Olympics Basketball finale: What to look forward to?
It’s Spain taking on the Americans in the Olympic Basketball Finals.
It’s King James, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant and co taking on the Gasol Brothers.
But the Biggest Story surrounding the Final isn’t related to the Gold Medal match at all. The Dwight Howard Trade has sent shock waves through the Basketball Universe. But lets not go off topic here.
What I’m looking forward to see the most in the final is-
1. Spanish Bigs vs Undersized US Team
2. Pau Gasol: Big Game Player or not?
3. US Team Fast Breaks
4. Spain’s Top Defense VS USA’s Ultimate Offense
Spanish Bigs vs Undersized US Team
Marc, Pau and Ibaka.
They’re the only chance Spain has against the US Team.
Ever since the Olympics started the only question against the Americans has been that they’re too small. That they might not be able to stop the two 7-foot brothers from Spain.
But so far, Marc Gasol and Ibaka have been heavily under-performing. Marc Gasol is only averaging 12pts ppg while shooting less than 50 percent from the field. Serge Ibaka is leading the Spanish team in blocks but besides that he’s providing little else.
Pau Gasol is the only Spanish big who’s stepped up averaging 18.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and shooting 57.8%. Can Pau do it in the Final? That brings us to our next hot topic.
Pau Gasol: Big Game Player or Not.
Pau Gasol’s resume speaks for itself - 3 NBA Finals, 2 NBA Championships. But he’s still never been able to shake off the “Not big game player” tag. He picked up the tag when the Lakers lost to the Celtics in the NBA Finals. After that he’s won 2 Championships but he still the stamp.
Gasol is the Alpha Dog in the Spanish team and if Spain can somehow beat the US, he’ll become a legend. He has a chance to prove all his doubters wrong today. I hope he has a big game. That’ll at-least make it a spectacle to watch.
US Team Fast Breaks
Who doesn’t love Alley-Oop’s and Dunks. The US Team has provided us with a ton of highlight reels.
Spain’s Top Defense VS USA’s Ultimate Offense
The US Team has been a delight to watch at the offensive end. They’re destroying teams inside and outside with some of the best shooting performances of all-time. Melo, KD and company are shooting lights out from outside the arc.
On the other hand Spain has reached the final relying on their solid defense. We know no team can stop the US team in a 7-game series, but can the Spanish put it on for 1 night. It’s the Olympics Best Defense VS the Best Offense. It’ll be very interesting to see the strategy employed by the Spanish to try and stop the US.
The Best part? It’s a single game finale. Anything can happen.
Who do you think will win? Let me know in the comments.