USA still the best

[Matt]

anyway, so USA lost 4 games in the last 3 or so weeks. All i hear now is how much the rest of the world has "caught up" to USA. That's just BS. USA sent out a 3rd string team of players, and each does the same thing. You think that Ginobili could score 28 points on T-Mac or Kobe Bryant? Unlikely. You think USA would struggle so much with Shaq, Duncan and Garnett in the post? Hell no. You think that other teams would let Michael Redd or Ray Allen shoot the 3 with open arms? Not for long.
Yes, the rest of the world has slowly improved, but they are still miles away from USA's 'A' Team. Now give that team 3 months of preparation and things go back to normal.

[Donte Thomas]

i think so too, i think the team they have now are just a bunch of dunkers and rookies, and none except one i think has won a title, timmy dunky (tim duncan folks) so, next year, invite players such as kg again, and redd, and allen, some players, that KNOW how to play.

[Matt]

you mean in 4yrs right?

it's sad to see that Vin Baker has a gold medal and Tim Duncan might not even get a bronze

[Alcoholic]

Yeah I think the problem with playing in the Olympics is if you want to play in the next one, it's a whole 4 years away, and some players might be changed (declined for example)... The players that played THIS YEAR (most of them) should have all waited and played in the Beijing olympics... they'll be around their primes and such then.

Players like Shaq, Kobe (maybe, IMO), KG, Ray Allen, aren't going to be the same in 4 years.

[Fresh8]

Kobe and T-mac... IMO... would still be int heir primes in 4 years. They will make the trip to Beijing...

But in 2 years man- China and USA will be 1-2 at Japan!

[Andrew]

There's no doubt that other countries are fielding better teams than they were some years ago and that there are more and more great NBA players who hail from countries other than the US. But this certainly wasn't the best team the USA could field and while we shouldn't take anything away from Argentina or any other country, this incarnation of Team USA was not as talented nor had the right mix of abilities and attitudes that made the previous USA teams unbeatable.

This team was very young and most of the players have little experience or have not had as much success at such a high level as players who were part of the Dream Teams. Only one player on Team USA has NBA championship gold and only three have played in an NBA Finals series. For the most part, this isn't a team filled with players who have established themselves as winners and part of the NBA's elite, if only because they're just starting out.

Full credit must go to the teams that have defeated Team USA during this tournament, but even in victory Team USA did not appear as impressive as they have in years gone by. It would be wrong however to assume that the USA could not potentially field a team that would be much more impressive based on the performance of this particular unit.

[Fresh8]

Would it be wise for USA to have this same team...making a few adjustments and train them till 2008?

ur thoughts?

[Stevan]

Matt, I hear slurping In the famous words of a wise man, fall back!!!1

The USA can send anyone they want to the next olympics, and it will be too late. The gap will bridged. Don't forget that other teams were missing players also, and that the NBA has plenty of young Euro's. If Darko for example becomes the player he is expected to be, that's just one example.

They are not number 1. They finished 6th at the world championships and will hopefully finish fourth here because that's what they deserve. It's not just about basketball ability. If they can't put a team on the floor and the right players, then who cares who they have sitting at home facing rape charges. I don't hear other teams using the fact that players declined as an excuse. The only way 'team' USA will dominate basketball again is if they can turn back the clock 12 years.

[whlee75]

well i think skillwise team usa is still better than the rest of the world. what other countries have caught up is probably their mentality, especially after the first defeat of usa dream team in who knows how many years ago that ppl are gaining more confidence and not afraid of usa players as much as they used to be. i think arrogance might be one of the factors that usa lost in recent years.

unless team usa redeem themselves and reclaim gold in the next olympic, all the talks about usa still being no1 in the world are just meaningless. i mean this years team usa was considered by many strong championship contender b4 tournamen started. who would of thought theyd lose to countries like puerto rico? all these talks about usa not sending the best team and wait till shaq and tmac to kick their asses next time around(probably in the unforseeable future though), wouldnt that be similar to what happened this time? wouldnt there be any surprise even shaq and garnett and kobe and mcgrady were on the team? i think many ppl are forgetting that basketball is a team sport and having big names on the roster might help but it isnt going to guarantee any win. mavs and blazers should ring a bell.

