10 reasons Team USA won't win the gold

[ABDENOUR POWER]

Can somebody with ESPN insider please post this article?

[spurschick]

SAPPORO, Japan -- Here we are on the eve of Day 1 of the World Championship, and my heart tells me to go ahead and pick Team USA to win the gold. The U.S. players have developed a great camaraderie, they finally have a head coach who knows which buttons to push, and their confidence is not compromised by any misplaced cockiness.

The problem, however, resides a few inches south of my heart.

Down there, in my gut, I can't bring myself to pick them. Not when my gut keeps telling me to listen to my brain, and not when my brain keeps seizing upon what I perceive to be their shortcomings -- size and shooting, to name two -- and flashing back to images from 2002 in Indianapolis and 2004 in Athens, and even from competitions that preceded those two debacles.

I look at a roster headlined by tri-captains Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, I rehash everything I've heard them say about making good after their third-place showing in Athens, and I'm tempted to buy into the rah-rah dynamic, dub these guys The Redeem Team and tell y'all how great they're going to do down south in Saitama when the medal round comes along.

But I just can't do it.

Here are 10 reasons why:


1. The experience factor. Most of the better teams in this tournament have been playing together for years and years, not just a few weeks. The players from Argentina have been together since they were on their national junior squad, giving them almost a decade of tournament experience together. The international game is more of a team game than the NBA game, and nothing builds a team quite like growing up together as a unit. Team USA can't compete in this category.

2. The 3-point factor. The international 3-point line is nearly three feet closer to the basket than the NBA line, putting a huge premium on the outside shot. This U.S. team has more shooters than the 2004 Athens team, but there's still no Ray Allen or Michael Redd. And if Joe Johnson pulls a Richard Jefferson and suddenly can't hit the broad side of a barn, trouble lurks.

3. The officiating factor. Squirreled away in a tiny hotel room somewhere here is a referee who can't wait to see LeBron James alone on a breakaway -- not to see him dunk, mind you, but to whistle him for traveling. FIBA referees seem to take a perverse pleasure in seeing the U.S. lose, and if you don't believe me, go ask Tim "FIBA Sucks" Duncan.

4. The familiarity factor. Everyone around the world watches NBA basketball, but try to find a single U.S. player who watches Euroleague games. The opponents know the Americans' tendencies inside and out, but most of the international players are mysteries to Team USA.

5. The physicality factor. FIBA referees will call hand-checking fouls like they're going out of style, but they'll let players get away with armed combat underneath the basket without calling a foul. That doesn't bode well for skinny Chris Bosh, and it'll be an eye-opener for young Dwight Howard.

6. The overconfidence factor. The U.S. will cruise through the opening round, but the quality of the opponents it will see in the single-elimination medal round will be a whole different matter. If Team USA's confidence gets artificially high after the first week, it won't enter the medal round with the healthy respect for its opponents that it needs.

7. The rock-hard, slippery ball factor. The U.S. team been practicing since day one with the slightly smaller Molten ball used in FIBA tournaments, but those balls are broken in. It'll be a different story down the road when some tournament lackey breaks out a brand-new ball for a U.S. game. Happens every time.

8. The food factor. If you don't like Japanese food, you can subsist over here on American fast food. But try eating that stuff for three weeks, and watch your energy level plummet in inverse proportion to your climbing cholesterol count.

9. The smell factor. This is a little disgusting, but it's true: Some of these teams stink, literally. Players on international teams travel to and from the arenas in their uniforms, and many players forsake showers as a result. I got a really close look at Argentina during the Worlds in Indianapolis, and I do not believe Fabricio Oberto, Luis Scola or Andres Nocioni bathed during the entire tournament. BO may be repulsive, but it also keeps defenders a few extra inches away.

10. The fear factor. International teams are no longer afraid of U.S. teams, and since they always go into games against Team USA as underdogs, they play with a looseness that often works in their favor.

We didn't even list the fatigue factor, and that'll be a big deal too. It always is.

I've been covering U.S. national teams since the 1996 Olympics, each tournament leaving a snapshot in my mind not of dominance, but of deterioration. Team USA always shows up with the most talent, but always leaves looking the most exhausted.

