Hehe, all these "next time" stuff dont work homies. Let's see here 1. Spurs beating the Lakers - "Shaq is gonna comeback in a top condition and will destroy the league" OoOppsss didn't happen 2. 2002 World Championship - "The U.S guys are ready to show the world whos still #1" Kicked ass in qualifying tournament, and well we all saw what happened here. It's really dumb when people, especially the media, keep bringing these garbage up... U.S needs a well rounded team that knows how to ADAPT, not a bunch of stupid people who are too slow to adjust to a different environment. Seriously, I admit the rules are limiting the Americans somewhat, but jeez learn to adapt ! Learn to adapt ! Gino and a bunch of other guys spend the majority of their time in the NBA too, they seem to be doing a good job of remembering the that they're in a different place now.
Saw the game live here. Just sloppy play by the US again (especially our backcourt). Argentina packed the lane on Tim, and we couldn't make a jumper. Towards the end, we had open looks but guys seemed afraid to launch them. Jefferson bricked a 3 at the end that could have cut it to 5 or 6. Some shooters on this team (Redd, Kobe, Barry) would have made a huge difference. I have NO DOUBT that we would have won gold if our best players showed up (we needed shooters). Too bad they were too "busy". Also, Jefferson got dunked on at the end of the game. VERY NASTY!!!!
I think they should have played Carmelo more. Even though he was in the doghouse, he was the only 'shooter' we have. My Olympic Dream team starters (those who didnt decline) PG Cassell SG Redd SF Dunlavey PF Zach Randolf C Brad Miller Bench PG Henrich SG Artest SF Prince PF Kenny Thomas C Dampier
Cassell would have averaged 30pts a game in the Olympics. Did u see how many wide open jumpers Iverson, Marbury, and Wade missed every game? Also I would argue Cassell would be better than Kidd in international play cause I and every person on CLUTCH BBS can shoot better than Jason Kidd.
I don't really think the world was all that negative to the US team...for example, when they were in Germany, everyone was saying how it was an honor to play against them and even manage to keep it close...they are also still being called the "Dream Team" by a lot of the international media. But some of them displayed a cocky attitude even though they were not as superior anymore as former dream teams used to be...I think that did not bode well with the international audience. Also, I think it is kind of normal that people root for the underdog...especially if one had thought beforehand that the favorites would be unbeatable... If I was American, I would be more upset with those who decided not to come, not those who came and played hard and gave it their best, though. I would agree that if players like Garnett, Kobe, McGrady, Kidd had decided to show up, the rest of the world would not have had a chance...
Screw Kidd. He can stay home with his hot wife and South Park child. Easily the most overrated PG of all time. I'd take Stockton or Magic EASILY over him.
KG's in Houston spending cash in Houston. He'll help out Steve with his appearance in the charity basketball game. In terms of how it means to Houston, it was good that KG did not go to the Olympics. I wouldn't have wanted TMac to go. He needs to relax since Yao will be tired at the beginning of the season.
NO USA GOLD IN ATHENS Argentina, led by Manu ginobili's 29 points, becomes the first team to prevent USA basketball with NBA players from a gold medal in Olympic games. i liked how popvich congratulated Manu, that was classy
Agreed 100%. Anyway, congratulations to Argentina, they earned it. Hope they go all the way. Also, thanks to the Team USA players that voluntarily went out there to represent our country. They have nothing to be ashamed of, the pieces just didn't fit this time around.
I really don't understand that attitude. I love NBA ball, I love my Rockets, I love my Kings. It's a lot of fun when these guys win. But I also know that the NBA is just a business. Essentially, a bunch of rich guys got together and said... hey, you know how we can make money off of millions of every-day guys? Let's build an "experience" for them. Let's have 82 games in the season, not because that's what it takes to determine "the best", but just because that's the most number of tickets we can sell without draining the suckers too quickly. We'll have pretty cheerleaders and snazzy advertising campaigns, and we'll get rich! We'll change the rules around for entertainment value. I drink coke, I like to watch movies, and I love the NBA... all because I like to be entertained. But there's a world of difference between between casually entertained ("a want") and wanting the pride of seeing my country do well ("a need"). Team USA featured 12 multi-millionaires that got off their asses and worked hard for 2 months, not for money, and not for easy entertainment... they did it because they wanted the same pride of seeing their country do well. I just don't get it. Tracy McGrady suits up for the Houston Rockets because he's paid to; if you cut off his paycheck tomorrow, he'd probably not show up (or at least not in houston). But the players in the Olympics are suiting up because they're proud of being Americans. But even so, you prefer McGrady that stayed home and "got rested"? My god, don't you people get tired of being tools for corporate America? I'm not American (well, it's complicated)... but I sure as hell admire anyone that plays for their country in the Olympics, and I think it's a shame that more people (amongst the members of this board and the players in the USA) that don't take more pride in seeing their country do well amongst their peers.
Argentina really played a great game, and the US played horribly defensively. With that said, Duncan really got screwed out there. Let me run down the foul count. 1. Early in the game, Manu penetrates, initiates contact with Duncan, even using his off arm. Duncan contests, and does not hack, and Manu gets the basket and 1. There was some contact down below, but not enought to make him miss the shot, plus it was initiated by Manu. Definately not the worst call of the 5, but borderline. 2. Duncan backs his man under the basket, holds his position to try to receive the ball. Oberto flailed, foul is called. Didnt see any flagrant violation, but they didnt show the replay. Now duncan is in foul trouble for the first time in the game. 3. This was by far the worst call of the bunch. Duncan is fighting for an offensive rebound, there is slight contact with the guy who ends up with the ball (Nocioni?). Immediate foul is called. Duncan did not go over anyone's back, nor did he grab or hack anyone. 4. Prolly the only trully legitimate foul of the 5. Oberto pumpfaked, Duncan bit, then got ball and arm on the way down. 5. And to cap it all off, they call duncan for a moving screen. I'm not saying that we would have definately won the game if duncan was out there, but it sure would have been nice to watch the best players determine the outcome. Also, I don't think Duncan should get calls that others don't, but 3 of the 5 fouls on him were absolutely weak, and even some scrub off the bench wouldn't deserve to get those called against them. Also, Manu is treated like God in international play, kicking his leg out on threes, and getting and ones because some guy had his hand placed lightly on his back. Even Oberto gets touch calls, while our guards get undercut without a foul called. Also, don't say each team got the benefit of bad calls. There were bad calls against both, but only one team lost their best player (still the best player in the world in my opinion).
