Did anyone see that? It's just being posted on all of the sports sites right now. Apparently, the "Dream Team" not only got beat. They got blown out by 17 points. They were down at the half, after the 3rd quarter and got routed in the 4th. Should make for an interesting Olympics.
Personally, I don't consider any USA Basketball team the "Dream Team" other than the original roster from 1992. That was truly a team filled with great players. MJ, Bird, Isiah, Magic, Barkley, Malone, Stockton, Robinson and more.
Maybe this will pique my interest in Olympic basketball a bit more because it looks like it won't be a sure thing for a USA win.
I'm pulling for all the USA athletes at the Olympics but if one team had to go down in flames I'd want it to be the basketball team. We "may" have the best players in the world, but the last time I looked basketball was still a team game. I know our team hasn't played together much but, other than the Pistons, what NBA team really plays like a team these days? It's all one-on-one, let me dunk in your face, or throw up a 3 pointer basketball in the NBA now. Maybe the NBA stars got a wake up call today but I doubt it.
We "may" have the best players in the world, but the last time I looked basketball was still a team game. I know our team hasn't played together much but, other than the Pistons, what NBA team really plays like a team these days?
This is why I love the college game much more. Maybe a lot of it has to do with pride in your alma mater but I just love how every game "counts" and the rivalries involved. It truly is more about the name on the front of the jersey rather than the name on the back. I will admit, I do tune into the NBA rather closely come playoff time but during the regular season, I MIGHT watch a total of 5 games.
The worst defeat ever for a USA Olympic basketball team since NBA players have been allowed to participate!
Allen Iverson says that the defeat is a "wake-up call"! I doubt if there's much of anything that will ever "wake" AI up to the concept of team play and team values. He's late for team meetings, he misses team meetings, he complains about coaching--he's a disgrace to the game. That said, he's a magnificent physical talent who should join the ranks of the game's truly great players--if he could only improve his attitude. What's wrong with the US team? Look no further than the kind of team values exhibited by Allen Iverson.
Apparently, the US team needed a buzzer beating 3 pointer from behind half court from AI to win against Germany. Germany didn't even qualify to play in Athens. Of course, even if he missed, it would have been tied which isn't THAT bad I guess. I'm in the same boat as leaguegolf where I cheer for every Olympian from the United States but the one competitor I wouldn't mind seeing go down would be the "Dream Team."
I don't really know why I would think this way. I guess I should change my thinking and tell myself, "at least this group of guys wanted to go overseas and represent our country" versus all of the other NBA players who turned this opportunity down.
I guess I should change my thinking and tell myself, "at least this group of guys wanted to go overseas and represent our country" versus all of the other NBA players who turned this opportunity down.
I hear you. Going to Athens is a scary prospect with the threat of terror attacks, so anyone who chooses to go at least has guts.
But how bad is it when they can barely beat a team that didn't even make the Olympics? Germany, for crying out loud!
I'm a big hoops rube, so here's my take....they always pick the 'best athletes' for teams like this....at least the best athletes who would go to Athens, thus no real 'superstars' other than Duncan......but in the international game, they don't need high-flyers, they need shooters and ball players......having Shawn Marion, Lebron James, Duwayne Wade etc, aren't great against a tight zone defense--especially one that doesn't have to move (in the NBA, you can only stand in the zone for 3 seconds if you're not guarding someone--the international zone defense typically is like we all played in high school/college, I think).
So, IMHO, they need to pick shooters......they need a couple of guys to stand out at the 3 point line to get the kick out pass after pentration by the PG and make jumpers. You can't get too much slashing in the international game, it's more fundamental ball. That's why international guys like Tony Kukoc, Dirk Nowitzki, Peja Stoyakovich (sp?) all are/were complete players--dribble, rebound, pass, shoot. Not dunkers.
I would love to see the USA take an entire team over there. Take the Pistons in full, or even a upper echelon NCAA team in it's entirety. They know each other, they've got a system for offense and defense........they would be better than 12 great athletes...
Or else, don't take NBA players, just take the best college guys and have at it.
Well, maybe Larry Brown finally got through to the guys, because today they crushed Serbia and Montenegro, a pre-Olympics favorite, on their home court, 78-60. They played great D holding the hosts to 35% shooting while shooting 50% themselves. Let's hope they continue their inspired play and take the gold when the Olympics start.