In Atlanta 10 years ago, Karl Malone was at the airport and on a plane back home just a couple of hours after the U.S. team used a strong surge at the start of the second half to break open a close game and defeat Yugoslavia for the gold. The bombing in Olympic Park, the substandard accommodations at the Omni Hotel and the unyielding heat and humidity had drained all the enthusiasm out of Team USA, and Malone's determination to put it all behind him as quickly as possible ended up being a precursor for what I'd see from U.S. national teams over the next decade. It was always the same in the end: Exhaustion sapped their spirit, and when all was said and done, the U.S. players just wanted to go home.

Four years ago in Indianapolis, the limousines were lined up outside the Westin Hotel on what we journalists were calling "The Darkest Night." It was the Saturday before the gold medal game between Argentina and Yugoslavia, and Team USA had just been thumped by Spain in the fifth-place game to finish 6-3 in the tournament.

Most of the U.S. players dashed back to their rooms, hastily packed their bags and jumped into their limos for the drive to Chicago and flights to points beyond. The coaching staff and officials from USA Basketball convened in the hotel bar late that evening and tried to find a bright side, reasoning that the sixth-place finish might somehow be good for USA Basketball because there would never again be a fear among players of being on the first U.S. team of the Dream Team era to lose.

Team USA came back the next year with a loaded team that romped through the Tournament of the Americas qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico, putting a thorough beating on Argentina in the gold medal game. But a year later, with apathy and terrorism fears peaking, more than two-thirds of that team had jumped ship heading into the Athens Olympics.

It was there that we saw the beginning of Larry Brown's fall from grace. His stubborn refusal to play James, Wade and Anthony contributed to Team USA's putrid performance in the opening round when it lost to Puerto Rico and Lithuania and had trouble defeating the host country, Greece. The U.S. then moved on to the medal round and was back-picked and backdoored to death by Argentina in the semifinals.

I still remember it like it was yesterday -- the USA defeated Lithuania for the bronze, and then I sat in the press tribune and watched the medal ceremony after Argentina defeated Italy for the gold. U.S. forward Richard Jefferson stood farthest to the right on the medal podium, his eyes repeatedly shifting to his right as he stole a glance at the gold medals draped around the necks of Ginobili, Pepe Sanchez, Ruben Wolkowyski and the rest of the Argentines, whose flag-waving, shirt-throwing celebration seemed to last almost an hour after the gold medal game ended.

I still recall how mystifying and absurd it was to be gazing down on Allen Iverson wearing a flowery wreath on his head (don't ask me why the IOC makes athletes wear those things; I wish I knew the answer) and a bronze medal around his neck. I have never seen any player looking as uncomfortable as he did at that moment.

Some might say all that history should mean nothing, but I can't buy into that argument. To me, it means a lot. The cycle keeps repeating, and I believe it could repeat itself three Sundays from now.


AP Photo/Wong Maye-E
Spain, featuring Grizzlies star Pau Gasol, enters the tourney on a roll.
I expect the U.S. team to roar through the opening round, tested by no one other than Slovenia, and I expect complacency to set in prior to its Round of 16 single-elimination game on Sunday, Aug. 27. Team USA will win that one in a game that ends up being closer than it should have been, and will be so awakened and rejuvenated for the quarterfinal match that it will be considered a shoo-in for the gold.

But then the semifinals will arrive, and Team USA will run into that Basque-etball buzzsaw, Spain.

That's the one I'm picking Team USA to lose, and I see Pau Gasol's team going on to defeat Argentina in the gold medal game.

Team USA will win third place over Greece, and Wade, Anthony and James will have another bronze entry for their sock drawers.

In two years, maybe I'll be ready to pick them to win the gold medal in Beijing. For now, I believe España es Número Uno, y Argentina es Número Dos.

We'll eventually see a true Redeem Team in 2008, but for now, in my opinion, Team USA is working its way up the learning curve. As an American, I hope I'm wrong. But as a seasoned and trained objective observer, that's the way I see this thing unfolding.

