Props to the "dream?" Team

[spursfan101]

ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- Stephon Marbury set a U.S. Olympic record with 31 points, and a U.S. team that spent the first week and a half of the Athens Games missing jumpers finally found its range in a 102-94 victory against Spain in the quarterfinals Thursday.

The Americans made 12 of 22 3-pointers and knocked the previously undefeated Spaniards out of medal contention with their best all-around performance of the games.

They didn't let a large foul disparity rattle them, knocked down their free throws when they needed them and surpassed 100 points for the first time in the tournament.

Marbury broke the U.S. record of 30 points shared by Charles Barkley (1992 vs. Brazil) and Adrian Dantley (1976 vs. Yugoslavia).

As the teams left the court, U.S. coach Larry Brown and Spanish coach Mario Pesquera were pointing angrily at each other and had to be separated by their assistants.

Allen Iverson added 16 points, Carlos Boozer had 12 and Lamar Odom 11 for the Americans, who advanced to the semifinals against the winner of the Argentina-Greece game.

Pau Gasol led Spain with 29 points but was held to just four in the fourth quarter by a tenacious American defensive effort.

Duncan scored the Americans' first five points and blocked Spain's first shot, but he was on the bench just 4 1/2 minutes into the quarter and stayed there for the rest of the first half after picking up two fouls. The U.S. team made four of its first five 3-point attempts, and the first quarter ended in a 25-25 tie.

 

[westkoast]

What was the problem with Brown and the Spain coach?  Anyone know?

Much Props...but jeez I already root for one team that just decides to turn it on last minute.  Dont need another.

[Derek Bodner]

apparently Brown called for a timeout a while back, the officials waited a long time to give it to them, and when they were finally awarded the time out the game was in hand.  The Spanish coach thought Brown had requested a time out with the game already decided, and got upset.

[Reality]

Pop also said Brown tried to wave off the timeout but Intl rules say you have to take it, even if called much earlier.

This was an entertaining game.  Lots of good plays by the US.  

Iverson had some beauty assists.  TDunkers D was superb in the stretch.  Jefferson had a good drive n dish.  And of course we all knew Marbury was going to do that.    
D some superb steals by Wade and AI.

Huge win in the context.

Still far too many slacker plays by them.  Koast or Joe or anyone who taped, check out the sequence when US was ahead 23-18 with ball.  It gets knocked out of Marions hands and is bouncing towoards the out of bounds.  A Spainiard dives for it and is going to do a throwback.  The US slackers around the perimeter dont even attempt to get into postion for his throwback, but instead saunter upcourt.  Oh well you say, at least they will be back on D.  Spainiard throws it right into the paint, could have easily been caught by a US player but 4 of the 5 have sauntered back.  Spain picks it up and runs it upcourt and a wingman beats all the US slackers for a layup.  It was pathetic!!