Paul Pierce and Baron Davis has been quoted to say "I am embarassed..." and to me, that is the best thing to have come from all of this. Not because I enjoy seeing their pain, but rather because I know that have been dealt a big dose of humility. The players out there representing the US may not be cream of the crop, but they are just one layer behind that. The world is coming to the NBA and American players just don't have enough attitude to stop it. Forget about looking good and endorsing products for a moment, and realize that teamwork and fundamentals is what brings you W's on the court. That's why its great to have players like Boki and Yao coming to the Rockets.
When you don't play team basketball, you loose. Plain and simple. It's about time we woke up and realize that US basketball has become an individual sport. Pathetic.
I'm sad that they lost. But I hope they learn from it. And I'm also glad that this didn't come at an important time. They're still in the tournement, which I hope (and think) they'll win. But there are a couple of immediate, concrete changes that need to take place, and a couple of more abstract ones. 1. The NBA needs to compel its best American players to represent their country. It would be absurd for Ronaldo to turn down an invitation to play for Brazil in the World Cup. It should be equally absurd for Kobe to turn down an USA basketball invitation (Shaq is understandable, since he's hurt). 2. There needs to be more country-training, and the coach needs to be the same one. No more appointing one coach for each tournament. Name a guy "USA basketball coach" and keep him there. Behave like they do in soccer tournaments, too, and keep the same squad, with certain players being added and removed. This would help develop chemistry And, of cours,e the more nebulous ideas include emphasizing thte team game more, etc, etc.
Wow USA lost?? I'm kinda happy to hear that. Finally someone woke them up. They think they are so untouchable its sickening at times.
Yeah, I'm sorta happy. I think we as Americans have a sort of arrogance about us, and I think our players reflect that. Maybe we do need some humbling.
The american style of basketball is the best brand of basketball in the world. The so called european "fundamentals" mean nothing. They really don't. The American system should be looked to as the fundamentals of basketball. It's obvious to me who plays ball at a higher level. I don't think any country will ever get to our level. I'm serious. This is where basketball is played. This is the birthplace of the game and the highest level of play has always been right here. ultimately, that means our players will improve at a much greater rate than the Europeans or whoever. We will evolve faster. We are the best and always will be. We have longer shooters, we have higher jumpers, we have more speed, and we always win. The gap will never close. Just as it will never close for us in soccer. Sending one or two players overseas will never amount to anything. We will always be second best.
And your sig says "Humble, but hungry." I guess you are talking about the Comets, because it surely doesn't represent the NBA. The NBA game is summed up like this: NCAA players have great strength coaches. Sure, they teach the team game. But what happens is that these kids in college start hearing about all the fame and money they will earn that they lose sight of "the game!" When fame, money and power become more important than the game, the game suffers. Their game suffers. Why have't the basketball experts seen this "lack of fundamentals" in the last 10 years? Why didn't they see this comming? Well, because American players are able to *depend* on their athletic ability even though their fundamental understanding of the game is lacking. They can jump soooo high, run soooo fast, and are soooo strong that they are able to overcome the lack of fundamental understanding of the game. So they win by defense/strength/speed. But the USA can't win by outsmarting their opponents. (That's what Argentina did last night. They outsmarted the USA players). Foreign players, on the other hand, spend most of their time practicing and honing their skills. They don't spend as much time "building their bodies" as the USA does. So, they CAN'T jump as high, run as fast, or have the strength. But, that is changing. Once the international players start to use more weight training into their regimen. They will start to catch up to the US. NOTE: The Argentineans used the USA players' strength against them... Did you noticed all the jump-stops, pump-fakes, pivot moves? The USA players were over playing the guards and centers. They wanted to block/steal their shots sooo bad, that they got caught overplaying time and time again. The Argentineans used their brain to outsmart USA braun! That's what Larry Bird would have done.
Few points: 1. You can chastise Shaq, Kobe, AI, etc. but don't hate on Duncan b/c he can't play for the US anyway. 2. Karl has a point when he gives credit thsi team for having the balls to at least come and play. Can't be said for the elite players who turned down th opportunity. 3. I don't think it's Karl's fault. He's a damn good coach. Problem is players don't listen to him enough 4. Gotta disagee with PSJ. It's utterly big-headed to think that we will always have a superior game here b/c basketball was born here or our athletes are bigger and stronger. Basketball is a team game, and on any given night, a team willing to play together and execute their game plan can beat a team full of superior individual athletes. Argentina beat us becasue they di exactly this and they have been playing together for years (team chemistry). Their sum is greater than their individual parts. We, on the other hand, decided to throw a team together at the last moment and have them "practice for about 2 weeks." Somehow, they're supposed to magically come together as a team. It's a flawed thory, and it finally didn't work. 5. It's time to let the college players take over again. Yea, we may not be as good, but it'll help the game as well the individual players' development. I think maybe we should just have NBA players for the Olympics. I think most of these guys love their country. They just don't get hyped up for international tournaments every year (Tourn of Americas, Goodwill Games, World Championships etc.). The Olympics are still big, though. 6. I agree with most of you in that this should be a lesson for USA basketball players, young and old, to work on their fundamentals. It may be boring, but it's absolutely crucial. I can't believe how many free throws and open mid-range jumperrs we missed yesterday. 7. It's not over yet. Even if it didn't look like it yesterday, this team's got heart, and now they have something to prove. I think we'll still win the gold, and we should be proud of this team if it happens. GO USA!!!
