Despite a valiant effort, the UK basketball team got a sharp reality check in the form of a 40 point thrashing by the US and their NBA heroes in the pre-Olympic exhibition game at a sell out MEN Arena.
The speed and agility of the US is what sets them apart, with only Luol Deng coming close to the calibre of conditioning and drilled decision making of the American pros.
Every time the UK dared to drive towards the hoop, a series of deadly aimed and lightning fast blows descended on the ball, if they managed to get a shot off it was a pyrrhic victory.
The US snatched away 12 steals in the first two quarters compared with the UK’s zero steals – a stat which told the tale of the turn in the tide to come, as the score line was a more respectable 37-55 at the half.
Chicago Bulls Forward Deng did his best, prowling the paint, managing to carve a few moves to the bucket and finished up the game with an impressive 25 points to lead all scorers.
Also giving his team mates some much needed confidence at times, showing just how far his presence on the UK development programme has brought them along.
Despite the friendly nature of the exhibition game, it did get physical with the heavily hirsute James Harden making a bee line for Deng and flooring him twice, backing up the threat of a banner displayed by one fan warning the UK team to ‘beware the beard.’
Chris Finch’s men played passionately and crashed the boards with tenacity, with the final rebound totals being split evenly, as GB pulled down 29 and the US 32.
Robert Archibald, (the Scot with the most British of names) played with heart, but fouled out as he struggled to contain the muscular density and strength of the Americans as their assault on the British basket continued with clinical aplomb.
But it was reminiscent of an NBA All Star game at the end with some ferocious slam dunks on the break. LeBron James drawing rapturous applause and audible ‘ooohs’ from the crowd with one thunderous two hand effort.
Newcomer to the US squad Anthony Davis enjoyed a great game contributing 18 points and Carmelo Anthony scored 19 amongst six US players in double figures.
The US boasted a mammoth 47 point lead half way through the fourth quarter, but the UK (despite at times seemingly watching the dunk fest with as much joy as the crowd) kept plugging away and hit a series of 3’s down the stretch to bring it back to the final tally’s 40 point deficit.
During the post game press conference US coach Mike Krzyzewski spoke with praise for his British hosts, the friendly reception they had enjoyed in Manchester and even went as far as to tip the UK to perhaps grab a surprise win at the London Olympics.
Brooklyn Nets star point guard Deron Williams, who also scored 19 points had some warm words for the GB team and said that the US were taking their opponents seriously in every game.
He said: “The UK played well and we enjoyed the game, those guys are good on the ball and can shoot. We are not underestimating any teams.
“We know we can be beaten if we don’t come to play. If we overlook an opponent. There’s some tough teams out there, with Brazil, Spain and Argentina among them, we’re playing them in the other three warm up games, so hopefully that will get us prepared for the tournament.”
Period Score breakdown:
P1 P2 P3 P4
GB 20 GB 37 55 78
US 33 US 55 89 118
(Thanks to statistician Matt Roberts)