Since 1992 when NBA players started to compete in the Olympic and World games, the superiority of US basketball has thrilled (and humbled) the rest of the world. However since the legendary Dream Team of 1992 each US basketball team has gotten weaker (with the best of the NBA deciding that they had better things to do in the summer). Despite this, the US continued to dominate until 2 years ago when they lost 3 times in the world games. The talk of the international basketball community is that the dominance of Team USA (the NBA) is no longer! Indeed, my brother in-laws are visiting from Spain (both basketball fanatics), and they have been telling me this since they got of the plane. Neither feel that Team USA is going to win a gold medal. I assured them that Team USA would be fine, and that their performance 2 years ago was a fluke (and they had a bad coach in George Karl). Well no sooner did I say that when Team USA lost to Italy!! Now Team USA needed a buzzer beater to get by Germany yesterday. I realize these are exhibition games (and that many of these European teams now have NBA players on them). However this being said, what is wrong with Team USA??? Can we still afford to not send the very best of the NBA against them? I am not very patriotic, but this is becoming a matter of pride for me. If not national...then racial because Team USA is mostly African American, and the European teams are mostly lily-white. Come on Team USA basketball is suppose to be our sport, and you are embarrasing us!! :cuss:

yeah they need to get their s*** together , they have no bus losing to these euros. now i do think that the euro teams and other teams in the world play together all year, some have been playing together for years, the longer a team, stays together the better they r. bu thats still no exuse, nothing less than complete domination will be tolerated from team usa.

I think they need to let go of the sureness that they can take everyone down
and go play the game the way our great USA teams did before with no mercy !
we have gotten weaker cause some of the best players are not going into the
games with the spirit of domination but playing I still think USA is the KING of
the courts and they will pull away and prove they are still the champs and take
the GOLD !

The Olympic games starts on Sunday: USA vs. Puerto Rico...let's see what the US does. They looked unimpressive in the exhibition, but I hope they turn it around...this squad is weak (4 rookies), but they should still do it.

i think they will do it and show they still owns the basketball showcase
as the dominate force in this area of sports TEAM USA #1 but i say they
came in with too many rookies which many teams has pro players now
who play in the NBA this really give them a weak point going in the games
this year it could be a rude awaking for USA.

Like Lisa Lesley stated, it seems like most of the men do not care to represent the US, theyfind no honor being chosen for the US Olympic team when they could just stay home - chillin, spending their millions.

That appears to be the case CarrieMonet! I don't quite know what to think of that. It would be one thing if these "brothers" were protesting the racism & discrimination that African Americans continue to suffer in the US (like the Athletes of the 1960s & 70s did). However very few black athletes stand for any social cause today. Instead the reluctance of NBA players to participate in the Olympics seems to be based on selfishness...me, myself, and I. This is certainly not good because if any NBA players are going to be represented, it should be the best. As I already said Team USA is all black, and the European teams are mostly white...as a result the competition is being judged on a national & racial level (I have European connections and hear the talk). For this reasons I want the NBA to come correct, or don't come at all.

Well, I understand what you are saying but I suppose I feel the same way about the Olympics as I do watching the NBA. Most of the player just show up, very few play with heart. That is why I tend to ignore the NBA until it's playoff time...and even then some players barely bring their "A" game.

The women's team feels it's an honor to represent their country.

True indeed that if they (meaning black men) were suddenly banned or were not considered at all for being chosen for the Olympic team, there would surely be an uproar, but it seems to me they are taking things - many things for granted.

Maybe the US needs to do like other countries and not have high paid proffesionals participating in amature sport. No other teams are composed of professional athletes. Maybe yall need to look to college ball players and talented street ball players with some heart and build them into a team rather than wait till just before the olympics and select a bunch of over paid pros and force them to pretend to be a team. JMO

it's a great idea but US try to send their best to capture the GOLD

That isn't true MrBlak most countries do have their professionals participate in the Olympics. Until 1992 the USA was practically the only country that did not send professionals (only college players); however, faced with decreasing gold metals...the US sought to change their strategy. The original Dream Team was a response to the change in strategy. If you watch this years Olympics you'll notice that most opposing teams will have an NBA player on them. Indeed in the exhibition games Yao Ming played for his native China; Dirk Nowitski (mispell) played for Germany; Paul Gasol will be playing for Spain, etc. I know your native Canada would not be above sending Steve Nash to play. The US is certainly not the only country to send pros to these games.

