Before Athens in 2004 anything short of Olympic gold is seen as a failure.

When Team USA returned from Athens in 2004 with the bronze medal, the program was changed.

In 2005, USA Basketball put the responsibility in the hands of Colangelo, the former chairman of the Phoenix Suns. He demanded three-year commitments from everyone involved with the team.

"We needed commitments from coaches and players alike," said Jerry Colangelo, managing director of the USA national team program

USA Basketball announced the 12 players who will represent the United States this summer in Beijing:

Denver's Carmelo Anthony, Utah's Carlos Boozer, Toronto's Chris Bosh, the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, Orlando's Dwight Howard, Cleveland's LeBron James, Dallas's Jason Kidd, New Orleans's Chris Paul, Detroit's Tayshaun Prince, Milwaukee's Michael Redd, Miami's Dwyane Wade and Utah's Deron Williams.

Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, chose not to make such a commitment.

There are some questions about 12-man squad:

*Its lack of balance, with only one true center in Howard, after Stoudemire withdrew his name last week.

*Two power forwards: Boozer and Bosh.

*Also three point guards, including Kidd, who is 35.

"I think ball handling and defending the point, that's where it all starts," Krzyzewski said. "In the past, We didn't have the strength, at the point guard position"

*Problem could be the team's ability to shoot from the outside.

But Redd is chosen specifically to fill that role.

Anthony, Boozer, James, and Wade played in Athens four years ago when the United States lost to Argentina. That team, widely regarded as too inexperienced .

Two years later, at the 2006 world championship, the United States had not yet improved, although the outcome was not as surprising as its sixth-place finish in 2002.

The team meat in Las Vegas for a two-day training camp Before it starts daily training July 21-24. Then they are scheduled to play nine friendly games, trying to build chemistry.

The U.S. team play Aug. 10, in a preliminary-round against China.

Coaching DVDs at Championship Productions

Before Athens in 2004 anything short of Olympic gold is seen as a failure.

When Team USA returned from Athens in 2004 with the bronze medal, the program was changed.

In 2005, USA Basketball put the responsibility in the hands of Colangelo, the former chairman of the Phoenix Suns. He demanded three-year commitments from everyone involved with the team.

"We needed commitments from coaches and players alike," said Jerry Colangelo, managing director of the USA national team program

USA Basketball announced the 12 players who will represent the United States this summer in Beijing:

Denver's Carmelo Anthony, Utah's Carlos Boozer, Toronto's Chris Bosh, the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, Orlando's Dwight Howard, Cleveland's LeBron James, Dallas's Jason Kidd, New Orleans's Chris Paul, Detroit's Tayshaun Prince, Milwaukee's Michael Redd, Miami's Dwyane Wade and Utah's Deron Williams.

Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, chose not to make such a commitment.

There are some questions about 12-man squad:

*Its lack of balance, with only one true center in Howard, after Stoudemire withdrew his name last week.

*Two power forwards: Boozer and Bosh.

*Also three point guards, including Kidd, who is 35.

"I think ball handling and defending the point, that's where it all starts," Krzyzewski said. "In the past, We didn't have the strength, at the point guard position"

*Problem could be the team's ability to shoot from the outside.

But Redd is chosen specifically to fill that role.

Anthony, Boozer, James, and Wade played in Athens four years ago when the United States lost to Argentina. That team, widely regarded as too inexperienced .

Two years later, at the 2006 world championship, the United States had not yet improved, although the outcome was not as surprising as its sixth-place finish in 2002.

The team meat in Las Vegas for a two-day training camp Before it starts daily training July 21-24. Then they are scheduled to play nine friendly games, trying to build chemistry.

The U.S. team play Aug. 10, in a preliminary-round against China.

Coaching DVDs at Championship Productions

Before Athens in 2004 anything short of Olympic gold is seen as a failure.

When Team USA returned from Athens in 2004 with the bronze medal, the program was changed.

In 2005, USA Basketball put the responsibility in the hands of Colangelo, the former chairman of the Phoenix Suns. He demanded three-year commitments from everyone involved with the team.

