The NBA Dribbled Out

Some links before I move on to other things that pay me.

—The USA’s Olympic Men’s Basketball team beat France 98-71 in their opening game of the XXX Olympics on Sunday despite slipperiness and the USOC blocking every highlight like James’ thread-the-needle 50 foot bounce pass.

Here are a few write-ups on their inaugural game (that counts):

• Ian Thomsen of SI: “James, U.S. discover gold medal blueprint…” not sure if Mr. Thomsen is familiar with the staccato poesy of Blueprint, but that’s what I thought of when I saw the headline.
• Tom Ziller of SB Nation: “LeBron James runs the world…” If you’re wondering how James was the focal point of the post-game write-ups despite scoring only 9 points in the victory, know that he had 6 assists in the first half and the French team had 3, combined.
• CBS Sports wants you to know that despite LeBron’s overall brilliance, Kevin Durant’s 22 points paced the team.
• Matt Giles at New York Magazine: “So far, so good for Team USA Hoops“ 
• David Ramsey at the Boston Herald (by way of the Gazette): “Carmelo Anthony’s bad memories help drive Team USA.” If you don’t know where those bad memories stem from just go watch some 2004 Olympics coverage on Youtube. 
• LeBron James wants Kevin Durant to shoot the ball more for team USA—despite already netting 22 points in their opening round game against France. Those two really enjoy each other.

—But there were other events besides Team USA’s inchoate steps towards pre-ordained Olympic gold. Orlando hired a coach named Jacques Vaughn, the former Kansas Jayhawk—and an often abysmal NBA shooter—will be taking over a team that’s been gutted in a pre-Dwight getting traded flurry.

—Speaking of Dwight, he’s still an Orlando Magic as of 2:01 p.m. ET on July 30, 2012. According to Dan Malone at Sheridan Hoops, the Dwight trade rumors will be heating up again, and SI is reporting he’ll be moved by the end of the week. Lets all hope so. 

—In the first game of the 2012 Men’s basketball competition, Argentina defeated Lithuania 102-79 and amnestied former-Rocket and current Phoenix Sun (for an incredible discount), Luis Scola dropped in 32 points on a Dirkian 12 of 19 from the field. I’m looking at Daryl Morey with my hands upturned and a furrowed brow wondering what the hell happened when they dropped Scola to make room for a possible—but not probable—Dwight?

—Jeff Clark at Celtics Blog has 5 reasons why Jeff Green hasn’t re-signed with the Boston Celtics, yet. Ugh, number 1 is that he might be traded for Dwight Howard. Let the Dwightmare end already!

—The Hoop Speak crew talks with Jessica Camerato and Danny Nowell plus their usual musings on the NBA and it’s ancillaries.

—I thought this was about Perry Ellis socks, which means it was a crazy weekend.

Pics VIA