Thoughts following USA’s 98-77 win over Turkey

Written on August 31, 2014 by Scott Agness

USA Basketball takes a team photo in Bilbao, Spain.

Fortunately for USA Basketball, their play improved tremendously in the second half against Turkey on Sunday. In Bilbao, Spain for their second pool play game of the 2014 FIBA World Cup, Team USA outscored Turkey 63-37 in the second half of their 98-77 victory.

Below are some of my thoughts as I watched the game comfortably from home:

  • Paul George should be out there…
  • Ew! Ugly play from the US squad early on. So many fouls, turnovers, and miscommunication. Their chemistry isn’t yet where they’d like it to be. It’s early and they’re still trying to find a flow together.
  • Kenneth Faried, man. I had no idea he was this good. That’s probably because he plays out west and for the Denver Nuggets, who rarely get national TV time. I appreciate his old-school game; think a younger or more athletic David West.
  • Maybe the USA squad came into this game too confident. Following a 59-point win, their largest since using NBA players in 1994, they had themselves a rough first half. They were outplayed by Turkey and struggled finding a rhythm.
  • Wonder what Coach K and his staff are staying at half? Breaking down film, or simply saying ‘Guys, really? You know what to do!’
  • Chicago’s Derrick Rose is still playing tentative and is outwardly frustrated with his play. After being sidelined for roughly two years, it’s going to take some time for him to play like his old self and regain that confidence. Confidence is huge.
  • What is the communication like between the players and officials?
  • Better yet, after having FIBA officials for two games now, do the players have a better appreciation for NBA officials?
  • What a brutal first half. USA fortunate to be down only five. They couldn’t shoot from deep, weren’t spacing the floor well or exploiting the inside game.
  • Sure would have liked to see the NBA’s most accurate 3-point shooter, Kyle Korver, in here. I’d take him over DeMar DeRozan or Rudy Gay. Teams always want a surefire shooter from outside.
  • Never been a fan of Gay’s game. Still aren’t. I think he was whistled for three fouls in two minutes and made a couple dumb mistakes.
  • Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski owns NBA coverage. Breaking news while on site in Bilbao. Over/under his phone bill being $1,500?
  • Wait, the Champion brand still exists? Their logo is on officials’ jerseys and the rotating billboard around the gym. Alrighty then.
  • Anthony Davis is a stud, and he’s one of the next greats in the NBA. Especially in FIBA play, nobody is really going to have an answer for him. Maybe only Spain.
  • I’ll have to watch more New Orleans Pelicans games next year. Though they play in the ultra-competive Western Conference, they should earn a playoff spot.
  • ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla knowledge of the overseas game is impeccable. Then again, maybe he’s just making crap up and we have no idea…
  • Meantime, it sure didn’t sound like the broadcasters, Kevin Connors and Fraschilla, were at the game. I know they did the broadcasts of USA’s final scrimmages from an ESPN studio in Bristol, CT. It’s a shame if ESPN didn’t shell out the money to get them on location. Not only will they observe the game and calls better, but that ensures better communication with the staff, which, in turn, aids the broadcast.
  • USA Basketball is usually fun. This team isn’t there, yet. But they have another two weeks of games to get there.

Next up for USA is New Zealand on Tuesday, Sept. 2nd at 11:30 a.m. ET on ESPN2.

[Photo by Nathaniel Butler/USA Basketball]

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