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RECAP: Team USA 119, China 73

Team USA continues its attempt at re-claiming a "global dominance" that seems to smell a lot like other U.S. imperialist exports of the past century and a half. The recent discourse around the state of Team USA in the midst of the increasingly globalized basketball community, a result of David Stern's own work for major $$$ no less, resembles the arrogance of Teddy Roosevelt's "Great White Fleet" or the intervention in the Middle East of our current administration; Team USA this time around, however, appears less ugly...or rather, diplomatic if you will.

Full of fresh-faced emerging NBA players, several who would be college seniors had they gone to college, and solid "veteran leadership" (if you wanna call Bruce Bowen a leader...), this Team USA has looked more `team' than a `dream.' (bu-dum-ching!)

Team USA looked pretty solid at the start of the second quarter as they broke out to a 60-37 lead by half time.  Lebron seemed to have his way, getting to the hoop with ease.  China's bigs couldn't quite contain Bosh, Howard, and Miller inside or outside.  

Though, I don't know if I would necessarily give Team USA all the credit given that China had tons of unforced errors and mental mistakes that are hardly attributable to Team USA's supposed new penchant for defense.  There were countless intense wide-open bricks that looked like they could only come from something a la Adonal Foyle's summer basketball camps; tons of soft passes into traffic; and just poor protection of the ball in one-on-one coverage.  Team USA is a superior team, but China looked like the team that the Harlem Globetrotters always play against.

Yet the game gave us a peek at the potentially hottest imports from China since cheap labor; cheaply manufactured goods; and those takeout boxes you always see on television: Yi Jianlian and Chen Jianghua.

Although Yi hardly dominated the competition, he showed he had a "motor" and an aggressivity that teams like the Warriors incredibly lack.  He has a couple nice blocks, dunks, fade aways, and handles--the last Warrior big man to do that might have been the infamous Marc Jackson.  He's definitely a project, but not to the dimensions as say Biedrins or "The Chef."  Plus, with the players around him who can't get him the ball, poor coaching, and poor competition, its obvious that they're underutilizing him.  

Chen, on the other hand, looks like he'll break the stereotype that China is full of awkwardly built giants.  With speed and handles, and fauxhawk leading to a rats-tail haircut--this kid is looking more and more the China's version of Allen Iverson...or Jason Williams.  NBAdraft.net's report says he's "lazy" too; hardly a model minority.  He's breakin' stereotypes and ankles!  Check him here:

Even though I'm of Chinese descent, I'm not nationalistic nor jingoistic; ethnocentrism hardly precludes or should be mistaken with patriotism (with exception of the KKK).  All I gotta say is that these kids got GAME.  Perhaps not top 5 picks, but if Kwame Brown still has "potential" @ the age of 24 and Dunleavy is still "hitting his stride @ 26," these two def. have major upside and a place in the league.

Do you think Chen, like Yi, will have a chance to blow up state-side bigger than Panda Express and other cheap Chinese foods found everywhere and loved by everyone from the hood to the 'burbs???

Also see: China vs USA- It's Yi Time!

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Dang djfuzzy,
...you must read a lot of Howard Zinn. Seriously though, It really bothers me when people drag politics into sports discussions, particularly regarding touchy subjects.

by Jeremy Belvins on Aug 8, 2006 10:44 AM PDT reply actions  

Point taken...
...I couldn't help but notice some of the similarities between the contradictions between basketball in the U.S. and its fear of the international game and other similarly contradictory aspects of U.S. foreign policy.  True, they aren't one and the same, but the rhetoric behind both is eerily "coincidental" wouldn't you say?  

Anyhow, the comments are meant to be as satirical as much as they are fun.  There was no intention to be offensive; though to imagine politics as existing in a vacumm completely separated from the realm of sports and entertainment seems, to me, highly unlikely.  

by dj fuzzylogic on Aug 8, 2006 11:15 AM PDT reply actions  

Yeah,
I hadn't had my coffee yet, so I was a lil grumpy. Since we're on the topic: I do consider many expressions of American "patriotism" to be jingoistic rubbish and, although I typically root for team USA to dominate, I've become a fan of other national teams.

