Pretty much expected here. They win in a blowout against Argentina. Scola from Argentina was named MVP of the tournament though. Seemed strange to me, but there really was no 1 single player from the US team that you could single out to give the MVP to. It will be interesting to see what holdovers from this team are on the olympic team next year. Kidd, Melo, Kobe, Lebron, Howard, Amare, D-Wade, Billups, Redd, and Bosh I would say are definites to be on the 08 olympic squad. Will Tayshaun keep his spot? Will Greg Oden or Kevin Durant make the team? Deron Williams or Chris Paul or Kirk Heinrich? And what about Gilbert Arenas and Eltin Brand? There are alot of possibilities here for Colangelo and the coaching staff to consider. But it did look nice to see Team USA back on top again, even if it was just the Tournament of Americas!:thumb:

Argentina didn't have Manu, Oberto, or Nocioni playing in the tournament. Still think this US team would beat them, but somewhat explains the huge margin of victory.

Argentina didn't have Manu, Oberto, or Nocioni playing in the tournament. Still think this US team would beat them, but somewhat explains the huge margin of victory.

 

Agreed. I would still say that this US team beats the Argentina team by 20 with their full cast of players.

I don't see the need for Amare on the team. He did absolutely nothing every game I watched.

http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/nba/story/10330007

Golden: LeBron helps U.S. win FIBA title

LeBron drops 31 as U.S. beats Argentina to win FIBA gold

 

LAS VEGAS -- LeBron James put a record finish on the Americans' dominance in the desert.

 

James scored a team-record 31 points, and the United States beat Argentina 118-81 on Sunday to win the FIBA Americas championship.

 

Dwight Howard made all seven of his shots and scored 20 points, and Carmelo Anthony added 16 points for the Americans, who were never challenged while winning 10 games in 12 days and will head to Beijing next summer as one of the gold medal favorites.

 

The Americans averaged 116.7 points in the tournament.

 

James finished the tournament shooting 76 percent from the field -- his percentage actually dropped from 76.5 after he made 11 of 15 shots. He was 8-of-11 from 3-point range and also led the tournament in that category, hitting 62 percent.

 

They averaged 59.7 points in the first half during the tournament, and their closest lead at the break was 14 points.

 

Without Manu Ginobili, Fabricio Oberto, Andres Nocioni and Walter Herrmann, the defending Olympic champions didn't have nearly enough to keep up with the Americans here. The United States won 91-76 on Thursday in a second-round game that was never close after the opening minutes.

I don't see the need for Amare on the team. He did absolutely nothing every game I watched.

 

 

I watched a couple games and he did very well. What do you want, a team with only Howard down low?

Brand will be back by then. Amare is only like 6'9. Chandler is a perfect backup. He is just a rebounding machine.

Brand will be back by then. Amare is only like 6'9. Chandler is a perfect backup. He is just a rebounding machine.

 

 

I'd take Amare over either of them any day of the week.

I'd take Amare over either of them any day of the week.

I agree in an NBA game but he didn't impress when I saw him play.

I'm glad the US qualified. I'm making some preliminary plans to go to Beijing for the Games...

I'm glad the US qualified. I'm making some preliminary plans to go to Beijing for the Games...

You would...

I'm glad the US qualified. I'm making some preliminary plans to go to Beijing for the Games...

Must be nice. :irked:

Brand will be back by then. Amare is only like 6'9. Chandler is a perfect backup. He is just a rebounding machine.

 

You didn't just say you'd take Chandler over Amare, did you? I don't care what type of style you are playing, Amare is heads and tails above Tyson Chandler.

You didn't just say you'd take Chandler over Amare, did you? I don't care what type of style you are playing, Amare is heads and tails above Tyson Chandler.

No no no thats not what I mean. :lol:

Amare ended up leading the team in rebounding. I would take Amare over Brand. But I was thinking that I would probably take Boozer over either of them. He is younger than Brand, more athletic than Brand, stronger than Amare, and has a very polished back to the basket offensive game. I would say that Greg Oden will take Tyson Chandler's spot.