USA lost again

[BlazersGM]

and Delfino/Arroyo wouldnt make much difference if they were US citizens, too bad Ben is out.

[PacersGM]

sorry you can´t compare teams who play in the nba where everything is build on one on one play with international teams who learn at the age of 8 that team defense is the most important thing. Do you really believe that any of the top 10 american go to guys of the nba would look good if the opp send 2 or 3 guys at them.
No penetration no overpowering the opps because it will result in a TO or offensiv foul. The american style of basketball still relies too much on athletic abilities and making highlight plays. The reason why some of the euro guys have success in the nba is because they are good at doing the little things make a layup hit the open shot and make no mistakes. You believe guys like diaw or noce are as talented as some of the US guys? sure not but they know what they can and should do to win a game.

[CelticsGM]

Just finished the recorded debacle. Man, that was fun to watch.

There was one team playing wonderful TEAM basketball, always looking for the open guy, and one team moving the ball only when forced to (most of the time in heavy trafic). The US deserved to lose, as there was no concept visible, other than trying constantly going one-on-five.

But I disagree on the WHY stated earlier. This is what was missing:

EFFORT: how about at least TRYING to defend ? US guards were constantly outplayed and the inside defense was a joke, allowing layup after layup. And when the greece shot the trifectas, most of these were completely uncontested. I haven't seen that many open shots in an NBA game, and this is supposed to be the best the NBA has to offer ?

PLAYS: Couldn't Krzykwsk come up with at least ONE play the results in a layup or halfcourt shot? You don'T think most of the US guys would shoot 60% on 15-footers? All I saw was those one-on-everybody moves with kick-outs beyond the 3pt line, most of those in such a bad manner that it took the recipient so much time to get the ball under control the defense was already there.

NERVES: the three best players in the world (according to Bill Simmons value list), Wade, Bron and Melo missing free throw after free throw? Disgusting.

A REALITY CHECK: The look on the US players faces in the early 4th quarter was sensational. They couldn't believe what they saw. Nobody, REPEAT NOBODY, did prepare them for a situation where they might actually be DOWN by 10 with half a quarter to go. They were completely caught by surprise, never ever expecting this. And not only the players but the coaching staff too. Unbelievable. How can this happen when you play an international tournament where you haven't won anything for years. How?


Yup, the US is in for a reality check, I guess: HEY, YOU CAN BE BEATEN, NO MATTER IF YOU SEND A COLLEGE TEAM OR THE BEST THE NBA HAS TO OFFER. At the championships in Indy the US was caught by surprise, I heard, in Athens they were badly coached leaving the best on the bench, I heard. But this is the 3rd time in a row. No excuse anymore.


Now I hope I will NEVER EVER hear any more "world champ" reference to the NBA finals winner (which always annoyed everyone outside the States, but now it's simply ridiculous) ...
 

[BlazersGM]

sorry you can´t compare teams who play in the nba where everything is build on one on one play with international teams who learn at the age of 8 that team defense is the most important thing. Do you really believe that any of the top 10 american go to guys of the nba would look good if the opp send 2 or 3 guys at them.
No penetration no overpowering the opps because it will result in a TO or offensiv foul. The american style of basketball still relies too much on athletic abilities and making highlight plays. The reason why some of the euro guys have success in the nba is because they are good at doing the little things make a layup hit the open shot and make no mistakes. You believe guys like diaw or noce are as talented as some of the US guys? sure not but they know what they can and should do to win a game.

i somewhat agree on some points, biggest problem i guess its difference in rules and everything, i doubt any euro team would have chance if they played based on NBA rules, but whatever.

[BlazersGM]

Just finished the recorded debacle. Man, that was fun to watch.

There was one team playing wonderful TEAM basketball, always looking for the open guy, and one team moving the ball only when forced to (most of the time in heavy trafic). The US deserved to lose, as there was no concept visible, other than trying constantly going one-on-five.

But I disagree on the WHY stated earlier. This is what was missing:

EFFORT: how about at least TRYING to defend ? US guards were constantly outplayed and the inside defense was a joke, allowing layup after layup. And when the greece shot the trifectas, most of these were completely uncontested. I haven't seen that many open shots in an NBA game, and this is supposed to be the best the NBA has to offer ?

PLAYS: Couldn't Krzykwsk come up with at least ONE play the results in a layup or halfcourt shot? You don'T think most of the US guys would shoot 60% on 15-footers? All I saw was those one-on-everybody moves with kick-outs beyond the 3pt line, most of those in such a bad manner that it took the recipient so much time to get the ball under control the defense was already there.

NERVES: the three best players in the world (according to Bill Simmons value list), Wade, Bron and Melo missing free throw after free throw? Disgusting.

A REALITY CHECK: The look on the US players faces in the early 4th quarter was sensational. They couldn't believe what they saw. Nobody, REPEAT NOBODY, did prepare them for a situation where they might actually be DOWN by 10 with half a quarter to go. They were completely caught by surprise, never ever expecting this. And not only the players but the coaching staff too. Unbelievable. How can this happen when you play an international tournament where you haven't won anything for years. How?


