Seriously. I've never heard of a single player on that roster. Could they even go .500 in the in a good conference in the NCAA this year? You're correct that the old guard of decent internationals is on its last legs (gasols, dirk, scola, manu.) Not a whole lot of youngsters out there to take their place. I wouldn't be surprised if the US team loses intetest /focus again and drops a game on occasion after their latest run of dominance. Not that it really matters
LMAO. spain was in the game versus the usa squad all the way until the 4th quarter last gold medal game. pls cut this crap of the usa can throw any squad and cruise.
But they lost... again. I forget what Spain's losing streak is against the US now, but IIRC they even got beaten badly by the Marbury-led mess of a 2004 team. Edit: yes, Spain's losing streak against the senior team dates back to 2002, their only victory, against that abysmal WC team that lost 5 games and consisted of Paul Pierce and 4 guys standing around swearing at him for ball hoggin But wow yeah. 2016 is the year serge ibaka and Sergio llull shock the world!!!!!!! :grin:
I'd like to see international ball become a bigger event, it can only help the game grow if more countries field competitive teams; which in turn means more talent in the NBA, which makes for better games and less scrubs.
I think he is just beginning. He is getting better every year and doing what it takes to play with less and less athleticism, without actually losing any of it yet!
I think he meant that Lebron's body isn't as durable as it used to be (even though he's still a physical monster) and Lebron's trying to pace himself to last longer (which makes sense).
Boogie Cousins Actually it's an interesting point. Tyson Chandler was the only center on the last team. Thankfully, Team USA is so talented they can probably go small ball and have it work. Particularly now that Pau is probably done for.
Yes but it is inevitable that his body will start to break down if it hasn't already. How he treats his body now will mean a lot toward how much he has left in the tank in the next 2-3 years and beyond.
Lebron has had his day in USA basketball, he doesn't owe anything to anyone. Let the young guys have their day.
Theres a lot of great international players its just that they play in the NBA instead of overseas. Jeremy Lin for example could tear it up in China but he chooses to play in the NBA because the sport is so much bigger here. And I know he's technically American because he was born here but that doesn't change the fact that he's Chinese by ethnicity. He could still play for China if he chose to.
Spain almost beat Team USA last year, and Argentina played pretty close as well. It still blows my mind that these teams are able to play it close, considering if all of their players were American it's doubtful any of them would be on Team USA. Team USA also almost lost to freaking Tunisia.
Let's just get one thing clear. Every NBA Championship Team can beat any national team in the world, including the US team. As they say,,,,it's all about team work and practicing together.
Spain has won one game in its history against the US. 11 years ago. Argentina lost by 29 and 26 points "pretty close! " Team USA "almost lost" to Tunisia? At what point during the 110-63 game did you consider the outcome in doubt? Did Tunisia just miss a 50 point shot at the buzzer? The problem for the decent international teams last decade is that they don't have replacements. Who replaces Pau on offense for Spain in 3 years? Ibaka? Hahaha. 40 year old Rudy Fernandez? jajaja. Same for Argentina. Wade gone? OK here's Paul George. No Howard? Fine Anthony Davis. Spain is gonna have to trot out the same battered cast of characters.
