The USA’s 2012 Olympic basketball squad just finished a competitive exhibition game against Argentina. Ranked 4th in world basketball, Argentina surprised very few in their execution and fluidity. Team USA stormed off to an early 14-1 lead, behind perfect shooting from deep, to the tune of 5-5. It looked like Argentina was going to be victim to another USA trouncing. Fortunately, the Argentines showed an aggressive mind set and a refusal to be overrun. Behind respectable performances by its core of Ginobili, Scola, and Delfino, Argentina put on a display of perhaps the only weakness Team USA has.
No, it’s not that ridiculous notion that the US lacks size. In fact, I shouldn’t call it ridiculous, because, in its own way, it’s technically true. Outside of Chandler, there’s Kevin Love and a rookie. So, in terms of defense, Team USA basically has Chandler and a rookie, Love being a negligible factor on D. So, when we talk about having a “defensive anchor” of sorts, yes the US is (even if Griffin is healthy) lacking. Ridiculous is not the right word, I think irrelevant would be much better. Mike Krzyzewski is working with a star-riddled team that works because of one thing: the perimeter game.
The first thing one thinks when Team USA’s line up is read aloud is, “crap, how is this team supposed to be beat?”. That’s the right thought, but probably not for the right reasons. Sure, a team of Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, and Russell Westbrook is sure to outscore just about any team on the planet. But the magic happens when this team is tested on the perimeter. International basketball has evolved. Playbooks are mazes of horn screens, multi-screen sets, and 5-out plays. Multifaceted bigs on the international scene have offered flexibility to coaches of some of the top international teams. Yet, these same teams often times look blown away. The reason is the offense and defense away from the basket.
This clip is a good example of how the US can beat most teams (competent or otherwise) away from the basket on both ends. Westbrook and Paul are the keys to the stifling D. Both guys can pick opposing guards up after two dribbles and stay with them, often forcing a turnover. And then there’s the guys right behind the PG’s: Iggy, the ever slept-on Harden, and the King, making post-play a non-factor.
The real problem that Team USA faces is actually more rooted in their offense: complacency. This team becomes enamored with the three pointer sometimes. As a result, their execution takes a hit and they often give teams a way back into a game. Today’s exhibition against Argentina was just another example. When the threes were falling early on, the team looked unstoppable. But depending on that shot (combined with Argentina’s always tactical adjustments) was the reason why Argentina was keeping up at all. International teams have over time started to test the US more and more by putting heads down and driving the ball for contact. As long as Team USA has their superior perimeter defense working for them, international teams don’t stand too much of a chance. But, you miss shot after shot, and the other team will have time to try multiple offensive options (like a Delfino step-back).
Team USA’s dominance has made it an open contest for other teams…for Silver. Though clearly the favorites, it never hurts to fine tune small areas and develop further. Team USA has to identify these sorts of problems and make adjustments because one thing is for sure: the rest of the world isn’t exactly regressing in basketball.
