I think that they should figure out some way to put an actual TEAM out there, in the true sense of the word. I believe that the Pistons of last season could outplay and outwork these foreign teams. It's my opinion that the players in the NBA don't really care about the Olympics. They seem to believe that even if we don't win the gold, everybody knows we're the best anyways. That flawed way of thinking is going to lead to future disappointments in the Olympics until there is a major change in thinking.
They need shooters. They should've taken more shooters. Rashard Lewis should've gone instead of Marion, and Michael Redd instead of one of the guards. Rip Hamilton would've been terriffic for his mid range game, but he declined. Zones are killing one-on-one basketball, and everyone has to learn to deal with it. That's why Melo is doing well, because he's got a nice stroke.
Zone defense was allowed last season, the guys had the whole season to adjust. That should not be an excuse. I agree with you that we didn't have the right shooters, but we should've still won. I sure hope that was tongue in cheek.
Food for thought: 1992 Squad: 11 of the 12 players were All-NBA first team at least once during their careers, 6 were league MVPs at one point, 6 won at least one championship. 1996 Squad: 10 all-NBA first teamers, 5 MVPs, 4 champions (a couple after the fact). 2000 Squad: 4 all-NBA first teamers, 1 MVP, 1 champion. 2004 Squad: 2 all-NBA first teamers, 2 MVPs, 1 champion. (for now) Pretty telling trend. Evan
I think it is a mix of all Taking the game too light Not enough practice and other teams getting better Rocket River
this is all about how unimportant the Olympics are to the US players, and how the Olympics are the brass ring for all other teams. the us team is just not going to care as much, hustle as much. they'll be one step slower, a bit less physical than their norm, whereas the rest of the world will be playing out of their minds. the talent/skill gap used to be so big that the caring differential didn't matter. now we send team b and they have gotten better. this is natural and will continue forever.
How? When most of the good players don't want to play for their country and their fellow countryman have no problem with that, how can you put an actual TEAM out there? They don't want to team up to represent their country. No honour or loyal there. As Mark Cuban put it: it's all about BUSINESS.
I think we would still be kicking the world's @$$ at basketball if we were to send a team similar to this... PG- Kidd/Cassell SG- Allen/Redd SF- Bryant/McGrady PF- Garnett/Duncan/Brand C- S. O'Neal/J. O'Neal/Wallace This team would be really good because we would have two players that are pretty good at distributing the ball (much better than we have now), then we got two players that can just shoot the heck out of the ball, then we have two players at small forward that can light you up big time, and then nobody can mess with our power forward and center slots. There are a couple of reasons why the world is starting to catch up with us. #1. Our natural point guard position has started to really dry up over the years because there are less and less team-first oriented point guards #2. Our center position has been drying up even quicker over the years. We have only one native true center that is averaging over 20 ppg and he is due to retire in a few years. #3. Players have lost interest in the Olympics because they have become more interested in preserving their investment (their body) than to play for the pure passion of the game (left with the Dream Team era) #4. NBA season is much too long. I'm not sure how long it is compared to other country's seasons, but Im sure its much longer. #5. We haven't had one Dream Team intact long enough for the players to get used to each other and create some sort of a bond. #6. These players on the teams that we have faced have played in many international competitions and have much more of an idea of what they are facing than we do and also they have had much more time to ready themselves for the Olympics.
That will never happen. Even without a threat of terrorism, NBA owners and coaches are exremely worried about injuries. At least by sending players from different teams, this liability is shared and not guaranteed to happen to just one team. Since you brought up the Pistons, maybe it's worth noting that they didn't have the top players but still won a championship. IMO, because they had a good blend of talent. That "good blend" appears to be what's missing with the current US team. Too many 1on1's and not enough pure shooters and tough team-style defenders.
serbia would be a contender. so would many other teams. face it, man. the world is catching up whether you like it or not. maybe they arent 100% there yet but theyre getting there.
How many games did Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls win last season? I would say Serbia could be better than them.
82 games, under NBA rules, with NBA physical contact? doubtful if they win more than 25 games or so -- no depth either.
You know putting an NBA team to compete in world games is unfair. If you want more practice time, practice a little earlier! Foreign players could practice longer for national team because they have lighter league schedule. Another advantage is the core national players would usually stay together so they are more familiar. USA picks the team every time in two month's advance! Everytime with dif players! I think we should be glad, at least we are going to see some competitive international basketball games. and we'd see cocky ****s like kamelo shut up! (in the sense that he will learn)
Physical contact? What are we playing, football? They play within a team game so they should win more then 30games no problem. Why do you keep on thinking these international guys can't play? Just because not many NBA scout then doens't mean they can't compete in the NBA. A crappy team like China at 2002 championship was kicking teh crap out of the AMerican team in the first quarter. Under the NBA rules or physical contact, Serbia would still win teh whole thing with all their star players in the NBA. Take a lesson in Hockey and you will know.
BS! Most Eurpean players or international players have their own team to play for and only get together if there is a tournament. Stop making excuses. If they can't play together in shot time, that's their own problem. If they wanted to avoid this problem why didn't their started 2 weeks earlier? By the way, the international coaches aren't that stupid.
Agreed, not just because of the Olympics. The NBA season lasts almost 8 months long if you go deep into the playoffs. Basketball is a physically very demanding sport. The wear and tear on the body for these players are incredible. What I don't understand is, why do you have a regular season of 82 games only to eliminate less than half of the teams? If you want to emphasize the playoffs, then shorten the regular season. No wonder players like Shaq became uninterested in the long months of the regular season. If you want to make the regular season more meaningful, then shorten the playoffs. Eliminate more teams so they would fight harder in the regular season. But I know this won't ever happen because the NBA is about making money. More games equals to more money. From the fan's point of view, I'd rather they make less money, pay the players less, and put out better competitions. And maybe the players' careers would last longer too.