We'll know by Labor Day whether I am right

[ABDENOUR POWER]

Thanks. :)

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

A load of dookie. USA gonna win it all! :)

[KFRebel]

Yeah, yeah. With the 2003 draft class, Howard and Elton Brand alone, USA can win on any ground. But Spain would be dangerous.

[DarkReign]

Goddess, hear my parayer.

hehe..

[Fillmoe]

Yeah, yeah. With the 2003 draft class, Howard and Elton Brand alone, USA can win on any ground. But Spain would be dangerous.


best troll ever

[NorCal510]

fuk dat beezy he dont kno shit usa gonna win it all

[Slinkyman]

I don't trust Coach K as Team USA's coach unless ACC refs are going to officiate to WCs, Duke gets more calls on the road then most teams do at home. Hopefully coach can figure out a way to cheat here too.

[ponky]

*Team* USA wasn't that impressive tonight. It was a good game against Puerto Rico but they had 34 calls to PR's 18 and most of these were in the second half where they were able to widen the gap. ESPN is so stupid with the scoring, they messed up several times throughout the game and the commentating sucked as usual with ESPN.

Dang FIBA WC site can't handle the load now that the play has begun.

[mavsfan1000]

USA will win the gold. Wade, Lebron, Joe Johnson, and Battier are why they will. This team has a good mix of players. Especially on the offensive end. The only way to beat USA is not to turn the ball over because once they do it is a highlight reel on the other side.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

9. The smell factor. This is a little disgusting, but it's true: Some of these teams stink, literally. Players on international teams travel to and from the arenas in their uniforms, and many players forsake showers as a result. I got a really close look at Argentina during the Worlds in Indianapolis, and I do not believe Fabricio Oberto, Luis Scola or Andres Nocioni bathed during the entire tournament. BO may be repulsive, but it also keeps defenders a few extra inches away.

:lmao is this serious?? :lmao well... I guess in international competition an advantage is an advantage no matter how you can get it huh? :lmao too funny

[ponky]

USA will win the gold. Wade, Lebron, Joe Johnson, and Battier are why they will. This team has a good mix of players. Especially on the offensive end. The only way to beat USA is not to turn the ball over because once they do it is a highlight reel on the other side.

Too much offense...other than steals, their defense sucked tonight. This won't work for them when they play the tougher teams. Puerto Rico made their shots, many of them wide open, USA got their fouls in the second half to double up and they got steals but other than that, Puerto Rico played well until the refs started giving all the calls to USA in the second half. Big names don't equal success all the time and while part of Sheridan's *ten reasons* was laughable, there were some truths in a lot of it...experience with team play, exhaustion as two big examples. I think this new three year commitment plan will work in favor of Team USA, but not yet.

[sabar]

Still think they need more team work or they won't make it. I mean when you run the ball up the court and straight through the defense to the bucket, only to miss, I don't know how much more run and gun it gets. They have settled for some pretty poor shots and travel calls will hurt.

They have enough talent and knowing of FIBA to win it even with mistakes though. The only defense is the totally disproportionate steals and TOs. Some blocks and some blatent goaltending.

They're on the fence at this point, they can win or lose easily. Get some more D. Learn something that isn't called the full court press. Stop lobbing up 3s with bad looks. This team will be better in 2-3 years and then I think it'll be as close to the dream team as we have been.

[sickdsm]

That was an Insider? I read that on my mobile internet on my phone last night, WTF? Its not the same as the reg. ESPN site but its also not their mobile ESPN service they tout

[ALVAREZ6]

That guy is fucking retarded. He's already doubting his super-stacked team. What a fucking pussy.


2. The 3-point factor.
The 3-point factor should help USA because almost the whole team can hit outside jumpers, so I don't know what the fuck he's talknig about on that one.


8. The food factor.
Right, because the USA players are the only ones that don't eat their food. And I doubt that you have to walk far before stubbling into a McDonald's.



9. The smell factor.

10. The fear factor.
:rolleyes

[LaMarcus Bryant]

LeBron James is a fucking narc ass liability with his (lack of) dribbling skills.

I think overconfidence is the one thing to watch out for--this team has a really good shot at winning. We have it all, just a fucking idiot move to not use FIBA refs in all those exhibitions we've been playing.