"We needed commitments from coaches and players alike," said Jerry Colangelo, managing director of the USA national team program

USA Basketball announced the 12 players who will represent the United States this summer in Beijing:

Denver's Carmelo Anthony, Utah's Carlos Boozer, Toronto's Chris Bosh, the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, Orlando's Dwight Howard, Cleveland's LeBron James, Dallas's Jason Kidd, New Orleans's Chris Paul, Detroit's Tayshaun Prince, Milwaukee's Michael Redd, Miami's Dwyane Wade and Utah's Deron Williams.

Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, chose not to make such a commitment.

There are some questions about 12-man squad:

*Its lack of balance, with only one true center in Howard, after Stoudemire withdrew his name last week.

*Two power forwards: Boozer and Bosh.

*Also three point guards, including Kidd, who is 35.

"I think ball handling and defending the point, that's where it all starts," Krzyzewski said. "In the past, We didn't have the strength, at the point guard position"

*Problem could be the team's ability to shoot from the outside.

But Redd is chosen specifically to fill that role.

Anthony, Boozer, James, and Wade played in Athens four years ago when the United States lost to Argentina. That team, widely regarded as too inexperienced .

Two years later, at the 2006 world championship, the United States had not yet improved, although the outcome was not as surprising as its sixth-place finish in 2002.

The team meat in Las Vegas for a two-day training camp Before it starts daily training July 21-24. Then they are scheduled to play nine friendly games, trying to build chemistry.

The U.S. team play Aug. 10, in a preliminary-round against China.

Coaching DVDs at Championship Productions

Dispite being down 3-2 in this series, do the Lakers with correct matchup decisions, have a chance to beat the Celtics?

Kewin Garnett:

Do the Lakers have a player that can match him up?

The team's best cover onto Garnett should be Turiaf, instead of leaving Gasol or Odom on Garnett.This produced a lot of problems, knowing the fact that Gasol can't defend him, box him out, and even bother him.KG is player that can do positive things in offense, initiate the offense, shoot, rebound. Jackson doesn't recognize the fact that main problem on most plays is on Gasol. Odom doesn't have the quickness nor the height to, if Garnett use his quickness or height to get to the rim.

Paul Pierce:

Is the next worst matchup problem for the Lakers but it's simply not true. We do not know if he can "dominate" when he is going to play Kobe Bryant on the other side.

Kendrick Perkins:

Is the next most difficult cover. Turiaf, Odom, Radmonivich, and Walton. None of them can cover him on the block. Perkins should be covered by Gasol who can at least dominate him with his height while foot-speed isn't as much of issue.

Ray Allen:

Fisher isn't going to be beat off the dribble consistently and he's good enough to bother the outside shots.

Rondo:

Can be covered by either of the Sasha or Farmar, who is actually playing better.

Lakers would got to be going in the right direction if Gasol played Perkins, Turiaf played KG, Kobe played Pierce, Fisher played Allan , and Sasha or Farmar played Rondo.

Jackson wanted to keep his 3-point threat on the court, to stretch the defense. But it goes deeper than this. The problem is that. Sasha and Farmar are not going to be Steve Kerr and John Paxson, if Odom and Gasol aren't getting 40 points and 20 rebounds together. That's why the defensive matchups is more important than the offensive one.

Some Lakers players bring the team down with their lack of defensive toughness. The Celtics who don't have a really legitimate offense, with problematic match up is given an offensive identity.

Those defensive matchup problem is the main reason that the Lakers are down and out in this series, but it's controllable by coach.

Coaching DVDs at Championship Productions

Dispite being down 3-2 in this series, do the Lakers with correct matchup decisions, have a chance to beat the Celtics?

Kewin Garnett:

Do the Lakers have a player that can match him up?

The team's best cover onto Garnett should be Turiaf, instead of leaving Gasol or Odom on Garnett.This produced a lot of problems, knowing the fact that Gasol can't defend him, box him out, and even bother him.KG is player that can do positive things in offense, initiate the offense, shoot, rebound. Jackson doesn't recognize the fact that main problem on most plays is on Gasol. Odom doesn't have the quickness nor the height to, if Garnett use his quickness or height to get to the rim.

