08/12/2008 - 17:51
J-Kidd Points USA Past Angola
by Devon Jeffreys

After defeating China, the goal of Jason and Team USA against Angola was to avoid a letdown. It’s safe to say they did that.

With No. 5 starting at point, the United States posted a second consecutive Olympic victory, defeating Angola, 97-76, on Tuesday night.

Jason played 15 minutes (four rebounds, three assists, two steals) in the victory. Once again, he didn’t take a shot, instead making that extra pass and grabbing key defensive rebounds, the qualities he is most famous for.

Mike Breen, who announced the game for the USA Network, was complimentary of Jason after a rebound:

“Jason Kidd, one of the best rebounding guards to ever play the game, grabs that one,” Breen said. “One of the reasons he’s so good on the fast break is he starts it himself.”

Cherean Williams of the Fort Worth Star Telegram caught up with Jason after the victory:

“The Americans took the lead 10-9 with 5:59 left in the first quarter and led by as much as 33 in the fourth quarter before calling off the All-Stars.

“We didn’t come out here to embarrass anybody,” said Dallas Mavericks guard Jason Kidd.”

The victory brought Team USA to 4-0 against Angola all-time.

FEELING BETTER
After enduring a cold for most of last week, Jason is close to full strength again. He spoke to NBC’s Craig Sager:

“I feel a lot better thanks to doc (Team USA doctor Sheldon Burns)...I felt that coming over to the stadium, I knew that if the rim was 10 feet, the ball was still round, I didn’t have to go out and shoot around with the guys.”

NEXT UP
Team USA moves into a tougher stretch of games, taking on Greece Thursday night in the third of five preliminary round games.

 

The last time the U.S. faced Greece -- two years ago in the World Championships semifinals -- the latter emerged with a shocking 101-95 victory. The loss was the only game Team USA lost in the last two years.

Jason, absent from that team, will look to help his teammates exact a measure of revenge.

The game can be seen at 5 AM PST on the USA Network.

RELATED STORIES
Team USA calls off the All-Stars vs. Angola (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, August 12, 2008)
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/story/827712.html
U.S. defeats Angola, 97-76, in Olympics men’s basketball play (Los Angeles Times, August 12, 2008)
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-olymenhoops13-2008aug13,0,7717198.st...
Craig Sager interviews Jason Kidd (NBCOlympics.com, August 9, 2008)
http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/player.html?assetid=0809_mbsk_kidd_ja03...

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