazz forward's only basket of the game.
The more I watch the U.S., the more I think their best five might be Williams, Bryant, Wade, Anthony and James. They're missing a true big man, obviously, but as far as explosiveness, that lineup would be it.
--Ross Siler
As much as Andrei Kirilenko criticized Jerry Sloan's style and praised Blatt's last summer, I was struck by what I saw in the final minute with the U.S. ahead by 20.
One of Russia's players inbounded the ball in front of his bench. When he cut the wrong way, Blatt shoved him the other direction. Blatt was stomping his feet in frustration with 20 seconds left when Russia took a shot he evidently didn't like.
Not exactly what I was expecting after the events of last summer. As for the game, Kirilenko finished with 18 points, eight rebounds and four assists, and could have posted an even bigger number had he not uncharacteristically missed six of 12 free throws.
We got to see Kirilenko playing power forward, as opposed to his usual role in Utah, and the Jazz forward had several nice moments. He posted up Chris Bosh in the second quarter, faked Bosh right, then went left and pounded in a layup.
Kirilenko's best stretch came in the third quarter, when Russia made it an eight-point game and put a scare in the U.S. Kirilenko assisted on two baskets, then drove twice on Carmelo Anthony for layups, first from the top of the key and then from the wing.
If Kobe Bryant didn't hit a tough three-pointer over Kirilenko, Russia probably would have made it even closer in the quarter. Have to say, the trend hasn't exactly been encouraging for the Americans in these three exhibition games.
They gave up 30 points to Turkey in the first quarter of Game 1. Lithuania had their lead down to nine points in the second quarter of the Game 2. Russia gave up few transition dunks, turned to a zone defense, and was within eight in the third quarter Sunday.
Kirilenko also hit two shots off inbounds plays, hustled back to block Anthony after a bad miss at the other end and got an easy basket in the middle of the lane after the U.S. tried its hand at a zone in the fourth quarter.
With Jason Kidd playing only 10 minutes and not starting the second half, Deron Williams finished with five points and nine assists in 20 minutes. Through three exhibitions, Williams has been the U.S.'s top point guard, even if he hasn't always played the position.
Williams was on the attack the whole game, epitomized by one play in the fourth quarter. He took out the ball and tried to rush it in as quickly as possible. Williams practically snatched it back from Dwyane Wade, drove the lane and hit Anthony for a layup.
After fighting one of Russia's big men for position on defense, Williams led the U.S. on the fast break and hit Michael Redd for a three-pointer to make it 70-52. Instead of trying for some alley-oop dunk, Williams made the great read in looking back to Redd.
Williams also made a nice strip of J.R. Holden (following Bryant's lead of hounding Russia's top ball-handler) in the first quarter, leading to a Chris Paul layup, and knocked down a three-pointer to end the quarter against Russia's zone.
Even though Paul started the second half in place of Kidd, Williams was the only point guard on the floor for long stretches. He played in the second quarter as part of a lineup with Wade, Anthony, Bryant and Carlos Boozer.
Boozer played five minutes - - matched up against Kirilenko in that time - - in the second quarter and had two points and two fouls. Williams hit Boozer inside for the Jazz forward's only basket of the game.
The more I watch the U.S., the more I think their best five might be Williams, Bryant, Wade, Anthony and James. They're missing a true big man, obviously, but as far as explosiveness, that lineup would be it.
--Ross Siler
7:15 PM
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5 Comments:
It was a little painful to see AK at the 4...and to be reminded that he might actually be worth his salary if he played at that position. He gets to hang around the key and harass shots, and watching Boozer try to guard him on the iso at the top of the arc was priceless. Booz had to foul him every time or AK would blow by him. (Not that everyone else doesn't blow by Booz, but anyways) It makes me think that the Jazz are essentially paying AK just so that some other team can't have him as their starting 4. Really unfortunate for everyone involved.
DWill checks in when the lead is down to 8. When he leaves they are up by 19 or 21. He sometimes seems like the only one out there who is playing to win.
Kidd at 35 is useless IMO
danny is right, Kidd is useless at this point, especially compared to DWill and Paul. Hopefully Coach K benches him before the medal rounds.
And I also echo that it's too bad that AK doesn't play power forward. I'd rather have Boozer, but AK is a great power forward and an average small forward.
After last season's playoffs what I'd really like to see is AK at power forward and Boozer traded somewhere for a decent center. At this point I am really doubting Boozer's worth. So he's obviously huge and ripped. He fills space in the middle nicely. He's got a good offensive game. But he is a total liability on defense. What's the value of size if you can't defend? And in last year's playoffs his offense disappeared for whole games. If he's a defensive liability and his offensive disappears at critical moments, where is the value?
Rex i, let the basketball Gods hear your prayer...
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