[J@3]

well i think skillwise team usa is still better than the rest of the world. what other countries have caught up is probably their mentality, especially after the first defeat of usa dream team in who knows how many years ago that ppl are gaining more confidence and not afraid of usa players as much as they used to be.

Yes and no.

For starters the USA team is nowhere near as skilled as some of the European teams, and Argentina. That's the main reason they're getting beaten. Foreign teams are proving themselves as better shooters, better defenders and also better strategists. The only region the USA really dominates is athletisism, which isn't really a problem when the Euro zone collapses and shuts them down anyway. Teams are gaining more confidence and that does have something to do with it but it's mainly the fact that the foreign way of playing basketball is more useful for beating these teams from the United States.

[Matt]

Stevan, I understand what you say about Teams starting to have Dirk's and the Gasols. But no team has 2 of those type of guys....USA always has more than that available....KG, Duncan + other weapons. The problem is fielding those players, giving them time to practice and proving their dominance.

[Tuomas]

so why don't hey do it? too much talking...

[Sauru]

shaq would not have helped this team. he never rotates and is slow getting down the court. teams would have exploited him all over the joint. hell he probably would have just fouled out anyway.

[Stevan]

Yes and no.

For starters the USA team is nowhere near as skilled as some of the European teams, and Argentina. That's the main reason they're getting beaten. Foreign teams are proving themselves as better shooters, better defenders and also better strategists. The only region the USA really dominates is athletisism, which isn't really a problem when the Euro zone collapses and shuts them down anyway. Teams are gaining more confidence and that does have something to do with it but it's mainly the fact that the foreign way of playing basketball is more useful for beating these teams from the United States.

Took the words out of my mouth I personally don't think USA are ahead skill wise. Passing is another aspect.

Stevan, I understand what you say about Teams starting to have Dirk's and the Gasols. But no team has 2 of those type of guys....USA always has more than that available....KG, Duncan + other weapons. The problem is fielding those players, giving them time to practice and proving their dominance.

Point taken, and you're right. But the other teams have plenty of other fairly capable players who don't get a mention. Consider that Darius Songaila who is becoming a servicable player in the NBA was maybe the fourth option at best for Lithuania. The other teams have talented players, maybe just not "NBA-talented". And like I said, in 4 years time the gap will be bridged. By then Spain for example could have another couple of Gasols in the NBA, and several other good players who choose to stay in Europe or aren't NBA ready, but can give the Americans trouble in International competition.

The 2002 world championships are only 2 years away, and it is another opportunity for basketball USA to put together a good team.

[J@3]

The 2002 world championships are only 2 years away, and it is another opportunity for basketball USA to put together a good team.

In other news, it's just been announced that the 2004 Olympic Games will be held in Athens.

[matmat8]

About the zones stopping USA ok but Argentina played individual defense and controlled the game a la USA.
This team wasn't well build that's all. A lot of talent doesn't always make a good team. Its a classic but very true, once again.
Im sure they would've won the olympics with a better complete team and less "stars".

[Riot]

How about putting the team together atleast a year before the actual games. So we can have a fair match-up vs. International teams that play year round with eachother.

[Sauru]

they tried that but then half the guys that were listed to go backed out.

[Riot]

they sent out them out like 4 months before the games.

[Stevan]

In other news, it's just been announced that the 2004 Olympic Games will be held in Athens.

Farkin, honest mistake!

[j.23]

^^ i swear if you shave that guy's beard off, remove his toque, throw in some glasses in there that's larry brown

[Rokas[LTU]]

^^ i swear if you shave that guy's beard off, remove his toque, throw in some glasses in there that's larry brown

[Cee_em_bee]

How about putting the team together atleast a year before the actual games. So we can have a fair match-up vs. International teams that play year round with eachother.

International teams do not train year round, despite some may think, Euro players play in leagues as well.

[Say]

You think that Ginobili could score 28 points on T-Mac or Kobe Bryant? Unlikely

LOL
He already did...