Redeem Team Advances to Gold Medal Game

Team USA came out the gates strong, but looked quite shaky in the second quarter allowing Argentina to cut what was a 21 point lead to 9 at the half (49-40). Manu Ginobili went down mid 2nd quarter with what looked to be a sprained ankle and Argentina just wasn’t quite the same.

USA came out determined in the second half and went on a quick run and blew the game wide open and never looked back. Team USA was led by Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James who ended the game with 21 and 15 respectively.

Argentina was led by Luis Scola who stepped up big in Manu’s absence and really played a solid game ending with 28 points and 11 boards. I definitely wouldn’t mind if the Sixers could somehow get this guy.

The Redeem Team will face the Spaniards and Pau Gasol in the Gold Medal Game on Sunday.

Argentina Up Next

USA vs. Argentina FRIDAY at 12:15 (not sure AM PM ET or CHINA-TIME)

The United States will play defending champion Argentina on Friday night for a spot in Sunday’s gold medal game.  Argentina beat Greece 80-78 in the last semifinal. Argentina was led by San Antonio Spur Manu Ginobili who ended the game with 24 points.

Argentina is loaded with quality NBA talent with the likes of Manu, Carlos Delfino, Andres Nocioni, Fabricio Oberto and Luis Scola.  This team has size, quickness, shooting, and the experience of playing together for years.  This will be a good game and good prove to be a challenge for the Redeem Team.

PHA, yea right.  We aren’t losing.  See you in the Gold Medal Game.

Team USA Crushes Ze Duestchland

Germany which figured to be one of the tougher challenges for Team USA, proved the complete opposite, falling 106-57 on Monday Morning (ET time or whatever). The Germans who have two NBA-ers in Dirk Nowitzki and Chris Kaman were thought to be able to be a test for Team USA in their last game of pool play. Dirk was nothing of the sort, only going 4-10 from the field and ending with a dismal 14 points.

Team USA was led by C Dwight Howard’s 22 points and 9 boards and also LeBron James aka the King’s 18 points on 7-10 shooting from the field.

Up next for the Americans is the Aussie squad. Team USA (5-0) will move on to a quarterfinal matchup Wednesday against Australia, the team that’s provided them with their toughest test in China (87-76 win in an Exhibition). Australia’s team is highlighted by NBA center Andrew Bogut who was out of Australia’s last game against Team USA while resting a sore ankle for pool play.

Personally I dont see any team giving the Americans a true challenge. I think the buzz surrounding the next game against what reporters are calling a formidable opponent in Australia is all hear say. USA will wipe the floor with these Aussies and make it a perfect 6-0 en route to the gold. Just listen to Chris Kaman:

Nobody is going to beat them. No way, it’s just not going to happen.