[mavs>spurs2]

If the US team can't win with all the talent available then the coach is to blame. With the exception of experience, they are miles ahead of the competition in every category.

[mavsfan1000]

LeBron James is a fucking narc ass liability with his (lack of) dribbling skills.

you're an idiot

[polandprzem]

spain all the way - book it!

[CharlieMac]

Coach K isn't running that show. That's why we'll lose.

The BO tactic is pretty smart though.

[cheguevara]

the smell factor?

who wrote this trash?

[mavsfan1000]

spain all the way - book it!
Fiction can be fun. No way USA loses this year. This team is put together much better than the team 2 years ago. It's not even close.

[sickdsm]

Still no 3pt threat.......

[MaNuMaNiAc]

Fiction can be fun. No way USA loses this year. This team is put together much better than the team 2 years ago. It's not even close.
no way? give me a break! they are the favorites, but to say no way is the same mistake they did in 2002 buddy. On second thought, keep thinking that way...

[mavsfan1000]

no way? give me a break! they are the favorites, but to say no way is the same mistake they did in 2002 buddy. On second thought, keep thinking that way...
Yeah I guess there is a minute chance but it is very unlikely considering how USA has played so far. The only bad game was against Brazil and they are a pretty good team with fast guards.

[cheguevara]

Yeah I guess there is a minute chance but it is very unlikely considering how USA has played so far. The only bad game was against Brazil and they are a pretty good team with fast guards.

hahaha Brazil cannot even be compared w/the great teams argentina, spain and they are even worse than italy, greece.... in other words, brazil is a weaker team than them by far, far, far and still USA struggled with them... so i would not be so overconfident if I was u

[KFRebel]

best troll ever

Troll for being what? Never attacked anyone on this board, but you did which makes you a :troll.

You seem to be familiar. You post on KingsFans.com and Sackings.com. Don't want to fuck with you since we support the same team.



P.S. Say hi to VF21 for me.

[Kori Ellis]

Chris Broussard, ESPN Insider

No more excuses
posted: Friday, August 18, 2006

With all due respect to my man Chris Sheridan, I've got one thing to say about the upcoming World Championship:

We better win!

Chris made some great points in his column about why we won't win, but I don't want to hear them. I don't want to hear them because basketball is basketball, and if we've got the best basketball players in the world -- like we and everybody else say we do -- then we should win.

Period.

Enough about the opponents not fearing us anymore; enough about other teams playing together since they were 13 years old (last I checked Manu's been in SA for the past four years, not in Argentina playing with Pepe Sanchez, so save it); enough about us not taking these games seriously; enough about mismatched rosters.

And enough about the zone defense (in international play, a standard zone is allowed whereas in the NBA, it isn't because of the three-second defensive rule). Yes, I'd love to see the rules standardized around the world, but enough already.

I'm sick of all the excuses.

Breaking a zone is not that hard. People talk about it now like it's rocket science. Here's how you do it:

Just move the ball around with quick, crisp passing (no dribbling) to get the zone moving and soon holes big enough for Butterbean to saunter through will open up for cutters or penetration.

Penetrate the gaps for mid-range Js; penetrate gaps and kick it outside for longer jumpers; penetrate gaps, draw defenders from the back of the zone, and dish it to our big men for dunks and layups; or beat the zone down the floor by running.

It's as simple as that. Now tell me, what international defender can stop Dwyane Wade from penetrating the gaps? Plus, it's easier to grab offensive rebounds against a zone, so even when we miss, we should be dominating the glass.

Of course, asking guys not to dribble is like asking them not to wear $100 kicks. Gotta' show off that handle, right? (That's part of our problem).

No more excuses.

If we don't win this World Championship, then let's just take our medicine like men. Let's give the team that beats us its props, admit that our big men are soft, admit that our stars aren't as good as they think, admit that our coaches have been getting out-coached by their foreign counterparts, admit that our beloved NBA has become 30 one- or two-man teams, and go back to the drawing board.


I mean the big drawing board. The one that includes how we teach the game from elementary school on up. The one that includes the hype machine I talked about in my "Busting a 12-year-old" article. The one that includes the silly NCAA limits on the amount of time a player can be coached. The one that has the NBA marketing individuals over teams.