I didnt realize there were that many pros...still, the other teams only have one or 2 and not the whole team as pros.

Q: How do you think it would affect competition if the IOC banned pros from the B-Ball competition? Would it level the playing field or put many countries at a disadvantage? Would it be worth it to give people who didnt make the pros in their own country a chance to compete, or should countries just go for the best team even if they cut some talent out?

Actually the majority of the European players are professionals. They might not play in the NBA, but they play in the European Leagues (often for millions of dollars).

Actually the majority of the European players are professionals. They might not play in the NBA, but they play in the European Leagues (often for millions of dollars).
I wish I could really play ball....they seem to live it up everywhere!!

ur right pan and MrBlak man i love to play the game for the bucks these guys making
let just hope USA can play the game and win not be on the quick pay summer ride

team usa was completely dominated by puerto rico. accept 4 a 4th quarter serge the game wasnt even close. coach larry brown of team usa says he is no confident in the team right now. by time these guys gel will they be out of contention?

P. Rico destroyed them today. If they had Kevin Garnett and an outside shooter, it would have been a different story.

bad coaching?
why didn't Brown use all of the fire power he had sitting on the bench?
if I'm down 22 pts and i have K-Mart sitting down there on the bench, he's going in!

I don't think they have K-Mart, they have Anthony though.

I've given up in this team...they are an embarrasement!

I don't think they have K-Mart, they have Anthony though.
well, i saw some big Mandingo looking brother sitting down there who looked like he could knock some of those cutters down.
if I'm down by 22 I'm going to empty my bench and try every combination.
i thought i saw marbury sitting there.
can't he play?

IT'S OVER sad team they sent to play for the USA !
made my head hurt after seeing the highlights Brown made some bad
choices bad coaching job as well players pick to do the job and sad
our better players big name guys didn't go and keep the title lost hope
here ....................i'll have to wait for the games in another 4 years
and USA .

The entire purpose of sending NBA players Rich was to match our best against the best of the rest of the world. The original Dream Team (really the only dream team) was an example of that....they were the best of the NBA. If the best of the NBA does not want to play...they it makes no sense to send any NBA players. If you look at the roster: Lamar Odom, Emeko Okafor, Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Duwayne Wade...these guys are college players (an average of less than 2 years college playing experience). In addition to that many of these guys don't have that much NBA playoff experience...they are green, as green as it gets. This is half the team, and you send this against the rest of the world? This is the type of arrogance which causes upsets & embarrassments. Which is what is happening. I'm not even sure if the US is going to win Bronze in this one!

you know pan your so right it was a very shameful lost
i would have rather saw them send a group of college players
who have played in the NCAA that been playing each other for
4 years, they would have jell better then this group of PROS maybe
would have even been a suprising underdog going in L.James , Anthony
wade , Okafor together didn't even have 20 point i mean here is the
#1 and 2 draft picks the standouts and they made a showing like that
to the world then here we have Boozer , Jefferson , Marbury , Marion
Stoudemire five player together with only 10 points Iverson & Duncan
should have stayed at home this a very very weak TEAM USA !
what a waste and shame .

Like Lisa Lesley stated, it seems like most of the men do not care to represent the US, theyfind no honor being chosen for the US Olympic team when they could just stay home - chillin, spending their millions.

Amen sister I agreed whole heartedly. This years men's team clearly is not the best possible team to represent the USA. I give them some credit though at least they had enough patriotism and pride in their country to play. Even if they don't win that in itself say more for the teamand player than winning or losing. These other multi-million dollar atheletes however are lacking. I can remember playing on an asphalt court in the playground wearing canvas All Stars with the tongue flapping(that's Chuck Taylor's for those not from Chi-Town) playing for neighborhood pride. Boy have things changed. Also bravo for the women's basketball team. Atleast the best we have has shown up to play.


Peace

Radical Faith.

*SHAKING MY HEAD*

Its all about marketing. But let's get for real. The NBA players we spend have way more talent than the other team rosters. The problem is that there is not a balance of skill on the team. They do not have any one that can hit a mid-range jumper or a three pointer! Now, look at there point guards. Marbury, sadly, hasn't been playing well at Rucker, Madison Square Garden, or Athens. Wade is not really a point guard, but a true SG. There is no one to run the offense and get things going, so we have a lot of turnovers. It's not that we need to send our best players, it's that we need to have a well rounded team, instead of cats that is just worried about dunking off of fast breaks. Send the Spurs or the Timberwolves of there, or even the Pistons, and I we would come back with the Gold. Brown needs to make some changes.