During the world cup, I found myself pulling for Ghana, up until they played the USA team. Then I was like,"you're goin' down ghana!"

by Jeremy Belvins on Aug 8, 2006 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions  

I think USA Hoops is finally losing the arrogance
They're finally recognizing that they can't just walk around and dominate by choosing any random group of NBA players. USA hoops has to adapt to the international game and respect it.

They're well on their way to the Gold with this new philosophy.


93 'til Infinity: The Warriors' playoff drought?

by Atma Brother ONE on Aug 8, 2006 11:42 AM PDT reply actions  

a friendly request
you guys do a great job with this site.  i'm a long time warrior fan and season ticket holder.

i come here for a daily escape from politics and life's harsh realities.

personally, one vote from me to keep politics out of the discussions.

by TMC Forever on Aug 8, 2006 11:59 AM PDT reply actions  

friendly response
I am honored that you make GSoM a daily stop.

This is honestly a really tough one TMC Forever. This isn't by definition a political site; it's a site about hoops culture, the Bay, bringing some unique perspectives to the sports world, and of course the Warriors. However, from time to time life's harsh realities are going to creep in. Just keeping it conscious.

I do hope we don't turn anyone off when life's unfortunate realities get tackled on GSoM, but remember that this post was only one out of 5 or 6 posts from the last 3 days of this nature. I don't think you'll find a happier and comedic bunch of Warriors fans.

Definitely let us know your thoughts on this one TMC Forever and everyone else. We don't ever want to alienate anyone.


93 'til Infinity: The Warriors' playoff drought?

by Atma Brother ONE on Aug 8, 2006 9:28 PM PDT up reply actions  

USA hoops
What USA hoops has been missing on the international stage is a perimeter assassin.  The last olympic team lost because they couldn't take advantage of the short 3-point line.  You put Ray Allen in there for Iverson and the result is much different.

As for Yi, I hope the Warriors don't end up with him.  There is a ton of talent in the college ranks that is more projectable and less of a "project."  For years the NBA was behind in the scouting of international players v. homegrown talent.  Sprinkle a Dirk here and a Peja or Yao there and the draft is littered with international busts.  The W's two good recent drafts were: JRich, Troy, and Arenas, and last years Ike, Monte, Taft.  When was the last time the Warriors scored with an international prospect, Marcilonus (sp.)?

In other news the USA pulled out a tough victory against Brazil today.  I wouldn't be suprised for this sqaud to struggle to a second or third place finish in the World's and then return in two years to dominate the olympics.  Thoughts?

by bigrobbieb on Aug 8, 2006 12:05 PM PDT reply actions  

No
They're losing in the Quarterfinals to Spain.

by Zorgon on Aug 8, 2006 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions  

feelin the new Team USA
I think they have a lot of potential to dominate in the years to come even with the team they have now.  Maybe the losss of Carmelo Anthony halfway had something to do with the closeness of the game.  

From what I'm seen so far though, is that they look pretty rusty and their half court game didn't look that much different than say China's: kinda outta of sync, make a few passes here and there and chuck it if they're open.  Perhaps more time to gel and learn the international game will improve their chances.

I think drafting anywhere (1st round-2nd round) and  everywhere (international or homegrown) is a crapshoot.  There's no real logic to it.  For every Jiri Welsch, theres 100 Jeryl Sassers (or Vonteego Cummings); with every Wang Zizi theres about 200 Kirk Hastons or Marcus Haislips.  For every Yao Ming, there are few Lebrons, Duncans, etc in relation to how many U.S. players get drafted in the whole draft.  Its hard to judge what's a better deal.  I have come to believe that the U.S. game, kids tend to overly rely on athleticism to the point that it overdetermines ones abilities.  The same could be said for international players and there "all-around fundamentals" and utter lack of atheticism.  

