Was anyone surprised by the fact that the USA got third in the World Basketball Championships last week? If so, you shouldn't be. These guys were constantly playing an isolation offense, playing 1 on 1 against teams who play with the epitome of teamwork. These other countries' teams are constructed of player who have playing with eachother for six years or more. Their talent level doesn't come close to that of the NBA superstars and they admit this regularly, but their teamwork is something the NBA simply does not have on any team.

In the quarter-final match against Germany, they attempted forty shots from behind the arc. I have never heard of anything even close to this and it's disgusting to be quite honest. They weren't even hot, making only about ten of those forty if I remember correctly. I have to say, it was quite satisfying seeing Lebron and Wade both get called for travels constantly. When they don't have the NBA officials allowing them to get away with anything they want, they begin to look like amateurs. Props to Wade though, for taking on a role off the bench even though he was one of the team captains and embracing it rather than complaining at all.

Now that the US finished third in the Worlds, they need to play again next summer to qualify for the 2008 Olympics. Some are looking forward to a better team next year, though, because Kobe Bryant will be with the team. However, this just means even more 1 on 1 isolation and even more 3-point attempts. Hopefully this extra competition will be a blessing though, allowing the team to gel more before the 2008 Olympics.