It all has to be revamped if we don't win this World Championship. I loved David Stern's comments in the Aug. 7 issue of The New York Times. He talked about building a basketball academy for youngsters.

If we don't win this thing, I say open Stern's academy the day after the Worlds end.

[Phenomanul]

^^^ Good counterpoint

[FrostKing]

https://i.ibb.co/PDM73Wr/Screenshot-20230908-075003-Chrome.png


https://i.ibb.co/QbQJ7h2/Screenshot-20230908-193251-Discord.png

[TD 21]

:lmao As usual, no context given so that golden boy can continue to be mythologized to no end.

They couldn't have possibly won those 2 because they had much better teams.

Now the stage is set for him (yet to play in the Olympics) to join a group of A listers next year, win the gold and receive all of the credit.

[horseshue]

:lol

[Thread]

Good. Anything to thwart media.

[Tyronn Lue]

Sounds like sour grapes, but the US stopped caring about international basketball when it started recruiting international players into the NBA. The best NBA players are international players. It's a bit antiquated to say the US has the best players, they just don't play. Many don't play because they don't want to lose on a world stage.

[Pero]

I think the US still had the most talented team overall. Probably the biggest problem with the US is that they change most of their team every year and then I don't know if they even train long enough together. It's hard to win that way (especially when it's elimination style) against teams who mostly play the same players, at least if the talent difference isn't too big.

[Pero]

Many don't play because they don't want to lose on a world stage.
The problem is that for US players there's not much benefit in playing because of the, perhaps unrealistic, expectations. If they win gold, nobody really cares because that's what was already expected. If they don't win gold though it's basically an embarassment. For other countries any medal is awesome, making top 8 can be great, heck for some even managing to win a game can be nice.

[DAF86]

US sports really need to stop calling their champions "World Champions". Not because they aren't the best, but because it is so self-centered and douchebaggy. The UEFA Champions League winners would probably win the World Cup too, but they don't call themselves "World Champions".

[ambchang]

:lol todays nba.
We will small ball and out quick everyone. We can’t guard anyone so we will just outscored them. We can shoot threes.
Reality is that this style was purely rule driven. Change the rules that allows perimeter defence and nothing would work.

[Tyronn Lue]

The problem is that for US players there's not much benefit in playing because of the, perhaps unrealistic, expectations. If they win gold, nobody really cares because that's what was already expected. If they don't win gold though it's basically an embarassment. For other countries any medal is awesome, making top 8 can be great, heck for some even managing to win a game can be nice.
All true, plus the risk of injury and losing money.

[Tyronn Lue]

US sports really need to stop calling their champions "World Champions". Not because they aren't the best, but because it is so self-centered and douchebaggy. The UEFA Champions League winners would probably win the World Cup too, but they don't call themselves "World Champions".
Hey, the best in the US and Canada. :lol

[Thread]

:lol todays nba.
We will small ball and out quick everyone. We can’t guard anyone so we will just outscored them. We can shoot threes.
Reality is that this style was purely rule driven. Change the rules that allows perimeter defence and nothing would work.

amb

[Thread]

Sounds like sour grapes, but the US stopped caring about international basketball when it started recruiting international players into the NBA. The best NBA players are international players. It's a bit antiquated to say the US has the best players, they just don't play. Many don't play because they don't want to lose on a world stage.

Ya stoolie, you.

[lefty]

:lol todays nba.
We will small ball and out quick everyone. We can’t guard anyone so we will just outscored them. We can shoot threes.
Reality is that this style was purely rule driven. Change the rules that allows perimeter defence and nothing would work.

The same way rules favored big men back in the good old days :lol

The NBA has always been unbalanced

[ambchang]

The same way rules favored big men back in the good old days :lol

The NBA has always been unbalanced

The sport favours big men. The rules are changed to disallow any type of perimeter defence in :lol todays nba. The rules never allowed hacking on the perimeter but no touch fouls in the paint.

[Thread]

The sport favours big men. The rules are changed to disallow any type of perimeter defence in :lol todays nba. The rules never allowed hacking on the perimeter but no touch fouls in the paint.

