USA/ESP – Less ‘bigs’ no problem for Americans

BARCELONA (Olympics) - A perceived weakness of Team USA this summer is that their lack of height could make them vulnerable at the Olympics.

Injuries prevented big men Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh, two stalwarts in the 2008 gold-medal winning team in Beijing, from playing this summer.

USA coach Mike Krzyzewski has never voiced concern over the absence of the centers, and anyone that watched the United States win convincingly in a friendly on Wednesday night against Spain - the side deemed to be their biggest rival to the gold medal in London will understand why.

Spain started the game at the Palau Sant Jordi all guns blazing with Serge Ibaka especially effective, scoring 14 points and challenging numerous shots whenever the Americans attacked the basket.

But the USA tilted the game in their favor at the end of the first quarter and during the second with suffocating pressure defense which led to turnovers and transition baskets.

Once the Americans got in front, Spain discovered how difficult it was to guard the American players on the perimeter as they rolled to a 100-78 victory.

"Obviously their athleticism, their length, their quickness makes up for the lack of their size," Pau Gasol said.

"They play well together.

"They move the ball well.

"They're a dangerous line-up.

"Obviously, we have to match up against them and our big players are so much used to going outside and guarding 20 feet from the basket.

"So it's a double-edged sword."

Carmelo Anthony was the best player on the court in the first half, scoring 23 of his game-high 27 points and also lifting the United States with his defense.

After an early burst of 11 points by Kevin Durant, LeBron James took over and scored 25 points.

Krzyzewski became most animated, however, when Kevin Love attacked the offensive boards on one occasion in the second half.

He beat Pau Gasol to the ball and ended up scoring.

Love finished with a team-high nine rebounds in 13 minutes.

“We have to be able to punch them at one end, and make sure we match up well and be aware of their quickness and outside shooting, said Gasol, who had 19 points.

His brother, Marc, stayed out of the game again while trying to get over a shoulder injury suffered earlier in the preparations.

“Carmelo had a big-time first half, and then LeBron picked it up in the second half and then obviously, you also have KD there,” Gasol said.

“They're loaded, and that's why you have to be alert at all times.”

FIBA