Team USA Men's Olympic Basketball 2012

[23]

Re: Team USA Men's Olympic Basketball 2012

I might not like how the team is looking but im not going to say screw them let em loose so the underdog can win

I will admit though that the buzz in this years olympics is not as strong as it was last go round... not just basketball, but all over.

I don't see Spain as strong as they were the last time or most other teams including us

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Team USA Men's Olympic Basketball 2012

They aren't as strong because Rubio got hurt but they still look pretty formidable. Besides that, the ultimate factor into all of this is that the gap is closing for all countries. Like Bolt said, the sport is growing.

Just because teams aren't romping other teams doesn't necessarily mean Spain or the U.S. aren't as "strong", IMO.

It means that other countries are gaining more depth to their rosters and more experience and developing their talent.

Spain is just as scary as they were in 2008 and 2010, especially with Serge Ibaka. I watched them against China, and I think perhaps it was some complacency on the part of Spain and very spirited play from the Chinese [whom had some NBA talent themselves].

It's as simple as parody. I don't think it's fair to say teams aren't as strong, rather that in the past, other countries were just so far behind from the Spain's, Argentina's and United States.

[The 24th Letter]

I agree with him too... no relaxation for the competition this is the iron men's comp, and if you can't handle it thats too bad.

Not rooting against my own guys...

Double agent

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1343685596.326673.jpg

[23]

Re: Team USA Men's Olympic Basketball 2012

Double agent

[ATTACH]47491[/ATTACH]

Freaking apple products

[DukeC]

Re: Team USA Men's Olympic Basketball 2012

If the Bucks were the top team in the NBA and were expected to win the NBA title would you root against them just because they were expected to win Yeah That Guy?

How bout you Matrix? If the Suns were expected to win would you root against them (I already know this answer just from your response earlier but humor please lol)?

Would you root against your team 23?

As for me, I would hope my Kings crush everyone in route to winning. I wouldn't want any other team to have any hope or entertain any chance of winning.

I expect us to win Gold in the Olympics (Now). Do you know how devastated I was as a kid when we lost in 04? What business did USA have in losing then when we fielded the best players in the world? Basketball has always been where we dominated. Hell, the shame of us placing 3rd is equivalent to Brazil or Argentina placing 3rd in soccer. Has the gap closed? Somewhat. But my main reason for watching the Olympics isn't to see us lose it's to see how much the gap has closed between us and other countries in basketball and to see how far we have to go in other sports.

Hell, have you seen badminton? Do you know how far ahead of EVERYONE Korea is? Are they all of a sudden going to stop sending thier best players to the Olympics because "They're too good". No. It's up to the rest of the world to catch up to them, just like it's up to every other country to catch up to the US in basketball. And that's the joy in watching. Seeing how every country has improved while rooting for your own country to win.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Team USA Men's Olympic Basketball 2012

Speaking as an overall fan I like to see close games because it's entertainment, but as a fan of the Suns or a fan of the US, yeah, I'm definitely fine with beating every single opponent by 50 points.

This whole "let's all be even" thing is a product of our society nowadays. No. If you're good, be good. If you're damn good, be damn good. If you're the United States, be the best, because anything else is unacceptable. And be PROUD of it.

[Eman5805]

Re: Team USA Men's Olympic Basketball 2012

Yeah, Russia, Canada and whatever other traditional hockey powerhouses don't cut us slack, why should we have to field a more team oriented basketball team so games will be more fun? I get plenty solid team b-ball from the Spurs (who I do hate, but they play great ball) and in college. I want to see Team USA dominate, and hopefully see Anthony Davis get extended minutes and mash on someone's head.

[702]

I'm going to backtrack a little bit with this post and go back to the style of play thing concerning the US. I think you guys are being too hard on them in comparison to other countries such as say, Spain or Argentina or France.

The US has recently overhauled their program to instill continuity, but before 2008 there simply wasn't any. These guys don't have the experience with each other dating back to u18 tournaments and the like such as the others do. I remember reading, on one of the aforementioned teams, I think Spain, that their core 5 or so guys were playing together in the u18 championships 10/12 years ago. These other countries have steadily maintained PROGRAMS. Our setup before a few years ago was an utter mess. Hell this years team is a mishmash of the 08 and 10 teams.

For the guy saying he'd rather see role players such as David Lee playing together, look at it this way. Do you really think a team of David Lee level players would be more cohesive given the circumstances of coming together than this team? They may not play the prettiest style, but the fact that this team gells to the point they do is a testament to the insane level of talent/basketball iq that they possess. A team of "role players" with as little experience playing together would be much, much uglier.

That's why colangelo is preaching continuity and saying he will reward guys for playing on the u17, u18 teams. Hopefully in 10 years you'll see, for example, Julius Randle and Jabari Parker leading the team in the 2022 world championships just as they did this past summer in the u18s. And they'll have a much higher level of familiarity. They'll have legitimate playbooks they've been using for 10 years, just like these other countries.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Team USA Men's Olympic Basketball 2012

Let's cut the **** now: Outside of Spain and Argentina(which is probably their last real chance)there are no other threats to the US, especially as long as we continue to send our best players which may not be for much longer.

