Italy 95, USA 78

The "Basketball for Thought" is a commentary by Kris Gardner.

August 3, 2004

I would not have believed it if I had not watched it myself: Italy 95, USA 78. Heck, I saw the game; and, honestly, I'm still in a state of disbelief.

ITALY 95, USA 78.

Damn, I know the rest of the "basketball world" has narrowed the gap to the United States; but, I never imagined a national team would lay the smackdown on Team USA. But, give Italy credit. They dominated Larry Brown's young basketball team and kicked butt. Period. Fortunately for USA Basketball, this loss was in an exhibition game and not the Olympics; but, the message Italy sent should be loud and clear: The USA's Men's Basketball Team is in trouble. Deep trouble.

I'm very surprised Team USA lost; however, I'm completely dumbfounded at how Team USA lost the game. Italy's guards broke down the perimeter defense of Allen Iverson and Stephon Marbury and the rest of the Americans at will. They blew by them whenever they felt the need. As a result, Italy's guards penetrated the free throw lane; drew the help defense from USA's big men; passed out to wide open teammates behind the three-point line; and...swish -- nothing but net. Splash or as the kids say today -- Wet!

Italy scored 95 points against a Larry Brown coached team! How could that be?! I'll tell you how...While Team USA does not have great outside shooters (as the US media has repeated ad nauseam), Team USA does not have guys who can play great defense and lock down a man -- especially if the referees are calling hand touches and fouls that would not be called in an NBA game. Big men Carlos Boozer, Emeka Okafor, and Amare Stoudemire are not used to defending big men on the perimeter who prefer to shoot threes instead of banging in the paint. (I didn't include Tim Duncan because he's really Team USA's best low post defender and he won't be guarding too many buys away from the basket.)

The officiating during the game left a lot to be desired; however, if Team USA did not grasp what the coaches have preached to them in practice about bad calls, they got a crystal clear example of the "questionable calls" today.

Oddly enough, I predicted Team USA would win the gold medal in next month's Olympics based on the Americans' superior athleticism. I forgot basketball is much more than being athletic. Knowing how to play the game "the right way" is very important, also. Understanding the differences in international basketball are key, too.

The average age of Team USA is slightly under 24 years old; and, that's including "gray beard" Allen Iverson who's 29! The team's inexperience really came through in the loss to Italy. The guys did not adjust at all to defending the three-point attempts. In international play, it's very important to make opponents put the ball on the floor instead of allowing players to shoot stand-still shots. Press full court in order to maximize your quick hands, quick feet, and athleticism. Do not allow your opponents to get into a rhythm on offense. Bill Walton, color analyst during the game, said a telling statement (I'm paraphrasing), "Italy is playing like the Detroit Pistons when the Pistons upset the Lakers." Therefore, Larry Brown's Team USA squad lost to a team which played like his NBA squad. Go figure.

I'm not going to take this time to take shots at all of the NBA superstars who turned down invitations to be on this squad. That time is over and done. ESPN aired the game; and, the program which followed Italy's stunning win was the "And 1 Mix Tape Tour". The popularity of that tour has exploded across America showcasing a lot of flash and style (and lack of fundamentals) which have uglied up America's game and led to performances like this one in the loss to Italy.

With this thumping received by the Men's Team, maybe the media will show "some love" to the US team which has the better shot of bringing home gold -- the Women's Team. Nah. I doubt it.