Team USA adjusting to atypical basketball arena specs

LONDON -- Pick an NBA arena, any one, and you’ll find the high-priced seats crammed as close as possible to the court.

We’ve all seen replays of beer flying into the air after Player X crashes into Fan Y (or, more accurately, Fan $$$) while chasing a loose ball.

A few feet separate fans from players in the NBA, but it’s closer to 20 feet at the new Olympic Park basketball arena.

Team USA certainly had trouble Sunday without a close courtside backdrop.

The U.S. led France by one puny point in its Olympic opener and made only seven of 24 shots (29%) in the first quarter. The U.S. also missed its first seven three-point attempts.

Team USA rallied to win with ease, 98-71, but shot only 43% Sunday after shooting 52% over five exhibition games earlier this month, including 54% in an easy victory over medal contender Spain last week.

“None of us were allowed in here before the game for more than an hour. It may take a few games to get adjusted,” U.S. Coach Mike Krzyzewski said.

Or, as Kevin Love said: “It does help when the court is more condensed.”

One player didn’t worry about shooting percentages.

LeBron James scored nine points and had eight assists. He was in pass-first mode all the way, taking only six shots (and making four). Then he laughed at the premise of a too-deep backdrop.

“I don’t know. I’m not a shooter,” he said. “I drive and dunk the ball. It doesn’t bother me.”

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