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U.S. survives Australian threat

...should not be starting. In fact, he shouldn't even be playing on Team USA. Coach K needs to bench Kidd and start Williams or even Paul instead.

It's good to see D-Will getting quality P.T. for team USA. His drive & kick game is what international ball is all about. Problem is, they don't play Redd enough. He's kicking out to Carmello, LeBron & Paul, non of which are great outside shooters. When they meet up with "real" teams in the Olympics they better play better. The D has been weak. Yes, they've pressured the ball well, but international teams are far too good at hitting the 3 to leave open the way they have. Also, you can see that a lot of guys are trying hard to play together, but there is still way too much isolation. I think there will be a serious reality check to come when they match up against Argentina, Spain & company. I still think they can (& should) win, but there is still work to be done. One more thing.... even with all the talent on that team, Kobe still finds it important to shoot 90% of the time he touches the ball & the few times he does actually pass he gets huge credit from TV announcers, like he's the best teammate in the world... why? GO USA!

I shoot the ball better than Jason Kidd. I can at least knock down a jumper. I know I play better defense than him. Give the ball to LeBron and get out of the way. We don't need a point guard with Kobe and LeBron on the team. Put the 5 best players on the floor and let's play ball. No gold for this team!!!

To add to my earlier comments about Kobe, I found this comment from "Dime Magazine" right on the money:

Dime: "Is something wrong with Kobe? While 'Melo, LeBron, and D-Wade all seem to really grasp how to play on this All-Star team in the international system, Kobe looks clueless at times. It's not just that he's trying to go one-one-one too much, it's that he doesn�t even seem to be looking for anyone else. Once Mamba stepped off the floor, the Americans went on a 7-0 run."

Perfect! Couldn't had said it better. I'd like to see the +/- with Kobe on & off the court.

And to make one more point. I know KG & Duncan turned down the opportunity to play, but there had to be at least one more skilled big man that could have made the team. Just seems like being forced to play 3 SG/SF's-types at all times may be part of the problem with the isolation offense the U.S. continues to resort to. Too many guys that are used to creating their own shot & not enough guys setting screens, posting up & finding open space for jump-shots.

Our team has been painful to watch play.

Kobe just does not have a high basketball IQ, which is why he is always struggling to fit within a team structure (and Carmelo is even worse).

You'd think you could teach 12 of our best players a few offensive plays against the zone...

The only time I've seen them play well is when D-Will and Booze played some pick and roll. There was finally a semblance of a gameplan on the floor.

What they need is strong coaching, which is nigh impossible when the players look at appearing as a favor they're doing.

Still you'd think that with D-Will, LeBron, Dwight Howard, Bosh, Boozer and Wade, you'd have a nucleus that can actually play team ball...