Team USA Olympic Basketball

[Shaqdaddy11]

It's just kinda disappointing how things have progressed over the years. The Dream Team in 92 was just a joy to watch. Dream Team II in 1996 was fun too (if MJ was part of that team they would probably be better than the original Dream Team)

Now we've got Javale fucking McGee

 

[tlance]

Oh, I know why they don't. That was more facetious than anything.

I like the idea, I think you posted it, of some "near NBA level guys" who are essentially the National Team and then fill in the roster with some NBA players to bolster it. I think that was the basics of it. That's pretty much how the other countries do it.

That, or get NBA guys to commit 2 years ahead of the Olympics to work out and play a tournament or 2 each summer to prepare. Have to have some guys ready to go as alternates in case something happened. It's not as much as what the other countries are doing as far as playing together, but it's better than what they're doing now. Heck, 1 year ahead of time might even be enough depending on how many tournaments they could play in.

I just don’t think the NBA players are reliable more than a couple months before the tournament. Awful hard to get those firm commitments as far in advance as you would need them to adequately prepare.

 

[tlance]

It's just kinda disappointing how things have progressed over the years. The Dream Team in 92 was just a joy to watch. Dream Team II in 1996 was fun too (if MJ was part of that team they would probably be better than the original Dream Team)

Now we've got Javale fucking McGee

Still blows my mind how he was even on the list.

Just take another guard instead if you can’t find a better big.

 

[trojanfan12]

I just don’t think the NBA players are reliable more than a couple months before the tournament. Awful hard to get those firm commitments as far in advance as you would need them to adequately prepare.

True. Imo, they should try the "get them to commit for 2 years" approach and if they can't get the commitment, go with the other option. I only say try the other one first because it keeps an all NBA roster.

 

[tlance]

True. Imo, they should try the "get them to commit for 2 years" approach and if they can't get the commitment, go with the other option. I only say try the other one first because it keeps an all NBA roster.

I think that was the general idea behind creating the “list of available players” a few years ago, but it just doesn’t really work.

 

[thunderc]

Just watched the end of the game vs France, what a meltdown. I just saw Lillard pass up a shot to pass to Holiday. That is not a winning prescription.

 

[trojanfan12]

I think that was the general idea behind creating the “list of available players” a few years ago, but it just doesn’t really work.

Forgot about that. Yeah, it's definitely not really working.

 

[Jordan23]

Team usa is terrible. These teams are nothing like the dream team that’s for damn sure

 

[trojanfan12]

Just watched the end of the game vs France, what a meltdown. I just saw Lillard pass up a shot to pass to Holiday. That is not a winning prescription.

Dame channeling his inner Ben. lol

 

[trojanfan12]

Team usa is terrible. These teams are nothing like the dream team that’s for damn sure

Very astute. How are you not on tv covering games with insight like that?

 

[PhilSimms11]

A 7-point lead with 3.5 minutes left to a 7-point defeat. They scored 2 points in the final 2 minutes. They choked. Plus, Kevin Wayne Durant fouled out.

 

[trojanfan12]

A 7-point lead with 3.5 minutes left to a 7-point defeat. They scored 2 points in the final 2 minutes. They choked. Plus, Kevin Wayne Durant fouled out.

Why are you yelling?

 

[Gman]

Why are you yelling?

WE JUST LOST TO THE STINKY FRENCH, MAN!!

 

[Black Adam]

WE JUST LOST TO THE STINKY FRENCH, MAN!!

there's that...

 

[bksballer89]

Just watched the end of the game vs France, what a meltdown. I just saw Lillard pass up a shot to pass to Holiday. That is not a winning prescription.

Yeah that's what I mean about players here. They're in roles they're not used to playing with other top 25/30 guys. Portland Dame pull that trigger without thinking twice. On team USA guys tend to be too unselfish. It is one of the reasons Melo is one of the best to ever put on the USA jersey because he played how he would during the NBA season

 

[tlance]

Yeah that's what I mean about players here. They're in roles they're not used to playing with other top 25/30 guys. Portland Dame pull that trigger without thinking twice. On team USA guys tend to be too unselfish. It is one of the reasons Melo is one of the best to ever put on the USA jersey because he played how he would during the NBA season

Yeah, Melo damn sure not passing up any shots!

 

[thunderc]

Yeah, Melo damn sure not passing up any shots!

He wouldn’t pass to his mom at a family reunion

 

[BigKen]

A 7-point lead with 3.5 minutes left to a 7-point defeat. They scored 2 points in the final 2 minutes. They choked. Plus, Kevin Wayne Durant fouled out.

USA missed their last 9 shots.

They think this going to be a cake walk. Losing in Vegas didn't penetrate. Ain't the smartest bunch.

 

[bksballer89]

USA missed their last 9 shots.

They think this going to be a cake walk. Losing in Vegas didn't penetrate. Ain't the smartest bunch.

We need to stop assuming we know what people are thinking. Did you even watch the game?

Had nothing to do with smart or dumb. Basketball always been a make or miss sport. 37% shooting not going to win you a lot of games but they were not playing dumb basketball by any stretch

 

[BigKen]

We need to stop assuming we know what people are thinking. Did you even watch the game?

Had nothing to do with smart or dumb. Basketball always been a make or miss sport. 37% shooting not going to win you a lot of games but they were not playing dumb basketball by any stretch

Yes, I watched the game.

Smart players find a way to work together and win. That's from someone who coached men's and women's basketball for almost 40 years. ME!

This USA team isn't showing anyone anything other than they may be easier to beat than they or anyone else believed. Over-confidence and lack of respect for your opponent make you the most vulnerable.

Ex-Celtic Fournier led France. There will be more NBA players playing for their home teams and the USA won't be facing high school and college plebes.