Paul Pierce:

Is the next worst matchup problem for the Lakers but it's simply not true. We do not know if he can "dominate" when he is going to play Kobe Bryant on the other side.

Kendrick Perkins:

Is the next most difficult cover. Turiaf, Odom, Radmonivich, and Walton. None of them can cover him on the block. Perkins should be covered by Gasol who can at least dominate him with his height while foot-speed isn't as much of issue.

Ray Allen:

Fisher isn't going to be beat off the dribble consistently and he's good enough to bother the outside shots.

Rondo:

Can be covered by either of the Sasha or Farmar, who is actually playing better.

Lakers would got to be going in the right direction if Gasol played Perkins, Turiaf played KG, Kobe played Pierce, Fisher played Allan , and Sasha or Farmar played Rondo.

Jackson wanted to keep his 3-point threat on the court, to stretch the defense. But it goes deeper than this. The problem is that. Sasha and Farmar are not going to be Steve Kerr and John Paxson, if Odom and Gasol aren't getting 40 points and 20 rebounds together. That's why the defensive matchups is more important than the offensive one.

Some Lakers players bring the team down with their lack of defensive toughness. The Celtics who don't have a really legitimate offense, with problematic match up is given an offensive identity.

Those defensive matchup problem is the main reason that the Lakers are down and out in this series, but it's controllable by coach.

Coaching DVDs at Championship Productions

The NBA season end with the most spectacular close-out. The Celtics closed out the Los Angeles Lakers, setting 131-92 victory for the NBA title.

They set a Finals record with 18 steals, didn't allow the Lakers an offensive rebound until 49 seconds into the fourth quarter, and prevented superstar Bryant from scoring a field goal for 23 minutes and 21 seconds between the first and third quarters. The Celtics' stifling defense frustrated him to the point that his scoring continuously dropped from well over 30 points as the series began to 21.3 in the final three games.

The Lakers started the series averaging 105.9 points in the playoffs and the Celtics lowered them to 93.8.

The general manager Danny Ainge put this team together and to coach Rivers making them work.

Rivers stressed the defense, designed by assistant Tom Thibodeau, from the start of the season.

Garnett was always a defensive-oriented player, but Pierce certainly wasn't, and neither was Allen.Pearce was with the reputation of being selfish and impatient with teammates.

Garnett, Pierce and Allen sacrified their individual numbers in favour of team game.

The aging Celtics bench completely outplayed the Lakers bench, scoring almost nine points a game more for the series

None of it would have happened without the defense. The consistency was, and now is the championship title.

On the other side, the NBA Finals became an opportunity for Kobe to further establish himself as one of the elite players to have ever played this game.

In a game, the most crucial that he's played in more than four years, Bryant was a complete non-factor."

Between all he said: "But I'm proud. I'm proud of the effort that we gave".

He didn't manage a field goal that lasted for more than 22 minutes.

Further more he walked away without even putting up a fight.

Coaching DVDs at Championship Productions

The NBA season end with the most spectacular close-out. The Celtics closed out the Los Angeles Lakers, setting 131-92 victory for the NBA title.

They set a Finals record with 18 steals, didn't allow the Lakers an offensive rebound until 49 seconds into the fourth quarter, and prevented superstar Bryant from scoring a field goal for 23 minutes and 21 seconds between the first and third quarters. The Celtics' stifling defense frustrated him to the point that his scoring continuously dropped from well over 30 points as the series began to 21.3 in the final three games.

The Lakers started the series averaging 105.9 points in the playoffs and the Celtics lowered them to 93.8.

The general manager Danny Ainge put this team together and to coach Rivers making them work.

Rivers stressed the defense, designed by assistant Tom Thibodeau, from the start of the season.

Garnett was always a defensive-oriented player, but Pierce certainly wasn't, and neither was Allen.Pearce was with the reputation of being selfish and impatient with teammates.

Garnett, Pierce and Allen sacrified their individual numbers in favour of team game.

The aging Celtics bench completely outplayed the Lakers bench, scoring almost nine points a game more for the series

None of it would have happened without the defense. The consistency was, and now is the championship title.

