My Big Fat Greek Blowout: USA's principled play leads to demolition of Greeks

In their first real Olympic test, the US earned stellar marks.

The Greek national team hung with the World’s best basketball team for more than a quarter and then the flood gates opened.

Simply put, the US made their own breaks and then took advantage of them. Unlike in past games, dribblers were harassed coming down the lane, attacking the drivers and forcing worse passes rather than attacking the passing lanes themselves.

The USswitched a lot on the perimeter, so the defense was a sort of matchup zone at times. Credit must go to Coach K for keeping this in his bag of tricks.

The defense also viciously spiked so many Greek shots off the backboard that they should consider moonlighting for the US men’s volleyball team.

Four members of the Team USA scores more than ten points in the first half led by Chris Bosh, who has such immaculate feel moving around and finding holes in international zones. LeBron was a good transition scorer and was great as a passer as well.

Another great transition player was Kobe, who looks like he wants to just annihilate everything on earth when he dunks. In the second half, however, fell in love with low percentage fade always (which he made, mainly of because he is, in fact Kobe, Bryant). His only first half three was from, of all places, NBA range. Maybe you just go with what you have a feel for.

Kobe also authored one of the best plays of the first half when he forced a turnover, and then while saving the ball form going out of bounds, lofted a beautiful pass to the rim for a D-Wade jam.

Wade was nothing short of spectacular, finding rebounds against the Greek zone and more importantly driving and dumping off for dunks when the defense reacted. His NBA game does not fit with the traditional international game (many free throws, the international 3 is just out of his comfort range) but he is making it work with good passing and understanding of what the defense is giving him.

Once a flurry of transition scores blew the game open and gave the US a 19-point lead at the half, the contest was all but over. Every time the Greeks managed to string together a few scores in the latter half, Team USA emphatically responded, closing the door.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?