Italy v USA

[samikeyp]

Italy got hosed. That pressure defense consists of jamming the dribbler while everyone else holds and grabs. It's still Italy's fault that they lost, because they started admiring their work in the third quarter and got their asses handed to them. Doesn't change the fact that they didn't complain nearly as much as I think they had a right to.

This just takes me back to the point that the officiating has been woefully inconsistent. I saw bad touch fouls called against both teams and big time hacks not called on either team. But for people to indicate the US players were the only ones complaining is crazy.

[WalterBenitez]

Why ? Becouse they traveled a lot?

NBA's Superstar make more steps than a pedestrian my friend ... in FIBA you simple CAN'T.

FIBA's refs sucks as much as NBA's ones , but ... FIBA's ones dont use that Star treatment as a criteria.

[Kibic]

Why ? Becouse they traveled a lot?

No. Becouse Wade go for dunk, "bboingg" in rim without someone touch him and even get 2 FT. And Italian get his foul.

That was too much even for Wade. Man, he was realy embaresed. He was holding face in his hand.

[orhe]

great game by anthony!

[temujin]

Holding and grabbing is part of the game? What game are you talking about?

Anything is allowed as long as the Ref is letting you get away with it.
You wouldn't want to see Wade end up on the bench with fouls trouble will you?

I don't know what you mean by this. Italy didn't complain very much to the officials about the calls in my opinion.

Of course.

I don't have to know who their coach is to make that observation.

I actually do.
And I tell you that the complainers and whiners were left at home.
And those that back down in front of James, too..

[WalterBenitez]

Yeah okay. You hate the USA. Move the on.

[Obstructed_View]

You know USA dominated for so long, so what you expect? some people want to watch USA not getting a medal (I am filling the form after USA cut Bruce ); besides that I love to see NBA's Stars representing their country.

the only serious team USA defeated up to now is ITALY.

After Duncan and Iverson publicly declared their wish to represent their country and got absolutely skewered by virtually everyone for not winning the gold, and after this embarassing show by the US that, as Fran said, seemed offended that someone would dare to stand up to them, I'm thinking I'd rather see college kids playing for the USA who are glad to be there and maybe don't win the gold medal. We put our fingerprint on the sport in '92 with the greatest basketball team ever assembled, and there's no way to top that. They shouldn't have tried to follow it, but someone keeps dreaming of jersey sales.

[temujin]

No. Becouse Wade go for dunk, "bboingg" in rim without someone touch him and even get 2 FT. And Italian get his foul.

That was too much even for Wade. Man, he was realy embaresed. He was holding face in his hand.

Yeah, that was funny.
He held his hand......
I ams still laughing...

[samikeyp]

You know USA dominated for so long, so what you expect?

I expect credit and respect for a win and not excuses for hate. Fans of other countries expect the same and deserve the same. Argentine fans came in here and cracked on those people who dissed their Olympic team in 2004 for winning and they had a right to be upset. I understand that the days of the US throwing any 12 NBA players together and beating anybody by 40 are over. The world's basketball teams have gotten way better and I think that is great. I like the fact that the WC and the Olympics can be up for grabs among several teams. I love to see the US win but hey, if they don't, then I give credit where it is due. I don't think its too much to ask to see the same thing for our team as well. I am starting to wonder if Manny is right. It seems too many people are just looking to hate on the US for no apparent reason but to just hate. They bring in politics, world events (neither of which has to do with basketball) or just make excuses. If Argentina wins this, and Manu and Oberto go around with their flag on their shoulders after winning..it will be called a celebration. If the US wins and LeBron and DWade do THE EXACT SAME THING, it will be called arrogant and showboating.

[Slo spurs fan]

NBA's Superstar make more steps than a pedestrian my friend ... in FIBA you simple CAN'T.

FIBA's refs sucks as much as NBA's ones , but ... FIBA's ones dont use that Star treatment as a criteria.

I agree about refs sucking in NBA and in FIBA, I just can´t stand "star treatment". Refs should blow the whistle when they must, no matter who made a mistake or foul.

[Pero]

fiba refs>nba refs

The USA got ed in Athens by the officials and you guys ing ate it up and said that they were complainers and should just deal with the fact that they aren't as good as they think. The shoe doesn't feel so good when it's on the other foot, does it?

The truth probably is, that it`s the same for pretty much ALL teams. But, the one who wins doesn`t complain usually. And the one who loses sees every mistake the refs made that went against their team... Every team gets bad call, on some games more than others.

[samikeyp]

Obstructed...I agree with you about wanting to represent the US. To me, representing your country is one of the highest honors anyone can achieve. If they don't want to be there...then don't go. Hopefully the current team really wants to be part of this.

[Obstructed_View]

Anything is allowed as long as the Ref is letting you get away with it.
You wouldn't want to see Wade end up on the bench with fouls trouble will you?

