Team USA Improves To 5-0

I've been watching many of these FIBA games and have been thinking about why I'm enjoying this tournament so much. The obvious answer is that the USA is beatable. It's much more fun when you're rooting to win and not rooting to win by at least 40. But no, it's not that.
Another answer could revolve around the nationalism that goes hand in hand with an international sports tournament. One problem: besides the rivalry between Turkey and Greece, there aren't any countries and fans that blatantly hate each other like you'll see in the World Cup.

It finally dawned on me while watching this morning's USA-Tunisia game. It's the funny looking guys on the international teams that you just don't get in the NBA. Think about it, if you saw any NBA player walking down the street, somebody could point towards him, tell you that's Player X, and you'd believe them. Brian Scalabrine is the only exception. Even a weird looking guy like Chris Kaman gets a pass because he's a seven footer.
Each international team has at least five Scalabrine's. In fact, Tunisian forward Radhouane Slimane's baldness attracted more attention than anything that actually happened in the game. Slimane is 30 years old and looks about 45. Just think about how hard it is to look 15 years older than you are.
Slimane is exactly the type of guy you would immediately D up on in a pick up game thinking you'd get a rest on defense. First possession, he hits a mid range jumper in your face and you shrug it off as luck. Then he does it again the next time down the floor. "Shit," you say to yourself and play defense for the rest of the game.
Anyway, what I wanted to talk about is how much Eric Gordon and Rudy Gay have improved their stock during this tournament.
Gordon led all scorers against Tunisia with 21 points on 7-10 shooting. I was more impressed with his defense. He recorded three steals in 25 minutes. Gordon has been USA's best option off the bench, and his play has led some to speculate about his possible insertion into the starting lineup.
But at who's expense?

Rose and Billups have both looked lackluster at times. I think pairing up Gordon with Rose would be ideal because Rose's ability to penetrate would create plenty of open looks for Gordon.
Another possibility is starting Gordon next to Billups and moving Billups back to point guard where he's more comfortable. This would be a better defensive backcourt but would lack speed and athleticism.
My guess would be that Coach K sticks with his original starting lineup. Rose is too versatile not to start, and I think he likes the veteran leadership that Billups provides. If it ain't broke don't fix it. Gordon has excelled off the bench, so he'll likely remain in the 6th man role.
Rudy Gay is another player that I've been impressed with. I think it's not so much that he's improved, as it is I wasn't aware of how good he was. I always assumed Granger was the better of the two players. The stats last season would suggest that (Granger - 24/5/3, Gay - 19/6/2) they're more even than I thought. Also take into account that Gay plays with a 20 ppg scorer in Randolph, and Indiana's offense is run through Granger.
Gay has shot the ball well and shown a willingness to rebound the basketball (the same can't be said for most of his teammates). At this point, Gay has cemented his spot as the back up small forward. The Tunisia game is evidence. Granger got the majority of the minutes during garbage time in the second half because he needed to find a way to work Granger into the game somehow.
USA will face Angola on Monday for their first game in the 16 team single elimination tournament. More on that tomorrow.