Young, relatively inexperienced Aussie team? Check.
No Andrew Bogut? Check.
Final statement game for the US "Redeem Team"? Check.
Blowout game? Not so fast, basketball pundits.
In a game where most people expected to see the Harlem Globetrotters versus the Washington Generals, what they got instead was closer to an intense first round playoff matchup between an obviously superior(but complacent) team and a scrappy upcoming challenger.
Despite the fact that Australia's only NBA player, the Bucks' Andrew Bogut, sat this game with an ankle injury, the Aussies made it a close game all the way through with teamwork and basketball fundamentals that the Americans can only dream of owning someday in the distant future.
The most glaring weaknesses for the US? Three point shooting, free throws and defense. Ironically, these were the very same weaknesses they had 2 years ago, things they seemingly addressed with the inclusion of Kobe Bryant and Michael Redd.
The question that just begs to be asked is this: If Australia can do this to the US team, what can a team like Spain, Greece and Argentina to them?
Remember, Greece broke down the American with relative ease as recently as 2 years ago, Spain is the reigning world champions and Argentina is the defending Olympic champions (who also came back to win after being down by 19pts to this very same Australian squad.)
If I were Coach K, I'd be getting Manu Ginobili and Pau Gasol an American visa right about now.
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