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First came France and they went down by 27 points. Next saw Tunisia whose players were more interested on getting autographs from their opponents than points. Afterwards, the Nigerian demolition: the land from where America reportedly “stole” Hakeem Olajuwon; and the scorecard politely read 156 to 73 in favor of the Americans. Lithuania needed to boost TV Ratings for Olympics Basketball and attempted to stage an upset in Game 4. Sadly, they too lost by 5. Finally, the group stages ended for Team USA with a convincing trout over Argentina.
Next sees Team USA a.k.a. “Dream Team Part II” play Australia in the knockouts. Not many are going to bet against this American team to lose. Who are the strongest contenders apart from them: Spain, Russia or Argentina? Aren’t these nations too weak an opposition to counter the likes of Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James? Is there a chance for any team to tip odds in their balance to stop this never-ending American winning streak?
Maybe, just maybe.
While this star studded American roster is supremely talented and unmatched in several efficacies of basketball, they do have their weaknesses – flaws which can be exploited by the opponents.
And here is how:
1. Use your big men
A big weakness in the American contingent is their lack of big men. Their only genuine threat is Tyson Chandler, who shouldn’t be expected to play a whole lot. Kevin Love at 6’10” is a below average defender who can be easily taken on while Anthony Davis’ sole purpose in the Olympics is to market “the unibrow”.
For most parts of the first half and late second half, Coach Krzyzewski fields Chris Paul, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant on the floor. Despite the lineup being defensive powerhouses, their inability to guard big men should be noticed. Pair Pau Gasol or Timofey Mozgov with one of these guys and it’s evident who would come on top. Even if Tyson Chandler does play most parts of the game, the opposition should seek to manipulate their size advantage by spreading out the floor, setting pick and rolls which could prove a nuisance to Team USA.
A huge reason why the Lithuanians even put up a fight was due to this – their big men teased the American defense with Chandler often proving useless. Now, rewind to the Nigerian and Tunisian games where Team USA absolutely ran out as winners. One will only observe how many unnecessary three pointers were attempted by the African Nations, when there was so much open space in the paint that could have been vitally used.
Conclusion: Ideally, you’d want to call pick and roll, then drive-up to the basket rather than attempt to hit threes against the Americans.
2. Defend the three point with your heart and soul
Coach K has to give game time to each of his players, irrespective of their positions. Sometimes, it means playing Carmelo as a power forward or Deron Williams as a small forward. This is an added bonus for the opposition – the physical mismatch. Hence, it’s imperative that the Americans are going to try to win through their gifted three-point shooting.
While the American team has terrific shooting prowess, they aren’t well known for their shot selection in such games. Not many of these players have actually played together to say the least. Many of them are smudged on tallying up the scorecards with easy three points, fast breaks. They aren’t really in a mindset to drive in and make in-air transition shots like the NBA. So the easiest way to stay in the game, or at least on the scoreboard, is to strictly govern the three point zone.
In the games that the Americans have completely demolished their opponents saw them shoot convincingly from the arc. Against Lithuania, the closest encounter so far for the Dream Team had them convert only 10 out of 33 three point attempts. To serve as an added encouragement, USA in the exhibition games against Spain and Argentina had the win in their sights before the two teams came back to leverage the lead. How did they do it? They put their best men to work on the arc while their big men protected the paint with ease.
It seems so strange that I doubt a classy team to not shoot their threes with ease but that’s how the true governance of Basketball works. Even the best like Kobe and LeBron choke when surrounded incessantly. The more you stick to a player, the less accurate his shot selection is. And with the offense being constantly switched, the opposition needs to stay strong in the perimeter and guard the three. This not only persuades the Americans to drive but hereby lets teams dictate play with the Dream Team at their own peril.
Conclusion: Seems impossible at first to defend against such a swift American team but it’s possible if men gather around and ceaselessly hold onto their opponents. Moreover, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Americans start attempting circus shots as pressure gets to them. Stay strong in the three point zone!
3. Get the basics spot on – less turnovers, contain fast break and foul when needed
What hurt my eyes the most in USA’s annihilation during the group stages has been how much the teams have failed to comply with the essential basics of basketball. Teams weren’t holding onto the ball, let alone turning it over in 10 seconds. As soon as the ball turns over, the opposition was content on letting USA run away where there was no effort whatsoever to contain the fast breaks. And finally, teams were just not fouling under desperate measures.
So far, the Americans have gone to the free throw line in minimal at the Olympics. Although fouls garner easy points for your opponents, it’s one of the best known tactics to kill momentum. Not only does it turn off the tempo but also resets the game in anyone’s favor. While I don’t encourage any player fouling out of the game, a few fouls here and there could prove beneficial in containing the opponents. Disruption in their regular flow of plays could hurt the US’ attacking mindset, which shifts the balance.
Furthermore, the ways in which several American players have oozed out to slam one dunk after another in games through fast break is distressing to any viewer’s eye. Hence, the tactic is simple – march back once you lose the ball and put up a fight. For all you know you might have these guys miss their shots which is believably plausible. Worse comes worse, foul – send them to the free throw line. Not everyone is a 90% free throw shooter in this American team.
Conclusion: Work the momentum to your balance and you have yourself a close game to contest.
PS: While I personally believe that TEAM USA is an irrefutable favorite to win another gold medal at this Olympics, the final two games in their schedule could go down to the wire. For all you know, this could be a repeat of 2004. Remember what happened then?
