Pan-Am Update

Game 1: Uruguay 81, USA 72

Low: DNP
Weaver: 27 mins, 4 points on 1/3 shooting, 2 boards, 1 assist, 1 steal

Game 2: Panama 75, USA 67

Low: 0 stats in 1 minute
Weaver: 27 mins, 0 points on 0/4 shooting, 7 boards(!), 1 assist

Game 3: USA 74, Argentina 71

Low: 28 mins, 13 points on 5/7 shooting, 2 boards, 1 assist, 1 steal
Weaver: DNP

Game 4: USA 84, U.S. Virgin Islands 58

Low: 26 mins, 14 points on 5/14 shooting, 2 assists, 1 steal
Weaver: 6 mins, 4 points on 2/2 shooting, 1 rebound, 2 assists

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What have we learned so far? Well, for starters coach Jay Wright doesn't seem to like the idea of 2 cougs on the court at the same time. Weaver played significant minutes the first two games (2 losses), and Low got significant minutes the second two games (2 wins). Low was solid, as you'd expect, although Kyle's 6 minutes against team Carl Krauser (the U.S. Virgin Islands) were some of the most efficient of the tournament.

Weaver's play on the stat sheet leaves something to be desired. He didn't shoot much, and barely made any of those attempts, and failed to rack up any other numbers with the exception of his seven rebound game against Panama. Weaver's defense was solid as always, but when the U.S. is losing to the likes of Panama and Uruguay it's easy to look past the little things Kyle always does so well. Should we be concerned? Nope. This experience alone is invaluable for two of our favorite cougs, and we already know how great they'll be next year.

Which brings me to my next point. Is there anything more frustrating than Team USA's performance in international play this decade? I feel like the FIBA people had a secret meeting many years ago where they decided, "Hey, if we tweak this game just enough we can eventually make the U.S. lose by making the style of play nothing like the NBA or college." Talent wise (and I'm talking about all levels from the pros on down), the U.S. should be ahead of every other nation on Earth. Not miles ahead (like in football where a 1-A, 1-AA, and NAIA some-star team just won the world cup); but far enough ahead to be the favorites for the gold in almost any competition. After the 2004 Olympics you have to wonder if:

a) the style of the NBA and college is killing us internationally
b) the U.S. is getting beat by teams that play year-round together and are hell-bent on beating us
c) international teams are just that good

Realistically, it's a combination of all three. We still shouldn't be losing to Panama. This just reminds me of how embarrassing the 2004 Olympics were. First of all, you had the Kobe Bryants of the world woosing out and citing terrorism concerns as a reason to stay home. Having been to Europe two times since 9/11, I know for a fact this is b.s., and there was enough security at the Athens games that the Vegas All-Star game was at least ten times more dangerous. Then, the Americans get slaughtered by Carlos Arroyo and Puerto Rico, and later get trashed talked by team Lithuania. Adding insult to injury was that the flop capital of the world, Manu Ginobili's Argentina was the winner. That alone may have set basketball back ten years.

It's time for one of two things to happen. Either change international basketball to conform to American rules or change the American rules to conform internationally. I'm sick and tired of watching two different games.

Actually, I think I have a better idea: change both NBA and FIBA to the NCAA rules. I hate the "me-first", drive the lane and draw a foul style of the NBA, and I hate the jack up threes/win without big men style of international ball. The NCAA is the best - with it's 20 minute halves, inside-out game, and players not phoning games in for half of the season. The only thing missing from the NCAA is competent officiating, and even that may improve with the Donaghy scandal looming.

In the end, as a coug fan, the result (5th or 6th place for team USA) doesn't matter nearly as much as the experience and the practice for Derrick and Kyle. They now get to come home and rest up for a season that I'm getting increasingly more excited about. Only the return of Kyle's fro could get me more amped. Between this, the Oceania trip, and the prospect of getting Nikola Koprivica back at 100%, next season can't come soon enough. After all, international players are just fine as long as they're cougs.

Have a great weekend, folks. I'll be chilling out at home waiting for that elusive first football commit for 2008.