The Redeem team has been confirming all the expectations that everybody
had on them until now. They have been giving the crowd a very pleasant
show in all games and much more important than that, as giving shows to
the crowd doesn't mean winning games, they have been superior than all
their opponents, which was their main mission for Beijing: get back to
the number one spot in the world of basketball.
They are now in the semi finals and with medals very close to be
conquered, but now one of their main opponents is their obstacle to
reach the final: Argentina.
We all watched the United States
slaughtering the Spanish world champions by 37 points and it would be
legitimate to think that the same will happen in this game, however if
there is a team which knows how the United States play, it's Argentina.
We all know Ginobili, Scola, Oberto, Nocioni and Delfino. They have
all played in the NBA last season and their knowledge of the American
style of play may offer the US something that they are yet to get in
this tournament: an opponent which can actually slow down the pace.
Wade has been amazing, almost at the same he had when he carried
the Heat to their title, but the player with most impact in these games
has been Howard, who has been a beast, dominating the paint with
powerful dunks. But with Scola and Oberto in the paint, Howard won't
have the easy task he had in the previous matches, as they are smart
guys capable of putting Howard in foul trouble.
Kobe had his best performance in Beijing on the last match against
Australia and it looks like he is coming to his real level. He will be
decisive in the two remaining games of the team in here.
Everybody
expects an easy win of the United States in here and I remember they
are listed as a 20 points favorite in here, but if this match becomes a
ball game, then there the United States will try to do everything to
avoid Manu Ginobili to get the ball. We all know Manu and his
importance in clutch games. Manu in the Argentinian squad is the same
Manu we watched in San Antonio and fortunately for Argentina (and
Popovich of course), Manu is in great form, leading the scorers with
20.3 ppg and he will be the main threat for the American defense.
We all expect a good game and this will be another opportunity for
the Redeem Team to show how hard they are committed to get the gold in
here and when the effort combines with the talent, the mixture is too
explosive for any opponent they can possibly face.