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Utah Jazz: U.S. men avenge 2006 loss with 92-69 win over Greece
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CougarKeith | 8:36 a.m. Aug. 14, 2008
It's Team "USA" not Utah Jazz, why is it titled "Utah Jazz:
U.S. men avenge 2006...." The Redeem Team is a bunch of good guys, they
better plan on a silver, they have the talent, not the heart. That is the
problem with all these Professionals going to the Olympics!
dawn | 8:41 a.m. Aug. 14, 2008
you guys better good this year iam a big fan off guys so this year we can do it
and no chokein up
Comments continue below
Anonymous | 8:43 a.m. Aug. 14, 2008
I love that this is tagged as a Utah Jazz story, yet it doesn't even
mention Boozer or D-Will. Way to go.
Basketballogy | 8:50 a.m. Aug. 14, 2008
Greece was surprisingly physical, and allowed to move on screens, camp in the
key, and shove USA players as they jumped for rebounds or shots.
In the 1st quarter, Coach K nearly got a technical foul. He went at the refs at a substitution with players pulling him back.
Back to Bosh, Greece kept forcing USA to switch on screens, then would isolate a big (Dwight Howard or Chris Bosh) against a guard at the top of the key. It looked like certain free throws or points for Greece, but Bosh has lightening fast hands (and his feet weren't bad either), and he kept thwarting the mismatch Greece was trying to exploit, with deflections, steals, blocks, or altering their shots.
Bosh and Wade have upped their stock in these Olympics.
Carlos had VERY limited minutes (6), but made 100% of his shots (2). He had no rebounds though, and 2 fouls.
Williams was brilliant. He played as many minutes as Kobe and is such a great team player. The world knows who he is now, that's for sure.
Both Lebron and Chris Paul missed all their 3 point attempts, but Kobe and Carmelo shot well from the arc.
In the 1st quarter, Coach K nearly got a technical foul. He went at the refs at a substitution with players pulling him back.
Back to Bosh, Greece kept forcing USA to switch on screens, then would isolate a big (Dwight Howard or Chris Bosh) against a guard at the top of the key. It looked like certain free throws or points for Greece, but Bosh has lightening fast hands (and his feet weren't bad either), and he kept thwarting the mismatch Greece was trying to exploit, with deflections, steals, blocks, or altering their shots.
Bosh and Wade have upped their stock in these Olympics.
Carlos had VERY limited minutes (6), but made 100% of his shots (2). He had no rebounds though, and 2 fouls.
Williams was brilliant. He played as many minutes as Kobe and is such a great team player. The world knows who he is now, that's for sure.
Both Lebron and Chris Paul missed all their 3 point attempts, but Kobe and Carmelo shot well from the arc.
re: Basketballogy | 9:10 a.m. Aug. 14, 2008
Thanks for the novel/replay of the game. After reading that, I feel like I just
watched the game for a 2nd time.
Quit nit picking! | 9:19 a.m. Aug. 14, 2008
LOL! I can't believe the people whining about the article filed under
"Jazz." If you look, the site doesn't have an NBA category, or
Olympics, so Jazz is the closest they have. Give 'em a break and quit
nitpicking for heaven's sake!
CougarKeith, what planet do you live on? Anyone who thinks LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Jason Kidd, and Chris Bosh doesn't have heart must be living under a rock. There are 9 NBA Finals series just in that list.
If USA gets a silver, it won't be because of a lack of heart, or talent, it will be a lack of SIZE. Spain is HUGE.
CougarKeith, what planet do you live on? Anyone who thinks LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Jason Kidd, and Chris Bosh doesn't have heart must be living under a rock. There are 9 NBA Finals series just in that list.
If USA gets a silver, it won't be because of a lack of heart, or talent, it will be a lack of SIZE. Spain is HUGE.
casual fan | 9:20 a.m. Aug. 14, 2008
Doggone. I was pulling for Greece.
The Truth | 9:49 a.m. Aug. 14, 2008
One thing that Basketballwhatever failed to mention above, is the guy Boozer is
guarding is scoring on him at a tremendous rate, China, Greece or
whomever....I'm convinced that he can't play D. Which makes me wonder
if he will ever be championship material......just a thought for those Boozer
lovers.....
