Olympic men's basketball ***spoiler*****

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by rcyannacci
This link was posted this morning. Interesting article about the lack of support for the US team.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=whitlock/040826#

I saw that, it's a very good article...

I agree with it, like the players or not..why cheer against your country...

 

[wvrevy]

Originally posted by MICKEY88
I saw that, it's a very good article...

I agree with it, like the players or not..why cheer against your country...

Why ? Because a loss now is MUCH better for USA Basketball in the long run. These players are the epitome of the selfish, me-first style of game that has come to dominate - and nearly ruin - the NBA. The selection process was nothing more than picking an "All Star" team in order to sell some jerseys.

USA Basketball used to be great because they played as a TEAM, and I doubt many of these guys could even define the word. They lost because they couldn't play as a single unit....Too worried about their own individual stats, I guess. It's got nothing to do with race, despite that author's repeated attempts to make it appear that way.

I'm sorry, but Allen Iverson would be a punk, cornrows and tatoos or no. When a player puts himself above his teammates and tries to make it about HIM, that's a player I don't want on any team representing me.

 

[TennVolTony]

What a bunch of clowns.........Did anybody really think they would win gold?? I hope they loose the bronze too. It will serve them right.

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by wvrevy
Why ? Because a loss now is MUCH better for USA Basketball in the long run. These players are the epitome of the selfish, me-first style of game that has come to dominate - and nearly ruin - the NBA. The selection process was nothing more than picking an "All Star" team in order to sell some jerseys.

USA Basketball used to be great because they played as a TEAM, and I doubt many of these guys could even define the word. They lost because they couldn't play as a single unit....Too worried about their own individual stats, I guess. It's got nothing to do with race, despite that author's repeated attempts to make it appear that way.

I'm sorry, but Allen Iverson would be a punk, cornrows and tatoos or no. When a player puts himself above his teammates and tries to make it about HIM, that's a player I don't want on any team representing me.

the problem is the players who refused to represent us, not the players who accepted at the last minute, this wasn't a well put together team, it's unfair to blame them ,,this team was the equivalent of picking all defensive football players for an allstar team, and expecting them to be able to score....

 

[Bob Slydell]

Originally posted by wvrevy
Why ? Because a loss now is MUCH better for USA Basketball in the long run. These players are the epitome of the selfish, me-first style of game that has come to dominate - and nearly ruin - the NBA. The selection process was nothing more than picking an "All Star" team in order to sell some jerseys.

You really think this will change anything?? All it might do is pressure the higher level NBA players (Garnett, Shaq, etc.) into playing in the next Olympics (you know, to "show those foreigners how to really play the game" )

The NBA's not going to change their style either -- the NBA marketing department would never let it happen. It's easier for them to hype a Shaq vs. Kobe matchup than a Pistons vs. Kings game.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

the problem is the players who refused to represent us, not the players who accepted at the last minute,

perhaps. But I'd be willing to bet there was a huge long list of top level college level amateurs who would have jumped at the chance to try out for this team. And more than a couple of them probably know how to pass around a zone defense. They might have even found one or two who could hit a jump shot from the 3 point range.

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by Toby'sFriend
perhaps. But I'd be willing to bet there was a huge long list of top level college level amateurs who would have jumped at the chance to try out for this team. And more than a couple of them probably know how to pass around a zone defense. They might have even found one or two who could hit a jump shot from the 3 point range.

I would much rather see college players have the chance, but the olympic committee has chosen to send pros, blame them, not the players who accepted the challenge

 

[rcyannacci]

Blame the system, not the individual players. Thier actions, which may appear to be selfish, come from having to negotiate a system that chews them up and spits them out like a machine.

These guys are taught to be pros in high school. It's easy to romanticize amateur sports, but most college players have to work within the same system without the financial benefit. Those sports camps that Nike sponsors? They don't do it out of a good place in their hearts- they make major money from these players. So do the universities. I've worked with a number of college athletes, and they are always attending events for the "money" people. Yet, they aren't suppose to be interested in money themselves?

That article made a good point about money- Carley Patterson and Michael Phelps are going to get thier share, for sure, and you know that it's something that they've planned for. Yet, somehow we get to ignore that and pretend that it's all about the Olympic spirit. If people are going to make the argument that money taints, then a lot more athletes should lose thier luster.

 

[Phrebert]

I knew even before they played that it was going to be a loss. I had predicted no medal for them.

 

[Viking]

Just a short question: What's 'cornrows'? Is it the braided hair some of them (And even a German participant in the pole vault) are wearing?

 

[rcyannacci]

Yes, cornrows are tight braids that lie close to your scalp.

 

[Viking]

Thanks
The Boards are really great to improve my vocabulary

 

[luvmk]

I'm sorry they lost. I will always root for the USA in the olympics. I think it's too bad that they chose to use Iverson as the "face" of the team. Many people do perceive him as selfish, but I don't know that I would characterize the entire team that way. I have never thought of Duncan, Marbury or Jeffereson to be selfish players. Of course, they make high salaries, but I'm referring to style of play on the floor. I also don't think that this team was going to make people run out to buy more jerseys, etc. I guess I don't see a big run on Lamar Odom or Shawn Marion jerseys.

In their attempt to put together a high profile team, they ended up with three rookies and one draft pick. Unfortunately, many of them have the same style of play. Most of them drive the basket and make their points inside the paint. With the three point line being closer in the olympics than in the NBA, it's too bad we didn't have some pure shooters on the team. I like Lebron and Carmello, but I don't know that they were the best choice. I would rather someone be left off the roster and an invitation extended to Ron Artest. While he's not a scoring machine, he was the defensive player of the year. I would say attitude kept him off the team, but Iverson made it. I hope in the future we can truly take our best team. If not, it would be nice to see the college guys get a chance to represent our country.


Rachel