Again,,,

amb

[FrostKing]

Lost the Bronze medal match to Canada? Brutal.

[Thread]

Lost the Bronze medal match to Canada? Brutal.

Let 'em crawl back...

- "Oh. Oh, it wasn't fair. Oh, they called us the (N) word. Oh, they were White. Oh, that ain't right. Oh."

[lefty]

The sport favours big men. The rules are changed to disallow any type of perimeter defence in :lol todays nba. The rules never allowed hacking on the perimeter but no touch fouls in the paint.

wrong

big men are being hacked regularly, no calls

just ask Jokic

[GAustex]

Jokic does get hacked but then he puts that sweaty Serbian armpit in the defenders face as he busts all in their face

[ambchang]

wrong

big men are being hacked regularly, no calls

just ask Jokic

That’s the point.

[lefty]

Jokic does get hacked but then he puts that sweaty Serbian armpit in the defenders face as he busts all in their face
GOAT sweat tbh

[lefty]

That’s the point.
Exactly

[ambchang]

Exactly
Glad you agree :lol todays nba perimeter players are benefitting from rule changes. Or more precisely, different enforcement of rules.

[FrostKing]

Should Team USA let the stars join for the Olympics or let this current (less talented) core grow?

[Tyronn Lue]

Should Team USA let the stars join for the Olympics or let this current (less talented) core grow?
"Let"? You couldn't drag some of them there with a tractor.

[FrostKing]

"Let"? You couldn't drag some of them there with a tractor.
Team USA Bball is rare National Team in sports one can show up at the Olympic games skipping most qualifying.

Rare in other sports

[Thread]

Should Team USA let the stars join for the Olympics or let this current (less talented) core grow?

With Putin & Biden asses & elbows...the former.

[Thread]

Team USA Bball is rare National Team in sports one can show up at the Olympic games skipping most qualifying.

Rare in other sports

It's a sweetheart deal, Frosty, *1972 withstanding, tee, hee.

*denotes Russia striking Gold.

[benefactor]

https://sports.yahoo.com/who-should-represent-usa-basketball-at-the-paris-olympics-heres-a-suggestion-160132205.html

Lol at mentioning Zion, but imagine thinking any international squad would have a snowballs chance against Curry/Tatum/Booker/James/Bam. Then you have guys from the current team mixed with other players like Jimmy Butler, Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis playing as reserves.

They talk all these players into playing then the rest of the world has no chance. They will still be decent games, but they will never be in question

[TD 21]

National media needs to stop pretending James, Durant and Curry solve the biggest issue, are in their prime or that the current version of them and other veterans will be exactly the same next off season.

If this were a series, they'd be locks for gold. In a one and done, 40 minute game against players more familiar with international rules/officiating and continuity, they're obviously still favorites, but this isn't '92-'00 or '08-'16.

[Thread]

https://sports.yahoo.com/who-should-represent-usa-basketball-at-the-paris-olympics-heres-a-suggestion-160132205.html

Lol at mentioning Zion, but imagine thinking any international squad would have a snowballs chance against Curry/Tatum/Booker/James/Bam. Then you have guys from the current team mixed with other players like Jimmy Butler, Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis playing as reserves.

They talk all these players into playing then the rest of the world has no chance. They will still be decent games, but they will never be in question

True, but America ain't a good loser and won't stand that gaffe for long. ADDENDUM:::They try, they honestly try and play it fair & square, get their ass handed to 'em and the folks back home start wandering the streets and wringing their hands. Tempers flare, a team is formed, raw meat is provided, the choker chains are released and the slaughter ensues. Then? Well, then you have the backlash..."We're sorry, we won't do that again, ever. We'll send the kids instead of the HOF'ers. We promise." And the cycle is repeated again & again.

[ambchang]

True, but America ain't a good loser and won't stand that gaffe for long. ADDENDUM:::They try, they honestly try and play it fair & square, get their ass handed to 'em and the folks back home start wandering the streets and wringing their hands. Tempers flare, a team is formed, raw meat is provided, the choker chains are released and the slaughter ensues. Then? Well, then you have the backlash..."We're sorry, we won't do that again, ever. We'll send the kids instead of the HOF'ers. We promise." And the cycle is repeated again & again.