???? | 10:10 a.m. Aug. 14, 2008
All you people saying the U.S. will not win the GOLD are a joke the times we did
not win the GOLD we did not have the elite players of our country on the team
Redick was on the team!!!! We still do not even have ALL of our nations best and
we are dominating!!! So all you people sayin the U.S. wont win GOLD are
embarrassing
Re: The Truth | 10:54 a.m. Aug. 14, 2008
I am not a Boozer fan, D-Will fan, nor do I want anything to do with the Jazz.
But I have to call you out. Your quote: "the guy Boozer is guarding is
scoring on him at a tremendous rate, China, Greece or whomever..." How can
you throw that out there with no evidence to back it up. You probably can't
even name one player Boozer has had to guard. I also have a hard time believing
Boozer is getting scored on at a "tremendous rate" when he's
playing less than ten minutes a game. We all know he's not a great defender
and never will be, but please do some research before you make such a claim. Go
Pacers.
RE: Nit Picking | 11:18 a.m. Aug. 14, 2008
There is an Olympic option. I like read up on the events there. But I agree with
you about the complaints. Get over it people.
Riggs | 11:26 a.m. Aug. 14, 2008
Looking forward to two bruising games with Spain, once in the preliminaries
coming up next and probably again for the gold. Great article, but did not
mention the tremendous defensive effort of Kobe Bryant who quarterbacked the
defense along with Wade and Bosh. Coach K will need Boozer's best
defensive effort to win against Spain.
Anonymous | 12:04 p.m. Aug. 14, 2008
Dwill was getting mugged on the high pick and roll.
Nice international officiating as always.
Nice international officiating as always.
The Truth Too | 12:24 p.m. Aug. 14, 2008
The Truth is absolutely right about Boozer, it was embarrasing watching big slow
Greek guys blow past him. He is a great offensive player, but his defense is
what will hurt the Jazz from winning a championship.
Basketballogy | 12:36 p.m. Aug. 14, 2008
I didn't realize how many critical and negative people there are here.
Has anyone ever wondered WHY Carlos Boozer was drafted 6th in the SECOND round?
Hasn't anyone ever wondered why Boozer shoots with such a high arc?
The answer for both questions is Carlos Boozer is undersized at his position.
Carlos is a small forward size with a power forward's body, but he has a lot of heart and makes the best of it and has been overachieving his entire career.
However, against very tall teams, like the Lakers front line, and Greece's, Carlos really struggles.
Rather than lunge to block shots, Carlos usually uses his strength to position defenders further from the basket so they take more difficult shots.
But when there is more than one big to contend with, like with the Lakers' VERY big front line, Carlos gets called for pushing fouls trying to negate their advantage, then has to back off and play soft.
It would help if the Jazz had a true center, rather than a 7 foot perimeter jump shooter.
Has anyone ever wondered WHY Carlos Boozer was drafted 6th in the SECOND round?
Hasn't anyone ever wondered why Boozer shoots with such a high arc?
The answer for both questions is Carlos Boozer is undersized at his position.
Carlos is a small forward size with a power forward's body, but he has a lot of heart and makes the best of it and has been overachieving his entire career.
However, against very tall teams, like the Lakers front line, and Greece's, Carlos really struggles.
Rather than lunge to block shots, Carlos usually uses his strength to position defenders further from the basket so they take more difficult shots.
But when there is more than one big to contend with, like with the Lakers' VERY big front line, Carlos gets called for pushing fouls trying to negate their advantage, then has to back off and play soft.
It would help if the Jazz had a true center, rather than a 7 foot perimeter jump shooter.
Gold All The Way Baby! | 12:54 p.m. Aug. 14, 2008
Too much talent for other squads to handle.
This team lacks the size of some of the former Dream Teams, but they have too many guys that can create their own shots, and that can handle the rock.
I see Gold in America's future, and there is nothing the rest of the world can do about it!
Basketball is as American as apple pie, so the Gold medal is rightfully ours!
With Chris Paul, D-Will, Lebron, Kobe, Wade, and the rest, who needs size? What for? To clean the offensive glass? There's nothing to clean, these guys are automatic!
And defense? They're too quick for international play. The only time I've seen more steals, was during the LA riots. Are you kidding me, this team is goona win silver?
Gold, Gold, and more Gold.
