USA vs Puerto Rico *Spoiler*

[Chris_Sanders]

I think this anger directed at the players who actually went to play is misguided, foolish, and stupid.

Some of you need a reality check.

 

[Southpaw]

I don't see where there is animosity. For me this is just validation for what I have long been saying. The $100 million , just out of high school, players are just Harlem Globe trotter wannabes and the NBA game blows chunks. 60 and 70 point games during the season means something about the quality of play.

What you see, is what you get. Junkball. Carmelo the Great, King LeBron. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Chris_Sanders]

I think this anger directed at the players who actually went to play is misguided, foolish, and stupid.

Some of you need a reality check.

And before one you anger management people pipe up...this is why Team USA is in a lose-lose situation.

If you lose a game...a single game...judging by the reactions of some of you; you are a disgrace to basketball and a disgrace to their country as well.

If you win a game, you still suffer the comparisons to Dream Team 1, which was composed predominantly of players from the 50 greatest NBA players of all time (sans Laettner). How you play is dissected into little bits.

I am amazed at the "venom" (your words not mine) that some of you have here. Are you just living your life vicariously through whatever sport you happen to be watching? Why the hate? I just don't understand it.

Joe Mama has it right...if you want blame...if that somehow validates your raw emotions...then look towards the people who constructed this team of similiar players.

And sorry for everyone who thinks Larry Brown is a god...perhaps he is at the NBA level. The international game is entirely different and has been stated repeatedly, the USA team sure could use an assistant at least with international coaching experience.

In any event, I won't be angry. I will be proud of those guys that did at least attempt to represent their country. I will be glad that some of them care. I will remember that these millionaires found that playing for free in your countries name was not only good...but something to be proud of.

Maybe some of you have forgotten that. A pity if you did.

 

[elindholm]

And before one you anger management people pipe up...

Heck, I'm just waiting for the person who skims every post, concludes that some sort of argument is in progress, and then says, "You guys all need to grow up and stop acting like children," smugly putting us all in our place before vanishing behind the scenes again.

 

[Southpaw]

In any event, I won't be angry. I will be proud of those guys that did at least attempt to represent their country. I will be glad that some of them care. I will remember that these millionaires found that playing for free in your countries name was not only good...but something to be proud of.

Maybe they are playing for their shoe companies.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

And before one you anger management people pipe up...

Heck, I'm just waiting for the person who skims every post, concludes that some sort of argument is in progress, and then says, "You guys all need to grow up and stop acting like children," smugly putting us all in our place before vanishing behind the scenes again.

I am hoping this isn't some allusion to me. I really have given up with arguing with you.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I am hoping this isn't some allusion to me. I really have given up with arguing with you.

it is you Chris - almost to a fault - I think EVERY SIGNLE PERSON who is ripping this team - is placing most of the blame on the douchebags that deemed themselves TOO GOOD (Shaq, Tracy and the rest of the Americans cry-baby NBA elite) for the Olympics as well as ripping the selection committee - I'm happy there ares ome guys out there who will still go to the Olympics to rep their country - it's just too bad they're not the right guys.

And Chris - when you say it'sonly one loss - I think we both know you're belittling the fact that we did get absolutely crushed for the second time in three weeks and really haven't looked even decent once yet during thr prelims or now the Olympics.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

it is you Chris - almost to a fault - I think EVERY SIGNLE PERSON who is ripping this team - is placing most of the blame on the douchebags that deemed themselves TOO GOOD (Shaq, Tracy and the rest of the Americans cry-baby NBA elite) for the Olympics as well as ripping the selection committee - I'm happy there ares ome guys out there who will still go to the Olympics to rep their country - it's just too bad they're not the right guys.

Well you aren't one of the people I am talking about then Cheesie. Maybe I am in the very small minority that actually feels sorry for Team USA. I really wanted them to succeed not just because they are Team USA, but because they actually would go.

As to just skimming posts...I just haven't had a lot of time to post. I worked 5 13 hour shifts last week at the hospital .

