The star-studded men's basketball team of the United States is ready to put
on more team work in seeking for the best results at the Beijing Olympic Games.
"Everyone of this team has the potential to be the key player of the
competition. But the individual style doesn't suit the international games. We
must play like a team," said NBA player Chris Bosh said at a news conference at
the Main Press Center today.
"The international games are quite different from the NBA games. There is no
three-second violation in the key. The international games are more physical. If
you don't focus, you'll be beaten up," the Toronto Raptors' power forward said.
Carmelo Anthony would not quite agree on that. "I cannot say the
internationals are more physical than the NBA. But there are 40 minutes (in
international games), which means you have less possessions and have to take
every chance to score," he said.
Defence is still the biggest issue to the US team, which finished with a
bronze medal four years ago at the Athens Games.
"We didn't do the best job on defence (in the exhibition games). We let too
many easy baskets. We're still working on it. But basketball is basketball. You
just play your game," Bosh said.
"On offence, we just need to get the timing. We'll concentrate on spot
shooting because international games have lots of spot shooting. In the NBA, you
won't have that many," U.S. head coach Mike Krzyzewski said.
"On defence, our guys lose positions too easy. You have to do lots of
help-side, as you do in the NBA," he added.
The US will open its Olympic journey with a match-up against the host China
on August 10 at the Wukesong Stadium.