The Olympics ought to add 3 on 3, and 1 on 1. Maybe in 1 on 1, the rest of the world would have a shot at Gold, nahh we got Lebron and Kobe.
This team lacks the size of some of the former Dream Teams, but they have too many guys that can create their own shots, and that can handle the rock.
I see Gold in America's future, and there is nothing the rest of the world can do about it!
Basketball is as American as apple pie, so the Gold medal is rightfully ours!
With Chris Paul, D-Will, Lebron, Kobe, Wade, and the rest, who needs size? What for? To clean the offensive glass? There's nothing to clean, these guys are automatic!
And defense? They're too quick for international play. The only time I've seen more steals, was during the LA riots. Are you kidding me, this team is goona win silver?
Gold, Gold, and more Gold.
The Olympics ought to add 3 on 3, and 1 on 1. Maybe in 1 on 1, the rest of the world would have a shot at Gold, nahh we got Lebron and Kobe.
Good luck USA! | 1:12 p.m. Aug. 14, 2008
Go for the Gold!
These guys are Automatic? | 2:06 p.m. Aug. 14, 2008
5-21 from the 3 pt. line???
Anonymous | 2:09 p.m. Aug. 14, 2008
That was a sweet win. U.S. beat Greece at its own game, scrappiness, craftiness
and defense. Wade saving a ball from out of bounds and throwing an 'oop to
Kobe was an early exclamation point. Bosh was impressive, too. He's a
likable guy and an ever-improving talent. Keep it up and the gold is yours.
RE: Anonymous | 2:54 p.m. Aug. 14, 2008
Bosh has been a revelation in the Olympics. During the whole game I kept
thinking how much I wished he played for Utah. He was even successfully d-ing up
Greece's venerated point guards on switches. I'm not a Boozer hater,
but I can't in a million years imagine Boozer doing that.
The guy who complained about Team USA having no heart clearly didn't watch the game. Team USA (and in particular Bosh, Wade, and Lebron) was all heart.
The guy who complained about Team USA having no heart clearly didn't watch the game. Team USA (and in particular Bosh, Wade, and Lebron) was all heart.
BP | 3:09 p.m. Aug. 14, 2008
Basketballogy is right on, couldn't have said it better myself, and I am
NOT Basketballogy with a different name, for those of you conspiracy theorists.
I am just Jazz fan tired of reading ignorant comments. I have communicated some
similar ideas about Booz in the past, but Basketballogy sums it up better than I
have.
The Reality: Boozer haters do not fully understand basketball and especially the very under-discussed topic of Matchups in the NBA/Olympics.
Boozer doesn't play well against agile bigs, for obvious reasons. Yao Ming types are a different story, as Boozer played great defense on Yao in the 2007 playoffs. WHY? Yao is slow and soft and Boozer can body him and out pace him.
I don't love everything about Boozer, just for the record. It's just that my basketball knowledge (though imperfect I will admit) gives me cause to be patient and see what happens when we get a true low post center to help the BOOZSTER.
But I invite all of you readers to RE-READ Basketballogy's 12:36pm comment. Because that is the reality of Booz' poor defense. And I think those that watch all 82 Jazz games would agree after some serious thought.
The Reality: Boozer haters do not fully understand basketball and especially the very under-discussed topic of Matchups in the NBA/Olympics.
Boozer doesn't play well against agile bigs, for obvious reasons. Yao Ming types are a different story, as Boozer played great defense on Yao in the 2007 playoffs. WHY? Yao is slow and soft and Boozer can body him and out pace him.
I don't love everything about Boozer, just for the record. It's just that my basketball knowledge (though imperfect I will admit) gives me cause to be patient and see what happens when we get a true low post center to help the BOOZSTER.
But I invite all of you readers to RE-READ Basketballogy's 12:36pm comment. Because that is the reality of Booz' poor defense. And I think those that watch all 82 Jazz games would agree after some serious thought.
Sports Insanity | 5:59 p.m. Aug. 14, 2008
Claearly we should not be sending our experienced pros to the olypmics.
IT should limited to pros who have played 3 years or less in NBA and and those have just been drafted in most recent draft.
TO BOOZER SUPPORTERS:
Sure boozer can help your team win many regular season games, but he will never win your team a championship.
So really it just depends on what you think is most important. winnning in the regular season or winning a championship.
