USA vs Puerto Rico *Spoiler*

[slinslin]

Puerto Rico beats USA by 19. 92-73.


Larry Brown and Greg Popovic can't coach offense and they can't get this team to stop other teams from killing them with the 3.

 

[hafey2]

i think everyone can agree this US team is poorly constructed

 

[NJYAJ09]

Damn.


Im watching it right now its in the 2nd quater. Amare just got his ankles broken by carlos arroyo.

 

[Cheesebeef]

screw this team and screw the guys without legit excuses not to be there - they all make me sick and to tell you the God's honest truth - not only did I expect this to happen - but I am dying laughing that it did.

The next person who brings up ANY member of this team and lists among his accomplishments - Olympian - in order to bolster his case gets a trout slap and a

 

[Mainstreet]

Originally posted by hafey2

i think everyone can agree this US team is poorly constructed

I think this may be an huge understatement except for Tim Duncan.

 

[NJYAJ09]

United States is getting Shellacked.

 

[AmareFan]

an absolute embarrassment!!

 

[Joe Mama]

Forget about outside shooting. The ball just will not drop in the basket for team USA. It's the end of the second half as I'm watching, and there's been at least 10 shots that have gone in and out of the basket. Shawn Marion has missed 2-3 point-blank shots himself.

The bottom line though is that the selection committee deserves the blame for this mess. Sure they were handcuffed by all the players who turned them down, but they should have learned from the world championships that they needed some guys who could shoot out there.

BTW I have watched Shawn Marion shoot two three-pointers this summer. Both of them have been from the corner, and I don't think either one of them even drew iron.

Joe Mama

 

[arthurracoon]

*sigh*

 

[NJYAJ09]

Forget about outside shooting. The ball just will not drop in the basket for team USA. It's the end of the second half as I'm watching, and there's been at least 10 shots that have gone in and out of the basket. Shawn Marion has missed 2-3 point-blank shots himself.

The bottom line though is that the selection committee deserves the blame for this mess. Sure they were handcuffed by all the players who turned them down, but they should have learned from the world championships that they needed some guys who could shoot out there.

BTW I have watched Shawn Marion shoot two three-pointers this summer. Both of them have been from the corner, and I don't think either one of them even drew iron.

Joe Mama

I think they were hancuffed by the players that declined to go. If the team would be sooooo much bettert if they had jermaine o'neal kevin garnett, jason kidd, ray allen, or micheal redd.

*watches olym. boxing*

 

[carey]

This is from the AP.

After Lamar Odom made their first 3-pointer, the Americans missed 16 straight.

This is unexcusable. And unexpected from a Larry Brown coached team.

 

[scotsman13]

This is unexcusable. And unexpected from a Larry Brown coached team.

personally after watching this game and the others that i have seen, i have found that the myth that larry brown is a good coach to be highly doubful. case in point, the 3rd quarter labron james is doing the little things to get the us back in it bring the lead down to 8. so what does larry brown do? oh that is right lets pull labron. they are coming at us with a zone? lets keep richardson (who has a bad game) in there and not melo or marion or labron.

the sign of a good coach isnt if he wins, it is what he does with the talent that he has on his team. and for having more talent then any other team out there larry brown hasnt done jack.

 

[Lars the Red]

Geez, guys, enough with the excuses already. These guys are losing for numerous reasons.

-They are incapable of catching and shooting. How many times do they need to ignore the quick open jumper and put it on the ground, driving against a zone before the realize it doesn't work? Their marginal shooters at best and don't force other teams to stretch their defense.

-Their spacing is terrible. Driving and dumping to a guy 2 feet away is stupid basketball. Zones live for plays like that.

-Passing the ball does not require a dribble drive to the basket. Do all of our players doubt the ball will bounce? Is it necessary that they put it on the floor every time the touch it?

-The cry baby stuff isn't going to get them a call. Figure out that this isn't the NBA and nobody gives a crap you have a 60 million dollar contract. These guys call a different game, and if your really supposed to be the best players in the world, you can adapt to it. Hell, when cast offs like Daniel Santiago can make solid contributions playing that style, I'd damn well hope that Carlos Boozer or Lamar Odom could figure it out.

-Every man on that team needs to start playing defense. You see one or two come out and really try to pick up the intensity, but not everyone does, and it's the only way they can make up for their inability to score.

I could go on, but it's not going to matter any way. A bunch of you will just start complaining that these aren't our top 10 players and they haven't had enough time to jell, and the refs are screwing us, all the while sounding exactly like the excuse making babies we see every night on the NBA courts.

There is no arguing we have the best athletes in the world playing the game. Unfortunately, they aren't the best, most complete basketball players in the world anymore. We have slipped back to the pack because we morphed the game into a sloppy, highlight film driven, poor fundamental sport that is designed to entertain like the WWE. Please, let's get back to the true sport and fantastic game of basketball that entertained us for decades. Stop with the individual, 'AndOne' style crap that many now believe is the game.

I'd rather watch a solid group of collegiate players struggle through the Olympics that this pathetic group of asses.

 

[Cheesebeef]

personally after watching this game and the others that i have seen, i have found that the myth that larry brown is a good coach to be highly doubful. case in point, the 3rd quarter labron james is doing the little things to get the us back in it bring the lead down to 8. so what does larry brown do? oh that is right lets pull labron. they are coming at us with a zone? lets keep richardson (who has a bad game) in there and not melo or marion or labron.

the sign of a good coach isnt if he wins, it is what he does with the talent that he has on his team. and for having more talent then any other team out there larry brown hasnt done jack.

this entire post is a complete and utter joke if you ask me - Larry Brown got handed an absolutely HORRENDOUS basketball TEAM - not a horrendous array of talent - but a horrendous TEAM - not one player on this entire team can hit a 20 foot jumper with any kind of regularity and you know what - considering how good EVERY SIGNLE ONE of Larry Bornw's team's have been defesively - I'm laying the blame on the players here, or lack thereof.

The guy has taken dormant franchise, after dormant, after dormant franchise and turned them instantly into playoff teams and down the road title contenders - The Clippers - two years in a row in the playoffs - where have they been since? The Sixers - with the shreds of talent they had on that team - not only made them an isnatnt playoff team - but got that trash INTO THE FINALS - and then took an underachieving Piston team and took them to a freaking NBA Championship! To bash Larry Brown here is just beyond comprehension - you wanna bash someone - bash the selection committee - they are the ones who put this marketing squad together (Amare, Lebron, Melo and Wade - deserving of the Olympics or well suited for the international game - give me a freaking break).

This team is made up of young guys and losers for the most part (sans Duncan) - and to lay all the blame at Brown's feet just don't jive.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I'd rather watch a solid group of collegiate players struggle through the Olympics that this pathetic group of asses.

I completely agree. But Lars - do you think the same would be going on if our starting Line-up was Shaq, Garnett, Kobe, Ray Allen and Jason Kidd/Mike Bibby? I think eveyone knows that team, with say McGrady, Duncan off the bench would be dominating just like we did back in 1996 and 1992.

We didn't send our best or even our second best team to Athens - and the guys we did send were so woefully put together than no one should be surpised by this.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

personally after watching this game and the others that i have seen, i have found that the myth that larry brown is a good coach to be highly doubful. .

Sorry, nothing personal, but this comment is insane.

Anyone remember the NBA Finals that we just a few months ago?

Larry Brown had over TWO YEARS with that team...he's only had a month or two with this one...how can he even begin to do what he wants with them.

We played bad yes, but let's not go over the top here. Fans love to quickly forget the past and suddenly say Brown sucks after a blowout.

I don't get it...

Mike

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Larry Brown had over TWO YEARS with that team...he's only had a month or two with this one...how can he even begin to do what he wants with them.
Mike

Brown had the Pistons for 1 year. Also, he had a major change to his lineup/strategy with 4 months till the Finals, and adapted great (Sheed trade).

 

[Lars the Red]

I completely agree. But Lars - do you think the same would be going on if our starting Line-up was Shaq, Garnett, Kobe, Ray Allen and Jason Kidd/Mike Bibby? I think eveyone knows that team, with say McGrady, Duncan off the bench would be dominating just like we did back in 1996 and 1992.

We didn't send our best or even our second best team to Athens - and the guys we did send were so woefully put together than no one should be surpised by this.

Have we fallen so far that only the absolute best is needed to beat a group of NBA castoffs that no one is giving a chance to win a medal? If that's the case then I consider it embarrassing to even try to play that card.

Realistically, I could see guys like Garnett, Bibby, McGrady and possibly Shaq having problems playing some of the better International teams, knowing they aren't going to get many of the calls they are used to. Kobe could struggle trying to drive against a zone just like the current group has. I would definitely believe we would be more likely to have success, but seriously, if we can't compete without the absolute cream of the crop things are absolutely in need a facelift.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Have we fallen so far that only the absolute best is needed to beat a group of NBA castoffs that no one is giving a chance to win a medal? If that's the case then I consider it embarrassing to even try to play that card.

