USA vs. Slovenia FIBA World Cup 2014: Game Grades, Analysis for Team USA, Junaki
The United States defeated Slovenia 119-76 in the quarterfinals of the 2014 FIBA World Cup on Tuesday.
Although Team USA led by only seven points at halftime, it surged in the second half thanks to a 37-22 run in the third quarter. From that point on, the Red, White and Blue coasted.
While the Americans didn't shoot the ball at a particularly encouraging clip, they dominated the glass to the tune of a 54-38 rebounding disparity, including 24-12 on the offensive boards.
However, the box score indicates Team USA was more efficient than the film showed (50 percent shooting from the field), namely because Mike Krzyzewski's side outscored Slovenia 42-6 in transition.
All told, six USA scorers finished in double figures, while Anthony Davis and Kenneth Faried both recorded double-doubles.
Goran Dragic paced the Slovenians with 13 points, but his side simply couldn't keep up with Team USA after committing 25 turnovers.
Slovenia Grades
Goran Dragic: B+
Zoran Dragic: B
Uros Slokar: C-
Domen Lorbek: B
Rest of Team: D
United States Grades
Anthony Davis: A
Kenneth Faried: A
Derrick Rose: B+
Rest of Team: A-
Slovenia
Goran Dragic: B+
Considering Goran Dragic entered Tuesday's contest averaging 16.5 points through six games (No. 11 overall), his slow start was rather concerning.
However, as the first half progressed, Dragic found his footing and helped cut the USA lead to seven by halftime.
With Team USA's guards repeatedly playing the lazy brand of defense that's earned them low marks throughout the tournament, Dragic used decisive ball movement and a quick first step to impose his will.
The Phoenix Suns standout point guard compiled 13 points (6-of-16 shooting), four rebounds and four assists in a valiant effort.
Zoran Dragic: B
The younger Dragic, Zoran helped keep Slovenia afloat with his outside shooting.
Two of his three first-half field goals came from beyond the free-throw line, and he was one of just two Slovenian players to knock down a three over the game's first 20 minutes.
An 11-point, five-rebound effort was commendable, and his power in the post helped neutralize Team USA's guards in the half court.
While his time at the World Cup is over, Zoran certainly proved he possesses the skills necessary to play against NBA talent should he garner serious interest from clubs across the Association.
Uros Slokar: C-
One of five Slovenia players to finish with a plus/minus rating greater than plus-13 against the Dominican Republic, Uros Slokar didn't find similar success against a more physically imposing Team USA front line.
On an evening when the United States simply dominated the boards, Slokar was held in check by the intimidating trio of Anthony Davis, Kenneth Faried and DeMarcus Cousins.
Quiet to the tune of seven points and two rebounds, Slkoar wasn't afforded the ability to prosper the way Slovenia's perimeter guns did in the first half.
Domen Lorbek: B
Matched up against James Harden, Domen Lorbek didn't need too many creative moves to impose his offensive will.
With Goran Dragic struggling to find a rhythm early, Lorbek assumed the role of primary scorer, dropping 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including seven in the first quarter. He also pulled down six rebounds and dropped two dimes.
Given how shaky the United States' perimeter defense has been throughout the World Cup, it wasn't all that surprising to see Lorbek pick his spots and keep Slovenia competitive early.
Rest of Team: C
Jure Balazic saw plenty of time off the bench, but he was incapable of providing perimeter reinforcements until the game was out of reach.
While he was active on the glass (six rebounds), Balazic couldn't get in a rhythm and finished with nine points (3-of-8 shooting, 1-of-5 from three), a majority of which came in the second half.
As a team, Slovenia mustered 31 bench points, while starting center Miha Zupan was limited to a paltry two points and one rebound.
United States
Anthony Davis: A
Team USA's frontcourt combined to score the team's first 10 points, and Davis' hustle helped Krzyzewski's side soldier through a horribly inefficient start.
The Americans' calming force throughout the tournament, Davis once again protected the rim and crashed the boards with enough force to intimidate an undersized Slovenian team. His mid-range jumper didn't look half bad, either.
After approaching a double-double in the first half, Tuesday proved to be another fruitful day at the office for Davis. He finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks.
Kenneth Faried: A
With Slovenia rolling out a considerably smaller starting five, Faried was active around the basket from the opening tip.
His energy was particularly necessary after Team USA opened 1-of-11 from the field as the Americans dominated on the offensive boards.
Flashing offensive and defensive chops that will soon earn him a considerable raise, Faried finished with 14 points (5-of-9 shooting) and 10 rebounds (four offensive) as he paced the Red, White and Blue with his uptempo style of play.
Stephen Curry: D
This wasn't the Stephen Curry we saw against Mexico.
After finding his rhythm from beyond the arc over the weekend, Curry was hindered by three first-quarter fouls on Tuesday.
And considering he's been Team USA's most dependable ball-handler and distributor, Curry's lazy defense deprived his club of fluidity in the half court.
Although the U.S. shot 47.4 percent from three, it could have really used more than six points on 2-of-9 shooting (0-of-3 from three) from its most lethal marksman.
Derrick Rose: B+
Following two days of rest, Derrick Rose looked noticeably sharper than he did against Mexico.
After failing to register a single point in Team USA's round-of-16 contest, Rose got on the board during his first offensive possession thanks to his quick burst and shifty mid-air moves.
Final tallies of 12 points, three rebounds and five assists weren't staggering by any means, but Rose's brief return to vintage form was an encouraging sign as the United States preps for an inevitable championship clash with Spain.
Rest of Team: A-
While Curry struggled, fellow Splash Brother Klay Thompson picked up the slack for Team USA on the wing.
The game's first player into double figures (it took just six minutes), Thompson dropped a game-high 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including 4-of-8 from three.
Cousins was the other reserve most deserving of praise, using massive size and athletic discrepancies to record nine points, five rebounds, three steals and a block off the pine.
There was also Kyrie Irving, who looked sharp despite dealing with a sore hip.
While his defense remains a major concern, Irving battled through the pain and did well to rack up a game-high four steals and three assists to complement 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting. His penchant for pushing the pace off turnovers was admirable, too.
To wrap things up, James Harden played an uninspired first half, opening 0-of-8 from the field. However, he turned things around considerably and finished with 14 points on 4-of-14 shooting (4-of-5 from the free-throw line).
Coming Up Next
Team USA will square off against Lithuania at 3 p.m. ET Thursday on ESPN in the semifinals of the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
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