USA to play for bronze

Coach · August 27, 2004

The Team USA that was sent over there without Tim Duncan (due to foul trouble) was inferior to the Argentina team. There is no doubt about it.

We have to send a complete team, quit this sending "marketable" guys over crap, and send better players...or we won't win the gold.

The Canadians used to dominate hockey without breaking a sweat, America used to dominate basketball without breaking a sweat. Things changed.

CMJ · August 27, 2004

Even with this team, I think we could've won Gold. They didn't have enough prep time. I'm not mad at the guys at all, but I'm PISSED at USA Basketball and the dozen or so guys that turned down the chance to go play.

Coach · August 27, 2004

Well, Kidd is hurt, no reason to blame him, Kobe would have hogged the ball the whole game we would have been lucky to win one game, we could have used Shaq today with Duncan out even though Shaq's game is not built for international ball at all, he is still better than Boozer. Bibby would have been a huge help because we only had one point guard, and I thought Marbury became the leader of the team the last two games, but a pass first PG is really needed by this team, plus at least he can hit a jumper. The killer one is KG.

I'm pissed at the USA basketball suits that decided to pick the hot young up and coming marketable names and completely disregard what goes into a REAL TEAM. I'm also pissed at David Stern for guiding the NBA down the spiral it has taken over the last 8-10 years. In his furious marketing of stars rather than teams or style of play, the star system has blossomed when officiating games, and the defensive three seconds is a load of crap. The sad thing is, he doesn't care about Team USA, he would rather make sure Shaq doesn't foul out of the West Finals game 7, that the ratings stay high (make sure the Lakers win), and that the NBA can expand it's power globally.

Edited August 27, 2004 by Coach

LadyGreen · August 27, 2004

This is the first year that the USA didnt win gold since NBA players have been aloud to play

CMJ · August 27, 2004

That's not that long of a history though. This is only the 4th Olympics since our Pro's have played.

LadyGreen · August 27, 2004

Never said it was long, just stating a fact

August 28, 2004

If you want a prime example of why the players on Team USA were selected, open up the lastest Sports Illustrated and flip through the pages until you see the Team USA ad. It has an epic illustration of all those big name players making impressive poses next to some old greek building or something. That ad wouldn't have been as effective with a couple of Brent Barry or some other non intimidating looking white guy who could shoot. But dang, I'm sure they sold a heck of a lot of LeBron Team USA jerseys, and that is what matters! <_

Coach · August 28, 2004

David Stern is going to be interviewed at halftime of the game today.

I don't know if I even want to hear his "things could not be better" load of crap that he will surely drop on us. I bet he will do that, and deny that the way the NBA has degenerated has anything to do with our team not being as good, and say that this just shows the rest of the world is good too and hammer on his usual "NBA worldwide" theme. I really think he could not care less about how Team USA did, he sees this as a chance to market the game to other countries to exapnd the NBA's domain and his pocketbook.

PerryG2480 · August 28, 2004

The game was delayed because the U. S. showed up with the wrong colored jerseys. Someone had to go back to the hotel to get the right ones. That pretty much sums it up for me...U. S. A. Basketball...be prepared. <_

Coach · August 28, 2004

They told our equipment guy that we would wear white no matter win or lose, and since they have a 5 am flight the next morning, they went ahead and pakced up everything they could. FIBA or whatever, sent a memo to our team that never arrived to wear a dark jersey. Every team I have been on, at school, summer league, whatever, we took both uniforms to every game (and ESPECIALLY tournaments because you just never know) just in case. It sounds like the equipment guy was trying to get ahead to save him from a late night/early morning and it backfired.

I think Doug Collins is right, the biggest weakness on this team isn't shooting, it's defending the three point line. Everyone puts up three point performances of a lifetime against us.

Coach · August 28, 2004

We won the bronze medal despite the fact that Lithuania made about 57 three pointers.

I think we were the second best team there behind Argentina.

The guys that went over there hustled, dove for balls, played hard, and did their best.

Save your scorn for David Stern and the other suits who decided to market the NBA rather than make a real team.

CMJ · August 28, 2004

Agreed. I'm actually rather proud of our guys. For their sake I hope all of them eventually get back to the Olympics to win a Gold. Lets start preparing for Beijing now.

Edited August 28, 2004 by CMJ