After the jump!

Team USA is playing China this morning. For those of you not familiar with China, they are the home country of the 2008 Olympics. They also feature Yao Ming, who plays for a team Americans might recognize as the “Houston Rockets.”

For those of you who have always wanted to watch a healthy Yao, should be happy to know that the Olympics are only, like, 10 games long, and Yao always lasts, like 30 games. It’s a good sign.

Feel free to stop by and talk about the lack of ball movement. See you in the morning.

It’s a sloppy game so far. Put combine that with the fact that it’s USA versus the home country, it sure is exciting! (Sorry for the disingenuous exclamation point.)

And we’ve reach our fist commercial. They used the old NBA on NBC music if I’m not mistaken. And it bleeds into a Yao-LeBron coke commercial. Makes me thirsty.

Oooh – nasty fastbreak dunk by LeBron on the feed form the best point guard in the world. In no world should Jason Kidd start over Chris Paul. This is not up for debate.

Again, sorry for being late. I’m a bit what you would call “hung-over.” China has hit 4-5 from deep so far to keep them in it.

Boy, the calls sure seem…. one-sided. Maybe that’s just my patriotism talking. 16-16.

I can’t wait to see the Chinese Kurt Rambis play today.

Have I mentioned how much i like red shoes? I think Spain wore red sneakers to the opening ceremony.

USA up 18-16 on the Dwyane Wade freebies.

Dwight Howard equals monster. I may have said that before, but he’s such a freak of nature.

The Dream Team had a 43.8 average margin of victory? You almost forget how dominant Christian Laettner was.

The Chinese have forced some silly looking shots so far. Do you think they’re aware Team USA has an average height of 5′11?

1st Quarter Score: USA 20, China 16

In case anyone was curious – as China hits their 5th three – I did not steal the Jordan/Bird/Magic picture from Sparty’s blog.

Wade is back. Reverse slam in the half-court.

The USA permimeter players reach too much.

LeBron with his second awesome block.

I love the way Howard runs the floor. He’s so gifted. Sorry, if I’m drooling.

Saying someone is sitting “between the Bushes” sounds funny, doesn’t it?

Has anyone ever thought to actually explain Michael Redd’s role to Michael Redd? No? OK.

Another 3 for China and another miss for USA.

So there’s horrendous officiating in Olympic basketball. Seeing as how officiating on every level in every country probably sucks, this does not surprise me.

Kobe in traffic. Kobe < from LeBron.

Jerry, Jason Kidd needs to go.

China has now hit 100 3-pointers. I think my box score is broken.

I think LeBron might be the strongest person in all of China. I would know – as I mentioned, I watched the Women’s Clean and Jerk competition.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

There was no need for that. The underhanded alley-oop in traffic for a one-handed LeBron slam and the foul. Wow.

We’ve got a dunk line.

Vintage Wade there. I say that because he ended up on the floor at the end of the play. There may have been a missed call there….

Team USA is up double-digits going into halftime. I’m going to sneak out before the final horn so I can beat the line at the concession stand. I’ll try to be back in my seat for the start of the second half.

Halftime Score: 49-37

Wow. I have to say the woman that did the intro to the “Basketball is popular” piece was awkward.

So, in China Kobe > LeBron. Must be the exchange rate.

Carmelo just had an own-hoop. Or he just helped himself get dunked on.

Now I’ve seen it all – Dwight Howard just got blocked.

LeBron doesn’t subscribe to the idea of “in traffic.” He just goes through people.

Kobe comes in for ‘Melo with Team USA up 17. Yao immediately attacks the rim. These two things are not related.

This game isn’t a blowout (yet?) but it’s certainly not close.

LeBron hit a three! That’s the first one Team USA hit since Chris Mullin made one in 1992.

Uh-Oh. Yao twisted his ankle.

True or False: The star of the Angolan National Team is Bruce Bowen.

3rd Quarter Score: USA 74, China 48

I think we can just about put this one to bed. Anybody else watching water polo?

We’ve had a Michael Redd sighting!

I guess I should go get the Roundup ready. If President Bush is leaving early, so am I. Of course, he’s probably going to see Misty May.