Slam Dunk Central

Team USA is back as the dominant team in the Americas as they went 9-0 in the FIBA Americas Championship culminating in a pasting of Argentina 118-81 on Sunday. As Bill Walton told the television audience on Thursday Argentina is Spanish for silver appropriately as they ended up with the silver in this tournament. This game unlike Thursday nights contest was over early as Team USA had a 35-14 lead after the first quarter, and 59-34 at the half.  Team USA shot 69% from two point range, and 49% from three point range. LeBron James was game high scorer with 31, Luis Scola led the Argentinians with 23. Scola won the Tournament MVP. Puerto Rico won the bronze medal as they defeated Brazil in the earlier game.

But the thing that has put Team USA back into prominence was not the individual scoring efforts, although there were some impressive numbers. It was the team embracing the concept of team basketball, sharing the ball making the whole greater than the sum of the individual parts. Jason Kidd being the ultimate team leader running the floor like a Drill Sergeant. Kobe Bryant embracing defense like he has never shown before in the NBA, the incredible passing of both Kidd, Bryant, and LeBron James. If Mike Krzyzewski can keep instilling the philosophy that this team has learned during this Tournament next year in Beijing, Team USA will be wearing Olympic Gold.

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