Bruce's summer…Is Being On This Roster Wise?

[nbascribe]

http://usabasketball.com/seniormen/2006/06_mwc_roster.html

Even though this is an honor, looking at the number of games that Bruce and others have played this season, shouldn't these guys take a rest and let their bodies heal?

What if the Spurs went really deep in the playoffs this year? Wouldn't the extra games hurt Bruce and others when the new NBA season starts?

Also since USA Basketball plays under FIBA rules, why is this roster so NBA laden? They'd be better off getting American players who played overseas and maybe put a sprinkling of NBA players on this roster.

Thoughts…

[JoeChalupa]

It is a great honor for Bruce. I'm glad he's going to play.

[ShoogarBear]

I still doubt that Bruce will make the final cut, and even if he does I don't see him playing more than 10 min/game.

[Jimcs50]

Bruce never tires, he plays every game every year....he is an iron man

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

What if the Spurs went really deep in the playoffs this year?

I don't know if you noticed or not, but they didn't. So what's the big deal?

[nbascribe]

The big deal is that NBA players play on average about 100 games a year minimum if you're in the playoffs. FIBA players don't play nowhere near that amount of games in their regular season.

It's just really odd how we have talented ball players overseas and USA basketball continues to use guys who put out so much energy to play four pre-season games, 82 regular season games and then upwards of 30 games and then USA basketball? the human body can only take so much.

[exstatic]

The big deal is that NBA players play on average about 100 games a year minimum if you're in the playoffs.
Tell it to the Grizz: 86 games and out. Even our two round, extended series nightmare only took us to 95 games. I don't think NBA players in the playoffs play a "minimum" of 100 games.

[nbascribe]

Tell it to the Grizz: 86 games and out. Even our two round, extended series nightmare only took us to 95 games. I don't think NBA players in the playoffs play a "minimum" of 100 games.

And if you add in the pre-season games, that's between 90-100. My point is that NBA fans complain about how their favorite players are always hurt but then look at the commitments that they must do.

The Spurs are unique in that they have Bowen, Manu, Tony, Rasho and Beno with 'country' obligations. These extra games will begin to wreck havoc on your body sooner or later. Bruce ain't no spring chicken anymore and I'm nto quite sure how the league's insurance and CBA covers him and other players in games like this. Unless the NBA sanctions these games for the coverage, teams like the Spurs could be taking a big time risk.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

And if you add in the pre-season games, that's between 90-100. My point is that NBA fans complain about how their favorite players are always hurt but then look at the commitments that they must do.

Which is why Pop sits them out of pre-season games and limits their minutes early in the year. Big deal.

[ChumpDumper]

I'd be more worried about Manu and Parker (or Beno and Rasho, if I thought it mattered) than Bruce.

[SsKSpurs21]

this thread title had me worried. i thought Bruce was questioning the team and was demanding a trade or something lol.
as much as i would love to have bruce rest up, this is an unbelieveable honor which i doubt he will pass up. usually only the superstar players are invited to play for team USA. now everyone has a legit shot. its a great opportunity.

[Spurologist]

USA basketball is built to dominate. Hiring skefkefki to coach and getting ColanJello is all part of it. Anything less than second would be an utter failure. Kobe/James/Wade will dominate.

With that said, Bruce won't have any problems with fatigue and all that cup of bs. He knows how to handle himself. I hope he makes the team.

[nbascribe]

ologist.....

USA Basketball hasn't been able to dominate world competition since 1992...the orginal dream team.

NBA players don't know the rules of FIBA, haven't played that style of ball or even practiced it. Besides the fact that the talent level around the world is now coming up to par with the US skill set, this team is a LONG WAYS off from dominating anything.

Last time i checked, Argentina was one of the best squads running. I'm not going to even mention the fact that France is loading up with their own.

I've seen a couple of FIBA games in person in Germany this year and it's totally different than what we're used to seeing.

[Kori Ellis]

I still doubt that Bruce will make the final cut, and even if he does I don't see him playing more than 10 min/game.

