For a while everything was running smooth for Team USA as they destroyed every opponent in their path. Then they came to the championship in Japan and met their match. Greece handed USA a 101-95 loss this week. The pace of the game changed and momentum shifted after the first half as Team USA had a 33-21 lead with 3:30 left in the second quarter. The talent and quickness for USA didn't outweight Greece's sharp shooting and versatility.
For most of the second half Team USA didn't have any answers for Greece's constant offensive output. Despite shooting 32% on 3-pointers and 59% from the foul line Carmelo Anthony finished with 27 points. Lebron James put up 17 points while D Wade struck for 19. All and all it was a decent game played by USA, they just couldn't quite keep up with their opponent. Greece is now 8-0 in World play and moves on to play for the World Championship. They have a chance to win the title to accompany their European Championship they won in 2005.
Team USA has a chance to acquire the bronze medal again as they will play today against Argentina. The Americans will have to wait at 2 more years in their quest for a gold medals which they haven't acquired since 1994. I think the young guys like James, Carmelo, and Joe Johnson have learned from the defeat and will know how to play smarter basketball in the coming years in World Play.
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