babixshannao8
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Registered: Apr 2004
Local time: 10:27 AM
Location: Charleston, West Virginia
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ATHENS, 17 August - Comments after the USA's 77-71 win over Greece in the Olympic Men's Basketball tournament
Lamar ODOM, forward (USA)
On the game:
"It was a hard-fought game. Greece is the home team, and we knew it was going to be a battle. Congratulations to them, they are great competitors. Now it's time to look forward to the next game."
On replacing Tim DUNCAN after he got into foul trouble:
"Tim is the best post player in the world. But we all have to contribute and do things for the team."
On his physical shape before the game:
"I was up all night with extreme stomach pain. The doctor came to see me at 5a.m. and told me I was suffering from some kind of bacteria. I am very dehydrated and my energy level is low. I missed the shootaround this morning. But this is the Olympics, it's no time to feel sick."
On the crowd:
"Great crowd, I enjoyed it despite the fact that we were on the road. The trips to Serbia and Turkey prepared us well for tonight, and we hung in there when they cut the margin to one or two points."
On whether he expected the gap between the NBA and the rest of the world to close that fast after the Dream Team I days:
"Basketball is now played all over the world. Little kids practice and dream to play for their national team, and maybe some day become NBA professionals. There are even basketball schools, and people work as hard as we do. So I am not surprised."
Theodoros PAPALOUKAS, Guard (GRE)
"The game was bound to be difficult for us, as we knew the US team would try to rebound after the loss to Puerto Rico.
''We tried to stay focussed and stick to our plan, but at some moment we lost our concentration together with some crucial rebounds that turned out to make the difference.
''We believed in the win and so did the crowd that were behind us all along. Now we must think about our mistakes as not to repeat them, since there are tough games coming up."
Larry BROWN, Head Coach (USA)
On the game:
"We appreciated the way Greece played.
''PAPALOUKAS did a great job controlling their game. They were appealing to watch, they had good ball movement and it was hard for us to guard them.
''We had a little more energy than in the game against Puerto Rico, and some kids from the bench, like LeBron (JAMES), (Amare) STOUDEMIRE, or (Carlos) BOOZER gave us a lift.
''We are still not used to the way the games are called here, and Tim (DUNCAN) had some difficulties. We hope to learn from this game."
On whether he should use a 8-9 player rotation or not:
"The way games are called in Europe, the game is so unpredictable. We try to bring some people in early to get used to the game, so that they can help us if we need them down the stretch. That's why we have to be careful in selecting our teams, focussing on roles we will need them to fulfill."
On his team's shot selection:
"I was not happy. Against Puerto Rico I was the three-point coach and we made 3 of 24, today Gregg POPOVICH was and we made 4 of 21. Sometimes we shoot too quickly without looking inside first.
''I hope we will make an outside shot in this tournament. In the next game, perhaps Roy (WILLIAMS) will be the three-point coach and hopefully we will be better. Shooting around the NBA has become a lost art; we accept a lot of bad shots, and I don't like that. I think that we try more to entertain than really play basketball."
Panagiotis GIANNAKIS, Head Coach (GRE)
On the game:
"We tried hard to play against players our guys watch on TV and want to play next to them in the NBA some day.
''Our plan was to reduce turnovers as much as possible and control the defensive boards. It was a good thought, but we failed to execute and committed 22 turnovers, some of them leading to easy layups for the US.
''I am satisfied because we fought to the end, and this is the best we got from this game. This is a big tournament. Some you win, some you lose, you stand up and keep going."
On American players not concentrating on shooting:
"According to my experience from trips to the States, I feel that American players prefer to play more with the ball and emphasise their athletic abilities rather than work on their shooting."
On the game against Lithuania:
"It's true that compared to the US, Lithuania is excellent at shooting. You will have to wait until Thursday to see how we will respond to that. No question we are going to pressure them, as I like our team to do from the moment I took over."
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//- Never give up on the things that make you smile. <3 |
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08-18-2004 12:37 AM
