Kevin Garnett is arguably the most fundmentally sound basketball player on the planet and he didn't go to College and he grew up in the US.
I agree. Psychologically that's what happening with the US at the moment. Too many stars and individual.
Could be either...really depends on his environment, who are the friends, etc...basketball is kind of a "trendy" sport for kids in Germany right now, but football (soccer) is still by far the sport no. 1. I think the "cooler" kids might be more inclined to play basketball...plus, height would be a determining factor. I think there is no player in the German soccer league who is taller than 6'6, except one Czech guy who is 6'8. It's kind of hard to keep up with the little dribblers in soccer if you are too tall.
You sound like a bitter old man . My statement about it being an honor was not even meant to be ironic - I think it is, because they are still the best in the world, and to see that they celebrate this win so much means they did take the game seriously, which makes reaching a close result more of an achievement...
Because he either learn it in school and school doesn't have to be just college. While player like Garnett knows the fundamental of the game maybe due to learning from a fundamental player(s) that he grew up admiring. But how did you know that Garnett was fundamentally sound when he was in high school? It's more likely he work on it during his rookie year.
Lots of these guys are one or two year done (Melon, AI, Starbucks, Odom). In the 80s, even MJ stayed at UNC for 3 years. Both Ewing and Robinson stayed all 4 years in college. Of course you can argue that nowadays college games are no longer as competitive as it used to be.
Its not an excuse to say the 4 best players(Garnett, Mcgrady, Kobe, Shaq) from the USA is a reason this team is struggling, its just a fact. The competition is too good now, as it should be, for any country to go into the olympics without its top players and still expect to dominate. Stu Jackson did a horrible job once again though by picking individual talent. We have 4 playmakers surrounding Duncan out there and its just not working. Surround Duncan with Barry, Brad Miller, Szcerbiack, Allan Houston instead of Marion, Marbury, and Boozer, Jefferson and this is a much better team.
BTW, Spain just beat Puerto Rico by 51 (113-62) without starting PG Arroyo. We should feel lucky that Spain is not in the same group as US.
"Live for basketball." Exaggerate much? Anyone that thinks that players in other countries have a more pure love of the game is fooling themselves. They're people, just like us. They have guys that love basketball and some that are just doing it for a job. They have guys that play when they are 14 because they can't live without, and they have guys that play when they're 14 because it is the best way for them to make a living for their family. It's the same thing here in America. And I don't see how someone can say that anyone lives for basketball more than Larry Brown who's devoted much of his life to the game. And Iverson can never be questioned for the effort he brings to the court. The way Team USA celebrated at the end of the game shows me that they do care very deeply about winning. That was raw emotion on display. I think these last two games could be the very best thing that could have happened to Team USA. It jolted them back to reality, and upped the stakes. They need to give it their all in order to win. And I think that's exactly what they're going to do.
I guess some of the other countries don't, like Spain, Germany, Italy, etc. but Serbia is basketball crazy like no other country in the world. I've seen some of their games, heard stories from guys who have played pro ball out there, and they say everyone around the game of basketball dedicate their lives to it. Some need to play it for their families, but that doesn't explain the fans, they've thrown batteries at one guy, learned English curse words just so he could understand them, they're crazy plain and simple. I did say a few players, AI is one of them, James, Duncan, Larry Brown among others, but the majority of NBA players are in it for the money or the attention and waste their talent.
Well if you're talking about crazy fans, then I'm not going to argue too much. But there are terrible fans all over the world, no doubt about it. And I don't know if it can get any worse than those super crazy soccer fans. Some of those stories are downright scary. But I'm sure a lot of that has socio-economical reasons behind it.