Yup, the US is in for a reality check, I guess: HEY, YOU CAN BE BEATEN, NO MATTER IF YOU SEND A COLLEGE TEAM OR THE BEST THE NBA HAS TO OFFER. At the championships in Indy the US was caught by surprise, I heard, in Athens they were badly coached leaving the best on the bench, I heard. But this is the 3rd time in a row. No excuse anymore.


Now I hope I will NEVER EVER hear any more "world champ" reference to the NBA finals winner (which always annoyed everyone outside the States, but now it's simply ridiculous) ...
 

One word: Arogance

[CelticsGM]

One word: Arogance

No, no arrogance. What I have seen today is: FEAR !!!

That looks didn't tell me: "hey, don't worry, we're gonna beat them suckers and pull this one out easily"
That looks told me "damn, we will have to get back to the US without the gold, the gonna rip us apart ..."

[BlazersGM]

i havent seen today's game, fear is even worse, but that fear came from arogance, thats the fact.

[PacersGM]

sorry you can´t compare teams who play in the nba where everything is build on one on one play with international teams who learn at the age of 8 that team defense is the most important thing. Do you really believe that any of the top 10 american go to guys of the nba would look good if the opp send 2 or 3 guys at them.
No penetration no overpowering the opps because it will result in a TO or offensiv foul. The american style of basketball still relies too much on athletic abilities and making highlight plays. The reason why some of the euro guys have success in the nba is because they are good at doing the little things make a layup hit the open shot and make no mistakes. You believe guys like diaw or noce are as talented as some of the US guys? sure not but they know what they can and should do to win a game.

i somewhat agree on some points, biggest problem i guess its difference in rules and everything, i doubt any euro team would have chance if they played based on NBA rules, but whatever.

l guess 2 years ago macabi beat the raptors
and i believe tau or moskau could at least play better than knicks  last year or bobcats
no european team would make the POs but playing in the NBA is no problem for the better teams.

[NetsGM]

some of these people who talk about not having any team basketball in the united states should go watch some good college basketball.  What horse shit.

Just because the selection committee is selecting 1-1 players doesn't mean there aren't an abundance of team players in the united states.

[PacersGM]

some of these people who talk about not having any team basketball in the united states should go watch some good college basketball.  What horse shit.

Just because the selection committee is selecting 1-1 players doesn't mean there aren't an abundance of team players in the united states.

the us will continue to loose at the international level as long this stupid handchecking rules will be there.
so someone like LB or wade have no challenge at all to get to the basket. Why should they even try to learn how to make an open set shot?
Spain played wonderful team defense against greece today and if some here believe the US team will be better in China, just forget it. spain had 5 or 6 guys under 23 in their roster and played without paul who is possible the best player at the moment at international play.
i watched this year final 4 and i am not very impressed with the skill level there. If i compare it to the european championship for U20 teams the college teams have way more fundamental holes in their game.
as long as the NBA isn´t carrying about basketball as a teamsport the gap between US teams and european teams will grow imo.

[KingsGM-old]

Pretty schocked with the amount of stupidity in this thread.

Alen Iverson
Jason Kidd
Mike Bibby
Ray Allen
Kobe Bryant
Vince Carter
Tracy Mcgrady
Kevin Garnett
Tim Duncan
Shaq O'Neill
Jermaine O'Neil
Marcus Camby


No team on the face of the planet would stand a chance. None. Regardless of diferent rules, chemistry, refs etc etc.


So your entire philosophy that All Star team, consisted mainly of superstars and 1 on 1 players wouldn't work is a complete bullshit.

[PacersGM]

Pretty schocked with the amount of stupidity in this thread.

Alen Iverson
Jason Kidd
Mike Bibby
Ray Allen
Kobe Bryant
Vince Carter
Tracy Mcgrady
Kevin Garnett
Tim Duncan
Shaq O'Neill
Jermaine O'Neil
Marcus Camby


No team on the face of the planet would stand a chance. None. Regardless of diferent rules, chemistry, refs etc etc.


So your entire philosophy that All Star team, consisted mainly of superstars and 1 on 1 players wouldn't work is a complete bullshit.

where is the sense in that statement you just listed names nothing else.
AI tried already failed big time in Athen
TD already had 2 miserable outings
Shaq, Camby are too old and slow too really make a differnce against pick and roll even in the NBA
KG could be nice
T-mac, Kobe? where is the difference to wade, LB and melo

Did you see any game?
Spain, Greece and Argentina led the tournament in def FG % because they know how to defend as a team.

[KingsGM-old]

Name ONE SINGLE game US lost when sending their 12, very best players.

One!

[BlazersGM]

they only sent their best players once so its impossible to discuss mr.ZLOVRO, and that team cant be compared to any possible team now.

[KingsGM-old]

Once? You're playin dumb or something?