Team USA Player Reports: China

Different starting lineup, same result. Team USA cruised to a 119-73 blowout victory over China by applying pressure defense, finding steals, and forcing turnovers. The team is pumped and ready to start competition. Here is the second set of reports with a few added categories:Lebron James: The only starter from the previous exhibition game against Puerto Rico, I think Lebron took it upon himself to set the game’s tone. He contributed thirteen points in the first half. In my opinion, Lebron was very conservative against Puerto Rico by only showing his playmaking and dunking abilities. However, against China, Lebron displayed all facets of his offensive games through dunks, jumpers, and treys. He finished with twenty two points on a 9-13 shooting night.

Dwight Howard: Howard was relentless on the offensive board once again. There was no better indication of this than the time he rebounded his own free throw miss for a monstrous dunk. Howard then added another dunk to his mediocre four rebound night. On the defensive end, Howard did not box out or outmuscle any of the Chinese big man as they poured in easy lay-ups and dunks in their brief first quarter run.

Joe Johnson: Johnson played as well as he did in the previous game. He doubled his assists with four dimes but once again shot only 1-4 from three-point range. He started against China meaning Coach K probably will have no problem relegating him to the bench.

Gilbert Arenas: Gilbert Arenas displayed very good decision-making. Against Puerto Rico, Arenas pushed the ball up the floor in order to gather speed for his own lay-up. This time, he was very calm and did not commit any silly fouls. However, he was cold from the field with a 1-6 shooting night. I am a little surprised considering I have seen video of him practicing shots, especially the much shorter three-point shot. This is not a good sign as he is supposed to be one of the team’s best shooters.

Shane Battier: Battier played extremely well. Not only did he score the first basket, he added five rebounds to his seven points. However, Battier has yet to drive successfully to the basket. His only attempt led to a blatant offensive foul. If Battier remains a jump shooter, then I do not see him making his mark on Coach K.

Brad Miller: Brad Miller truly showed why he was chosen as one of the finalists on this team. He was on pace to another lackluster performance after the first half but redeemed himself in the second. After providing a lob for Lebron James, Miller displayed a ferocious offense consisting of three treys in succession. He finished with thirteen points at the end of the night. Even though the international line is four inches shorter than the NBA’s, that 20.6 inch footer is still outside of his range.

Kirk Hinrich: Kirk Hinrich was a no-show against China. Coming off the bench, Hinrich missed a three-pointer that would be his only shot of the night. He did have three assists, but they were not fancy passes but simple ones given to random jump shooters. I am not sure if he was hampered by any injuries, but his performance was best forgotten.

Dwyane Wade: Wade earned his starting position. Though he came off the bench, he finished with thirteen points, six rebounds, and six assists. The highlight was a NBA three-pointer that looked insanely difficult when taken four feet from the international line. His all-around performance will guarantee him a starter for actual competition. However, my only complaint was that Wade tried to draw a foul after his defender bought the head fake. Wade, remember the international rules.

Antawn Jamison: Jamison continued to exhibit his range, but the shots did not fall as well as the first game. He finished with five points off a 2-5 shooting night while contributing no rebounds or assists.

Carmelo Anthony: The man on a mission showed no signs of losing focus. The minute he came off the bench, he swished a jumper. After an array of dunks and treys, Carmelo finished with seventeen points off a 7-12 shooting night.

Elton Brand: Elton Brand was unconscious from the field with a 5-7 performance. He would not miss his mid-range shots. On defense, Brand poured in six rebounds, making him a very viable and solid double-double performer. However, like Howard, Brand did not pressure any of the Chinese big man in their first quarter run.

Chris Paul: Like Hinrich, Paul missed the only shot he attempted. He did not appear to be in the flow like he was in the previous game. His overall performance was non-existent, especially his two assists.

Bruce Bowen: Bowen practically put up 0’s the entire night. The highlight of his night was a three-pointer when the game was well in hand.

Chris Bosh: Bosh was a beast inside and outside. Highlights of his performance included two three-point plays and a three pointer that finally dropped after four attempts. He did not have any rebounds, but he dominated offensively.

Team Notes: Team USA’s pressure defense reappeared to force 21 steals and 34 turnovers. I actually felt sorry for the Chinese team as no player could get inside and was forced to take a three-point shot. Team USA willingly gave them the shot; China made a decent amount of them, but they died by the three.

China pushed the ball inside in a brief first-quarter run. The big men were scoring at will while the guards had no problems getting the ball inside. Team USA was fortunate that this defensive lapse did not occur at the end of the game.

Chopping Block Candidates: Bruce Bowen, Kirk Hinrich, Shane Battier, Antawn Jamison

Interesting Tidbit: Even Ronald McDonald, albeit an Asian Ronald McDonald, could not afford to miss this game. He appeared in the stands.

Bill Walton Quotes: “China finally gets an outside shot to drop as they whittle this…INCALCUBLE LEAD that is too difficult for me.”

“Elton Brand just does not miss his mid-range shots. Every aspect of his game is just FLAWLESS.”

“Joe Johnson is playing really well tonight. The way he executes is just FLAWLESS”