Realistically, I could see guys like Garnett, Bibby, McGrady and possibly Shaq having problems playing some of the better International teams, knowing they aren't going to get many of the calls they are used to. Kobe could struggle trying to drive against a zone just like the current group has. I would definitely believe we would be more likely to have success, but seriously, if we can't compete without the absolute cream of the crop things are absolutely in need a facelift.

I agree with the notion of needing the best to compete being an indication of how far we've fallen - but Shaq has already domninated the Olympics and as far as Kobe - no one in the world (especially outside the US) could stay with him, not to mention he's one of the best shooters int he league - 20 footers are money for guys like Bibby and Kobe - because they are both fundamentally sound players - passing, dirbbling shooting. While I agree with most of what you are saying - I think you may giving too little credit to how great our greatest players are. If we put our best out there - we are killing people by 30 points.

And in reality - what is wrong with that? The Olympics are supposed to be the best of the best from every country - I mean it's not like the Euros have their second string guys out there - or the Russians put out their second team out there during their heyday in hockey - no you put your best out there and - ah you get me point.

 

[cardsunsfan]

Have we fallen so far that only the absolute best is needed to beat a group of NBA castoffs that no one is giving a chance to win a medal? If that's the case then I consider it embarrassing to even try to play that card.

Realistically, I could see guys like Garnett, Bibby, McGrady and possibly Shaq having problems playing some of the better International teams, knowing they aren't going to get many of the calls they are used to. Kobe could struggle trying to drive against a zone just like the current group has. I would definitely believe we would be more likely to have success, but seriously, if we can't compete without the absolute cream of the crop things are absolutely in need a facelift.

I agree our guys should still be able to get it done with what they're paid. Many of the guys we're playing will never see the NBA and can only dream of making 10% of what our guys are making. The selection committe is a joke though, I agree with that. I especially think what Stern said about only sending young players in the future and understanding why the more veteran players don't want to play is a joke. I want to be proud of my country and what our people represent. The selfishness of some our players is what many other countries despise about us......

 

[cardsunsfan]

I agree with the notion of needing the best to compete being an indication of how far we've fallen - but Shaq has already domninated the Olympics and as far as Kobe - no one in the world (especially outside the US) could stay with him, not to mention he's one of the best shooters int he league - 20 footers are money for guys like Bibby and Kobe - because they are both fundamentally sound players - passing, dirbbling shooting. While I agree with most of what you are saying - I think you may giving too little credit to how great our greatest players are. If we put our best out there - we are killing people by 30 points.

And in reality - what is wrong with that? The Olympics are supposed to be the best of the best from every country - I mean it's not like the Euros have their second string guys out there - or the Russians put out their second team out there during their heyday in hockey - no you put your best out there and - ah you get me point.

Didn't read Cheese's comment until after I posted... sounds right to me

 

[Billythekid]

All i can say is, a Good/Great team will ALWAYS beat a team of Good/Great players.

Go Australia!

 

[elindholm]

-They are incapable of catching and shooting. How many times do they need to ignore the quick open jumper and put it on the ground, driving against a zone before the realize it doesn't work? Their marginal shooters at best and don't force other teams to stretch their defense.

-Their spacing is terrible. Driving and dumping to a guy 2 feet away is stupid basketball. Zones live for plays like that.

-Passing the ball does not require a dribble drive to the basket. Do all of our players doubt the ball will bounce? Is it necessary that they put it on the floor every time the touch it?

I didn't watch the game, but this sounds exactly like how the Marbury Suns used to "attack" zone defenses. I'm really not sure whether it is a problem of coaching, training, ego, or personnel in general, but it is definitely a problem.

 

[Chaz]

This was pretty embarrassing to watch.

Talk about sleepwalking.


Excellent points both Lars and Cheesebeef.

I really don't have much to add. These guys seem to think they can show up and win. The last to teams were loaded with talent and they still had some challenges and close games. They had to win with defense and rebounding (esp. offensive rebounding) and that is not really good basketball.

It is clearly time for a shift in how the USA assembles the team. I only wish they had made some changes after '96 but that would have required some forward thinking. I trait that seems to be in short supply around here sometimes.

 

[Chaz]

I didn't watch the game, but this sounds exactly like how the Marbury Suns used to "attack" zone defenses. I'm really not sure whether it is a problem of coaching, training, ego, or personnel in general, but it is definitely a problem.

Funny, watching the game I couldn't help but think it looked like the Suns vs. the Jazz in their first meeting last year. Of course Arroyo playing for Puerto Rico might have had something to do with my thinking of the Jazz.