In any event, I want to reiterate that I have no desire to argue with you anymore Eric or hold you any further animosity.

 

[Chaz]

Com'on guys Larry Brown has as much "international experience" as anyone we have. He has been involved on many olympic contests for over 40 years. I guess ultimately it is his fault if the players are not doing what he instructs but I don't think his game plan or his experience is the problem here.

LeBron, for example, is an amazing talent and may be a great player someday but he has been sheltered by the NBA star treatment. Many players on this team have a long way to go before they are complete players but sadly many of them will never make it. It won't matter however they will continue to pull down "mega-bucks" and live their shallow rock star lives completely oblivious to what good basketball really is.

The NBA is a victim of its own success. Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan didn't play basketball for money or to live some superstar lifestyle. They played because they love to play the game. I fear that is not the case for a large percentage of the players today.

As for USA basketball, they need to fix the system and build a team every four years not hire the 12 biggest names they can find to sell tickets and jerseys. That worked for a while but that time is quickly coming to an end. This team may still rebound and figure out ways to win in this olympics, but even if they do I fear that would cause the USOC and Russ Granik to stick their head back in the sand and repeat the same mistakes, again.

 

[elindholm]

In any event, I want to reiterate that I have no desire to argue with you anymore Eric or hold you any further animosity.

Unfortunately that seems not to be true, but apparently I did something to deserve it, so I'll stop asking why.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Com'on guys Larry Brown has as much "international experience" as anyone we have. He has been involved on many olympic contests for over 40 years. I guess ultimately it is his fault if the players are not doing what he instructs but I don't think his game plan or his experience is the problem here.

LeBron, for example, is an amazing talent and may be a great player someday but he has been sheltered by the NBA star treatment. Many players on this team have a long way to go before they are complete players but sadly many of them will never make it. It won't matter however they will continue to pull down "mega-bucks" and live their shallow rock star lives completely oblivious to what good basketball really is.

The NBA is a victim of its own success. Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan didn't play basketball for money or to live some superstar lifestyle. They played because they love to play the game. I fear that is not the case for a large percentage of the players today.

As for USA basketball, they need to fix the system and build a team every four years not hire the 12 biggest names they can find to sell tickets and jerseys. That worked for a while but that time is quickly coming to an end. This team may still rebound and figure out ways to win in this olympics, but even if they do I fear that would cause the USOC and Russ Granik to stick their head back in the sand and repeat the same mistakes, again.

My fault with Brown is not in the loss, but in the nature of the loss. Losing is one thing...but when you are completely blown out of the water...some of that has to go on the coach.

 

[Chaz]

My fault with Brown is not in the loss, but in the nature of the loss. Losing is one thing...but when you are completely blown out of the water...some of that has to go on the coach.

ultimately it is his (Larry Brown's) fault if the players are not doing what he instructs

Like Larry Brown said, he shouldn't have to teach effort.

 

[Chaz]

Sad that it takes this type of loss for the PTB to realize that changes need to be made, not just in the team but how they select and prepare the team.

It is amazing to me that they didn't make these types of changes after the world championships.

Stunning basketball upset might bring change to US selection process

ATHENS : Now that their Olympic basketball humiliation is complete, the United States might just go back to the old-fashioned notion of tryouts and having a coach select the players instead of a committee.

In the wake of Puerto Rico's historic 92-73 upset of the US National Basketball Association's millionaire stars here Sunday, American fans were asking how the rest of the world has overtaken the game's homeland.

From the moment such NBA stars as Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett and Tracy McGrady started pulling out or rejecting Olympic overtures, USA Basketball's selection committee was scrambling to fill US uniforms.

US coach Larry Brown, left with a team lacking superior height or outside shooting skills, was confident that the 2008 Beijing Olympics would see a US team selected at a tryout camp from among those willing to commit to the trip.

"I'm confident it's going to be a lot different than this process," Brown said. "We've got to change the way we approach things."

That goes not only for how the team is formed but how long they work together before the Games.