NOT on your opinion of who has the most basketball knowledge. Hating or loving Loving Boozer does NOT prove knowledge one way or the other.
You have to have certain kinds players to win championships. having boozer meand you don't have the big guy you need.
And worse it means you are spending your money dedicating a roster spot on player that keeps you from winning a chamionship and getting the player you actually need.
IT should limited to pros who have played 3 years or less in NBA and and those have just been drafted in most recent draft.
TO BOOZER SUPPORTERS:
Sure boozer can help your team win many regular season games, but he will never win your team a championship.
So really it just depends on what you think is most important. winnning in the regular season or winning a championship.
NOT on your opinion of who has the most basketball knowledge. Hating or loving Loving Boozer does NOT prove knowledge one way or the other.
You have to have certain kinds players to win championships. having boozer meand you don't have the big guy you need.
And worse it means you are spending your money dedicating a roster spot on player that keeps you from winning a chamionship and getting the player you actually need.
Basketballogy | 6:30 p.m. Aug. 14, 2008
Yep, that guy is not me.
We "clearly" should limit our pros? It's not clear to me.
Why should every other country be allowed to send their best but us? China has 1/5 of the world's population, basketball is "insanely" popular over there... in the next 10 years they will be a basketball powerhouse.
And we are supposed to send Greg Odon and Brandon Roy to deal with that?
What impressed me most about this win was that the team Greece fielded today was definitely BETTER than the team that beat USA 2 years ago.
TeamUSA just grew more.
Yes, Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd were a strong positive factor in today�s win, but Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade were even more of a factor. TeamUSA, as a team is growing.
In 2004, Allen Iverson and Stephon Marbury were USA�s backcourt.
In 2006, Kirk Hinrich and Joe Johnson were the back court.
Now Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd, Dwayne Wade, Deron Williams, Chris Paul and Michael Redd make up our back court. Talented guards, yes, but mature men and team players as well.
The current philosophy for TeamUSA is working. It is the right direction for us for now.
We "clearly" should limit our pros? It's not clear to me.
Why should every other country be allowed to send their best but us? China has 1/5 of the world's population, basketball is "insanely" popular over there... in the next 10 years they will be a basketball powerhouse.
And we are supposed to send Greg Odon and Brandon Roy to deal with that?
What impressed me most about this win was that the team Greece fielded today was definitely BETTER than the team that beat USA 2 years ago.
TeamUSA just grew more.
Yes, Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd were a strong positive factor in today�s win, but Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade were even more of a factor. TeamUSA, as a team is growing.
In 2004, Allen Iverson and Stephon Marbury were USA�s backcourt.
In 2006, Kirk Hinrich and Joe Johnson were the back court.
Now Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd, Dwayne Wade, Deron Williams, Chris Paul and Michael Redd make up our back court. Talented guards, yes, but mature men and team players as well.
The current philosophy for TeamUSA is working. It is the right direction for us for now.
Basketballogy | 7:01 p.m. Aug. 14, 2008
"Sports Insanity," forgive my frankness, but I can't find a bit
of sense in what you posted.
Why on EARTH would you say Boozer isn't championship material?
I was there when he won back to back state championships for Juneau-Douglas high school (and the year they lost to East).
I was watching when Boozer and Duke won the NCAA championship in 2001.
I may well be watching when Boozer gets a gold medal draped around his neck.
Carlos Boozer has been a champion at every level of basketball he has played. What on EARTH could inspire you to say otherwise?
And why should USA "clearly" only send its youngest players to play against the rest of the world's best?
I just can't see the sense in any of that. :-(
Why on EARTH would you say Boozer isn't championship material?
I was there when he won back to back state championships for Juneau-Douglas high school (and the year they lost to East).
I was watching when Boozer and Duke won the NCAA championship in 2001.
I may well be watching when Boozer gets a gold medal draped around his neck.
Carlos Boozer has been a champion at every level of basketball he has played. What on EARTH could inspire you to say otherwise?
And why should USA "clearly" only send its youngest players to play against the rest of the world's best?
I just can't see the sense in any of that. :-(
Re: CougarKeith | 7:33 p.m. Aug. 14, 2008
Then who would you like us to send? I bet you would like Byu to go over to
Beijing huh? If you had any sort of an idea about this team, you wouldn't
say anything like that. This team is on a mission. Thats all there is to it.