I just dont see any excuse at all...my gut tells me they didn't play hard because there was no paycheck involved.

is it the players?
is it the coach?
is it both?

Define had an interesting suggestion. Instead of sending a team of various NBA players (who only have a few weeks to train together), why not send the NBA champions from that year to compete in the olympics?

hmmm, sounds good. But of course who'd have the bigger ego than the winning team? Seems they would really be the ones who don't have time to go...and don't want to go to the Olympics.

Maybe it shouldn't be a choice...simply that the winning team represent the USA...and represent like they are still trying to get a ring...and not a paycheck.

But then again, would that be the most wins during a 4 year period or just the year of the Olympics?

I think one of the reasons players don't want to go is because there is no money involved and they don't get to take a break.

If you look at the teams overseas, they have been playing together for years and years. They know each other.

Shoot, you can send the Clippers over there and they'd win because they are more in synch with each other. But the Champs would mos def be familar with their system to take the Gold.

it could be a health reason but that's the way it should be
send the NBA champion team over to bring the GOLD back
Iverson is a three point shooter and i player who can run the
floor it's just that this team has no real togetherness and seem
to can't jell well as a whole BROWN need to make changes i agree

This "wack" team lost again!! :cuss:

hahahaha. Okay. I know I shouldn't laugh but I had to...or I'd cry. They are pitiful.

DOOMS DAY USA
shame shame shame i give up .....

DOOMS DAY USA
shame shame shame i give up .....

With the way the team is playing, Browns only choice would be to look for a new team!
The ones we have should be able to do the job. The three point line is almost 2 feet closer than NBA, about high school range, so nuf about three point shooters.
Any body good enough to play in the NBA does not should not be looking for and using the excuses I have heard.

I hope the US beats Spain (one of the most racist countries in the history of the world) tomorrow...if they don't I'll never hear the end of it. :mad:

I hope the US beats Spain (one of the most racist countries in the history of the world) tomorrow...if they don't I'll never hear the end of it. :mad:


Pan have you ever heard of Japan?? If your not Japanese you are nothing, no matter your color, hue whatever. Spain is racist, but they did mix. look at south and central america, compared to say jamacia, st. kitts, other virgin islands, that were french, english, or dutch.

Man Japan as a whole may be racist but the Japanese women must not be..women over there man act like a brother is walking around with gold in his pants..it's unreal...but on to team USA...them cats aren't winning because NBA ball and International ball are two different games..International ball is a game of strong fundamentals..shooting passing team play especially 3 point shooting is very important NBA ball for the most part is a game of individual achievment and making highlight films..the team the the US assembled doesn't have any pure shooters..AI is a decent shooter but that's only because he puts up a boatload of shots...they dont' play team ball even though the have Mr. Team ball but they didn't get to spend enough time learning how to play coach Brown's style of ball...look at the Pistons that's how Team USA should look...where no one man is The Man...it's a team effort..everybody is a grunt and gets in there and puts in work..Team USA is a team of The Men...no grunts...that's why they get worked ... :smokin:

NBA ball for the most part is a game of individual achievment and making highlight films..the team the the US assembled doesn't have any pure shooters
Ain't that the truth!!

Yes, the problem is that they are all about individual goals. They barely pass. They shoot horribly. These international teams are staying close because they are playing real b-ball. The only reason the USA can beat these teams in because the international teams lack the physical talent that the US team has. If they were even closely matched physically with the US they would get blown out because they are running on physical talent alone.

Team USA beat Spain today, in what was probably their best performance against one of the best teams in the games. If Team USA plays every remaining game like they did today, the possibility for winning the goal increases. On a side note Spain's coach complained that the US tried to steal time by calling time out, and Spain's team didn't want to congradulate team USA at the end (Spain were doing a lot of trash talking before the game). If we don't beat anyone else...I'm glad we gave Spain their 1st loss, and denied them a medal!!! :tongue:

i read that coach Brown makes them play man to man defense and all the other teams play zone defense.

if this is true maybe it is the coaching.

zone defense can stop a superstar.

i read that coach Brown makes them play man to man defense and all the other teams play zone defense.

if this is true maybe it is the coaching.

zone defense can stop a superstar.

