2008 Olympic Basketball: Quarterfinal Games and Lingering Questions

by Jim Weeks on Aug 18, 2008 6:40 PM EDT in Green Bandwagon

Games

Quarterfinal 1: Spain vs. Croatia
Quarterfinal 2: Lithuania vs. China
Quarterfinal 3: Argentina vs. Greece
Quarterfinal 4: USA vs. Australia

Lingering Questions

1. This one came up during USA vs. Germany today. Did the Chinese tank their final game in the preliminaries to avoid possible early match ups against Argentina and the USA? Couple of interesting factors in regards to this conspiracy theory. Yao Ming played 18 minutes and was unhappy. Also China's head coach, Jonas Kazlauskas, used to have the same role with the Lithuanian national team. The loss put China in line to play, drum roll...Lithuania. Seems like a bit of a stretch. And, based upon Yao's reaction, the players did not have anything to do with it. Just throwing it out there.

2. USA vs. Australia. Heading into this one the Boomers could feel good about the fact that they kept it close in the most recent meeting, without Andrew Bogut. And Patrick Mills drove to the basket at will. On the flip side the Americans have to like their strong play so far, smothering defensive stretches, recent 3-point shooting, and the fact that their focus appears to be sharper than it was in the last meeting with Australia. Regardless I expect this one to be physical and intense.

3. Is Argentina vs. Greece the best game of the quarterfinals?

4. Is Russia the biggest disappointment of the 2008 Olympics, as far as basketball goes?

5. Are Dallas Mavericks fans secretly happy that Dirk Nowitzki's run is over?

6. Are Dallas Mavericks fans openly horrified by Jason Kidd's play?

7. Are Boston Celtics fans secretly ecstatic that none of the franchise's players competed in Beijing?

8. Is anyone still reading?

9. Are Argentina and Croatia the most under the radar teams right now?

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Comments

I’m reading. People are sleeping on your blog dude. It’s awesome.

It's never just a game when you're winning. - George Carlin

by DennardC on Aug 18, 2008 8:11 PM EDT reply actions

Good to know

As a side note the stormtrooper picture kills me every time.

Green Bandwagon: Celtics '08 or bust. Are you on the bandwagon?

by Jim Weeks on Aug 19, 2008 12:04 AM EDT reply actions

Another questions

10. Is Dwayne Wade the best player on the team? He is hustling like never before. He is jumping out of the gym. He gets a steal on nearly every possession. His shooting percentage is out of this world. Most importantly, he is providing that energy that the team needs. It is almost like watching a high school sophomore that made the varsity team and wants to prove to the coach and the other players that he belongs. The difference is, he is Dwayne Wade and is incredibly talented. But that energy is incredible to watch.

by NHRoyal on Aug 19, 2008 8:10 AM EDT reply actions

Good Question

I’d give it to him hands down if LeBron did not occasionally do absolutely ridiculous things on the basketball court. But it’s between them. The Heat all of the sudden look a lot better.

Green Bandwagon: Celtics '08 or bust. Are you on the bandwagon?

by Jim Weeks on Aug 19, 2008 10:52 AM EDT reply actions

Lingering asnwers?

1. China couldn’t have won the game against greece even if they wanted to. They don’t understand basketball very much, but is there anyone thinking they can beat Lithuania?
2. The Aussies can feel good about their performance at the friendly against USA, but this is a different game; they’re going to lose by at least 20 points.
3. Argentina vs. Greece is the best games of the quarterfinals and as long as both teams play like they can, it is going to be one of the best games in the olympics.
4. Russia is the biggest disappointment of the 2008 Olympics – they have never been very consistent though so it’s not the biggest suprise.
5.Three more games don’t make that much difference for Nowitzki’s. Mavericks fans shouldn’t care that much.
6. Considering his age and his history, I would be horrified with his performance.
7. If not ecstatic, at least happy.
8. I’m reading…but i think it’s only because i’m at work.
9. Croatia definetely. Argentina is the defending champion, how can they be under the radar?

by Vangeli on Aug 19, 2008 12:11 PM EDT reply actions

9. Argentina

Even though the Argentinians are the reigning Olympic champs and they lost 2 games in ‘04 it seems like people are dismissing them due to retirements, age, injury, and that loss in game one of the preliminaries. Still after 4 straight comfortable wins there is more buzz about USA (deservedly so), Spain, Lithuania, and even China because of its status as a host country and Yao’s presence.

Green Bandwagon: Celtics '08 or bust. Are you on the bandwagon?

by Jim Weeks on Aug 19, 2008 4:58 PM EDT reply actions

Argentina

I guess you’re right, they’re not near as good as they were four years ago. But they still have one of the best teams and some of the top players. We’ll know in a few hours. It all comes down to one game after all.

by Vangeli on Aug 20, 2008 4:37 AM EDT up reply actions