Are there players that I think are better than Yi, hell ya. Would i love Yi on our team as a late 1st or even 2nd rd pick, of course!

by dj fuzzylogic on Aug 8, 2006 1:47 PM PDT reply actions  

A lot of good points to discuss
Team USA - The team was built for the Olympics as evidenced by the young nucleus and should only get better.  I would still like to see more pure shooters on the roster, as a lineup featuring Lebron, Wade, etc. is sure to produce a ton of drive and dish opportunities.  The key to this roster is getting more players accustom to playing off the ball, while in the NBA most of them dominate it for 48 minutes.

International v. homegrown - My main point (however poorly stated) was that the scouts know more about the domestic players due to a higher level of competition.  I agree with the over-reliance on athletecism by the US players.  That combined with the complete lack of a mid-range game and being able to travel/carry/palm at will in the NBA are the biggest downfalls to the US game in general.  I tend to believe most international players struggle with the NBA game because of the physical nature.  I don't know if lack of athleticism is the right word as most international players in the NBA are big men, very few of which are athletic anywhere.

Yi - I just don't buy into the hype.  I would rather see the Warriors address the ongoing small forward fiasco in the first round (hopefully not the lottery unless by trade).  I liked Brewer for the spot in this year's draft class, but with the W's there's always next year's draft to look forward to.

by bigrobbieb on Aug 8, 2006 2:25 PM PDT up reply actions  

Well...
I think that this game was unfair. China without Zhi Zhi and Yao might as well be as good as Puerto Rico. Or, for that matter, the Rockets without T-Mac or Yao last season.

Before I was aware of their injuries, I predicted China losing in the finals against Lithuania.

I don't think Yi will be an All-Star (although you never know with China voting), however, I think he will be a good asset to our team. He will provide the inside presence we need, while letting Foyle be a nice backup defensive stopper, and letting Murphy (if we still have him) shoot his jumpshots like he wants to.

Once Yao and Zhi Zhi get better, this team will be far, far above this embarassment.

And Zhi Zhi wasn't that bad.

by Zorgon on Aug 8, 2006 3:28 PM PDT reply actions  

Yi and Chen
A tough game to evaluate Yi since he played out of position at C when he is more suited to play the 3/4 for now.

That said, he was able to show off some of his advertised athleticism and has very quick feets. He is an intriguing project.

As for Chen, for someone who has yet to even play in the men's level competition in China, he sure showed his heart there. He was very relentless going to the basket and generally has had good looks - whether it was a scoring opportunity for himself or a good passing angle for his teammates. He also looks to have a bright future.

by MightyReds2020 on Aug 8, 2006 3:33 PM PDT reply actions  

huge brewer fan myself...
Even though there were reports that Brewer couldn't shoot, he seemed to have the versatility, athelticism, and defense that we've wanted but couldn't quite get from the Dun + MP2 tandem.

bigrobbieb-my mistake, to say the euros lack athelticism all together is an overstatement.  I completley agree with ya that Team USA needs some real shooters, ala Redd, Allen, etc.  I would love to know what Brazil did today to contain the U.S.  In a few years though, Team USA could be real dominate of they stay committed.  It definitely looks as if zone defenses are going to hurt them though as players like Anthony seem strongest when they attack the basket to get to the line.

by dj fuzzylogic on Aug 8, 2006 4:53 PM PDT reply actions  

aggressivity
http://www.google.com/search?hs=qGI&hl=en&lr=&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen- US%3Aofficial&q=define%3A+aggressivity&btnG=Search

i'm sorry if im not a major in english, perhaps you could enlighten me in the definition of aggressivity

by chimp on Aug 8, 2006 7:03 PM PDT reply actions  

defined
aggressivity: (noun) the act of posting a weak comment in response to another great DJ Fuzzy Logic piece

(hahaha, just joking chimp)


93 'til Infinity: The Warriors' playoff drought?

by Atma Brother ONE on Aug 8, 2006 9:16 PM PDT up reply actions  

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