Highlights Lowlights from the exhibition game vs Nigeria:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Mnc4apih-_4
Just wow
They looked like they'd just met each other, which in a way they just had. Just some specific breakdowns in plays I noticed:
https://youtu.be/9fu6Kf_DfIU?t=49- Lillard was probably expecting adebayo or durant to protect the rim for the drive, maybe thats what Nurkic does in Portland but nobody moved until it was too late. this is just lack of communication.
https://youtu.be/9fu6Kf_DfIU?t=505- Draymond and LaVine didnt communicate when the Nigerian No8 screened off LaVine and the Nigerian No1 moved to the corner and was open as the No12 drove to the paint and attracted 3 players (Dray, Tatum and Lillard), either LaVine should have fought through the screen or Dray should have trusted Tatum to cover the rim instead the Nigerians got an open 3 from the corner.
We don't even know their names
but after playing them Team USA should be under no illusions as to the need to be prepared. The days when teams were awestruck by Team USA are long past. Nigeria have 8 NBA players and 2 more with NBA experience: Precious Achiuwa (Miami Heat), Chimezie Metu (Sacramento Kings), Jordan Nwora (Milwaukee Bucks), Jahlil Okafor (Detroit Pistons), Josh Okogie (Minnesota Timberwolves), KZ Okpala (Heat), Miye Oni (Utah Jazz) and Gabe Vincent (Heat). Additionally, Michael Gbinije and Ekpe Udoh also have experience in the NBA.
That said, I'm expecting a can of whoop@ss to be opened on whoever they have an exhibition next.