Saturday, August 28th, 2010 at 10:59 am  |  15 responses

Live Blog: USA vs. Croatia

Live from Istanbul

by Matt Lawyue / @mlawyue

I’m here at the Abdi Ipekci Arena in Istanbul, Turkey for the start of the World Basketball Championships. I’ll be using Cover It Live for the five Team USA – Group B games. All of their games will be aired live on the ESPN network.

Sitting next to me is Nick of Euroleague Adventures, who will be commenting as well.

Team USA should have very little trouble advancing from this group. Of the six teams in each group, the top four advance. Look for USA, Slovenia, Croatia and Brazil to make it to the next round. Tunisia and Iran should be sent packing early.

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  • http://Www.lkz.fd Darksaber

    I…envy… you both. This should be a nice test for the US. Planinic, Tomic, Roko, Banic and Loncar are gonna hold their own for a while. Have fun watching, guys.

  • Lz – Cphfinest3

    I’m here watching Croatia just got the lead. Some of the American players don’t look all that ready. But they just need to amp up the D and get some fastbreaks then they should claim the game. Interesting to see how they will fair throughout the tournament. I am willing to bet they won’t go unbeaten. But gold is still a posibility.

  • larrylegend

    i just wonder where this greek guy with his AI and starbury spam is…

  • larrylegend

    …not that i miss him

  • http://slamonline.com Ben Osborne

    Great job, Matt and Nick. Very cool that we have you guys over there. US looked good.

  • http://www.fiba.com Darksaber

    Nicholas Batum is getting his inner Tayshaun Prince on vs Spain, swatting breakaway layups like a mofo.
    Also, Germany is leading Argentina at the half in a very slow paced, grinding game. wooooh, loving this WC already.

  • http://www.fiba.com Darksaber

    France also has a *ahem* VERY attractive fan section in this game. A few ladies (maybe WAGS?) in white tanktop thingies… ouch.

  • http://www.fiba.com Darksaber

    France is killing team Whine (Spain) with D late in the game. the French patiently drive and kick and drive and kick until the open man gets fouled on his shot attempt (usually Marc Gasol, who is playing like DooDoo now that big bro isn’t there to take the pressure off), and have a 6 point lead. Spain complains bitterly on EVERY call, bunch of overhyped pansies. Ricky got treatment on his neck, Navarro got hit on the wrist and started breakdancing (backspin) on the court…bahhh, what an utterly unsympathetic group. luv to hate em. allez les bleus! one min to go, France up by 11.

  • http://www.fiba.com Darksaber

    French Bench is outscoring the reigning World Champs 40-13!

  • http://www.fiba.com Darksaber

    YESSSS, France’s unheralded PG’s are outplaying Ricky R. now, first a cool as ice penetration against him then but jesus La Bomba can hit 3′s, just made 2 in a row to close the gap. France has serious problem against the press. Spanish players provoking, complaining, whining, flopping, one thing they aren’t doing…executing. pansies.

  • http://www.fiba.com Darksaber

    YESSSSS! France just beat Spain’s gang 72:66. Fantastic. NOW it’s a freaking tournament. Andrew Albicy, France’s PG outplayed Ricky in the 4th and France took the best shots Spain had to give, shrugged em off and made their Free Throws to seal it.

  • http://slamonline BossTerry

    For old times sake- Shawn Bradley..

  • JTaylor21

    See Darksaber is pointing out what I’ve being saying about Ricky Martin Rubio for a while now. Dude is VERY VERY OVERRATED and will be an average point in the league when he decides to stop acting like a BI*CH and comes to the NBA.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    I want to give credit to Ryan Jones for all his hype about Kevin Love.
    The more I watch that dude play, the more I love his game. He can’t jump and he may never be a premier scorer, but man I like the way dude rebounds and outlet passes. I see why everybody loved him so much, even if I think some cats went a little overboard. He needs to play a lot for Team USA. He is an asset.

  • The Fresh Prince of Nsam

    @ Allenp 1200: Agreed on KL. Also, Ben Gordon had a pretty game 2, he’s the 1 who enabled Team USA 2 start flying (with his 3′s) and Lamar Odom can play center in FIBA Basketball. I like what coach K. has done with this team this far (again, it’s just Croatia) but they are looking good. Finalist at least, that’s my pronostic 4 Team USA

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