Americans are a focus group
BEIJING - The blowout preliminary wins. The undefeated record. The smiling media and adoring fans.
United States men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski told his players yesterday to forget all that and remain focused on each game in their quest to win Olympic gold.
With three more wins needed for the gold, starting with a game against Australia tonight, Krzyzewski wanted to make sure his players were completely tuned in to their mission.
"A lot of times you're telling things to the guys that they already know most of the time," said Krzyzewski before practice yesterday at Beijing Normal University. "But you still should remind them. It's like the seventh game [of an NBA playoff series]. The Australia game is a seventh game, and you don't play again unless you win this game. They understand that."
The Americans cruised in winning Group B, with a margin of victory of 26.8 points in five games while averaging 103 points per game. They also played smothering defense, with a tournament-best 14.4 steals and 4.2 blocks per game, without allowing any team to reach 85 points.
Yes, the US made a major statement with its preliminary-round dominance. But just two years ago, the Americans were undefeated in the World Championships in Japan, too, before being upset by Greece in the semifinals and finishing with a bronze. The US hasn't won an Olympic gold medal since 2000.
So despite their success thus far, the players know quite well that one bad game can ruin things.
"It's totally changed [now]," said US guard Dwyane Wade, who has won bronze medals in the 2004 Olympics and 2006 World Championships. "There are not many teams left in this. It's a one hit or quit. We have one opportunity to win a game.
"You either move on or you don't. We understand how big it is and we're focused. We've been focused since Day One, and we'll keep the same focus all the way through."
The team that has given the US its biggest challenge is Australia.
Team USA defeated Australia by only 11 points, 87-76, in an exhibition Aug. 5 in Shanghai. Moreover, Australian star Andrew Bogut of the Bucks did not play in that contest because of an ankle injury. Aussie guard Patrick Mills, who stars for St. Mary's (Calif.), and center Chris Anstey both had 13 points. It was the Americans' third exhibition contest in three nights, and US forward LeBron James also pointed out that they were testing out different offenses and defenses.
"I forgot that game," said Wade. "We've played five games since then. We are a totally different team. We are not worried about that game at all."
Australian coach Brian Goorjian said, "There is no gameplan for the USA. We have a chance to take a swing at the USA. I'm confident we are going to get out there and play ball. I don't know if we can, or can't. I like the way we are playing. I don't even want to look at the tapes."
Australia had a 3-2 record in Group A play to get the fourth seed. Bogut is averaging a team-best 14.4 points while Brad Newley is averaging 13.2 and Mills 13.
The Aussies are shooting 50.9 percent from the field, 78.3 percent from the line, and 44.4 percent from 3-point range. They lead the tournament in 3-point field goals made, with 48 in five games, and run a Princeton-like offense. The Australians finished group play by handing top seed Lithuania its lone loss, 106-75.
Krzyzewski called Australia a "dangerous team" and expressed major concern about its 3-point shooting.
"Bogut over the last few games has played great basketball," Krzyzewski said. "Their offense changes a little bit, because they exclusively go to him in the low post, too. They just play their high post offense and he's responded great for his country."
Said USA guard Kobe Bryant, "They're a great executing team. It's important for us to be patient defensively against them and not be overzealous. It's a game where you have to be fundamentally sound."
If the US beats Australia, next up would be the winner of the Argentina-Greece game.
Argentina has won four straight after losing its opener to Lithuania, and it has a talent-laden roster.
But the US isn't thinking about Ginobili or Greece. With Krzyzewski loud in their head, the players are focused on Bogut and Australia, and playing the same dominant way they did in the preliminary round. 