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Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Sayson: Not unbeatable, but scary-good
By Homer D. Sayson
Second Overtime
CHICAGO — I saw Carmelo Anthony drill 20 points.
I saw LeBron James flick four assists, gather four rebounds and pluck two steals. I also saw Dwyane Wade slither past spandex-tight double teams and make it look so outrageously easy.
And then I saw myself slowly fall asleep. USA 113, Australia 73. Zzzzzzz.
The world was supposed to be closing in on Team USA and its plethora of NBA talent. But when I watched the ongoing FIBA World Championships last Sunday night, the only thing I found out was that Australia, a continent, looks awfully small in the basketball universe.
In that 40-point romp, which catapulted USA to the quarterfinals, the Americans shot 53.9 percent from the field and 51.9 beyond the arc. They also controlled the assists battle, 24-15, and they outrebounded the gritty Aussies, 33-26.
TOUGH NUT. So, is the US unbeatable in this hoops meet at Saitama, Japan?
“No doubt,” said Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson, a 6-foot-8 sharpshooter who riddled Australia’s defense with 18 points. “Our biggest opponent right now is ourselves,” he added.
Indeed, Team USA is a tough nut to crack. But the Americans aren’t invincible. Italy proved that notion during the elimination round, when the Italians gave USA a rough 94-85 test by hitting 31 of 63 field goals and 7 of 21 treys.
The Yanks’ biggest opponents aren’t themselves. There’s Argentina and Spain, both 6-0 when this piece was penned. When team USA plays either the Argentines or Spaniards, both parading experienced cogs who aren’t intimidated by NBA stars, I probably won’t drift into a boredom induced coma.
In the final analysis, though, I think the Americans will cart away the gold medal.
Led by the trifecta of LeBron, Wade and Anthony, the US offense is simply too tough, more scary than the crossbones you see in a bottle of poison. And under coach Mike Krzyzewski, the US team defense is committed and unforgiving.
THANKS. Some of the many letters I receive daily induce laughter, others ruffle my feathers. But a handful few (surprise! surprise!), warms my heart and provide motivation to strive even harder. Here’s Elmer Acasio(escasio@yahoo.com) in his own words:
“You don’t know me but I read your articles a lot and I used to listen to your NBA segment over at dyAB with Leo Lastimosa, another Josenian. Man, I really missed your dyAB segment, it was very thrilling and informative. Maybe you should make an NBA dictionary or information book. I’m sure it will sell.
“Anyway, I’m in Calgary, Alberta. No dyAB broadcast here. Hope you’re ‘trimming’ right now.”
I’m sorry you can no longer tune in to my dyAB gabfest, but hey, you can still have a piece of my thoughts by logging on to sunstar.com.ph. Click Cebu and click sports. I have a column every MWF and Saturdays. See you there.
(homsay@hotmail.com)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (August 30, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
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