On the other side, the NBA Finals became an opportunity for Kobe to further establish himself as one of the elite players to have ever played this game.

In a game, the most crucial that he's played in more than four years, Bryant was a complete non-factor."

Between all he said: "But I'm proud. I'm proud of the effort that we gave".

He didn't manage a field goal that lasted for more than 22 minutes.

Further more he walked away without even putting up a fight.

Coaching DVDs at Championship Productions

The Celtics took their 17th NBA championship. Jackson and Laker's will remember Tuesday night when the Celtics lead by as many as 43.Laker's looked like ripped apart from the Celtics pushing and pulling them from one end to the other.

In the final minutes, the Garden crowd chanted "Where is Kobe?" while the Celtics made a 30-point lead early in the fourth quarter.

Kobe Bryant hit his three pointers in the first quarter, keeping the Lakers within 24-20 and Laker's made only five shots in the first quarter and just one a layup.

Kobe shot seven-for-22 and he made only three of his last 17 shots. For the series, he averaged 25.7 points and shot only 40.5%. The Laker's continued their sloppy game in the second quarter, Bryant coldn't make it from the outside and after that, it was like driving track through the "Swicerland cheese". It was 58-35 at halftime.The ending was so humiliating for the Lakers, as fans sang, "Na na na na na na na, hey, hey goodbye."

The Game 6 stats were ugly for the Lakers. The Celtics had 48 rebounds, the Lakers 29. The Celtics had 14 offensive rebounds, the Lakers a menaged two. The Celtics had 33 assists, the Lakers 16. The Celtics had seven turnovers, the Lakers 19. etc.

Coaching DVDs at Championship Productions

The Celtics took their 17th NBA championship. Jackson and Laker's will remember Tuesday night when the Celtics lead by as many as 43.Laker's looked like ripped apart from the Celtics pushing and pulling them from one end to the other.

In the final minutes, the Garden crowd chanted "Where is Kobe?" while the Celtics made a 30-point lead early in the fourth quarter.

Kobe Bryant hit his three pointers in the first quarter, keeping the Lakers within 24-20 and Laker's made only five shots in the first quarter and just one a layup.

Kobe shot seven-for-22 and he made only three of his last 17 shots. For the series, he averaged 25.7 points and shot only 40.5%. The Laker's continued their sloppy game in the second quarter, Bryant coldn't make it from the outside and after that, it was like driving track through the "Swicerland cheese". It was 58-35 at halftime.The ending was so humiliating for the Lakers, as fans sang, "Na na na na na na na, hey, hey goodbye."

The Game 6 stats were ugly for the Lakers. The Celtics had 48 rebounds, the Lakers 29. The Celtics had 14 offensive rebounds, the Lakers a menaged two. The Celtics had 33 assists, the Lakers 16. The Celtics had seven turnovers, the Lakers 19. etc.

Coaching DVDs at Championship Productions

The Celtics took their 17th NBA championship. Jackson and Laker's will remember Tuesday night when the Celtics lead by as many as 43.Laker's looked like ripped apart from the Celtics pushing and pulling them from one end to the other.

In the final minutes, the Garden crowd chanted "Where is Kobe?" while the Celtics made a 30-point lead early in the fourth quarter.

Kobe Bryant hit his three pointers in the first quarter, keeping the Lakers within 24-20 and Laker's made only five shots in the first quarter and just one a layup.

Kobe shot seven-for-22 and he made only three of his last 17 shots. For the series, he averaged 25.7 points and shot only 40.5%. The Laker's continued their sloppy game in the second quarter, Bryant coldn't make it from the outside and after that, it was like driving track through the "Swicerland cheese". It was 58-35 at halftime.The ending was so humiliating for the Lakers, as fans sang, "Na na na na na na na, hey, hey goodbye."

The Game 6 stats were ugly for the Lakers. The Celtics had 48 rebounds, the Lakers 29. The Celtics had 14 offensive rebounds, the Lakers a menaged two. The Celtics had 33 assists, the Lakers 16. The Celtics had seven turnovers, the Lakers 19. etc.

Coaching DVDs at Championship Productions

The fact is, even in a win Laker's Triangle offense isn't effective. What I'm seeing is a lot of iso and 1-1 play.

