USA 135, Puerto Rico 91

USA BASKETBALL POSTGAME QUOTES

COACH MIKE KRZYZEWSKI , HEAD COACH USA
A lot of people always think it is a done deal with our team, and Puerto Rico was so good in that first half and we knew they would be because they can control tempo with their terrific guard. Our guys really started out the second half and the level went on one of those streaks that reminded me of the game we played against Italy in the World Championships and at one quarter we just took off. We did a little thing against the zone and those just work well with people. They jumped and they passed and it gave us such a lift. A lot of our guys they represented a country well they represented international basketball well and hopefully we can close out and play well again tomorrow but we're very very honored to be one of the qualifying teams for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. You could not have a more proud team than this U.S. team that they are going on to represent their country.

Can you talk a little bit about the contribution of Nate McMillan. Defensively it sounds like he has helped a lot.
Our staff is superb. Nate was noted as a decent player at NC State. He played for legendary coach Jimmy Valvano. He's a classy guy who knows his stuff. He's made adjustments on our defense throughout that have helped us. He's a good man. We have good men. We all get along. Really, I consider all of us the head coach. They can talk to the team at any time and I'm fine with that. They get the stat report right before today's game and Nate's going through everything and then I ask a few things and then tomorrow will be Mike D'Antoni. That's just the way we try to do it.

CARMELO ANTHONY, USA

What do you think it is that has evolved over the last couple of weeks where you seem to have been the one who has been pushed to the front in terms of the one that's the story? Also, how bad do you feel about what happened back in 2004?
Back in 2004, we as a country have to have that memory in the back of our minds. We know what that stake is and what's our goal because we need to not only win this tournament that we're in right now but win the Olympics. I think we're headed to the right direction. We're on the right path. As long as these guys keep doing what they're doing, they're doing a great job. I think we'll be good.

[INAUDIBLE]
I just play regardless of what kind of game it is, I'm able to adjust to it. It's not like I'm out there trying to score 20 or 30 points it just happens. It sounds funny but it's almost like it comes naturally to me. The game is fun. Sometimes I almost like the international games better than I like the NBA games.

The three-point shooting has been much better this year than in years past. Are you guys just more comfortable with that international three-point line or is there something else that's contributing to it?
I think everybody worked on it. Everybody was reading the print, watching TV. Everybody was saying we have no shooters on this team and I think we proved them wrong. We can do everything. We can shoot we can defend we can score multiple ways.

Talk about the addition of Kobe Bryant this year and what he adds defensively as well as just part of this time and being a unifying force on the team.

CARMELO ANTHONY, USA
With Kobe, he brings a leader. He's a tough-minded guy. It's not just him. We have Jason Kidd, we have Chauncey [Billups] we have Amare back here from working with us last summer. And all those guys saw what happened last summer and they're excited to be here. When you get 12 guys that's excited to play with each other, there's really nothing that can break you apart.

COACH MIKE KRZYZEWSKI , HEAD COACH USA
And Kobe's not just the top perimeter player which I think is a good statement to the rest of the team. It's as if he said, hey I've scored 50 points a few times in NBA games but I want that good shooter or that scorer. I've been pleased with the trend. I'd just like to mention Dwyane Wade. We don't have Dwyane like we did last summer. Kobe this summer helped in that regard. When we get him back, that will make us seem stronger. We sense the commitment from these guys and it shows in a guy like Dwyane Wade. He's here. He's supporting these guys and that's the type of camaraderie that we've developed

Can you comment on Michael Redd's performance in the second half and how you see him fitting into the future of the team?
I think we're going to let him shoot. He's been great. Michael's defense has been pretty good. It's interesting to me, some of the perceptions of these guys that are out there and I've been with them for a few weeks. They're the most unselfish, they're good guys, I've never had one second of a problem and leading up to the fact that they love when Michael Redd shoots. All of them are cheering for him. They love it and I'm sure Michael loves it too.

Will you approach tomorrow any differently?
Both teams are ecstatic to be qualified for the Olympics. We just like to finish off playing really well. In the big scheme of things I guess it doesn't mean much. We're going to go out and play really hard; continue to play as well as we have. I want to congratulate Argentina for playing so well. We're honored to be playing against them tomorrow.

When they cut the lead to six points, were you surprised that Arroyo spent so much time on the bench?
A little bit but we changed our defense and we trapped from our five and that seemed to disrupt them a little bit. I didn't know what the reason was but there's a lot of energy put out there in that first quarter and I don't know but we tried to adjust accordingly. I have a hard enough time trying to coach my team than to figure out what they're doing.

Will you look back now and see Greece as a blessing in disguise?
I think it's always important to make a positive out of everything you do. I think we'll be much better prepared for China.


PUERTO RICO POSTGAME QUOTES

MANOLO CINTRON, PUERTO RICO HEAD COACH

What are your expectations for tomorrow's game?
Brazil has a very structural team. I think we should prepare for tomorrow's game as we prepare for any of our games. We need to get into court strong and move the basketball around. All we have to do is play the game as we have been playing and stay strong. Tomorrow's game is very important for us.