I was thinking about this too. Coach Karl has nothing to be ashamed about. He was given a group of players and that's all he had to work with. I know that the players are listening to him now, that's for sure! A dream come true for Coach Karl: If a young rookie NBA player came up to coach Karl and asked, "Teach me the game the way it should be played." Coach Karl wouldn't believe his ears! He would go out of his way to teach this rookie if he asked him that. But today, too many players think they know it all; "Hey, I can dunk! What else is there to learn!"
When I was watching the game, I was a bit nervous to see the US team trailing. I was rooting for our team but I'm not upset at all that we lost. It's only one game and it's not the end of the world! This should be a lesson for the US players and only encourage them to play harder. I wouldn't blame or criticize the players either. I just can't talk down on, or see anyting wrong with, people who want to represent their country. But that doesn't mean I approve of their arrogant attitude.
I'm unhappy about the loss,but as so many have said smart team basketball team by Argentina helped them overcome the US whose defense was very poor all night long.They rotated poorly and didn't anticipate the passes and got frustrated. It's a wakeup call to them to get their act together,but with the talent on this team they shouldn't have lost.
usa basketball is not well skilled. that is just a fact, everyone agrees. the coaches are hamstringed because they cannot afford to lose good "prospects" dunks and crossovers are all anyone wants to do nowadays and that is effective in a league that is pretty bad, skill wise. athletics can win alot of games, and that is what we are use to seeing. besides shaq (freak of nature!) name one nba championship team that didn't have a well rounded leader? a skilled athlete that could set picks, shoot jumpers and play defense? there are none. skills are what sets winning teams apart. ok, look at dirk and pau, they are freaks of nature, big guys that have athleticism, but they know fundamentals as well. that is what makes them soooo good. back in the day, you had guys who were amazing physical specimens, but were skilled, guys like hakeem, magic, bird, west, baylor, etc. those guys were awsome, and they all played team ball.
moonnumack, Why can't Duncan play for the US team? He is an American, from the U.S. Virgin Islands. Regardless, the talent the US brought to the games would have won ever game handily if they played a sound game.
Last night's loss was sustainable. It provided a good wakeup call, especially to our ultra-elite who chose to stay home. But this loss, I just can not be happy about, especially as an American. Nearing the anniversary of 9/11, anything that adds to the perceived vulnerability of the United States of America just can not be a good thing.
You call the worlds team an 'All Star team'??? All of the great players play in the NBA, even the foreign ones. The NBA world champions are more truly the 'World' champions today than they ever were considering who makeup of the league.
Saddam: Did you catch the news? Osama: Sorry but my satelite isn't working. What happened? Saddam: Well, America just lost it's second game in a row at the World Baketball Championships! Osama: Ha...this is brilliant! Saddam: Yes, but how can we use this to do more harm to the American people? Osama: Mr Hussien, it's rather simple my friend. Since we don't have any military strength to attack the US, I've been trying to contrive a plan to rip out America's heart. Where do they takest their largest pride? Saddam: Their undeafeatable military? Osama: No. Saddam: Their diverse and powerful economy? Osama: No. Saddam: Their love for pop music? Osama: No dammit! They take their largest pride in basketball and their ability to sit in fron of a TV for weeks on end! Forget our plans to murder Alan Greenspan, I have something more devlish planned. Saddam: Oh really now? This sounds like an excellent plan. Tell me the details and I'll get my men working on it right away! Osama: OK, my Iraqi co-conspirator, here's the plan. I provide the brains, you provide the braun. We will take over the HQs of all the Turner stations, NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX and even the WB for good measure. We will force these stations to broadcast both of America's losses for a period of a week. Saddam: And that's it? Osama: Just wait. I have a propoganda expert who will be mixing in subliminal messages. By the end of the week comes around, the Americans will behave like a bunch of lemmings and will commit a mass suicide, leaving us in charge! Saddam and Osama: Muwahahahahaha......Muwahahahahaha......Muwahahahahaha......