Ahhh ... I am surprised you care about the world championships. That was seriously a B team, at best, likely a C or even D team. There are at least two or three teams that are better and none of the players on team USA would make those teams.

[MultiTroll]

Is the sole purpose of Team USA to be to qualify so a future completely different team of NBA stars will go the World Commercialism Games aka Olympics?

[Thread]

Ahhh ... I am surprised you care about the world championships. That was seriously a B team, at best, likely a C or even D team. There are at least two or three teams that are better and none of the players on team USA would make those teams.

I don't care about any exhibitions. I'm just observing the ebb and flow of the NBA participation in order to quell what they perceive as defeat & humiliation.

This all started in the '72 Olympics when Russia busted our hole there late. That was it; "Send the NBA. Send the Troops. Send an Atom bomb, maybe two like in Japan. Do something. Oh, God!"

Like I said we don't take losing well, on any platform; political, sports, even playing musical chairs in the school house.

[ambchang]

I don't care about any exhibitions. I'm just observing the ebb and flow of the NBA participation in order to quell what they perceive as defeat & humiliation.

This all started in the '72 Olympics when Russia busted our hole there late. That was it; "Send the NBA. Send the Troops. Send an Atom bomb, maybe two like in Japan. Do something. Oh, God!"

Like I said we don't take losing well, on any platform; political, sports, even playing musical chairs in the school house.

72 was hilarious. After 50 years the US of A is trying to blame all other factors. They replayed the ending until the soviets win! Which is why I’m surprised you don’t love the suns, they are the quintessential US team. They blame everyone else.

[Thread]

72 was hilarious. After 50 years the US of A is trying to blame all other factors. They replayed the ending until the soviets win! Which is why I’m surprised you don’t love the suns, they are the quintessential US team. They blame everyone else.

There you go again trying to start a fight because you can't sustain a friendship, amb.

[ambchang]

There you go again trying to start a fight because you can't sustain a friendship, amb.

No intention of it. The US did try to blame everything but themselves for 72. The soviets won the game. Let it go.

The suns are still bitching about every single game they lost. Match made in heaven.

[Thread]

No intention of it. The US did try to blame everything but themselves for 72. The soviets won the game. Let it go.

The suns are still bitching about every single game they lost. Match made in heaven.

Some of the Silver Medals are still in a vault somewhere in Switzerland. The guys (I remember Tom McMillen for one) wouldn't accept 'em.

[spurraider21]

lebron is arguably the best player to ever pick up a basketball (almost unanimously top 2) and the guy hasnt played internationally in over a decade. its pretty fair to say the US doesnt have their best talent out there. durant alone basically carried the US to the gold last time. but there was no lebron, no curry. it was durant and tatum carrying.

but even with all the "these great players just dont care enough to play" excuses, the US simply doesnt have the centers to compete with the international guys. you look at, say, the top rebounders in the nba, and its sabonis, giannis, jokic, gobert, vucevic, capela, valanciunas, embiid, then finally julian randle, and he's not a center. you have to get to... ayton and jarrett allen, and thats a depressing picture

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lebron is arguably the best player to ever pick up a basketball

I don't see it whatsoever. Never have. He's never survived and delivered under a gun.

[MultiTroll]

I don't see it whatsoever. Never have. He's never survived and delivered under a gun.
FFS where do you rate Lebrons take down of the Golden Phaggots in 2016?

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FFS where do you rate Lebrons take down of the Golden Phaggots in 2016?

An arrangement out of New York.

[MultiTroll]

An arrangement out of New York.
A game, no not a game but a series, no not a series but a Finals series rigged to defeat the Golden Phaggots 2015 - present? :lmao:rollin

Dale you've gone bonkers.

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A game, no not a game but a series, no not a series but a Finals series rigged to defeat the Golden Phaggots 2015 - present? :rollin

Dale you've gone bonkers.

:lmao

[ambchang]

Some of the Silver Medals are still in a vault somewhere in Switzerland. The guys (I remember Tom McMillen for one) wouldn't accept 'em.

No shame in silver. I’d want one.