"The best way in the future is to have guys try out and understand we need more time to prepare," Brown said. "It's not fair to these kids. The world is catching up. A lot of these guys have been together 10 years. We give our guys two weeks."

US co-captain Allen Iverson said tryouts were not a bad idea.

"It would help," Iverson said. "He's right about that. (NBA players) might not want to, but if you have to tryout, that's the way it is."

Just as a 1988 Seoul Olympic semi-final loss to the Soviet Union spelled doom for the era of having collegians represent the United States, this third loss in 112 Olympic starts might force greater changes.

Michael Jordan led the 1992 "Dream Team" to Barcelona gold but the NBA's elite have left league newcomers to defend that team's US legacy against its global one - the huge numbers of talented players from around the world.

The novelty of the Olympics has worn off for most top US NBA players, who have either won gold already, have no interest in giving up their three months away from the NBA or are drained from the stress of a deep playoff run.

Hints of the US struggles came early. Iverson, LeBron James and Amare Stoudamire were suspended from an exhibition against Puerto Rico for being late to a team meeting.

Then came a 17-point loss to Italy and an 80-77 victory over Germany won only when Iverson sank a half-court miracle at the final buzzer.

For all their talk of coming together as a team, the US Olympians lacked the personnel an NBA general manager or coach would have assembled and the time to learn the rules and opponents they would have to master to claim a gold medal.

US center Tim Duncan lacks the supporting big man he had in David Robinson during two NBA championship seasons. Iverson has driven away top talent in Philadelphia with his desire to dominate the shooting and playmaking.

The rest had yet to make their mark - until doing so here in worst way they could imagine.

Source

 

[sly fly]

I think this anger directed at the players who actually went to play is misguided, foolish, and stupid.

Some of you need a reality check.

Wow. Aren't we jumping the gun just a bit.

The majority of the statements on this board blame the entire state of the NBA game, not just these players.

Go ahead and keep pumping hot air up these primma donna's asses. That's the exact problem with people like you who have no problem settling for 2nd place.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Sly Fly,

#1 I am not the one "settling for second". Nor are you. The guys playing are the ones that end up "settling for second".

#2 As far as the "pumping hot air up their asses" comment...I think you are missing the point that the prima donnas are the ones at home.

 

[sly fly]

Sly Fly,

#1 I am not the one "settling for second". Nor are you. The guys playing are the ones that end up "settling for second".

#2 As far as the "pumping hot air up their asses" comment...I think you are missing the point that the prima donnas are the ones at home.

I actually agree with #1 & #2.

Yes, the prima's are at home playing their PlayStations. The bugs the hell out of me.

The fact that the current group of guys are "just another team", is a testament to the quality of the NBA.

If I'm an NBA GM, I build my team in the same vain as the International teams.

Hopefully, the rest of the intelligent basketball community will see the light and stop promoting the "Look Pretty And Lose" hoopsters.

 

[elindholm]

If I'm an NBA GM, I build my team in the same vain as the International teams.

But then you'll get blitzed in the NBA playoffs. Wouldn't you guess that last year's Kings or Mavericks would cruise in these Olympics? I sure would. Those are the most "international-like" of the NBA teams, in terms of both their personnel and how they play. And while they look great in the regular season, they can't get it done in the NBA playoffs, because of how the games are called.

There's been some discussion on this board about the difference that officiating makes, but not nearly enough, in my opinion. Officiating doesn't have to be "biased" in order for it to favor one team, because the teams have such different styles of play. This is what I've been saying all along about the recent championship Laker teams -- that they owed most of their success to the officials, who called the game differently from how they did in the regular season. Now the U.S. team is seeing the same mechanism in play, except they're on the short end of it.

Stick the gold-medal team from the current Olympics (assuming it ends up not being the U.S.) in the NBA playoffs and they'll get crushed. It's not just because of the wider lane and the zone defenses and the different three-point line. It's because of what the officials do and don't call.

Among the four major sports, officials in the NBA have by far most influence on the outcome of the game. If the league wants to improve the quality of play, they don't need more tinkering rule changes or hand-wringing about age restrictions. They need to standardize the officiating and make it stick.

