2011 FIBA Americas Championship: Al Horford And The Dominican Republic Survive Venezuela 92-89

by Kris Willis on Aug 31, 2011 12:41 PM EDT

Two Al Horford free throws capped off a late run by the Dominican Republic as they rallied from 17 down to defeat Venezuela 92-89. Horford finished with 19 points as the Dominican Republic captured its second win in as many days. John Calipari's club trailed 74-63 entering the fourth quarter, but outscored Venezuela 29-15 over the final ten minutes of play.

It was the second time in as many days that Venezuela lost control of a game in the fourth quarter. In yesterday's match up, Venezuela built a lead against Brazil but failed to hold onto it in the final moments. Greivis Vasquez led the way for Venezuela and hit a three pointer with just 11 seconds that pulled Venezuela back to within one 90-89. Al Horford was fouled on the next Dominican Republic possession and calmly went to the free throw line where he knocked down both shots extending the lead to 92-89.

After a timeout, Vasquez passed up a three point look to miss a driving reverse lay up that Horford rebounded sealing the victory.

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Garcia and Villanueva

are absolutely terrible, both on offense and defense. I dont know how either are in the NBA at this point

by Jonesy24 on Aug 31, 2011 12:57 PM EDT reply actions

No more small ball!

they spread the floor. if only Charlie V were a bit shorter he could defend the SF position and probably attack the rim better.
Garcia, meh. Did not watch the game. Was Al playing the PF or spread speed center?

But anyone saying Charlie V is a good player is getting screwed. His physical tools make him a good streak shooter but he is a complete tweener on defense.

Dumars is silly!

In 1957, the team advanced to the Finals, losing to the Boston Celtics in a double-overtime thriller in game seven. In 1958, the Hawks again advanced to the NBA Finals where they avenged their previous year's defeat against the Boston Celtics, winning the series 4-2. Bob Pettit scored 50 points in Game 6 in front of a crowd of 10,218 in St. Louis. The victory gave the Hawks their first and only NBA Championship.

by PointGuardSlim on Aug 31, 2011 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Charlie Villanueva are one of those players

that always seems to kill us or have one of his best games whenever we play him.

M-V-TEAGUE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Upon hearing that the nfl lockout was over, I faced in the general direction of Seattle and gave them the finger. GO RAMS
Follow me at @Th3_Prophet

by Throw on Aug 31, 2011 2:36 PM EDT reply actions

small ball?

maybe because we put Josh Smith on him and give him the size advantage?

Charlie V is one of the few defenders at PF who Horford can completely bully on both ends.
Charlie V couldn’t do anything next to a good defender in Bogut. Utterly one dimensional.

I want to ask Joe Dumars if he saw Rasheed Wallace in him or what. Seriously he couldnt take the time to find any # that proved Charlie V was a bad/1 dimensional player?

It’s 2011 use some statistics or at least video that he can defend and post up premier people at his position!

by PointGuardSlim on Aug 31, 2011 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions

im not talkin bout just inside

they guy for some reason whenever I watch have his 3 ball going

M-V-TEAGUE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Upon hearing that the nfl lockout was over, I faced in the general direction of Seattle and gave them the finger. GO RAMS
Follow me at @Th3_Prophet

by Throw on Aug 31, 2011 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Charlie V only scores on us

He gives as much back on the other end or at least it’s looked that way to me. Kind of like Blatche. Not sure if it’s a skill issue or an effort issue. Dumars went insane that summer paying Charlie V and Ben Gordon. Goes to show you that when a GM really screws up it can hurt a franchise for a decade.

by Evil Dallas on Aug 31, 2011 9:12 PM EDT reply actions

He has the wingspan of an elite small forward but he’s too tall to move his feet.

Bad proportions make him a tweener

by PointGuardSlim on Aug 31, 2011 9:57 PM EDT reply actions

I guess nobody here has actually seen Charlie V recently

Dude has to weigh at least 260 right now. Hes out of shape, shouldnt even be on the court. The DR made there run when both Charlie V and Garcia went off the bench as neither could do anything else excpet make the occasional open three that Al Horford set them up for.

Like i said in another thread this team is all Al Horford on both sides on the court. hes their best offensive player, best PG, best defender, both post and perimeter. and basically the coach on the floor telling the less experienced players where to go to keep the spacing

by Jonesy24 on Aug 31, 2011 10:10 PM EDT reply actions

honestly both Garcia and Villanueva were getting beat off the dribble

by basketball players that had no business doing this. The two best players on the DR are Al Horford and JMM

by Jonesy24 on Aug 31, 2011 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions

sounds like Big Al’s college scouting report. Good thing there arent any Odens around ;)

srsly though who is he playing against, when do these things come on so we can see the competition?

by PointGuardSlim on Sep 1, 2011 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Do you even read any of these posts?

All of the games except the championships are on ESPN3

@Kris_Willis

by Kris Willis on Sep 1, 2011 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I beg your pardon? I did read

I see no mention of ESPN3 here and This is the only time I was curious enough to ask about watching South American basketball.

pardon me but watching Charlie V and Fransisco Garcia was not that exciting until you said he got to free throws.
Pardon me for hoping Al was improving his inside play. Am I right to assume that his opponents are nowhere near the guys he’ll have to beat off the dribble in the East. Conf.?

by PointGuardSlim on Sep 1, 2011 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions