The USA has not had to be an impressive team to win in the group play portion of the FIBA World Championships. They have been so much more skilled and athletic than the teams they faced (save Brazil) that they could basically coast.
But entering the 16-team knockout stage of the World Championships Monday things....
Will remain the same. I mean it’s Angola.
To quote Charles Barkley from the 1992 Dream Team: “I don’t know anything about Angola, but I know they’re in trouble.” (He then proceeded to throw a hard elbow at an Angolan player during a 38-7 USA run, then explained it afterward saying the guy might have thrown a spear at him. Classy.)
Okay, we know a little more about Angola now. We know that they are the six time defending African champions. They beat Germany (sans Dirk) and Jordan to get out of Group A. However Argentina, Serbia and Australia dispatched them with ease.
Angola comes in with one of the worst offenses to advance out of group play, averaging just 68 points on 45 percent shooting and 30 percent from three. The USA defense should be able to shut them down by and large. Also, this is the one team the USA will be taller than, with no Angolan starter over 6'8".
The USA will win. Kevin Durant will look good. What matters is how things have changed from the somewhat lackluster USA team we saw in its last couple games. They can get away with another of those performances against Angola, but starting the following three games it could cost them dearly (by the finals they will have to be playing well). Did the days off and some practices help? Are they crisp; is there motion in the offense?
Mike Krzyzewski told ESPN’s Chris Sheridan we need to judge this USA team differently than we did the star-studded Beijing Olympic team.
“I would like for them to be youthfully enthusiastic in trying to accomplish something, instead of trying to be perfect. Being perfect is about those other guys,” coach Mike Krzyzewski said, comparing this year’s version of Team USA to the superstar-laden Redeem Team that won the gold medal at the 2008 Olympics.
“I think you should always look at the team. If we had all the main guys here, then you should nitpick anything because that’s the world they live in. They always have to perform great, but we have a young group,” Krzyzewski said. “I think our guys have done great, and part of it is this is their first experience. We still have five guys who are 21 years old, and I think they’ve been terrific, and now they get a chance to do something that will be a momentous thing for them in their careers if they can get it done.
“Wanting to win, being enthusiastic, loose balls, getting out in passing lanes, that’s how we have to be with them.
That kind of energy will certainly be part of showing they are ready to take big steps in future rounds. But execution will matter as much or more. That is what we need to see.