 

[Lars the Red]

This paragraph is so beautifully expressed that I'm going to use it as my signature for a few days. Hope you don't mind!

I'm flattered. It may have come out a bit more cranky than it should have, but I was getting fed up with the excuse making.

 

[Lars the Red]

If I'm an NBA GM, I build my team in the same vain as the International teams.

But then you'll get blitzed in the NBA playoffs. Wouldn't you guess that last year's Kings or Mavericks would cruise in these Olympics? I sure would. Those are the most "international-like" of the NBA teams, in terms of both their personnel and how they play. And while they look great in the regular season, they can't get it done in the NBA playoffs, because of how the games are called.

There's been some discussion on this board about the difference that officiating makes, but not nearly enough, in my opinion. Officiating doesn't have to be "biased" in order for it to favor one team, because the teams have such different styles of play. This is what I've been saying all along about the recent championship Laker teams -- that they owed most of their success to the officials, who called the game differently from how they did in the regular season. Now the U.S. team is seeing the same mechanism in play, except they're on the short end of it.

Stick the gold-medal team from the current Olympics (assuming it ends up not being the U.S.) in the NBA playoffs and they'll get crushed. It's not just because of the wider lane and the zone defenses and the different three-point line. It's because of what the officials do and don't call.

Among the four major sports, officials in the NBA have by far most influence on the outcome of the game. If the league wants to improve the quality of play, they don't need more tinkering rule changes or hand-wringing about age restrictions. They need to standardize the officiating and make it stick.

Much of what you say is correct. One thing that has always bothered me about the officiating is why the need to protect the stars? If we have a player that truly is fantastic, head and shoulders above the rest, why do we need to give him the additional advantage of the calls? Shouldn't his incredible ability be enough? Will people leave the arena if he get's in foul trouble? If he doesn't get to have a SportsCenter moment every night will we feel cheated?

I really love the game of basketball. It allowed me to develop some of the best friendships in my life. It helped show me what sacrifice can do for a person. It taught me that no one player wins games and no one player is bigger than the game. It paid my way through college. What I see now has so little to do with all that I loved about the game. It's all about one guy telling the rest of his team to do all they can to make him a success. It's about individuals that use only their bodies instead of their minds to be successful. It's about the show, not the game.

The players on the court representing the US are only concerned with themselves. The first dream team was loaded with Hall of Famers, yet many of those guys freely gave up minutes and sacrificed their individual performances in order to have a more successful team. There is the main difference in the players on the court today. Look at the benches. Look at the pouty, bored looks on the faces of the guys not in the game. Pathetic.

 

[Lars the Red]

My fault with Brown is not in the loss, but in the nature of the loss. Losing is one thing...but when you are completely blown out of the water...some of that has to go on the coach.

Actually your way off here. Losing a close game can be because of a coaching error. Losing like they did all boils down to the players on the court. Easy buckets, sloppy ball handling and passing, poor shot selection, crying to the officials. All of that comes from the players and the players alone.

 

[elindholm]

So, are any Arizona or California residents getting up at 5 in the morning to watch Game 2?

 

[NJYAJ09]

well I have to get up at 5:45 for school... maybe I'll get up a little early to watch it... maybe not. we'll see.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

So, are any Arizona or California residents getting up at 5 in the morning to watch Game 2?

Hmm. Well, I'm hosting a poker tourney tonight that will run until about 1am. Have to work at 7am. Might as well pull an all nighter!

 

[Lars the Red]

Hmm. Well, I'm hosting a poker tourney tonight that will run until about 1am. Have to work at 7am. Might as well pull an all nighter!

5 quality hours of sleep are still huge. Your more of a man than I, Cracker.

 

[Chaz]

Ok, I don't see the game listed at 5:00am anywhere.

It shows the game on at 3:00pm on USA network.


EDIT:

OK I guess that is 3pm EDT because checking the local listings it is on at noon on USA (CH 28 on Cox cable).