Throwback: Paul, Wade, LeBron, Melo, Dwight lost to Greece

[CodeBreaker]

Just accidentally saw this game and it's still a shocker to me until now how this happened. Any thoughts regarding this unfortunate event in USA Basketball history?

 

[trojanfan12]

Just accidentally saw this game and it's still a shocker to me until now how this happened. Any thoughts regarding this unfortunate event in USA Basketball history?

Lebron choked.

 

[gordontrue]

Coach K after the game:

We have to learn the international game better. We learned a lot today because we played a
team that plays amazing basketball and plays together.

Papaloukas from Greece after the game:

It's hard for one team, if they have so many big players, in
one month to adapt to their new roles. All
these players are big stars, but you have to do small different
things. I think that was the difference: In our team, everybody
knew what they had to do exactly.

 

[trojanfan12]

Coach K after the game:



Papaloukas from Greece after the game:

Yeah, in all seriousness, Paploukas was correct. The one thing the original dream team did very well was define roles, share the ball, etc. If memory serves, this particular dream team spent much of the game deferring too much and then the rest of the game with guys trying to win it by themselves.

 

[CodeBreaker]

After watching the game again. They really didn't know how to play olympic style of basketball. I saw a lot of isolation plays while the other players just stood there waiting for the ball. But still this all star team losing to Greece is really weird. Even while playing allstar game type of bball, they should have beaten these Greeks, just too much talent

 

[WiggyRuss]

Which was it when they lost with Larry Brown as the coach- when Bron was on the team and didnt get much PT? was that it? or was that another game?

 

[CodeBreaker]

Which was it when they lost with Larry Brown as the coach- when Bron was on the team and didnt get much PT? was that it? or was that another game?

You're talking about the Athens 2004. Their star players were Iverson, Duncan, etc. This one was FIBA 2006, Wade was fresh from his insane finals performance lol

 

[Rock Strongo]

we promote a fundamentally unsound approach to the game we created. its sad.

chicks dig dunks.

 

[Lakers+USC=#1]

As the late great Sman65 would say, "LeBronze."

 

[wildturkey]

That was still back when they were just showing up and expecting to win. Problem was, a good chunk of the world had made dramatic gains in skill level. That 2004 to 2006 window was the wake up call that lead to them revamping the entire program where they started asking players to make years long commitments to USA Basketball and you had to come to camps to be able to play. That way, they built a more cohesive unit. The world just got better. The days of the Dream Team running over YMCA squads were over. USA still has the most talent and should win nowadays, but any momentary lapse and you can lose to a handful of countries now

 

[mr.hockey4242]

I pin it all on Dwight. That guy is just a loser.

 

[The Q]

Duncan called conspiracy after the 04 Olympics and said he'd never playe FIBA ball again after they targeted USA players. That's how 04 happened. Well that and playing guys like Richard Jefferson over lebron and melo

 

[CodeBreaker]

Duncan called conspiracy after the 04 Olympics and said he'd never playe FIBA ball again after they targeted USA players. That's how 04 happened. Well that and playing guys like Richard Jefferson over lebron and melo

Dude, this was FIBA 06, not Olympics 04