Team USA Goes to 2-0 with 121-90 Win vs China

[tornado]

In the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Sapporo, Japan,
Team USA beat Puerto Rice 111-100.
After several blowout exhibition wins, the Americans struggled.
Team USA trailed early, and Puerto Rico led after one quarter 24-23.
USA didn't take the lead for good until 6 minutes to go in the 2nd quarter, but they still couldn't put the game away.

Over the last 8 minutes of the game, Puerto Rico outscored the US 26 to 15 to narrow the game to 11 pts., but Kirk Hinrich nailed thre 3-pointers to seal the victory.

http://www.usabasketball.com/seniormen/2006/06_mwc_game1.html

In one other game, Yao Ming played well for China scoring 30 pts., but
Italy dominated the entire game beating China 84-69.
China is Team USA's next opponent on Sunday (which will actually be late Saturday here.)

[beamer1]

I saw some of this game on ESPN highlights. Some of what I saw looked playground.
This Team USA is gonna lose before the finals to someone, since they just don't play any defense on the shooters.
They are going to get beat if they don't play some better defense.
But I guess that's been the problem for years with our Dream teams. Everyone wants to show off their offensive skills and get on the ESPN highlights.
But giving up 100 to Puerto Rico is inexcusable.
PR is made up of a bunch of NBA wannabes and a couple guys who averaged 1 to 3 pts in backup play on a couple NBA teams.
Not one of those guys would even get a phone call to try out for the US team, but yet they hang with our guys.

[brainiac]

The French team loses the services of Spurs' Tony Parker.
Parker injured his finger Tuesday in an exhibition game against Brazil.

http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060819/NEWS/608190343/1004/SPORTS

[tornado]

Team USA just completed another win, this time over China
121-90.
It's a good thing the offense is working, because the defense, even with a full court press in this game is giving up way too much.
China was held to 69 points by Italy, and in two games thus far, the US is giving up 95ppg.
95 points would be good enough to win virtually every other game of this tournament thus far.

[tornado]

Team USA struggled to a win over Italy 94-85, coming back from 12 points down in the 2nd half.
It's still puzzling how the best of our superstars still have trouble against a bunch of NBA wannabes.