US Olympic team

[Guest]

A team with 2 NBA MVPs is not a good team. No GM would want 2 NBA MVPs on their team. That's a bad team, not a good team. In particular, no GM would want Tim Duncan, the best player in the NBA, to be on their team.

Why Maximum Douche would want Tim Duncan to be on the 08 Olympic team is far beyond me. Every time he gets banned, he returns a month later and the first thing he does is tell us that a team with Tim Duncan is a bad team.

I can't pick out my favorite thing about Maximum Douche, but probably my favorite quote from him was about Pau Gasol being the softest player in basketball, when he had just blocked Tim Duncan 4 times in an elimination game, sending the Lakers to a 4-1 series victory over the Spurs, the defending champions and the team with the best defense in the NBA for the last 7 years or so.

Meanwhile the Lakers had just traded away the guy who actually is the softest player in the league. Kwame Brown, the biggest pussy in basketball, the biggest bust in the NBA and the second biggest bust in the history of the NBA behind only LaRue Martin.

I'll have the moderators to ban you again Maximum Douche. But I'm confident the first thing you will do when you return is tell us that a team with 2 NBA MVPs is a bad team.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Maximus/Texas Tech, and whoever your next alter-ego will be after you come back after you are once again banned. I will tell you Lebron James was mature beyond his years as a rookie. He was that once in, well, forever player who came out of H.S to the NBA playing like a stud when he was a mere 19 years old. By the time of the Olympics he was 4 months shy of 20.

Lebron is a "phenomenal" play maker, a great scorer, very athletic defender, rebounds well for a SF and has lots of finesse. When it is all said and done, depending on his number of championships, he very well could challenge Larry Bird as the best SF of all time. That is no easy feat to do..Larry Bird is a top 5 player IMO. My top 5 in no particular order would be: Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlin, Bill Russell, Magic and Bird.

Did you ever think that Lebron and his youthful enthusiasm who was mature well beyond his years, 3 months shy of 20 might have been quite worthy of being a 2004 Olympian? And Lebron's game fits the international style well.

And I will refute your position that Shaq should have gone in 2004. In international play the key is wider for 3 second violations, which could hurt Shaq. But most importantly Shaq has a tendency to offensive foul a lot and often got away with it in the NBA. With the international rules being like college (if the defender has position an offensive player has to use more finesse to draw the foul; an offensive player can not "bump" through the defender who is clearly in front of him) Shaq would not be ultra dominant. And I believe there are only 5 fouls before a player fouls out at the Olympics. Shaq would have to play very few minutes.

I'll admit that I think the U.S may actually have the best shot at winning because we have a huge talent pool in this country and Kobe, Lebron and Chris Paul are unbelievable players, but this is no shoo in like you claim it to be.

Also, the state of black supremacy with the American media and caste system is causing at least a couple worthy white Americans to fall into obscurity when those gems could be found and developed in the NBA and turned into Olympians. Edited by: ToughJ.Riggins

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

However one white American was left off who should have made the team and that is Mike Miller over Michael Redd. Blacks who shoot a lot in the NBA get favored as stars by the media in America. Mike Miller is a more productive scorer and 3 point shooter, at least an equal defender, a better passer and definitely is longer and more athletic than Redd. Redd tested out as less athletic than J.J Reddick (who is constantly maligned as "not an athlete") at the Orlando Pre-draft combine although Redd has more length because of longer arms and an inch height advantage as a player. Here is my previous argument on Mike Miller. I want to see Maximus's speciously reasoned response to how Michael Redd on a team of stars would be a better fit than the more productive scoring and better playmaking role player Mike Miller.
------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------

Previous Post: I think there is one white American that should have made the "Dream Team". Mike Miller is much more athletic than Michael Redd who is a poor athlete, actually significantly less athletic than J.J Reddick according to his workout numbers. Michael Redd shot a lower FG% this year than Miller 44% compared to 50% and FG% is very important at the Olympics where less defensive fouls are called to send the American stars to the line. Redd also shot a lower 3 point FG% than Miller 36% compared to 43% and is a worse rebounder and passer and only around equal defensively. It is the same story with their careers as this season. I'm sure the U.S team went with Michael Redd because the consensus is he is better for no other reason than he shoots more! Picking Redd for the U.S team over Miller is a huge mistake.

