Scattered thoughts from USA Basketball’s 120-66 win over Iran on Wednesday …
· Team USA needed this. After splitting four exhibition games in Las Vegas and getting out-executed by France in the Olympic opener, the U.S. blitzed Iran early, jumping out to a 28-12 first quarter lead, expanding the lead to 30 at halftime, turning the final 20 minutes into expanded garbage time. I get it—it’s Iran, a team devoid of NBA talent (36-year old Hamed Haddadi spent five seasons in the NBA between ’08 and ’13). But the U.S was sharp from three early (6-12 in the first quarter), played turnover-free ball for the first ten minutes and moved the ball better than at any point in this 2021 cycle.