With Lithuania eager to do what it couldn’t four years ago, this is not what the U.S. men’s basketball team needs to hear after three games in this tournament:
“We’re not where we want to be.”
But those are the words of U.S. guard and co-captain Allen Iverson. Leave it to Iverson, the poster child for keeping it real, to, well, keep it real.
The U.S. (2-1) is quite flimsy as it prepares to face practically the same Lithuanian team that nearly did in 2000 what Puerto Rico did this week–become the first team to beat a U.S. squad of NBA stars in the Olympics.
If the U.S. loses, it would likely have to beat Angola on Monday to get into the medal round. If the U.S. wins, it is all but in.
Four years ago, Lithuanian guard Sarunas Jasikevicus’ last-second three-pointer rimmed out. That preserved a two-point victory for the U.S.–which featured Kevin Garnett, Vince Carter and Jason Kidd–and kept the Dream Team alive for a little while longer.
Four years later, the Dream Team concept has already been put to bed. In fact, some would consider it a minor upset if the current U.S. team beats Lithuania at Helliniko Indoor Arena.
How could this be?
The current U.S. team is having trouble shooting and defending the three-pointer, among other shortcomings. And Lithuania is the only unbeaten team in the U.S.’ bracket and it has won its three games by an average of 10.2 points.
On the bright side, LeBron James won’t be the only Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School graduate on the court. Robertas Javtokas will be in the lineup for Lithuania. Javtokas’ basketball future was in doubt two years ago when he broke his leg in a motorcycle accident in his native Lithuania.
“I’m so happy he is back playing the game,” James said. “He is a great guy and a good talent.”
The 6-foot-11 inch Javtokas, a former second-round pick of the San Antonio Spurs, scored 11 points Thursday night in a 98-76 victory over Greece.
