Summer Rerun as the US plays a bad 1st Quarter

[Snoopy the Celtics Beagle <snoopy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Mexico lost to the US, but won some respect as the game was a lot closer 
than the final score of 96-69 would indicate.  Mexico outscored the US in 
the opening quarter, 26-19.  Then, in the third quarter, instead of the 
generally-expected piling on of points, the US led by only 5 points early 
on in the third quarter.  Maybe Jermaine was pouting over Thomas' dismissal.

Games like this show the US team, at least, still doesn't Get It.  If you 
keep spotting the opposing team a first quarter lead, sooner or later, it's 
going to become a game-long lead.  If you want to convince everyone that 
you're a totally dominant team, you need to actually BE dominant.  No one's 
going to believe it's hopeless--except Canada--if you keep giving them hope.

If the US wins against Puerto Rico--which just beat Brazil--they're a lock 
to go to Athens, and the only question will be if they finish first or second.

That's aside from the question of whether or not they've learned their 
lesson.  Larry Brown, at least, seems to understand what's needed.  He's 
still pining for inside help, knowing that the spectacle of Allen Iverson 
stealing Antoine Walker's three point moves is not going to solidify the US 
team's chances in Athens.  Jermaine O'Neal is somehow keeping a lock on his 
temper despite the firing of the only coach who would have been 
enthusiastic about playing him in an All-Star game.  I just don't see 
O'Neal being here next summer.  I'm personally figuring that if the C's 
make a decent showing this year, the USOC will become truly repentant and 
make sure Pierce has a first class plane ticket to Athens.

Snoopy the Celtics Beagle
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