USA
Spain
FINALS: USA vs Spain
The only thing left for Team USA to emphatically reclaim world basketball supremacy will be a "three peat" to avenge the embarrassing defeats in 2002, 2004 and 2006.
2008, 2010 and 2012 are all redeem teams in a way.
Whether this game is close or not will rely on Spain's guards, if they show up, help the front court in scoring and limit their turnovers we might have a game. If they can't Team USA will match the run by the Dream Team era (92-96) in terms of titles.
The Rules learned in the Prediction game.
1: Brazil is always disappointing
2: Never dismiss Argentina solely because of age.
3: Never bet against Spain in a knockout game, unless it is against the US.
I expect heavy minutes for defensive guards like Kobe, Iguodala and Westbrook to shut down Spain's guards.
I hope Chandler and Love comes up big inside the paint. It will be a real challenge to go up against the Gasols, Ibaka and Reyes.
Handling Pau and Marc (and Serge??) in the middle is gonna be a problem. US hasn't played a team with these kinds of piggies in the middle. Chandler will have a nice seat on the bench.
As long as the US can continue to hustle, mark up for D, and not sloth away they can outlast this Spanish team. I am really looking forward to seeing Navarro flopping everywhere when he feels body contact. Him and CP3 can have a flop-a-palooza.
I think this will be the first game where US is threatened, even when they actually play harder.
"...I got the hand that will rock your craddle / cream you like cheese spread you on my bagel..." - Shaq
To your point I think this is where Spain will miss Rubio, I don't think that Calderon will hold up under the defensive pressure.Originally Posted by Dtown
I am going with the USA for the win but I can not say how it will go.
If we see the Spanish team that played from the start of the Olympics to the 1st half against Russia then this game can get kind of ugly.
If we see the Spanish team that played in the 2nd half against Russia then things might get a little interesting.
KNICKS FAN THAT HATES JAMES DOLAN!
USA will win, no matter what. I don't even care about Spanish frontline, if they keep Gasol Bros on the court, no way in hell they can defend transition threes. And US will make uncontested threes, it's pure naivety to hope they won't.
US by 20 and it's over by third period's end.
Being on ISH for some time now I can tell you the lack of posts on this thread already shows us how unconfident people are here in Spain winning gold. Not to mention a lack of Greek supporters has made things rather quiet. Pretty boring times.
"...I got the hand that will rock your craddle / cream you like cheese spread you on my bagel..." - Shaq
Can you blame people for being unconfident after Spain's disappointing performance in this Olympics besides the Russia game?
KNICKS FAN THAT HATES JAMES DOLAN!
Come on USA, turn up the pressure and defensive intensity within the back-court. Impeding will do wonders here. A free ride for the 2014 WC is what I'm hoping. As for bragging rights or for pride, I'm not angling for those.
2013 Draft Pick Wishlist:
Michael Carter-Williams
Obviously USA is 99% favourite.
Spain should play without fear. I would start with Ibaka instead of Marc, in order to stop three pointers and helping with blocks. Also I would leave Navarro in bench and put San Emeterio to be stronger. Then I would try Llull as a point guard and Claver as a small forward, also to avoid weak physical players. Felipe Reyes should not play tomorrow.
Sorry for my poor english
If Spain is to have any future in International basketball tournaments, their young players need to step up and show something more in this game. Come 2016 or even 2014, most of their current key players will not be playing for them anymore.
Can Ibaka dominate the International game the way he dominated in the NBA? That is my biggest question going into this game. I have been disappointed in his play in a big way. What's even worse is that he played professionally in Spain before getting drafted.
Without Rubio, Spain doesnt have too much chances. I hope Spain guard well the 3 point line
I agree Spain should start Ibaka. He was effective against the USA in the exhibition game and he has the versatility to guard the USA's wings and to rotate over quickly on the USA slashers to affect their shots. I think Spain needs to gamble with Navarro though, they need Navarro, Calderon and probably one other person to get hot from the outside and for the Gasols and Ibaka to dominate down low. I'd like to see Llull play many minutes too, he at least has the speed to handle the USA backcourt better than most of the other Spanish guards.
Agreed no Greeks, no Turks, none of the Yugoslavian countries, has led to a quiet (if peaceful) tournament.
The Rules learned in the Prediction game.
1: Brazil is always disappointing
2: Never dismiss Argentina solely because of age.
3: Never bet against Spain in a knockout game, unless it is against the US.
Yeah, kind of a letdown. Also, the USA has been so dominant and the 2002-2006 era is so far behind us also lends itself to less posting I think.
I have to agree there. For me its ridiculous that there are only 12 teams in the Olympics. Should be 20 to 24. Top ten of Europe, top six of the Americas, top two Oceania, top 3 Asia and top 3 Africa. Then it would be a competition that trully has all the best teams in the world and also plenty of opportunities for new teams from different parts of the world to experience and prepare for the olympics. Sure we would get some lopsided results but the game would be promoted and countries would develop their teams in time. I mean people said that the US should not send NBA players after the original dream team, but the rest of the world has improved its basketball as a result of these players playing.
In regards to Spain if their current form continues they are likely to get thrashed. It will take a huge reversal of form for this to be competitive. They are definitely missing Rubio. Navaro seems to be playing injured and without his impact and little help for Calderon without Rubio they are nowhere near the team we are used too.
The IBN forums has been progressively quieter since the 2010 World Cup, and this is where it's most obvious, considering the Olympics is the top tournament for the basketball.
As for the game, I of course would like to see a close game, but I doubt it will be the case.
I would say - boring tournament. Dont know why. Winner is clear, runner-ups - as expected. No surprises. One tournament without Serbia, Croatia and Greece, and I already miss these teams. At least they play somewhere near our (Lithuanian) basketball, old school European basketball.
Also me, and my friend were discussing about next Olympics. A lot of teams would be possibly worse than now. I guess at 2008 we had strongest olympics ever. After 4 years, Lithuania is on big question mark, Spain - without Pau, Calderon and La Bomba, not such a big threat without these guys, serbia, greece, croatia,italy - nothing special, argentina - empty. I guess only Russia and France will be ass good as now, maybe even better. By the way, in ~2000 we had parker, nowitzki, pau, kirilenko. Europe do not born any superstars now? well, rubio. But far from superstar in my eyes.
No Greeks, Serbs, and certainly less Lithuainians = less disputes, and I miss them.
As for this game, I just hope US has the hot shooting hand cause out of all games it will be most needed. Anyone who thinks Spain's chances would increase tremendously with Rubio are mistaken. Giving too much credit to a player who would probably turn the ball over more versus USA.
"...I got the hand that will rock your craddle / cream you like cheese spread you on my bagel..." - Shaq
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