USA v China

Tivo is a wonderful thing. I would have been quite bored by that one if it hadn't been for the wonders of Tivo. Overall, that was a much better performance by Team USA. Total domination from the opening tip, they won 121-90 and it really wasn't that close. A few highlights:

Melo. The best player on the floor again. Easily the best player in the tournament so far as well. His versatility and aggressiveness on both ends of the floor are exactly what this team needs. His play is the main reason why I believe the US will win this thing.

Chris Paul. He was terrific last night. Dribble penetration, much more in control on the fast break, and finally took some open jumpers and knocked them down. When the US was building its lead, it was pretty much the Paul and Melo show.

Wade. Paul and Melo built the early lead but it was Wade that closed the show at the end of the first half and iced the game. He scored the last 11 points of the half and looked much better than he did in the first game. However, some of that might be due to the China guards being terrible.

Grading this game, I'd give them a B+. The second half they came out and mailed it in, allowing China to score the first 10 points, but that only pulled them within about 15 points and it was never really in doubt. Our boys take today off and play again tomorrow against Slovenia, a moderately dangerous team, should be a decent test.