USA Basketball

[hitmansb]

These guys are an embarassment....they were missing jump shots that high school players make on a regular basis. So much for the 'Dream Team' concept...these guys are a nightmare.

I've always wondered if it wouldn't make more sense to send the NBA Champions (minus foreign players, of course) to represent the USA, with the rest of the team being superstars from other teams. Guys who play together and have won together would be much better.

Tell me the gold wouldn't be a lock if the Detroit Pistons' starters were there instead, with the bench then being made up of guys like Duncan and Iverson:

Rip Hamilton
Ben Wallace
Rasheed Wallace
Tayshaun Prince
Chauncy Billups


All are American, and they played together and won the NBA title this year. Wouldn't that have made more sense?

[Racer814]

I agree with sending a team...just shows that the team concept beats a bunch of hot dogs any day...players dont practice the basics anymore...just want to make sportscenters top ten list...

[pierced one]

sux, i cannot freaking believe we lost at our own game......bullshit

[jmac2222]

Dont blame this team. Dont blame the guys who are there, they at least showed up (kind of). Where is Shaq? McGrady? Garnett?

And how did Larry Brown look at this team and not invite at least two three point shooters? Even some specialty guys, hell Reggie Miller cant run the floor or play defense but we could have gotten him to stand at that Int 3 point line and hit 7 out of 10! Mashburn, Mario Ellis, anybody who could shoot!

[hitmansb]

Good point, jmac....some 'pure shooters' would have helped.

[buccaneer19]

i have to agree with jmac on this one. shaq garnett mcgrady. i mean damn thats ridiculous. still, no team in the world should beat iverson, duncan, lebron, and carmello alone. not to mention names like shawn marion, carlos boozer, emeka okefor, and larry brown coaching. i mean come on

[majoradams]

I just watched you guys kick our ass, actually it was a damn close game up until the last q. Very entertaining to watch. Not a sport i would usually watch but when your country is playing u get pumped. I think it was 89-79

[Shibby]

I don't think you can put it all on the team and what not. Just because you have a bunch of individual players that are great at their position WITH THERE TEAM, does not mean they will be great at their position with unfimaliar players. Being able to anticipate what the other player is going to do, like it's an extention of them selves. (like have a single team as hitman stated) Look at the pro bowl. You have the greateast of all teams but it's pretty much just a joke.

[majoradams]

Originally posted by Shibby
I don't think you can put it all on the team and what not. Just because you have a bunch of individual players that are great at their position WITH THERE TEAM, does not mean they will be great at their position with unfimaliar players. Being able to anticipate what the other player is going to do, like it's an extention of them selves. (like have a single team as hitman stated) Look at the pro bowl. You have the greateast of all teams but it's pretty much just a joke.

Hey bro,you should play basket ball, your tall enough arnt ya:D

[Shibby]

what the fuck are you talking about?

[Keiser]

I think they will still win Gold. The sad thing is that even americans are pulling for them to lose. It is tough for them over there, they are actually living on a ship for security reasons.

[7lok4]

20+ years ago the concept of taking NBA all-stars and making a "dream team" would have been a consistant success. All five guys on the floor would have been solid in their fundamentals and be able to play with each other. The NBA of today is a joke. With a few exceptions you have a bunch hotdogs that have no desire to be team players. The Olympics showcase all that is wrong with the direction the NBA has moved in past years.

[Keiser]

Iverson pushed through the pain and played with a broken finger. Tim Duncan and Lebron are playing with class even though Lebron did dunk in that austrailian guys face. These guys all have class and are doing great imo for even going over there with all the security risks.

They are the only olympians making millions, and already nationally recognized before going to the olympics, so I commend the guys for going and not backing down like shaq and garnett, we need to support them.

[hitmansb]

Another loss....to Lithuania this time. These guys are an embarassment. As a Canadian, this is the equivalent to if our World Cup of Hockey team went out and lost to Germany or something.

[Keiser]

Originally posted by hitmansb
Another loss....to Lithuania this time. These guys are an embarassment. As a Canadian, this is the equivalent to if our World Cup of Hockey team went out and lost to Germany or something.

Did you watch the game? Or did you just see the score? I watched the entire game. Lithuania is a very good team, they made 50% of their 3 point shots, thats every other shot going in, thats crazy. Very good shooters.

The US played hard, they hustled, the bench was into the game, the played tough defense. The US had the lead pretty much the whole game, then those guys started draining 3's one of them got fouled on a 3 point attempt and made a 4 point play. The usa lost by 4 points.

Also the crowd was blowing whistles the whole time the usa had the ball on offense. One time Marbury even stopped because he thought the ref blew a whistle.