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One last post on Team USA to wrap things up before we put this Olympiad to bed, and start on the road to London 2012.

As USA Basketball stumbled on the international stage throughout this decade, many observers, casual and serious alike, have asserted that a perceived lack of role play......

Original Story: http://thepaintedarea.blogspot.com/2008/08...

It is challenging to come up with an All-Tournament team for this year's Olympic basketball competition, especially as we get into the second team, mainly because there were so few players who produced consistently from the start of the tournament all the way through the medal round, whether due ......

Original Story: http://thepaintedarea.blogspot.com/2008/08...

We know what Team USA is capable of and if they just play a solid game, they should cruise. So in this piece will focus on what Spain needs to do to challenge the US.

Spain needs a perfect confluence of events to align just right if they want any shot. Hope that Team USA is awful fr......

Original Story: http://thepaintedarea.blogspot.com/2008/08...

Also: Quarters Preview, Part I

In Part II, we'll take a look at the 2nd session of Quarterfinal games--USA-Australia & Argentina-Greece.

USA vs. AUSTRALIA:
Original Story: http://thepaintedarea.blogspot.com/2008/08...

Not a ton of competitive games in the prelims but hopefully the One-n-Done portion of this competition will provide some intrigue this week. Iran & Angola have been eliminated, no surprise. While Germany & Russia have left the proceedings earlier than expected. We're left with eight teams goin......

Original Story: http://thepaintedarea.blogspot.com/2008/08...

Before we get going on this post, let's clean up a little unfinished business from yesterday's post on Ricky Rubio. We made a comparison between Rubio and Brandon Jennings, who could both be top 5 p......

Original Story: http://thepaintedarea.blogspot.com/2008/08...

I hadn't really had a good opportunity to watch 17-year-old Spanish phenom Ricky Rubio play until these Olympics. After spending the last two nights watching Spain's games vs. China and Germany, all I can say about the kid is: Yo creo. I believe.

My reaction after watching Rub......

Original Story: http://thepaintedarea.blogspot.com/2008/08...

The Wednesday/Thursday slate of games shapes up to be the best of the prelim stage in Beijing. Sure, everyone is awaiting the USA (2-0) vs. Greece (1-1) matchup, but there are three other enticing games on the Olympic docket.
Original Story: http://thepaintedarea.blogspot.com/2008/08...

CROATIA 85, RUSSIA 78:
Croatia continues its strong play this summer with a tough victory vs. the defending Euro Champs. (This outcome is not surprising, a very mild upset at best). Kept up their physical defense that worked wonders vs. Germany & kept up their patented outside shoot......

Original Story: http://thepaintedarea.blogspot.com/2008/08...

Also: 2008 Olympic Men's Basketball Preview: Overall Ranks/Group A

Here we go with the in-depth breakdowns for Group B, which has the 3 best teams in the tourney in our es......

Original Story: http://thepaintedarea.blogspot.com/2008/08...

The big daddy of international hoops has arrived, as the Olympic men's basketball tournament tips off Sunday in Beijing (Saturday evening in the U.S.), with unprecedented depth of talent in the 12-team field.

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3rd Place Game: Germany 96, Puerto Rico 82

The Germans put this game away in the 3rd with a flurry of 3pts midway thru the quarter, and sent Dirk to his first Olympic appearance; I'll wager on Dirk carrying the flag for the German contingent. Got back their long-range mojo th......

Original Story: http://thepaintedarea.blogspot.com/2008/07...

Croatia 76, Germany 70:

Croatia came out on top primarily thanks to a outstanding defensive effort. And got timely shooting from role players like K. Loncar, Davor Kus (2 big 3pts in 4th), & Nicevic down the stretch. This outcome is a mild upset at best. Croatia actually has......

Original Story: http://thepaintedarea.blogspot.com/2008/07...

A quick glance at the quarterfinal round. Besides the Greece-NZ matchup, think the other 3 games have the potential to be competitive.

Greece vs. New Zealand:
Greece should have no issues dispatching the Kiwis at home. They can focus all their defensive pressure at Kirk......

Original Story: http://thepaintedarea.blogspot.com/2008/07...

Rundown of Day 3 (7/16) slate of games in Athens:

Germany 89, New Zealand 71:

Not surprisingly Germany's gameplan was to establish Dirk & Kaman in the post. Dirk was deadly with his turnarounds all-game, threw in a few 3pts. as well (3/6 on 3pts.). Dirk's line: 35 p......

Original Story: http://thepaintedarea.blogspot.com/2008/07...