What was your strategy not bringing Arroyo back into the game?
The truth is that I believed that our players coming in from the bench could handle the job. Some of our starting layers were tired, and since we have a talented group of players on the bench, I decided to give them a chance. Unfortunately they could not balance the game, and we finished fifteen points down. I had confidence on the bench; it was not a strategy to keep our starting players out. I just happened that way.

CARLOS ALBERTO ARROYO BERMUDEZ, PUERTO RICO

Do you think that the players from the bench were the key factor for the result of this game?
It was very unfortunate that we had a bad game in the second half. Everyone had the opportunity to play, but the work in the second half was not strong enough. We could pretty much balance the game through the first half, but I think they could not dominate the rebounds in the second. Observing the game, I think the key factor was not focusing more on what we were there to do.  Unfortunately things like this happen if you are not focused. Knowing the type of team the United States is; if we don't try, we don't win. Our defense was lacking. They made a lot of three-pointers because of that. Tomorrow we will play again against a strong team. Brazil knows how to play great and counts with strong talent.

How significant will it be if Puerto Rico walks out of this tournament with the Bronze medal?
It will be very significant to us. It was already very significant for us to get into this round. It was a gift and an opportunity that we will not take for granted. We have to understand though that what happened in the first round cannot happen now. We are just happy to be representing Puerto Rico and for this opportunity, but it would be very significant le



Argentina 91 vs Brazil 80

SERGIO HERNANDEZ, ARGENTINA HEAD COACH

How would you describe this new achievement by Argentina?
I am extremely happy about this. We have played two tournaments of the same caliber and came out strong on both. Now we have just to be happy and look forward to our upcoming challenges. Hopefully we will go into the Olympic Games as strong as we entered and performed in this tournament. It has been a long tournament, and we are very tired too. Five months ago when we were putting this team together and Ginobili and Roberto said they could not participate, some people did not believe that this team could qualify Argentina for the Olympic Games… but we always knew we could do it, and we did it. I think this is a great day for us.

Throughout this tournament, have you been in touch with those Argentinean basketball players who could not be here?
For those players who are not here with us, all I want is to salute them from here because for us they are still part of this team and are with us right now. They've done a lot for the Argentina team over the years despite the fact that they could not participate in this tournament with us. These players have also been in touch with some of our players here, such as with Delfino, to find out how we are doing and to give us support.

Can you comment on Delfino's performance today?
Carlos was key for us on the second half of today's game. He is always ready to give his all for this team as happened today. He carried our team on his shoulders in the third quarter, and that is why he is in the NBA. They played great. I actually think that the third quarter was our best quarter of the game. During the third quarter, we made great shots against a strong defense while during the forth quarter, the Brazil team played with desperation, and we had many easy shots because of it.

CARLOS DELFINO, ARGENTINA

Can you comment on your performance today?
We had a competitive game today, and our team did great. Offensively we were just trying to make a run for it, get closer to the basket and make clean shots. We were also trying to play more defense, and I think that was key for us today.

What are your thoughts about this achievement?
I think this group started to work as a team slowly. We got more confident during this tournament, and today we are qualified to go straight to the Olympics. Coming into this tournament, we knew the other top teams were the U.S., Brazil and Puerto Rico… the teams with bigger guys. I think that we showed everyone who questioned this team with this win and qualification.

ALUSIO FERREIRA, BRAZIL HEAD COACH

Could you give us an update on Nene?
Nene had a muscular injury, which disabled him to take part in the rest of the game. It has nothing to do with his knee. It seems to be a superficial injury, but we will have an official answer once the doctor sees him tonight. I believe he will not be playing tomorrow. We will actually have to survey our players to see who will have the condition to play. It is understandable that our players are tired, especially because of all the effort they put into trying to qualify straight to the Olympic Games. Regardless of this physical and emotional tiredness, I think that our players have such a strong dignity that they will continue to represent their country to the best of their abilities no matter what.

How will Brazil prepare for their next chance to qualify for the Olympic Games?
Brazil had two chances to get qualified for the Olympics, this tournament and the World Pre-Qualifiers. The World Pre-Olympics will be in one year from now. After going back home, the Brazilian National Confederation will evaluate our team and put together another plan so we can come out successful next year.
 
There is a media outlet who reported on conflicts within the Brazilian National Team. Is that true?

No. This is a rumor created outside of our group. We have always been a strong and united team throughout this tournament.

TIAGO SPLITTER BEIMS, BRAZIL

I'm sure this loss is disappointing, but how will you prepare for tomorrow's game?
Today's loss is a big blow for us, but tomorrow we do have to remember that we have another game to play. We knew we could win today. I actually think we had this game on our hands. We do feel bad because of this letdown, but tomorrow we will have a tough game in front of us. We will try to concentrate now on that game and do our best tomorrow.