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BASKET: ITALY-USA 95-78

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Smoke:
In Germany, Italy defeated USA 95-78.


--- Quote ---COLOGNE, Germany -- The U.S. men's Olympic team did more than merely lose. It was embarrassed and exposed like never before in international competition.

Losing an exhibition game for the first time when using NBA players, the Americans were completely outclassed by lightly regarded Italy, never even making it close in the fourth quarter of a 95-78 upset Tuesday.

"This is a wakeup call for us," Philadelphia 76ers star Allen Iverson said. "I think we need something like this to understand it's not going to be easy."

SportsNation: Still Believe?
 
On July 27, SportsNation was firmly behind the U.S. team with 78.2 percent believing the team would win the gold medal in Athens.
After the 17-point loss to Italy, that number is down to 52 percent. The percentage of those who feel the U.S. team will not medal has gone up from 6 percent to 24 percent.

The Americans were sloppy with the ball and couldn't handle Italy's zone defenses and 3-point shooting. Italy not only made 15 from behind the arc but showed superior ball movement and poise in handing the Americans their most lopsided defeat since pros began competing in 1992.

"They're going to be in for a lot of lessons for the next few weeks," U.S. coach Larry Brown said. "It's a young team, and it's a different game internationally."

Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony led the Americans with 17 points, and two-time NBA MVP Tim Duncan added 15.

Italy, whose roster is filled entirely by players from that country's league, was led by Giacomo Galanda's 28 points and Gianluca Basile's 25.

While the Italians were fifth at the Sydney Olympics, the United States is unbeaten at the Summer Games and in Olympic qualifying since NBA players were allowed in 1992, taking four straight gold medals. It will seek a fifth in a row at the Aug. 13-29 Athens Olympics.

But the United States is sending its youngest team to the Olympics -- the average age is 23½ -- since the door opened for NBA players.

At the 2002 World Championships, an American team with NBA players was beaten for the first time, 87-80 by Argentina. The United States went on to lose twice more in that tournament and finished sixth.

In an effort to avoid a similar display, the current U.S. squad is touring Europe before heading to Greece. On Wednesday, it will face a Dirk Nowitzki-led Germany, which beat Italy 85-77 Sunday.

On Tuesday, Iverson's jump shot trimmed Italy's lead to 56-52 with just under three minutes left in the third quarter. But the Americans never got closer. On Italy's next two trips down the floor, Basile made 3-pointers that stretched the underdogs' lead to 62-52.

Iverson winced when Massimo Bulleri made a 3-pointer despite falling down and having the past NBA scoring champion's hand in his face late in the third quarter.

The Americans had all sorts of problems on defense and offense, getting called for three shot-clock violations and several traveling calls in front of 14,831 spectators.

The Italians were 15-of-35 from behind the line, while Americans went just 4-for-13, justifying Brown's fears that his team might be short on pure shooters.
--- End quote ---

YOU AINT SHIT. Out.

Javier:
when will the real USA basketball team show up?  I understand why Kidd , malone, and kobe were not able to go but the others?  What a shame

Smoke:
Ok, maybe that's not the best team in the NBA

Carmelo Anthony  Denver Nuggets 20 A
Carlos Boozer  Utah Jazz  22 A/C
Tim Duncan  San Antonio Spurs 28 A/C
Allen Iverson  Philadelphia 76ers 29 G
LeBron James  Cleveland Cavaliers 19 G
Richard Jefferson  New Jersey Nets 24 A
Stephon Marbury  New York Knicks 27 G
Shawn Marion  Phoenix Suns 26 A
Lamar Odom  Los Angeles Lakers 24 A
Emeka Okafor  Charlotte Bobcats 21 A/C
Amare Stoudemire  Phoenix Suns 22 A
Dwyane Wade  Miami Heat 22 G

But how many players do you know from this roster?

Gianluca Basile Fortitudo Bo 29 G
Massimo Bulleri Treviso 26 G
Roberto Chiacig Siena 29 C
Giacomo Galanda Siena 29 A
Luca Garri Roma 22 A-C
Denis Marconato Treviso 29 C
Michele Mian Udine 31 G
Gianmarco Pozzecco Fortitudo Bo 31 G
Nikola Radulovic Valladolid 31 A
Alex Righetti Roma 26 A
Rodolfo Rombaldoni Jesi 27 G
Matteo Soragna Treviso 28 G

Please! Dont make lame excuses, +17 points win, with the second team playing the last quarter.

And yes, Italy is playing in the Olimpics. Like Argentina, like Lithuania, etc..

mauzip:

--- Quote from: 7even the Harbinger on August 02, 2004, 10:14:55 AM ---prolly propaganda.

--- End quote ---

Smoke:

--- Quote from: Mr. Mauzip on August 03, 2004, 01:57:21 PM ---
--- Quote from: 7even the Harbinger on August 02, 2004, 10:14:55 AM ---prolly propaganda.

--- End quote ---

--- End quote ---

Wonderful! ;D

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