I watched the first 5 minutes of the game on ESPN. The final score had already been posted so there wasn't much point in watching the rest. Anyway, I'm wondering whether the crowds will cheer USA on in the Olympics. At first thought, I doubt it but I seem to remember most of our Dream Teams being cheered on in the past. Or maybe it was only the first. Anyway, they had to go up against a stiff road crowd from what I saw. A lot of the young players should gain some valuable experience.
Anyway, I'm wondering whether the crowds will cheer USA on in the Olympics. At first thought, I doubt it but I seem to remember most of our Dream Teams being cheered on in the past. Or maybe it was only the first. Anyway, they had to go up against a stiff road crowd from what I saw. A lot of the young players should gain some valuable experience.
I'm afraid that US athletes will be met with a great deal of hostility because of political considerations. In a perfect world, only athleticism would be the standard used to judge an athlete, but this isn't a perfect world and many people resent the United States, oppose its foreign policy, believe the anti-American propaganda that spews from various news sources, and will express their displeasure by booing American wins and cheering American defeats in Athens.
I pray that I'm wrong or that derisive noise is the worst that is visited upon our athletes in Greece.
I'm pulling for all the USA athletes at the Olympics but if one team had to go down in flames I'd want it to be the basketball team. We "may" have the best players in the world, but the last time I looked basketball was still a team game. I know our team hasn't played together much but, other than the Pistons, what NBA team really plays like a team these days? It's all one-on-one, let me dunk in your face, or throw up a 3 pointer basketball in the NBA now. Maybe the NBA stars got a wake up call today but I doubt it.
I'm with you on this one. I wish they'd mix it 50/50 with college players. So what if we didn't win the gold every Olympic Games?
I've given up watching pro basketball. I'll take college ball any time, and if old-fashioned Princeton basketball is on the tube, all the better.
One of the best jobs in sports? - 12th man on a professional basketball team.
"Any person that's selected to a team like this, it shouldn't be a question in your mind," Iverson said. "It shouldn't even be something to think about. You're honored to get a chance to represent your country, and what's better than that?"
Quote:
Originally Posted by Allen Iverson
"Anybody that grew up in the U.S. and is able to be a basketball player in the NBA, you understand what that country has done for you and your family," Iverson said. "It gave you an opportunity to support your family and be recognized as a household name. I mean, it's just an honor to be able to do something like that, and I would advise anybody that's selected to a team like this to take that honor and cherish it."
Quote:
Originally Posted by Allen Iverson
"You need to understand that first and foremost, it's an honor to be selected to this team," he said. "It's something you should cherish for the rest of your life. And honestly, it's something that I will cherish, even without winning the gold medal. I feel good about being part of something like this. I feel like a special basketball player to be selected to a team like this."
I know a lot of people rip on Allen Iversion but I give him a lot of credit for what he did this summer. Remember, he chose to represent the United States when many other players decided to remain stateside. He had some words for those players that declined the opportunity.
Sure a lot of people "rip on Allen Iverson." Most of the ripping is deserved. Yes, he went when others wouldn't, and I'll give him a little credit for that. Very little credit. He's supposed to be the leader of this team and right off the bat he shows up late for a team meeting. He feels honored and cherishes the experience so that makes it OK. Coach Brown benches him and Iverson then says he's being disrespected. Same old story! "Practice? I'm supposed to be on time for practice?"
The NBA players got what they deserved....embarrassed. It's not all Iverson's fault and it's not entirely the team's fault. The way the USA team is selected and the little amount of practice time they get together almost guarantees failure against established teams. I would rather see the best college players represent the USA in the Olympics. At least that way we'd see desire, determination and just maybe...some pride. The college players may not win, but I'd watch and support them over the NBA "superstars" every time!
I would rather see the best college players represent the USA in the Olympics. At least that way we'd see desire, determination and just maybe...some pride. The college players may not win, but I'd watch and support them over the NBA "superstars" every time!
Living in the Philadelphia TV and radio broadcast area, I've seen waaaaay too much of Allen Iverson's infantile antics over the past few years. Larry Brown is gone from the 76ers and AI is still here. Talk about injustice!
I have to admit, victory, that I was impressed by Allen's comments, but only because they were the first words out of his mouth as a major sports figure in Philadelphia that made any sense at all and suggested that he might have some values that someone other than a gangbanger might be able to relate to.
August 3rd, 2004, 05:06 PM
Linear Mode
Similar Threads