I didn't want to see Duncan on the bench with fouls trouble in Athens, but everyone has been telling me ever since then that I was overreacting and that the FIBA refs call travelling and moving picks more closely, which is complete and utter horse since Wade got a trip to the line for losing the ball and jamming his wrist on the rim.

[Pero]

But for people to indicate the US players were the only ones complaining is crazy.

No, but maybe they just have stronger voices or something.

No. Becouse Wade go for dunk, "bboingg" in rim without someone touch him and even get 2 FT. And Italian get his foul.

That was too much even for Wade. Man, he was realy embaresed. He was holding face in his hand.

True, that was BS. But, he was holding his face in his hand, and he was holding his hand because it hurt. Not because he was embarassed IMO.

[Kibic]

I didn't want to see Duncan on the bench with fouls trouble in Athens, but everyone has been telling me ever since then that I was overreacting and that the FIBA refs call travelling and moving picks more closely, which is complete and utter horse since Wade got a trip to the line for losing the ball and jamming his wrist on the rim.

[Slo spurs fan]

I expect credit and respect for a win and not excuses for hate. Fans of other countries expect the same and deserve the same. Argentine fans came in here and cracked on those people who dissed their Olympic team in 2004 for winning and they had a right to be upset. I understand that the days of the US throwing any 12 NBA players together and beating anybody by 40 are over. The world's basketball teams have gotten way better and I think that is great. I like the fact that the WC and the Olympics can be up for grabs among several teams. I love to see the US win but hey, if they don't, then I give credit where it is due. I don't think its too much to ask to see the same thing for our team as well. I am starting to wonder if Manny is right. It seems too many people are just looking to hate on the US for no apparent reason but to just hate. They bring in politics, world events (neither of which has to do with basketball) or just make excuses. If Argentina wins this, and Manu and Oberto go around with their flag on their shoulders after winning..it will be called a celebration. If the US wins and LeBron and DWade do THE EXACT SAME THING, it will be called arrogant and showboating.

Well said and I agree with you. It is really wrong to call same thing once a celebration and the other time arrogant and s/b. It is wrong and I hope people will accept this.

[samikeyp]

thank you my friend.

BTW...congrats on today's win.

[Kibic]

I expect credit and respect for a win and not excuses for hate. Fans of other countries expect the same and deserve the same. Argentine fans came in here and cracked on those people who dissed their Olympic team in 2004 for winning and they had a right to be upset. I understand that the days of the US throwing any 12 NBA players together and beating anybody by 40 are over. The world's basketball teams have gotten way better and I think that is great. ........... If Argentina wins this, and Manu and Oberto go around with their flag on their shoulders after winning..it will be called a celebration. If the US wins and LeBron and DWade do THE EXACT SAME THING, it will be called arrogant and showboating.

[Obstructed_View]

The truth probably is, that it`s the same for pretty much ALL teams. But, the one who wins doesn`t complain usually. And the one who loses sees every mistake the refs made that went against their team... Every team gets bad call, on some games more than others.

I was rooting for the US, and they got away with murder in this game.

I thought that the USA had to learn from Athens that they needed to play differently in order to win, yet they can play a clutching grabbing defense and push off and flop on offense now and there's no problem. It disspells the myth that somehow the international game is superior and we just need to learn the nuances of it. FIBA officiating actually makes the NFL look good.

[Kibic]

No, but maybe they just have stronger voices or something.



True, that was BS. But, he was holding his face in his hand, and he was holding his hand because it hurt. Not because he was embarassed IMO.

Ok.

[samikeyp]

FIBA officiating actually makes the NFL look good.

Sad but true.

[Pero]

If the US wins and LeBron and DWade do THE EXACT SAME THING, it will be called arrogant and showboating.

I don`t think it will. You get a medal and that is normal, especially if it`s gold.

Hopefully the current team really wants to be part of this.

I think they do, at least more than the last two teams.

[Obstructed_View]

By the way, how awesome is it that we have actual basketball games to talk about for a change?

[temujin]

I didn't want to see Duncan on the bench with fouls trouble in Athens, but everyone has been telling me ever since then that I was overreacting and that the FIBA refs call travelling and moving picks more closely, which is complete and utter horse since Wade got a trip to the line for losing the ball and jamming his wrist on the rim.

I think USA 04 had a lot of inside problems.
A lot.
The last one was refereeing.

I think today the Refs ill-treated Italy, on travelling non-calls and way too many TFs (How many 50?) for USA.

That is not why Italy lost, though.

Carmel'antonio is.
A mere normal performance of this guy
and we would be commenting another result.

So congratulation to CA (and Brand and Battier).

[Slo spurs fan]

BTW...congrats on today's win.

Thanks. I hope we will win tomorrow angainst China too. Becouse if we wont, we probably will go home.