The menthal state of the Laker's was a key in game 5. Another key was Odom and Gasol game. It's the first game of the Finals that the Lakers have won a third quarter (24-18).

Also, Lakers won the battle of the boards (40-37).

The series is goning to be decided in Boston, where the Celtics have a big advantage. It's to tough for Lakers to win two in a row against Celtics, away.

Lakers play with two small guards.

Key to Laker's win:

FIRST QUARTER:

* Bryant's 15 points.

* Lakers had the rebounding edge early.

* Scoring before Celtic's defense gets a chance to get set up. The result is a big lead.

* Lakers' big advantage: Points in the paint.

* Defensively, Laker's made opponents start its offense higher out on the floor.

SECOND QUARTER:

* Laker's subs do a poor job early in the quarter, leading to Celtic's 8-0 run (which turns into a 15-0 run).

THIRD QUARTER:

* For the first time in the series, Laker's wins a third quarter.

* Laker's has a poor baseline out of bounds defense ( Indecisive on switches on Guard to Guard screens )

* Celtics do a great job of stepping in and taking charges -- something they've done all

FOURTH QUARTER:

* Lakers struggle with P & R defense , With P Pierce handling and K Garnett setting picks so high it gives Pierce more space to operate.

* Lakers getting their hands on a lot of rebounds and this is Lakers best night in series from a rebounding standpoint .

* Garnett hits his first FT with 3:54 left in the game.

Coaching DVDs at Championship Productions

It's either win Game 5 on Sunday or pack away for summer.

If the Lakers win at home, they'll have to play Games 6 and 7 in Boston, where the Celtics are 12-1 this postseason

"We've got to take care of business on Sunday" said Kobe.

Bryant didn't score from the field in the first half of Game 4. Allen will likely start on Bryant in Game 5, but Rivers plans to throw different defensive looks at the superstar.

"One guy will not guard Kobe Bryant," he said. "It's too much work, and it takes all the energy out of that one guy."

So , what can the Lakers do to counter the Celtics' defense in Game 5?

*Keep the floor spread on offense.

*Run lots of P & R, but set them up closer to the foul line so that Kobe doesn't have to move out of his shooting range when the Celtics bigs show.

*Minimize dribbling and maximize passing, especially ball-reversals.

*Push the ball and get into their early offense stuff before the defense can get set.

Otherwise, wait till next year.

Coaching DVDs at Championship Productions

This was how the Boston Celtics make a big comeback . They fought for every loose ball and they are just one win from another NBA title.

The Celtics rallied from a 24-point deficit and beat the Los Angeles Lakers 97-91.

During the first quarter, the Lakers couldn't miss and the Celtics couldn't make.

Finaly, the Celtics finished game at 48.2 percent to the Lakers' 41.8 percent.

The Celtics denied wing passes, jumped Kobe Bryant's penetrations and also closed out the Lakers' shooters. in the second half, Paul Pierce's one-on-one defense made Kobe look likes dead.

Kevin Garnett score only 1 of his 5 jumpers, but he did damage by playing in the low post. From there, he was 6-for-9 and 14 of his 16 points.

Neither Pau Gasol nor Ronny Turiaf were able to much up him.

At the begining, the Lakers' speed killed the Celtics. Bryant was ignoring injured Rondo and jammed the middle and also denied passing lanes. Celtic's answered putting five small players and also five exelent shooters on the floor.This adjustment forced opponent to play honest defense.

The Lakers' lead almost disappeared and Jackson tried with the similar adjustment but they shot 2-17.

The triangle is basicaly offense that creates open jump shots and expects them to be made, otherwise from geometry left only lines.

The Celtics never gave up. They are coming at the Lakers at both ends of the floor.

On the other hand, Lakers made several bad decisions and it's why the Celtics were able to comeback.

Coaching DVDs at Championship Productions

Offense

Celtics

Nice ball movement through Kevin Garnett early on led to multiple assists. Rajon Rondo finished with 16, Rondo made smart decisions with his ball distribution on the pick-and-rolls. Boston shot 52.9%. Got to line 38 timesMatch ups and role players won game for Boston.

