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USA LOSES, HERE'S WHY!

The coach didnt even know the Greek players' names and the players never took the time to see their future opponents play.

What was more important, shopping?

One Greek coaching god outcoached four multi-millionaire American coaching icons, and 12 Greek millionaires outplayed 12 American multi-multi-millionaires.

USA had no zone defence to go to in their playbook when they were getting killed by the pick and roll.

They never worked on the zone during their too few and too easy preparation games.

The coaches opted for too much small ball when Dwight Howard scored 10 points and got seven rebounds in only 12 minutes and should have played more, even though he wasted time in the warm-up shooting threes when he should be working on his jump hook.

Of course like the others, he was hung out to dry by the high pic-and-rolls but he could have anchored a zone!

Why did USA continue to defend so far out (for only four steals), over-extending their defense and playing into the Greeks' hands?

The mentally tough Greeks had all the answers, playing slow or fast (to come back from 12 down), big or small, outside or inside, drive or shoot, you name it, they mastered it.

Their adaptability to all situations is amazing. They beat USA at its own high-scoring game, shootig 63%!

Their shared experience over many years was the major difference against Team USA who once again had an unbalanced team with too many finishers and not enough defenders and back-to-the-basket players on the court.

They'll need the next two summers together to develop some consistency, team concept, better free throw shooting and lose the superiority complex (see beginning of blog).

I offered my services via this blog two years ago to (Jerry) Colangelo as a consultant on Europeean ball which I cover each week, no reply.

I offered my services as a shot doctor and psychologist to the French team's coach twice, no reply.

You can lead a horse to water... In past blogs I also sung the praises of some Greek stars that would help certain NBA teams, players like Theo Papaloukas (12 fabulous assists) and Dimitris Diamantidis (his stat line was a coach's dream), who are true winners and team players.

Add "baby bulldozer Shaq" to that list if he keeps his head on straight and his weight down!

A funny anecdote was when a chinese reporter asked Battier what he thought of "big mac" when he meant baby Shaq.

Anyway, USA was world champs of the dunk contest during warmups which pleased the naive Japanese fans!

Another bronze medal won in a game between two exhausted teams was a meager consolation for USA basketball.

Stern's idea of copying France's basketball academy for talented youth in the future, is looking like a more and more necessary thing every day.

George Eddy in Saitama