If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

I rose this morning at 7am CST in order to check out Coach K and the gang take on Turkey and I wasn’t disappointed by what I saw. Led by LeBron’s my-ankle-is-fine 20 point outburst, the team controlled the contest throughout, although there were a few defensive lapses.

However, worries about a lack of size or a lack of cohesion look like they are unfounded because this team plays really well together and enjoys being around each other. Of course, all of this may fly out of the window if they face some in-game adversity, but for now, folks like Jerry Colangelo must be happy with what they see.

The fashionable name for the 2008 version of the Men’s USA basketball team is the “Redeem Team” and based on the way they’ve played in these first two exhibitions, the name looks like it’s fitting. By dispatching Canada, 120-65 and now Turkey, 114-82, Team USA or the Redeem Team or Kobe, LeBron and the gang or whatever nickname you’d like to call them looks like they are indeed up to the challenge.

What stood out to me, besides all the steals and transitions baskets, was the play of Dwyane Wade. In the two games he has played, he’s scored a combined 33 points. Not only that, but the 13-19 shooting also shows the efficiency Wade is playing with. This morning, he had a dribble-drive dunk over a couple of Turkish defenders in transition that reminded me of the Finals MVP version of D-Wade.

If he’s truly 100% back, the Heat could certainly make some noise in the Eastern Conference next season; but I digress. Team USA certainly looks explosive and if they remain committed to the defensive end, especially with the way they create turnovers, they might just roll through this entire Olympic tournament.

I’m also left wondering if there’s any international team that honestly has hopes of defending this team for 40 some-odd minutes. Based on what I’ve seen, the answer is a resounding “no.”

Up next for Team USA — It’s another early morning for basketball fans as the Redeemers take on Lithuania tomorrow, same bat time (7am CST), same bat channel (ESPN 2).

Tags: Beijing, Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Summer Olympics, Team USA, USA Basketball

You Might Also Enjoy:
• Team USA Rolls Lithuania
• The Heat Are Really, Really, Really Bad
• Redeemers In A Laugher