The USA has played Argentina four times in Olympic action, recording wins on three occasions and an 89-81 loss in the 2004 Olympic semifinals, after which Argentina went on to earn the gold medal. The USA topped Argentina 96-68 in 2000, 85-76 in 1952 and 59-57 in 1948. Additionally, the USA handed Argentina a 96-81 setback in the bronze medal game of the 2006 FIBA World Championship, and the USA beat a less-than-full strength Argentina squad twice in the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship, 91-76 in second round action and 118-81 in the gold medal game. The 2007 Argentina team, while featuring Scola and Delfino, was without several starters including Ginobili and Nocioni.

"Argentina only have six players the way we look at it, but they have six high-quality guys. We have to tire them out. We have to attack them and get them in foul trouble. We need to see their seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th players. We do respect them, we repsect their game, their system and their style. This game is going to be tough.

I think we are more consistent with our play on defense. I think we have it down. We have to be better when we have the ball offensively so that we don't get caught playing an NBA game. What I mean by that is that when we catch the ball, sometimes we go one-on-four. We stand, we quit cutting, we quit moving, you saw that a little against Australia in the first quarter. Then what happens is teams pack it in and let us shoot from outside, but we haven't developed a ryhthym for those shots. We have to continue to move the basketball and keep making hard cuts. We need to make Argentina defend us because if we do that, we can wear them down a little and get them in foul trouble. If we let them play position defense and we stand and go one-on-one, that won't happen. "

Another bad point for Argentina is that A.Noccioni is questionable for this match. If he is out this should be another easy walk-over for dream-team. I simply can't see how they can compete against USA team with such short bench and low class of bench players. I think Argentina will try to slow down game tempo but USA will get an easy win here. Unfortunately USA is unpredictable team for here in Beijing so I decided to skip another match with them in the line.

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