When you combine the best players in the world with more purpose and heart than
anyone in the olympics, they'll win gold. Just take this morning for
example... They lose to Greece 2 years ago because they didn't care and
thought they could get by just on talent. Now when they know and care about
what's at stake, they trounce them by 25 points. Think before you speak.
BP | 12:15 a.m. Aug. 15, 2008
Stole my thunder again Bballogy, but its ok...I had forgotten about booz'
high school success.
Sports Insanity: appropriate name to coincide with your post. Booz doesn't have to be the team leader, Dwill is. Name the last small or power forward to be the leader on an NBA championship team? Can't include Duncan, he's 7ft. Mostly it is point and 2 guards, and sometimes centers.
As far as bball knowledge and Boozer loving...I never claimed either absolutely in my post...if you had read it slower you might have not stuck your foot in your mouth. Not to mention your logic is off, and kind of silly. Boozer loving leading to superior Bball knowledge as it relaters to winning championships??? Got me. The bball knowledge I refer to is simply knowing that a team can't win in the NBA with only one good big, especially at the 4 spot. That's why I am willing to be patient with Booz exposure on the defensive end. If he is a liability after we get him another big at the 5 spot, I'd be the first to swap him for the good of the team. Don't give up on Booz though, he'll be fine.
Sports Insanity: appropriate name to coincide with your post. Booz doesn't have to be the team leader, Dwill is. Name the last small or power forward to be the leader on an NBA championship team? Can't include Duncan, he's 7ft. Mostly it is point and 2 guards, and sometimes centers.
As far as bball knowledge and Boozer loving...I never claimed either absolutely in my post...if you had read it slower you might have not stuck your foot in your mouth. Not to mention your logic is off, and kind of silly. Boozer loving leading to superior Bball knowledge as it relaters to winning championships??? Got me. The bball knowledge I refer to is simply knowing that a team can't win in the NBA with only one good big, especially at the 4 spot. That's why I am willing to be patient with Booz exposure on the defensive end. If he is a liability after we get him another big at the 5 spot, I'd be the first to swap him for the good of the team. Don't give up on Booz though, he'll be fine.
RE: BP | 6:17 p.m. Aug. 15, 2008
Dr. J
Larry Bird
Magic played point but was really a forward
There's few for ya.
Now name championship team lead by true power forward or one atleast one 6'9 or under?
You have go back to the seventies with elvin hayes and back even further to the fifties with bob petitt andin those day steams were much smaller and skinnier and by the way those guyys were great defensive players.
IF all say boozer needs a big man then I guess boozer is not really bigman himself.
That fact is virtually all teams who have won a chamionships have had role players at power forward.
That role: to play defense and rebound.
Just check it out.
Larry Bird
Magic played point but was really a forward
There's few for ya.
Now name championship team lead by true power forward or one atleast one 6'9 or under?
You have go back to the seventies with elvin hayes and back even further to the fifties with bob petitt andin those day steams were much smaller and skinnier and by the way those guyys were great defensive players.
IF all say boozer needs a big man then I guess boozer is not really bigman himself.
That fact is virtually all teams who have won a chamionships have had role players at power forward.
That role: to play defense and rebound.
Just check it out.
all you malcontents | 3:02 p.m. Aug. 16, 2008
better rethink your positions. It's not about who we should be SENDING to
compete, it's all about who will make the COMMITTMENT and is WILLING to go.
Coach K's first criterion was finding players who would commit for 4 years.
Then he began to pick those players best suited to a style of play that would
have the best chance at defeating the Euro's......many of the NBA's
best want nothing to do with the olympic experience. They'd rather have the
time off in the summer season.
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Bosh was the other monster.
Greece added a twist to their pick and roll offense that befuddled TeamUSA in Japan: they ran picks off the ball at the same time as the pick and roll. The result was deep entry passes to bigs for easy scores, and mismatches in USA's man to man defense that Greece tried to exploit.
In the 2nd quarter, USA was finally able to increase the pace of the game and broke it open for a lead it held onto the rest of the game.
Kobe struggled with his outside shot again, then did something I wouldn't have done, but it worked for him. He quit shooting 3s at the International line, BACKED UP, and shot them about where the NBA arc would be. Sure enough, he started shooting better.
USA had 5 quick fouls before Greece had any.