Team USA played Argentina today. The Americans would end up winning 126-97 in a game that was full of extra-curricular activities.
During the third quarter, forward Carmelo Anthony went for a 3-pointer. As a way of playing defense, Argentinian player Facundo Campazzo took a cheap shot at Anthony’s groin area. After reviewing the replay over and over, Campazzo can be seen as sticking his arm out and going for the area between Carmelo Anthony’s shorts. Anthony would end up on the ground grimacing in pain, while the official was right there being oblivious.
This then sparked some anger from Team USA‘s bench, including head coach Mike Krzyzewski. Coach K ended up giving Luis Scola an earful before officials got in the middle to separate the two. Now that’s what you call sticking up for your players!
This was definitely a cheap shot by Facundo Campazzo. Perhaps the gameplan of the Argentinians is to actually beat Team USA by physically hurting them instead of playing some nice international basketball.
Cheap shot? That’s karma. Remember Carmelo floored Mardy Collings with a sucker punch to the jaw and ran? Here’s the video: http://www.imperfectenjoyment.com/2012/08/carmelo-groin-hit/