2007 FIBA Americas Championship Day 2 Game Thread

by TexSUN on Aug 23, 2007 4:53 PM MDT

Since I ended up with several comments in yesterday's attempt at a FIBA game day thread, I'll go ahead and create another one for today. If nothing else, it gives people a place to post their thoughts while I'm taking forever with the postgame commentary. The only game on the slate for tonight that's of particular relevance to Suns fans is the 8:00 Pacific/11:00 Eastern matchup of Team USA vs. the U.S. Virgin Islands. This game will be broadcast on ESPN Classic. I still am not sure whether Raja Bell will be playing for the Virgin Islands. As mentioned in yesterday's pre-game thread, there seems to be conflicting information about it. The team roster on FIBA's website does not have Raja listed, and does list 12 players not named Raja, so that may mean he's not playing (probably not the end of the world for a guy coming off of knee surgery, however minor). I guess we'll find out when the teams take the floor.

Wish list for tonight:

More opportunities for Amare to get involved.
More competitiveness from the opposition (looks like I shouldn't count on getting this one, since the Virgin Islands at #38 is ranked even lower than Venezuela at #21).
Lots of fire from Raja if he plays.
Above all else, nobody get hurt. Last night's Brazil-Canada game was marred by what looked to be a fairly serious injury to one of Canada's players who was also the coach's son. No more of that, please.

Finally, here are a few links I found that might be useful for FIBA newbies:

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Comments

good links

thanks, also I think Sunday, Aug 26th is the big USA vs Barbosa (I mean Brazil) game. I can't help but finding myself rooting for Barbosa somewhat. I at least hope it's a close game (within 10 points). But, I can't help but think it won't be. Brazil is missing 1-2 players that would help their chances, still, USA is really stacked.

by jasonsuns1 on Aug 23, 2007 5:15 PM MDT reply actions

I'm not sure i agree with you

alright... it seemed funny at first

by jasonsuns1 on Aug 23, 2007 9:20 PM MDT up reply actions

redd..

is the shooter we dearly missed last year for the usa team

by jasonsuns1 on Aug 23, 2007 9:17 PM MDT reply actions

if amare could do the things

Howard does, we'd be a dynasty

I can't stop smiling about Howard's play, wow, he really is great

by jasonsuns1 on Aug 23, 2007 9:19 PM MDT reply actions

A little behidn

I took a nap so I'm trying to catch up on what i missed. (DVR->ff through commercials should help with that. :) ). It's Kobe's birthday, huh? Awwww... :)

by TexSUN on Aug 23, 2007 9:24 PM MDT reply actions

the game so far

The USA team is nailing threes, mostly redd and melo.

Howard is clearing the boards like a maniac. This team is shooting better!!

by jasonsuns1 on Aug 23, 2007 9:30 PM MDT up reply actions

No Amare yet?

by TexSUN on Aug 23, 2007 9:43 PM MDT reply actions

I'm still behind btw

DVR hasn't caught up yet.

by TexSUN on Aug 23, 2007 9:43 PM MDT up reply actions

Never mind

There he is... Gee... so much for getting to make a meaningful controbution.

by TexSUN on Aug 23, 2007 9:45 PM MDT up reply actions

No lie

But Amare, just like last night, ain't doing himself any favors on D. And his board work is utterly crap.

That said, at least Billups was trying to find Amare - and Amare's at least trying to read the double team now.

3 points (1-2 FTs) and just 1 board (or, in Amare's apparent approach, "bored") that I saw in his 10 or so minutes in the 1st half. WTF, is he "saving" himself or what?

Step it up, Amare.....

Always remember to keep one foot in the groove

by SwingMan on Aug 23, 2007 10:01 PM MDT up reply actions

if there ever was a time...

for amare to watch and learn, its now while playing with Howard. But, I suspect it's not so much ability, but mental, and consistency on defense. Amare has always been a few second defender with a big block, then nothing or a few fouls.

Personally, I think we need to try and get someone to work with Amare similar to how the knicks and houston had famous ex bigs work with yao and others.
The thing that's frustrating, is Amare is so strong, he should be able to do some, or a lot of what Howard is doing, don't you think?

by jasonsuns1 on Aug 23, 2007 10:07 PM MDT up reply actions

Amare's game intensity

.....is what's frustrating me right now. Yeah, he pepped it up a bit in the 3rd Q, but why not the whole game? If he makes a mistake or two, it's cool if he's showing legit hustle, but, for the most part, he's just going through the motions right now.

Note to self: Must. Be. Patient.

Always remember to keep one foot in the groove

by SwingMan on Aug 23, 2007 10:39 PM MDT up reply actions

yeah, i was thinking the same

But, as an nba fan, its cool seeing redd and howard, players I haven't seen much of but knew about them.
Kobe is the same guy always looking for his shot first, if he had just some of the Nash ability of being able to look for players as well as score... but then again, it's not in his character. Think I made an error there, saying Kobe and character in the same sentence

by jasonsuns1 on Aug 23, 2007 10:01 PM MDT up reply actions

LOL

Kobe is actually doing a lot better than I thought. I've only seen him force up a handful of shots so far. About Amare, I'm thinking this may be a little similar to what Diaw had to go through last season. He really kind of looks like he's just trying to figure out his role on this team. That's no excuse, the other Team USA guys coming off the bench are handling it. But Amare just doesn't look like his usual confident self to me. (And yeah, I know I complain about his over-developed sense of ego a lot, but he seems to be kind of going to the opposite extreme so far in this tournament).

by TexSUN on Aug 23, 2007 10:27 PM MDT up reply actions

on Amare

I'm sure it's pretty tough to be on a great team like the Suns and be 1 of 2 stars, and then go to a team like this and not be part of the "big three" the announcers keep bringing up. This USA team has so many weapons, and if there is one negative to the million positives of Nash...it's this. (And don't talk to me about defense...I'm talking about something else) Nash sets up players so well, that when these players go to a team w/o Nash, they have a huge adjustment to make. Plus, even with Jason Kidd, like I said, there are so many weapons on this team that Amare just doesn't stand out like he normally would. Funny to say this, but none of the players really stand out, to me Redd and Miller's shooting, plus Howard's play were the stars of this game.

by jasonsuns1 on Aug 23, 2007 10:58 PM MDT up reply actions