Lakers

They ball movement was off, until final minutes, when they scored from beyond arc. Too many critical turnovers. Shot deceiving 49.4%,bolstered by late comeback.

Lakers get good looks out of transition and pushing the ball (3-ball looks)

Lakers have no answer for Boston's defense.

Defense

Celtics

Effective aggressiveness, until last seven minutes.Kept Lakers off balance and Kobe Bryant out of paint but died at the end. Boston was able to defend Kobe without fouling him. Bryant had just one FT attempt, something Phil Jackson is questioning.

Lakers

LA's poor individual defense led to reaches, that ended up being fouls.They couldn't keep up with Celtics' ball rotation. When Bryant left early, LA lacked intensity. No defensive presence on perimeter or in the middle. Laker's left wing pick and roll is the only offense works.

Subs

Celtics

Leon Powe's and PJ Brown's game contribution was huge. Typically a non-go-to player who was incredibly active and had a huge offensive impact in the game's first half. Reserve Powe provided terrific punch, as did P.J.Brown and James Posey. The FT attempt game is huge. Powe had more FTA (13) than the entire Laker roster (10) in just 15 minutes of play.

Lakers

Resisted using his bench in Game 1 but did not hesitate this time with Ariza, Farmar, Turiaf. Luke Walton's lack of athleticism hurt the Lakers.

Overall

Possible match-ups for the next game 3:

- Radmanovic on Kendrick Perkins,

- Gasol on KG, and

- Odom on Pierce.

Radmanovic did a good job rebounding as a 4-man.Gasol needs more touches. He went 6-8 from the field.

Bryant had just one FT attempt, something Phil Jackson is questioning. He needs to find solution, to free Kobe.

The Lakers need to find someone who can contain Pierce.

It's clear now how much the Lakers miss Bynum. Home court advantage is huge. Lakers is undefeated at home this postseason.

Coaching DVDs at Championship Productions

Offense

Celtics

Nice ball movement through Kevin Garnett early on led to multiple assists. Rajon Rondo finished with 16, Rondo made smart decisions with his ball distribution on the pick-and-rolls. Boston shot 52.9%. Got to line 38 timesMatch ups and role players won game for Boston.

Lakers

They ball movement was off, until final minutes, when they scored from beyond arc. Too many critical turnovers. Shot deceiving 49.4%,bolstered by late comeback.

Lakers get good looks out of transition and pushing the ball (3-ball looks)

Lakers have no answer for Boston's defense.

Defense

Celtics

Effective aggressiveness, until last seven minutes.Kept Lakers off balance and Kobe Bryant out of paint but died at the end. Boston was able to defend Kobe without fouling him. Bryant had just one FT attempt, something Phil Jackson is questioning.

Lakers

LA's poor individual defense led to reaches, that ended up being fouls.They couldn't keep up with Celtics' ball rotation. When Bryant left early, LA lacked intensity. No defensive presence on perimeter or in the middle. Laker's left wing pick and roll is the only offense works.

Subs

Celtics

Leon Powe's and PJ Brown's game contribution was huge. Typically a non-go-to player who was incredibly active and had a huge offensive impact in the game's first half. Reserve Powe provided terrific punch, as did P.J.Brown and James Posey. The FT attempt game is huge. Powe had more FTA (13) than the entire Laker roster (10) in just 15 minutes of play.

Lakers

Resisted using his bench in Game 1 but did not hesitate this time with Ariza, Farmar, Turiaf. Luke Walton's lack of athleticism hurt the Lakers.

Overall

Possible match-ups for the next game 3:

- Radmanovic on Kendrick Perkins,

- Gasol on KG, and

- Odom on Pierce.

Radmanovic did a good job rebounding as a 4-man.Gasol needs more touches. He went 6-8 from the field.

Bryant had just one FT attempt, something Phil Jackson is questioning. He needs to find solution, to free Kobe.

The Lakers need to find someone who can contain Pierce.

It's clear now how much the Lakers miss Bynum. Home court advantage is huge. Lakers is undefeated at home this postseason.

Coaching DVDs at Championship Productions