Regardless of how USA Basketball fares in Athens...

[PsychoCop]

...I think it would be rather fair to applaud them (specially Duncan and Iverson), at least for going through with this entire thing, and representing the US of A... ...when many others declined.

Win or lose, they were there and they played the games... which says a lot more about their character when compared to most of the others who begged off (more like avoided) the team.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Yeah, but they suck.

[Balldog]

They think they can just show up and the other teams will back down, they didn't come to play today. Then they acted like a bunch of babies/idiots toward the end of the game. Personally I am ashamed.

[PsychoCop]

As much as they suck. As much as how they're playing like no-good lazy pricks...

They're there aren't they?

They're not spending their summer resting... they're spending their summer representing their country. It should at least count for something...

But yes, they still stink. Heh.

[yabanci]

give them a gold medal for not resting over the summer.

[Balldog]

I agree, but I would rather have college guys or someone else who is going to play hard.

[PsychoCop]

Originally Posted by Balldog

I agree, but I would rather have college guys or someone else who is going to play hard.

I Agree.

[Anthony]

uhhhh...if you're gonna give them a medal just for showing up when other stars opted out then you're mistaken big time. USA Basketball has to understand that no one is afraid of us anymore. intimidation worked in the early 90's, when we had Bird, Magic and MJ playing.

Odom, Duncan and Iverson just isn't the same.

i'd rather see a college all-star team represent America. it'd make the game more exciting. no fun to watch a game when the team you're rooting for is supposed to win.

i also think the coaching staff should feel ashamed in not preparing the team better for the international game.

[Easy Mac]

well technically, half the team is college aged, so...

and there 8 players who are 6-7 to 6-10, which in today's game mean they play the same position... thats 8 of 13 players who play the same position. That's like 9 forwards on a 15 team lineup for the a men's soccer team in the world cup... it just doesn't make sense.

[gstelmack]

I think we'd be better off paying 12 guys $100K to do this full-time. They could play international competitions and work as NBA exhibition scrimmage / practice opponents to get game time in. At least these guys would be a team, and give themselves a showcase opportunity for another crack at the NBA.

[Ragone]

This team was assembled to basically be a roaming advertisement for the nba.. not a actual team..

Like Bill simmons said in his article.. international basketball thrives on good shooters..
we all know allen iverson can't shoot anything midrange

[damnMikeBrown]

I'd love to support a College all-star team. Get some student-athletes in the games. Let them represent our country, battle for a bronze, and put out some real effort. I'd much rather applaud a college kid for broadening his horizons and representing his country, than watch some pampered over-paid quasi-felon for just showing up.

I actually enjoy rooting against our "Dream Team XXIV" though.

[SunDancer]

Originally Posted by PsychoCop

...I think it would be rather fair to applaud them (specially Duncan and Iverson), at least for going through with this entire thing, and representing the US of A... ...when many others declined.

Win or lose, they were there and they played the games... which says a lot more about their character when compared to most of the others who begged off (more like avoided) the team.

Well, many players like to rest and be with their families, who already been here. Its not like its swimming or other sports, where they don't have 80-game seasons per year every year. Sure, its a honor that they all experienced, but they are old enough where they like to spend the summers off with their families, and maybe to protect their financial interests.

[BreizhManu]

I think the best team USA could send would be a team made of the best US players playing in Europe (maybe with a few college players).

[MrBug708]

Why not HS kids going to college and/or the pro's?

[stevew]

I'll go out on a limb, but I still think the US will get its shit together and win gold.

[VPI97]

Originally Posted by damnMikeBrown

I'd love to support a College all-star team.

A college all-star team would just get beat worse...the top college players have the same ideals as the pro's, but with underdeveloped talent. That team wouldn't even qualify for the games.

[Alf]

Originally Posted by stevew

I'll go out on a limb, but I still think the US will get its shit together and win gold.

I bet $100 against you

[SunDancer]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Why not HS kids going to college and/or the pro's?

Ugh..High school kids would just get killed. Remember, these other teams have pro players from the NBA, Europe, ect....They just are taught the game differnet. Also, I am not sure what the age limit to play is as well.

[sooner333]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

I think we'd be better off paying 12 guys $100K to do this full-time. They could play international competitions and work as NBA exhibition scrimmage / practice opponents to get game time in. At least these guys would be a team, and give themselves a showcase opportunity for another crack at the NBA.

I agree, take the best US-born players currently playing in Europe. They know the international game and know how players overseas play it as well. These aren't bad players, but instead some of the better players who couldn't make it to the NBA. Sometimes they aren't the right size, like the 6'1" two guard, so an NBA team doesn't want to take a risk. But a guy like Hollis Price from OU, currently playing in France, would be a good example of a good shooter who can also create shots for his teammates from the two-guard. I don't see why if he, and players like him, was practicing year-round the U.S. team would be as embarrassed.

[Huckleberry]

Aahhh! He said Hollis P$%@e. My brain! AAAHHH!!!

Whew. Had a flashback.

[Balldog]

This team was poorly assembled though, not one of these guys has a consistant outside shot. If they had one or two great outside shooters they would probably have no problem playing against these zone defenses. Possibly even force the teams to play them man to man, then they would have a lot more success. Plus these guys suck at defense for the most part.

[rkmsuf]

Dana Barros was probably free.

[Leonidas]

Originally Posted by VPI97

A college all-star team would just get beat worse...the top college players have the same ideals as the pro's, but with underdeveloped talent. That team wouldn't even qualify for the games.

I'm not so sure. Granted, they'd have no big men, but Duke's Redick and Delonte West are both better perimeter players than anyone on the pro team USA. I called the fact this team would be even lucky to medal. Sorry, but you can't throw together a bunch of players who all have the same game, ignore any kind of perimeter game, and expect results. I wouldn't even be shocked if this team struggled to win more than one game.

BTW, the only guy I feel bad for is Duncan. He deserves a better team than this.

[Neuqua]

Not only Duncan, I think Wade is a good guy as well and from what I've seen he has been trying his best. Simmons had it right, Hinrich should've been in before Marbury.