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 Manhandles the Aussies

From the early going you could tell Team USA was trying to send a message to the Aussies.  On their first three possessions they went right into the post to Dwight Howard and let him go right at Australia’s best play, Andrew Bogut.  To which Bogut and Australia had no answer.

Bogut picked up two quick fouls and became quite frustrated.  On the next play down he screened Kobe hard which was soon followed by a nice quick jab from Melo to the Aussies grill piece.  Bogut wasn’t the same after, only shooting 2 of 5 from the field for 4 points and 2 boards.

Team USA was led by none other then NBA MVP Kobe Bryant.  Bryant dropped 25 points 10 of 16 from the field (4-7 from 3).  LeBron and Carmelo added 16 and 15 respectively to add to the Aussie destruction.

Up next for Team USA is the winner of Argentina vs Greece (10:15 AM ET).  Time to go watch Manu and see who will get destroyed by the Redeem Team next.

My Thoughts: GAME. SET. MATCH, world.  You could take the best players on everyone’s Olympic team and put them together and you still wouldn’t beat us.

LeBron to Miss US Exhibition

After making a dramatic guarantee a few days back, LeBron looks to be out of the lineup indefinitely for the US Mens team’s first game of exhibition play against the Canadian National team.

According to US coach Mike Krzyzewski, ‘LeBron James is a 95 percent no-go for Friday’s exhibition against Canada.’

I think it wont really matter that much as the Canadians are no match for the superior talent of Team USA.   Tune your television dials to ESPN at 8:00 pm ET for the tip, as Team USA makes its way towards Olympic Gold.

“Absolutely”

LeBron James guaranteed an Olympic gold medal for the US Men’s Basketball squad at the Beijing games, in a Time magazine story that hits newsstands Friday.

After comparing the feeling of receiving a gold medal on the podium to opening a prized gift on Christmas morning, James was asked if that meant he would lead the Americans to the title.

“Absolutely.”

Asked if he guaranteed it, he repeated:

“Absolutely.”