Redd's by the numbers for the season and career:
GMIN&n bsp; FGM-AFG%&nbs p;3PM-A& nbsp; 3P%FTM- AFT%&n bsp; OFFDEF&n bsp;TOT&nbsp ;; STLBLK ;TO&nb sp; PFAST &nbs p;PTS
Season72&nbs p; 37.5550-1243 .442130-359& nbsp; .362402-490 &n bsp;.8201.2& nbsp;3.1&nbs p;4.3.90&nbs p; .182.51 &nb sp; 1.673.4 &n bsp;22.7
Career517&nb sp; 33.93721-8240 .452911-2351 .3872243-2656 .8441.1&nbsp ;; ; 3.14.2 ;.99.1 2; ; 1.651.74&nbs p;2.3& nbsp;20.5

Mike Miller by the numbers for the season and career:
GMIN&n bsp; FGM-AFG%&nbs p;3PM-A& nbsp; 3P%FTM- AFT%&n bsp; OFFDEF&n bsp;TOT&nbsp ;; STLBLK ;TO&nb sp; PFAST &nbs p;PTS
Season70&nbs p; 35.4414-824; .50215 5-359& nbsp;.432&nb sp;&n bsp;164-212.774 &nb sp; 0.75.9 &nb sp;6.7.50&nb sp;.23 2.602.07 &nbs p;&nbs p; 3.416.4
Career565&nb sp; 32.32982-6482 &n bsp;.4601088 -2701.403&nb sp; 1088-1411.771 &n bsp;0.74.1&n bsp;4.8&nbsp ;; ;.70.28 &nbs p; ; 1.882.36 &nb sp; 3.014.4

The fact that Miller was left off in favor of Michael Redd is another reason for me to root "very" hard against the United States basketball team. I would prefer Canada anyway, even if both teams were equally fair to white players which they are not!

And arguably Kirk Heinrich could have made it over the aging Jason Kidd, although I would have also taken Kidd to be fair b/c he is a respected play-making veteran and Heinrich underperformed this year for what he is capable of.

Blacksimus, what are you going to do when, both Kevin Love and Joe Alexander make the 2016 dream team. I predict Love goes in 2012 and both guys go in 2016. Would two or 3 white guys on the U.S Olympic dream team get you to root for Cameroon in basketball?Edited by: ToughJ.Riggins

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Here are two other previous posts for you to think about Maximus, b/c lots of us on this board including me do not hate blacks; we just want to see the unfairness toward white athletes and affirmative action end. There is no country in the western world that is more racially conscious than America and the state of athletics along with affirmative action using race as criteria for "equal" employees hirings isn't helping our nation to judge by the content of peoples characters and not the color of their skin!

I'm not a huge fan of the NBA. Can anyone tell me which white players were passed over? Any obvious cases of racism?

I don't think there were any Liverlips. We've brainwashed coaches, scouts and -most importantly- prospective athletes that white Americans need not apply for basketball. All the best white players in the NBA (or at least the ones who get a shot) are foreigners who didn't grow up constantly being told that they can't hold a candle to the almighty black man. It's a f#$&ing tragedy.

 

[KG2422]

They lost in the world championships too. There is a good chance they will lose again this year. Of course there will be more excuses: players weren't there, officials weren't paid off, FIBA isn't Jewish enough, reaching in and travelling are called, etc.

 

[Guest]

This is the best team the US has ever assembled. They probably won't have much trouble winning the tournament.

 

[KG2422]

They beat Greece pretty soundly this morning but it doesn't really matter until pool play is over.

 

[Guest]

Definitely have to hand it to them. They played great on offense and defense against Greece.They played on an emotional high in this "revenge" game. Their defensive strategy paid off, although picking up a lot of fouls, but creating even more turnovers.

Their last real challenger is coming up tomorrow against Spain, can't wait for that one.

 

[bigunreal]

I watched about 30 seconds of this "game." That was more than enough. During that time, a Greek player drove for the basket, was fouled by two different USA players along the way, but nothing was called. Instead, on the second foul, the ball was "stripped" and a USA fast break ensued. Chris Bosch finished off this break with a layup, taking at least 3 full steps in doing so. He also almost beheaded a Greek player as he came down, in a blatant offensive foul. Traveling was not called. An offensive foul was not called. Instead, in typical NCAA-NBA style, a foul was called on the Greek player for basically being there when Bosch scored his illegal basket. The Greeks protested, naturally enough, with one of them wildly waving his arms in disbelief.

It is almost as sure a thing that this Nightmare Team will win the gold medal as it is that Obama will be our next president. Apparently, the powers that be are making sure that NBA-style "officiating" will control these Olympic games. It really makes one proud.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

I know what you mean big. I might watch them play Spain, but the officiating has been so bad, I think they are willing to practically hand everything to them.

 

[Bart]

It is almost as sure a thing that this Nightmare Team will win the gold medal as it is that Obama will be our next president. Apparently, the powers that be are making sure that NBA-style "officiating" will control these Olympic games.

American basketball rulesapplied to the Olympic games? May as well just shoot the white playersand get it over with.

 

[white is right]

I still saw signs of unsportsmanlike play. Kidd had a fast break attempt late in the game and did a back board pass to his trailer(maybe Lebron?)and the trailer tried the dunk. What was the point of that? I still say they choke if a team can keep it tight into the second half. They are great front runners.

 

[KG2422]

On the internet feed where there is no commentary, I could hear them talking trash a little bit. It wasn't near as bad as Vince Carter was. USA basketball is trying to keep them on a leash. We'll see.