But as referenced earlier it can't stop a team! If the games are so different between NBA and International, how come the WNBA, has no problem with the difference??? Might they be better team players??

The US women's basketball team are better team players; however, to be fair they are also more experienced (with prior olympic play, college, as well as WNBA). With the exception of Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson, and Stephon Marbury (the hero of today's game)...the men's team is composed of rookies with litte playing experience (olympic, college, or pro). Larry Brown should do a better job adjusting to the Zone defense & international rules but the bottom line is that this is a poorly selected team.

i fully agree one of the worse USA team ever put together to me ...
i give up on these :uhoh: guys

The US women's basketball team are better team players; however, to be fair they are also more experienced (with prior olympic play, college, as well as WNBA). With the exception of Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson, and Stephon Marbury (the hero of today's game)...the men's team is composed of rookies with litte playing experience (olympic, college, or pro). Larry Brown should do a better job adjusting to the Zone defense & international rules but the bottom line is that this is a poorly selected team.

I agree the women's TEAM is much more experienced, but if these guys are good enough to play in the NBA, they don't need excuses for not understanding what a team is. Brown has coached a lot of international games, could the problem be they are not doing what the coach tells them? Iverson comes to mind, I mean after all he is the guy that choked a coach once, along with everyone wanting to be a hotshot.

Iverson comes to mind, I mean after all he is the guy that choked a coach once

Actually that was Latrell Sprewell. Also I have to disagree with you statement in order to get into the NBA, you have to know how to play as a Team. People get into the NBA on great individual talent, not great team play...if that was the case half of the NCAA would be playing in the NBA (which obviously doesn't happen). Look guys like Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwane Wade have less than 1 year of college & NBA experience. That is extremely green, I am not trying to make needless excuses...that is the reality. While many NBA players need an attitude adjustment, you can't send guys with no experience to play in this type of situation.

i have to agree with pan theirs no way these young guy can go and do the job
what it all come to is the best players didn't take time to think about standing
in honor of rhe US and winning the GOLD so the left overs too it on and can't
handle the task no unity & experience Coach BROWN was delt a bum team ...

the women has lots of talent who are in unity and know the depth of core
to win .

I'm a little late to this discussion, but I must say that USA Men's basketball was almost a fluke. I almost lost all respect for Carmelo after the first game against P.R. The reporter asked him how the game went and he told them, "I don't know why you're asking me, I didn't play." If that wasn't the most selfish thing I'd ever heard. First off, he only played 3 minutes that game and he played HORRIBLE weak side defense in the short time they played zone and in man to man D. Second game, Larry B. let him get some playing time. The first thing he does was come in and launch a three ball....Is he sick? Are you telling me these NBA stars who cut, slash and dunk on everyone in site are settling for threes. The NBA is a show. Most of those players used to be a hustling bunch, but you play a different way in the NBA. The international game is like the collegiate game....they want to beat you for the love. Not the fame and the glory.

Today against Spain, they broke down the zone better and had more confidence in the long ball, but I hope they can pull something out of this. I was almost fed up with the attitudes.

Lastly, I want to say how proud I am of Allen Iverson's professionalism. Folks talk about him, but he put his whole game on the back burner for the sake of the team. He's made some crazy mistakes no doubt, but his game is really tame.

Maybe the US needs to do like other countries and not have high paid proffesionals participating in amature sport. No other teams are composed of professional athletes. Maybe yall need to look to college ball players and talented street ball players with some heart and build them into a team rather than wait till just before the olympics and select a bunch of over paid pros and force them to pretend to be a team. JMO

As was said the first pro players, were used in 1992 the first dream team which it truly was. Until then we used college players but never a compete team always a composite. Due to the loss to Russia, we decided to use pros as the other countrys were doing. All the russians were in the Red Army, and that's all they done. If we are having trouble competing with the NBA there why would we go back to college players? Whole discussion is a mute point after beating Spain. :grin:

Actually that was Latrell Sprewell. Also I have to disagree with you statement in order to get into the NBA, you have to know how to play as a Team. People get into the NBA on great individual talent, not great team play...if that was the case half of the NCAA would be playing in the NBA (which obviously doesn't happen). Look guys like Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwane Wade have less than 1 year of college & NBA experience. That is extremely green, I am not trying to make needless excuses...that is the reality. While many NBA players need an attitude adjustment, you can't send guys with no experience to play in this type of situation.


good points pan...
one love
khasm

The US officially lost the chance to win gold today after losing to Argentina! Although even the NBA San Antonio Spur's Ginobili (who played for Argentina) stated that this team was young & inexperienced...the US needs to go back to the drawing board with their NBA selection. As I mentioned before...they need to send the NBA Champion to represent the USA.

