USA Basketball: Argentina's Next

The USA Basketball team has dropped off a bit when it comes to margin of victory, but you expect that to happen when the competition becomes stiffer. Tonight they play Argentina without Ginobli, Nocioni, and Oberto. I expect it to be a blowout by at least 25 points.

USA Basketball: Domination

Three games into the FIBA Americas tournament preliminary round, the "Dream Team" has managed to triumph over Venezuela, the Virgin Islands, and Canada by an average of 52 points. Carmelo Anthony has continues his brilliant play, leading the team in scoring at 21 points per game. The USA Basketball team has dominated with their defense holding their opponents to under 35% FG shooting. The team has been playing with a killer instinct not seen in this team since '92. The two key acquisitions Jason Kidd and Kobe Bryant have played amazing together and have given the team a boost mentally. This US team is on pace to set records for defeat margins. The competition hasn't been as stiff as a Brazil, Argentina or Spain, but the team has the right mentality and should easily clinch a spot in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Miller Time

Reggie Miller is contemplating a comeback to the NBA with the Boston Celtics. As if this wasn't a good enough summer for the Boston Celtics. The Boston Celtics have acquired Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Scott Pollard, Eddie House and now Reggie Miller is considering joining their elite squad. Let's not forget that their roster also includes Glen Davis who they picked up in the draft and Tony Allen, their young talented guard with a lot of upside, who was sidelined last year with two torn ligaments in his left knee. Should we just pencil the Celtics in to win the NBA Championship? This is getting ridiculous. I remember just a few years ago that the Celtics were irrelevant and the Lakers were contenders every year. Now not only have the Celtics gotten better, but they stole Kevin Garnett from us Laker fans. If Reggie Miller is half as good as he used to be, he will be serviceable. The Celtics are going to be very scary this year....and now that I think about it....so will the Lakers.

Is Jermaine Good Enough?

Jermaine O'Neal wants to be a Laker. Jermaine "Injury Prone" O'Neal wants to be a Laker. I am literally at a loss for words. Is this a good thing? Will it be enough to keep Kobe? Would Jermaine coming make us a contender? Yes, maybe, and sadly no. Jermaine O'Neal wanting to be a Laker means the Lakers will improve and will move in a positive direction. I first thought this will not be enough to keep Kobe in L.A..I originally thought the only player that could keep Kobe Bryant in a Laker uniform was Kevin Garnett. Jermaine O'Neal is a poor man's Kevin Garnett, but is that enough? Jermaine O'Neal claims that he has been communicating with Kobe Bryant all summer about getting him in a Laker uniform. Jermaine and Kobe have had a tight relationship through the years and maybe that can convert into chemistry on the court. Jermaine O'Neal does not make the Lakers contenders no matter what the trade scenario. Jermaine O'Neal is not enough. Not to mention his injury problems over the last two years. Don't get me wrong, Jermaine O'Neal is a very good player, but to take this team to the next level he'll have to show me something I've never seen from him. I'm just confused about this. I'll have to see what happens.