And those two countries I listed are the only ones where we shouldn't rule out those games being close but against any other country like Russia or Lithuania or France or Germany, there is absolutely no reason why we shouldn't beat the **** out of those countries.

Hell, the shame of us placing 3rd is equivalent to Brazil or Argentina placing 3rd in soccer.

No it isn't.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Team USA Men's Olympic Basketball 2012

I don't know Pack, you sound a bit arrogant man. Those other countries have been having their own program for decades.

That makes up for the talent gap. Let's not overlook these factors.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: Team USA Men's Olympic Basketball 2012

If the Bucks were the top team in the NBA and were expected to win the NBA title would you root against them just because they were expected to win Yeah That Guy?

How bout you Matrix? If the Suns were expected to win would you root against them (I already know this answer just from your response earlier but humor please lol)?

Would you root against your team 23?

As for me, I would hope my Kings crush everyone in route to winning. I wouldn't want any other team to have any hope or entertain any chance of winning.

I expect us to win Gold in the Olympics (Now). Do you know how devastated I was as a kid when we lost in 04? What business did USA have in losing then when we fielded the best players in the world? Basketball has always been where we dominated. Hell, the shame of us placing 3rd is equivalent to Brazil or Argentina placing 3rd in soccer. Has the gap closed? Somewhat. But my main reason for watching the Olympics isn't to see us lose it's to see how much the gap has closed between us and other countries in basketball and to see how far we have to go in other sports.

Hell, have you seen badminton? Do you know how far ahead of EVERYONE Korea is? Are they all of a sudden going to stop sending thier best players to the Olympics because "They're too good". No. It's up to the rest of the world to catch up to them, just like it's up to every other country to catch up to the US in basketball. And that's the joy in watching. Seeing how every country has improved while rooting for your own country to win.

There's a big difference between being the favorites in the NBA and America vs. the world in the Olympics in my mind.

A team made up of the Gasols, Jose Calderon, Rudy Fernandez, and whoever else should never be able to compete with a team of LeBron, Melo, Kobe, CP3, and Chandler. The talent gap is gigantic. It's just amazing to me to see any other country beat the U.S. in basketball because nobody matches up well with them at all. I just love seeing ball movement beat isoball/amazing individual talent.

You guys can hate on me for not rooting for our country in one out of like 100 sports, but it's whatever to me. I'd rather watch the beach volleyball and stuff than international basketball anyway. It just doesn't do it for me watching a team that superior talent wise.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Team USA Men's Olympic Basketball 2012

I don't know Pack, you sound a bit arrogant man. Those other countries have been having their own program for decades.

That makes up for the talent gap. Let's not overlook these factors.

How so? Because it's the reality of the situation and has been like that for years?

I mean you say these other countries have had their own program for decades but yet outside of the 04 Joke and Spain/Argentina, we're still getting the same results against other countries IE 30-40 pt Wins at ease.

I'll give other countries the advantage in Ball Movement because they place a heavy emphasis on that than we do, but other than that the talent gap between US and countries not named Spain and Argentina is still as wide as it was prior to these games.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Team USA Men's Olympic Basketball 2012

There's a big difference between being the favorites in the NBA and America vs. the world in the Olympics in my mind.

A team made up of the Gasols, Jose Calderon, Rudy Fernandez, and whoever else should never be able to compete with a team of LeBron, Melo, Kobe, CP3, and Chandler. The talent gap is gigantic. It's just amazing to me to see any other country beat the U.S. in basketball because nobody matches up well with them at all. I just love seeing ball movement beat isoball/amazing individual talent.

You guys can hate on me for not rooting for our country in one out of like 100 sports, but it's whatever to me. I'd rather watch the beach volleyball and stuff than international basketball anyway. It just doesn't do it for me watching a team that superior talent wise.

I understand where you're coming from. You don't want to see 30-40 pt blowouts every game. You want to actually see teams make us sweat and I don't disagree because I wouldn't mind that either. Doesn't mean I'll all of a sudden root for the other countries though LOL.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Team USA Men's Olympic Basketball 2012

How so? Because it's the reality of the situation and has been like that for years?

I mean you say these other countries have had their own program for decades but yet outside of the 04 Joke and Spain/Argentina, we're still getting the same results against other countries IE 30-40 pt Wins at ease.

I'll give other countries the advantage in Ball Movement because they place a heavy emphasis on that than we do, but other than that the talent gap between US and countries not named Spain and Argentina is still as wide as it was prior to these games.

When you say we should beat the **** out of other countries.. that just sounds a bit arrogant, lol.

Those countries/programs aren't just staying the same, they're improving, they're developing, they're gaining experience.. the nations not named Spain/Argentina, etc. etc.

[Chrisksaint]

Re: Team USA Men's Olympic Basketball 2012

It's kind of like watching your favorite football or whatever team, if you're really good do you complain when you destroy a team? Not likely cause you just want to win