Newz Forum: BASKETBALL: USA Stunned in Athens tune-up

The U.S. men's Olympic team did more than merely lose. It was embarrassed and exposed like never before in international competition.

Losing an exhibition game for the first time when using NBA players, the Americans were completely outclassed by lightly regarded Italy, never even making it close in the fourth quarter of a 95-78 upset Tuesday.

The Americans were sloppy with the ball and couldn't handle Italy's zone defenses and 3-point shooting. Italy not only made 15 from behind the arc, but showed superior ball movement and poise in handing the Americans their most lopsided defeat since pros began competing in 1992.

"They're going to be in for a lot of lessons for the next few weeks," U.S. coach Larry Brown said. "It's a young team, and it's a different game internationally."

Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony led the Americans with 17 points, and two-time NBA MVP Tim Duncan added 15.

Italy, whose roster is filled entirely by players from that country's league, was led by Giacomo Galanda's 28 points and Gianluca Basile's 25.

Wakey wakey boys. Beat by Italy. Ooops. I think the US is the only country that would do better with college players than pros. Looks good on them. First the suspensions now this. I feel bad for the coach. Nobody can tame all that ego.

Awful.

Larry Brown hates the zone defense and they were launching threes and are good shooters. Larry is going to have to adjust a little better, as well as get some better efforts from his players.

Close call against the Germans too. Shouldn't they have won by a bunch against Dirk and the boys?

i do believe that they had a nice win over Serbia 76-60 or something like that, germans are a strong team and its not all about the pro's and such people who have heart are going to win agaisnt people who dont have heart. Havent you watched the Mighty Ducks?

This is unbelievible. Don't our pro's know how to play defense and pass the ball? Allan Iverson and Tim Duncan or the only players that looked to have it together in the little bit a watched, BTW why is Lebron racking up minutes on the bench?

They better get it together and start blowing the other teams out of building. It will be a huge embarrasment if they dont win gold. We have the talent, all they need to do is play! If this keeps up Im gonna have to rant about the coaching, or whatever you wanna call it.

Anyone know if Yao is playing for China?

I do belive that Yao is playing for china. you know why american basketball sucks for the olympics, becasue they dont know each half as well as the other countries. These other countries play with each other all season long, while our players play agaisnt each other. And almost all of the players in our league are ball hogs, and they dont know how to play defense expect for the fact of the Pistons, and who on the Pistons team is on the so called "dream Team."

Ben hit on the real problem here, US basketball has become more of an individual game, rather than a team game. That's why other countries have been beating us, even though our talent level is higher. But, I have hope that Coach Brown can get them to act like a team, hopefully there is enouhg time for that.