I agree.

I'm hoping he will make it. He's by far the oldest under consideration (by 5 years). If he makes it, he probably will just play spot minutes.

[Dingle Barry]

How About We Fucking Instruct Our Players On These Super Difficult/ Double Secret Fiba Rules With Some Sort Of Graduate Level College Designed Solely For This Purpose

?

[Spurologist]

ologist.....

USA Basketball hasn't been able to dominate world competition since 1992...the orginal dream team.

NBA players don't know the rules of FIBA, haven't played that style of ball or even practiced it. Besides the fact that the talent level around the world is now coming up to par with the US skill set, this team is a LONG WAYS off from dominating anything.

Last time i checked, Argentina was one of the best squads running. I'm not going to even mention the fact that France is loading up with their own.

I've seen a couple of FIBA games in person in Germany this year and it's totally different than what we're used to seeing.

Nobody dominated like the dream team. Yes. No one ever will, but this current team of assembled players will. You can bank on that. Whatever is said about the world gaining ground on the U.S and them having upgraded talent is very true, but that mostly came from the past that the U.S players on that seem lacked talent, the right players, and most of all desire. This team will come in hungry because most some players will be coming off the failure of getting bronze in the olympics and wanting to succeed at the international level. LeBron and Wade have matured soo much that they have reached all world status. They knew the type of environment they are in now. Basketball is basketball. You add in the focus on defense and other star players like kobe and Arenas. This team is built for domination. The average margin of victory will be at least 10 pts.

[strangeweather]

Nobody dominated like the dream team. Yes. No one ever will, but this current team of assembled players will. You can bank on that. Whatever is said about the world gaining ground on the U.S and them having upgraded talent is very true, but that mostly came from the past that the U.S players on that seem lacked talent, the right players, and most of all desire. This team will come in hungry because most some players will be coming off the failure of getting bronze in the olympics and wanting to succeed at the international level. LeBron and Wade have matured soo much that they have reached all world status. They knew the type of environment they are in now. Basketball is basketball. You add in the focus on defense and other star players like kobe and Arenas. This team is built for domination. The average margin of victory will be at least 10 pts.

I hope you're right, but after the last several international competitions, I'll believe it when I see it.

[greens]

Bruce seemed very excited about it. He had an interview a few days ago when he talked about getting his rest right now before playing for the US Basketball team. That's the upside for him of not getting into the Finals...at least he will get plenty of rest right now...

I hope he makes the final list. He should. In my opinion, this defensive specialist is a star. What makes Kobe or any of the other high paying players so much better? Yes, their game points are way higher than Bruce...but their defense is nowhere near as good as his is...

[Russ]

I hate to say it, but I think Bruce is being taken advantage of by USA basketball. He's like the guy in a long race that they send out to set the pace for the other more talented runners. Then he falls out of the race altogether.

I suspect that they want these primia donnas to watch Bruce early on as he sets a tone -- to appreciate what it takes to play for team USA. Then, at the end, they'll probably cut him.

Sorry to be so cynical (and I have nothing concrete to base this on) -- but it's just my hunch.

[greens]

When is the final list going to come out? And how many games are going to be played? I don't really know much about this competition....

As a side note, I hope that all the guys (Kobe, Carmelo, etc) that Bruce had guarded in the past, see that he is a genuinly nice guy...and does not deserve all that ridiculous trash talk...and being called "dirty" and "sissy"...Everyone who plays on the same team as Bruce loves him and respects him...Hopefully, when Bruce plays on the same team as those "superstar" players...they can maybe form a nice relationship with him...lol...

Bruce is the oldest out of the bunch...just interesting observation...

[SequSpur]

Bruce is not a dream teamer.

[greens]

Bruce is not a dream teamer.

What is the exact definition of "a dream teamer"?

[ponky]

No it's not and I'm glad JHo opted out.

[greens]

No it's not and I'm glad JHo opted out.

Robert Horry?

[ponky]

Robert Horry?

Josh Howard