Preliminary Round-Up

Carefully well-played, aggressively earned, the USA’s latest two games against Greece and Spain represent their powerful caliber.

This team is serious. Everyone knew that coming into the Basketball Olympics, but their level of seriousness towards gaining gold was to be determined. From early lashings about their poor play off pick and rolls, and their questionable size, team USA has overcome all the feats to this point. All of these wins have done nothing but help reassure their dominance in this Olympic tournament. After destroying Germany, USA’s next set of games will be the cream of this whole tournament. One simple loss and their dreams for Gold are quickly diminished. It definitively hurts to see your chances at Gold go down the drain after all the hard work, players such as Carmelo and LeBron know the feeling.

Such an experience has only evolved their explosive play and leadership throughout this road. LeBron’s effect while playing as a power forward for the US has been something to write a book on, he has been all over the floor in Beijing, resulting in the media and online bloggers to only write about nonsense and avoid spurning any negative regarding his play. Sure, Kobe had his signs of mortality by failing to sink in a handful of three-pointers against Greece and of course the media has jumped on that one immediately, but Bryant’s collective dominance in certain parts of the last two games have dissolved any other bites towards any poor play. Carmelo has been consistent. Wade has been a leader. Deron Williams and Chris Paul have been fulfilling. Howard and Bosh have both been treats. Boozer has been questionable. Jason Kidd has provided specific leadership at best, continuing his undefeated all-time record throughout the Olympics while maintaining his pass first style of play. They’re 5-0 run through the preliminary rounds leads me to run isolated reviews on the dirty dozen.

A-List

Dwyane Wade

92 Min/16.2 PPG./2.4 SPG./3.6 RPG./77.2% FG (31/43)

The man comes out of the bench to ignite immediate fire. Dwyane Wade has covered all the essentials needed by the USA throughout the preliminaries. From mind-bobbling passes to deadly finishes that ridicule the opponent. Wade has bounced back from his shoulder injury stronger than ever, leaving Miami drooling for the upcoming season. Wade has evolved his staggering attack through steals and slashes to the hole. Flashes from his early days during the Miami’s Championship run are all over the place every time Dwyane steps on to the floor. His unexpected offensive surge off the the bench destroys any existing positive flow created by the opponent. It is critical that Coach K continues to let the teams current MVP come off the bench, which he will, leaving ongoing success for the team’s momentum.

LeBron James

118 Min/15.8 PPG./4.4 APG./4.4 RPG./60.8% FG (31/51)

‘Bron has been ‘Bron throughout the preliminaries and some more. While playing as a power forward, LeBron has made many international teams gasp at what freakish abilities a power forward could ever posses from team USA. His exclamation blocks gives a laughing stock for viewers who thrive off the embarrassment of others. Predicted poster boy of the Redeem Team, James brought forth what most expected from him; his natural talent.

B-List

Chris Bosh

78 Min/8.8 PPG./5.2 RPG./81% FG. (17/21)

The only disappointment surrounding Chris Bosh during the Olympics is his playing time. Bosh has been electric down low. His stats would be along the lines of any other international stud, such as Ming, Scola, and Minghas. His lengthy stature smoothly blends with the other big men he’s matched up with and his aggressiveness results in more rebounds for USA.

Dwight Howard

83 Min/12.2 PPG./5 RPG./0.8 BPG./75.8% FG (25/33)

Howard has had is small slumps throughout some games but majority of the time he’s back to his powerful attack. There were games where Dwight was absent, considering none of the plays were directly designed for him. But Howard overcame such issue with his pursuits to earn his own points through rebounds and quick feeds down low from the guards. His latest explosion against Germany (22pts/10rbs) settles down any doubts regarding USA’s need for size.

Chris Paul

110 Min/7.4 PPG./4.6 APG./3.2 RPG./2.4 SPG./52% FG. (13/25)

Paul has become the main point guard to run the floor, once Kidd’s small share of minutes are over. He’s been playing no different than his near MVP season last season in the NBA. The defense is definitely there for Paul. CP3 has been able to take advantage of some of the poor ball-handling a group of guards have internationally. He’s hasn’t been shooting magnificent but that’s nowhere close to being a factor with the players he’s surrounded by every time he’s running the floor.

Kobe Bryant

104 Min/12.6 PPG./2.4 RPG./1.8 APG/27.6% 3PT FG. (8/29)

KB24 has been the main attention of this team since day uno. His worldwide affection is felt throughout Beijing, resulting in his performance to be magnified. So, it wasn’t soon before long everyone began to quickly point at his weak 3-point shooting. Shooting 1/7 from the perimeter in the opener against China, and 0/8 against Angola, questions swirled his ability to drain the 3-point shot that’s closer than NBA range. Anyhow, Bryant has recovered slowly by attempted less from the arch and focusing more on working the ball closer to the basket. His defense hasn’t been as stellar as the exhibition games, but it’s more than enough to this point. Many still await his big game, which could be soon.

Deron Williams

104 Min/8.2 PPG./3.2 APG./2.6 RPG./44.1% FG (15/34)

When paired up with Chris Paul, the two are close to unstoppable. Deron’s mesh with Paul is like none other, when isolated as a prime point guard, he does more than sizzle. His handles are too much for the guards he’s defended by and he’s been able to find the open man when necessary. The most effective guard out of the three.

Carmelo Anthony

87 Min/8.6 PPG./4.8 RPG./1.2 SPG./46.7% FG (14/30)

Anthony has puzzled a few with his slack throughout this preliminary round. His minutes are down and so is his shooting. The fire from the exhibition has fizzled-down, resulting on him becoming a barely solid forward for USA. His rebounds are nothing to bash about, but his shot selection has been ridiculously questionable at times.

C-List

Jason Kidd

65 Min/1 PPG./3 RPG./1.6 APG./100% FG (2/2)

Jason is doing exactly what he was put here for, to run the team with his overwhelming generosity and continue to spray his leadership among his teammates. His layup against Spain marked his first shot attempt throughout the round, sinking a three against Germany marked his second and last basket to this day. None of that is worth being noted though, Kidd has had his respectable share of dishing the ball at the right moments early in the game. He has more rebounds, blocks and steals than everyone else in the C-List.

Carlos Boozer

39 Min/4.4 PPG./2.6 RPG./56.2% (9/16)

Boozer has played like his rookie days for Cleveland. Nothing horrid. But it becomes a surprise to some because of his huge role back in Utah. He’s slowly been picking it up as the games go on. With Howard and Bosh’s play lately, there’s no worries. He should continue to work hard with the little minutes he’s given at the end of quarters.

D-List

Tayshaun Prince

62 Min/3.8 PPG./2.2 RPG./46.7 (7/15)

It has been a solid run for Tayshaun when he gets his minutes. Team USA is content with his performance thus far. He continues to contest more shots from the opponents and has his small jabs of scoring occassionally.

Michael Redd

58 Min/4 PPG./1.2 RPG/33% 2PT FG (4/12)/25% 3PT FG (4/16)

Redd has defined why it’s never good to solely depend on shooters. The proclaimed “Zone Buster” hasn’t been able to bust anything but his shot. Every shooter has their slump at times, this just isn’t the best time to have one for Michael Redd. It is still early to completely dismiss his weak play for USA.

Be sure to tune in to Team USA face off against Australia in the quarterfinal round on Wednesday 8AM ET.