...they need to send the NBA Champion to represent the USA.
could they send some NBA referees too?

They need both!

well all hopes gone now !
maybe in the next world games USA can send players who
know what it take to win games these kids don't yet tooo
young .

I still say it was a joke watching each game they played!

Thank God football season is here.

The US Men's basketball team beat Lithuania, and took the bronze medal. With the weak & inexperienced team that went to Greece, this can actually be considered an accomplishment. It is now time to revamp the US Men's basketball olympic strategy.

I THINK THEY COULD HAVE BEATEN ARGENTINA, THEY JUST DIDNT WANT TO PLAY HARD. I KEEP IVERSON, DUNCAN, MARBURY, AND MABY JAMES AND SCRAP EVERYONE ELSE. ALTHOUGH JEFFERSON PLAYED WELL. THIS WASNT THE ORIGINAL TEAM EITHER, IF RAY ALLEN, KOBE, AND KENYAN MARTIN HAD PLAYED- GAME OVER.

i notice that every one is quite critical of the players.
am i the only one who is critical of the coaches and the officials?

No James you aren't...I never dissed the players, I said they were young and inexperienced (which is not the same as saying they aren't good). Larry Brown did not do a good job of preparing for the zone (which as a former college coach is inexcusable), and was overly critical of the team. After the Puerto Rico loss, he pretty much went to the media, and said this team was hopeless. The officials called every fouls possible against Team USA, but bias as always existed against the US in these games. Make no mistake, the players weren't the only ones who failed on the basketball court.

brown could have used better roster mangament and substitution. carmelo anthony should have got more clock, he is a good player and a good shooter. their defense of the high pic & roll was rediculous. coach brown in the media not showing solidarity, his failure to make adjustments contributed to their loss....the players played hard, they just missed to many shots.

You are right brother Therious...and I'll also say this: Usually when a team loses, the coach is blamed 1st. Yet in this case all the blame is directed at the players...why is that? Is it because the coach was white, and all the players black?

Is it because the coach was white, and all the players black?

I feel the entire ensemble was messed up. I don't think it was a black or white issue.

These guys should know how to play ball. When you see the US basketball team play they think they can beat everyone just on physical talent. They don't give anyone respect until late in the game when they are about to lose. Then they play to their full potential. To make this a black and white issue is rediculous. Larry Brown is a great coach...but he's coaching a bunch of overpaid, selfish cry babies that don't know how to share the ball. Everyone talks about them missing shots. Well, moving the ball around creates better shots. My grandmother could guard an NBA player if all he does is hold the ball and dribble for 24 seconds (or whatever the international shot-clock is). It's called practicing, listening to the coach, getting to know your teammates and sharing the ball. You know these guys were clowning around in practice and whatnot. It doesn't matter who was on the court for the US. They have the most dominate roster in the Olympics....make it work. If Larry Brown can coach the Detroit Pistons (with no clear-cut superstar) past the L.A. Lakers a few months earlier...then his coaching isn't the problem. It's having all the ball-hogs on one team...that's what hurt them. But then again....they play with no passion during the NBA season...so what's new.

You are right brother Therious...and I'll also say this: Usually when a team loses, the coach is blamed 1st. Yet in this case all the blame is directed at the players...why is that? Is it because the coach was white, and all the players black?

further than that. not that they r just black, but they're those rebellious blk types. who the mdia espn, fox, cnn ect loves 2 hate. like AI,who was the best player next to duncan. mellow, lebron ect. there was on instance when james got in a nice dunk and celebrated.

brown pulled him out the game, now this is clearly generational. as a 27 yr old man i c no prob w/ celebrating after u score. i would say race did play into it, larry brown could have been a lot less stubborn and just let the guys play! i mean if it had of been paul silus, or phil jackson, dock rivers hell even don nelson would have been better a players coach is needed in all star situations

all dat said, they still had a chance 2 win, the key game was argentina. they could have won, they even played hard. they just ddnt take it to that next level.