“Team philosophy is American way - Washington Examiner” plus 1 more

Team philosophy is American way - Washington Examiner

Posted: 13 Sep 2010 08:43 PM PDT

By: Jeffrey Tomik
Examiner Staff Writer
09/13/10 9:00 PM EDT

Team USA

The 2010 world championship U.S. squad was coined the B-Deem Team for its lack of A-list stars and was dismissed for being too young and too small.

But the U.S. won four knockout games against Angola, Russia, Lithuania and Turkey by double digits on its way to America's first FIBA World Championship since 1994 on Sunday.

Director of USA Basketball Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski have to be credited for constructing this championship team. With only eight NBA All-Star appearances on the roster -- compared to 53 on the 2008 Olympic group -- the U.S. had a much less celebrated talent pool competing in this international competition. Instead of having a team full of alpha dogs, this squad more closely resembled an NBA title contender.

They had an unstoppable superstar (Kevin Durant), a veteran point guard leader (Chauncey Billups), athletic guards that could get to the rim (Russel Westbrook and Derrick Rose), shooters (Eric Gordon and Stephen Curry) and a bunch of big men that were committed to doing the dirty work (Lamar Odom, Andre Iguodala, Rudy Gay, Tyson Chandler and Kevin Love).

An unselfish, hard-nosed mentality won for the U.S. Players bought into their roles. And America adjusted well to international competition by playing an undersized, athletic frontcourt to spread the floor offensively and cover pick and rolls.

The hardworking, team-oriented American way identified the 2010 world championship team, but the bunch of narcissistic All-Stars worried about international self-promotion will return for the 2012 Olympics in London.

jtomik@washingtonexaminer.com

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Italian philosophy inspires Johnson - FOXSports.com

Posted: 06 Sep 2010 05:14 AM PDT

Rivals

TEAMtalk Media Group

Updated Sep 6, 2010 8:15 AM ET

06/09/2010 06:44 +0100

The winger celebrated his competitive debut for England by scoring his first goal for his country in Friday's 4-0 win over Bulgaria in a Euro 2012 qualifier at Wembley. It was a big boost for the former Middlesbrough player after he failed to make the final 23 for the World Cup. But Johnson can see similarities between the approach of fellow Italians Capello and Mancini in providing a solid defensive basis which gives attacking plyers like himself more freedom. Johnson said: "Capello and Mancini are pretty similar in their approach. I think in some ways the Italian mentality is different to the English attitude when it comes to management. "There is an emphasis on the tactical side and the shape of the team. "Obviously, every manager has things to do differently, but overall I think Mancini and Capello are pretty similar. "I think if you can get a team to defend the right way, then there is more freedom for the forwards to attack. "Obviously I like to do that and, when the defence is right, then it gives you a solid base to go forward - and both managers I play for like to do that. "It gives me freedom in the final third to try things, to score goals and try to play attractive football. The defence gives you the confidence to do those things." Johnson took consolation from missing out on the World Cup in Capello naming him as one of the bright hopes for England's future as he looks to rebuild. He said: "I watched all the games at the World Cup. I am an England fan and, obviously got a lot of mates who were out there playing, so I was supporting them as well. "It was difficult to watch in a way, knowing I was so close, but I wanted England to go all the way and I was as disappointed as anyone to see how it went. "But it was fantastic hearing good things about me from the England manager (about the future). "It's exciting for me when someone like him is saying good things about me. "My aim is to get a few more caps and play as many games for England as I can. "I'm sure it's the same for the other young lads but playing for my country is all I've ever wanted to do. It's exciting." Johnson has also settled in with England with the help of his City team-mates who have also been involved. He says it definitely helps with people Gareth Barry, Joe Hart and James Milner being in squad. "When you come away with England, to have so many team-mates there is a big help." Johnson is as excited as anyone about what the future may hold for City but he is refusing to get carried away. He said: "They are exciting times at City. Yes, absolutely. But I think we've just got to take each game as it comes. "A lot of people are saying we are going to do this and that but we are focused on ourselves. "We've started reasonably well and we've just got to carry that on, keep winning and see where it takes us. "Like I said, these are exciting times but we are not getting too carried away with ourselves."

Philosophy

Wednesday, September 15, 2010