Basketball On The Internet.

THE minor kerfuffle which closed the Paris Olympic women's quarter-final between USA and Nigeria was totally a result of American arrogance and a so-called "tradition" of not "disrespecting the opponent" by dribbling out the final seconds of any game already decided. The fact Ezinne Kalu decided to score instead was delightful to see.

Because frankly, apart from the global pandemic of flopping infesting the game today, nothing is a greater load of bullshit than dribbling out a determined ball game to "show respect".

Respect?

Respect for what?

Is that respecting the fans who paid their money to see a 40-minute game, or a 48-minute game, because there's no doubt it was in the hyper-cool NBA where this bullcrap originated.

It quickly seeped into college basketball and, of course, our own NBL where we follow most American trends like sheep lining up at an abattoir.

As a traditionalist - you know, the type of less common basketball dinosaur who despises that everyone carries the ball now when dribbling, that five steps is OK on a dunk provided it's spectacular and that every player is allowed to bitch to the refs about every call - I've loathed this "dribble it out" crap since it first starting creeping into our sport.

Typically, just as the so-called "gather step" inevitably bastardised travelling, this "dribble it out" nonsense has been growing to plague proportions.

So when the USA's Kahleah Copper ran the shot clock out near the halfcourt line with her team leading 88-71, she willingly turned the ball over to Nigeria at 6.7 seconds left. 

Remember, that was her choice. Even though it is being reported as such - mostly on compliant American news sites - there is NO "unwritten law" in basketball you dribble out the game's final plays if the outcome is determined.

In some scenarios, that time may be the only chance seldom used subs get their opportunity to come in and run around for a minute. For Pete's sake, let them do so.

(The only aspect of Australia's smashing last night of Serbia in their women's quarter-final which I personally found irksome was that after Opals coach Sandy Brondello cleared her bench, those kids saw fit to walk out the game's last play. Why? That might've been Izzy Borlase's only shot at a shot this Olympics. Or Kristy Wallace's. Instead we dribble it on the spot? Just frustrating to see.)

Now no sooner than Copper relinquished possession via her "gracious" turnover, Nigeria inbounded it and Kalu drove to the hoop and made a lay-up.

Clearly upset at such wanton "outrageous" disrespect, Copper grabbed the ball and threw it at Kalu, hitting her in the leg. Result? Tech foul on Copper. 

(Apparently the refs weren't dribbling the game out or calling the game according to some unwritten law.)

Nigeria's Amy Okonkwo knocked down the technical foul free throw and Nigeria's final score was 74-88.

The game ends with the siren. Those are the rules and Nigeria played by them, not by some alleged "unwritten law" that isn't worth the paper it isn't written on. 

That said, Nigeria making history as the first African champs to make it to the quarter-final stage was a joyous sight to see and due in no small part to my choice as the women's Coach of the Games, Rena Wakama. If watching Nigeria did not ignite the Olympic spirit, nothing can.

WOMEN'S SEMI FINALS

USA v Australia (1.30am Saturday AEST), France v Belgium

WOMEN'S QUARTER-FINALS

Australia 85 d Serbia 67, Belgium 79 d Spain 66, France 84 d Germany 71, USA 88 d Nigeria 74

WOMEN'S INTRAGROUP RESULTS

Group A: Spain 90 d China 89, Serbia 58 d Puerto Rico 55; Spain 63 d Puerto Rico 62, Serbia 81 d China 59; China 80 d Puerto Rico 58, Spain 70 d Serbia 62. Spain 3-0 (+10), Serbia 2-1 (+17), China 1-2 (-1), Puerto Rico 0-3 (-26). Final Order: 1 Spain, 2 Serbia, 3 China, 4 Puerto Rico.

Group B: Nigeria 75 d Australia 62, France 75 d Canada 54; Australia 70 d Canada 65, France 75 d Nigeria 54; Nigeria 79 d Canada 70, Australia 79 d France 72. France 2-1 (+35), Nigeria 2-1 (+1), Australia 2-1 (-1), Canada 0-4 (-35). Tied Teams Table: France 1-1 +14, Australia 1-1 -6, Nigeria 1-1 -8. Final Order: 1 France, 2 Australia, 3 Nigeria, 4 Canada

Group C: Germany 83 d Belgium 69, USA 102 d Japan 76; Germany 75 d Japan 64, USA 87 d Belgium 74; Belgium 85 d Japan 58, USA 87 d Germany 68. USA 3-0 (+58), Germany 2-1 (+6), Belgium 1-2 (0), Japan 0-3 (-64). Final Order: 1 USA, 2 Germany, 3 Belgium, 4 Japan

IN much the same way, South Sudan, a newly-acknowledged country with no indoor basketball court anywhere, qualifying for the Olympics was not only historic but emotionally moving.

Our NBL had several players on the South Sudanese roster and opening their Games program with a win over well-established Puerto Rico was sensational.

Competing against the NBA stars and against Nikola Jokic's Serbia was an uplifting experience for all concerned.

Former Adelaide 36er, Cairns Taipan and NBL champion at Tasmania JackJumpers, Majok Deng had this to say on Facebook.

"Just reflecting on the journey! Disappointed with the results, but proud of it all. There's no greater, higher honour than representing your people (your) country at the biggest stage! Definitely didn't take that for granted! From "UNKNOWN to the talk of the WORLD! We did that. Proud is understatement for my brothers love y'all! Appreciate all the fans back home and around the world. We gotten close to what we're playing for Unity, togetherness and Peace! Let's all keep pushing forward! Bigger Than Basketball!! Love, Juba Airlines!!"

The Games were monumental, no question. But the USA needing LeBron James to score a game-winning basket for a 101-100 escape in a warm-up match had to be as exciting as anything for South Sudan.

Look out world. These Olympics were a warning shot. Here comes Africa.

MEN'S SEMI FINALS

Germany v France, USA v Serbia

MEN'S QUARTER-FINALS

Germany 76 d Greece 63, Serbia 95 d Australia 90 (O/T), France 82 d Canada 73, USA 122 d Brazil 87.

MEN'S INTRAGROUP RESULTS

Group A: Australia 92 d Spain 80, Canada 86 d Greece 79; Spain 84 d Greece 77, Canada 93 d Australia 83; Greece 77 d Australia 71, Canada 88 d Spain 85. Canada 3-0 (+20), Australia 1-2 (-4), Spain 1-2 (-8), Greece 1-2 (-8). Tied Teams Table: Australia 1-1 +6, Greece 1-1 -1, Spain 1-1 -5. Final Order: 1 Canada, 2 Australia, 3 Greece, 4 Spain.

Group B: Germany 97 d Japan 77, France 78 d Brazil 66; France 94 d Japan 90, Germany 86 d Brazil 73; Brazil 102 d Japan 84, Germany 85 d France 71. Germany 3-0 (+47), France 2-1 (+2), Brazil 1-2 (-7), Japan 0-3 (-42). Final Order: 1 Germany, 2 France, 3 Brazil, 4 Japan.

Group C: South Sudan 90 d Puerto Rico 79, USA 110 d Serbia 84; Serbia 107 d Puerto Rico 66, USA 103 d South Sudan 86; USA 104 d Puerto Rico 83; Serbia 96 d South Sudan 85. USA 3-0 (+64), Serbia 2-1 (+26), South Sudan 1-2 (-17), Puerto Rico 0-3 (-73). Final Order: 1 USA, 2 Serbia, 3 South Sudan, 4 Puerto Rico.