 

[foobar75]

Actually, you all have it backwards, honestly. This physical play you're complaining about is a hallmark of the international game. Those guys practically kill each other out there, so it's the US adjusting their style of play, not the other way around.


It's the NBA where you have crap like the touch rule and all the other bogus stuff. I like the physical nature of the international game. It's rough, maybe even a bit dirty at times, but practially all the games are brutal, high intenstity affairs from start to finish. And there's nothing wrong that.

 

[white lightning]

I hate to say it but I think that the Olympic Officials are going to punish Spain because of the team photo. It has gotten so much media attention all around the world. Don't expect Spain to get any calls hardly at all. They will probably get blown out due to the officiating more than anything else. It could have been a good game.

 

[Guest]

Foobar has it right about the officiating. It is different on two fronts: they let more physicality go when it comes to the body, but they let less go when it comes to slapping the offensive player's hands. If both players are being aggressive going after the ball, you will see a lot more non-calls, as well.

They protect the shooter's hands, but not his body, and off the ball, pushing and shoving for position is always allowed, even moving screens.

However, it is a sick joke when American announcers make fun of the quality of the Olympic referees. NBA refs are a total joke, and proven to be biased. The international game is reffed much more evenly and I have not noticed any star treatment, which is a lot more than you can say for the NBA.

 

[foobar75]

However, it is a sick joke when American announcers make fun of the quality of the Olympic referees. NBA refs are a total joke, and proven to be biased. The international game is reffed much more evenly and I have not noticed any star treatment, which is a lot more than you can say for the NBA.

Yes, agreed completely. I was watching the Greece-Germany game, and the Greeks basically manhandled the Germans the entire game. It got so bad that Dirk who'snormally amild-mannered guy, finally had enough and was eventually assesed a flagrant equivalent during one possesion. He and Kaman had very subpar games as a result of the aggresive Greek play.


I expect Team USA to have their biggest test against Spain, but they'll probably win by 10-15 pts. However, Ithink the gameswill go several magnitudes higher in terms of intensity once we getto the medal round. Nothing will come easy there.

 

[bigunreal]

It doesn't matter if the officials allow more physical contact, as long as they are consistent. In the case of this Olympics, we see a concerted effort on the part of the referees in every game USA plays to give them a lot more freedom to play "aggressive defense" than their opponent. In the little bit I could stomach of the game against Spain, I saw Dwayne Wade practically tear a Spanish player's arm off without getting a foul called. "D-Wade" also cruised in for a showboat dunk and took FOUR full steps in doing so, which is the norm in the NBA. It's not supposed to be the norm in international play.

That brings up the question of why the Nightmare Team is being allowed to travel, carry and palm, just as they do in NBA and NCAA games. The fix is in- why continue the charade? Just give USA the gold medal.

The more I see of these Olympics, the more I think we are now living not merely in Don King's America, but Don King's World. Edited by: bigunreal

 

[Guest]

The US team is too deep. The other teams can't handle facing 2 full NBA quality teams.

bigunreal cracks me up. I wonder if he can make it through the day without seeing a fix or a conspiracy somewhere. Everything is suspect.

 

[referendum]

I'd like to hear more opinions about the US defeat of Spain. Free throws awarded were about even, so the US was being called for at least some fouls. Who were the refs?

 

[darthvader]

It is what it is. USA just literally wiped the floor with spain. I was so upset and bored that I turned it off after the half. I knew it would be a blowout of proportions. Edited by: Don Wassall

 

[michiganblkman]

If the medal rounds had 5 or 7 game series, the USA would win hands down. No team in the field could win a series against them.

With a one game format, there is always a possibility for any team to lose.Edited by: michiganblkman

 

[Guest]

Spain didn't show up. It is that simple. The game was pathetic, they were hardly trying. They are sandbagging their way to the 2 spot, which involves an easier trip to the Gold medal game.

For their effort, the USA gets "rewarded" with a first-round game with Australia, followed by a match with the Argentina/Greece winner.Spain, on the other hand, plays Croatia, followed by the China/Lithuania winner.


Btw, I agree, it was very frustrating to watch, the game had no intensity and no effort. Anyone who has watched Spain play realizes what is going on. The real game is in the medal round, not in pool play, and Spain just gave themselves an easy path to the gold medal game.

 

[foobar75]

Of course, I disagree with bigunreal's conspiracy theories, they're ridiculous. The US was called for plenty of fouls and several traveling violations, and the free throws were mostly even. The refs were not the reason Spain got demolished. It's definitely possible that they didn't show their full hand tonight, but I was very surprised by their lack of intensity. It seemed they were sleep-walking out there half the time.


If we want to see more competitive games, we clearly have to wait until the medal round. Theone and done format will kick-up the pressure more, and we shouldn't see too many blow-out games.

 

[Guest]

It is what it is. USA just literally wiped the floor with spain.

couldnt have said it better myself