Comments on: The token American responds: Be afraid

By: Stephan

Stephan — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:10:13 +0000

I probably read the best analysis of why Team USA failed these last times about half a year ago in the USA Today (maybe somebody else read that article as well); to sum it up, it all comes down to defense, the teams succeeding were able to put a defensive stop on their opponents; nobody questions the offensive power especially of the guards (Paul, Wade, Bryant) – although in the favored half-court international game they still have to prove themselves -, but can they defend as a team? I remember Marco Pesic saying once, he never had so many wide open three’s as against Team USA (playing them in Cologne) as they probably were not able to read these offenses.
If they get this straighten out and have some good scouts for the correct analysis of their opponents’ offenses (and listen to them!!), they will go all the way, otherwise they will probably lose one decisive match again.

By: neurosenthal

neurosenthal — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:14:18 +0000

and germany has kaman now to roam the middle. easily the best center on the roster at once. we’ll hopefully make it to the olympics now…

By: Teo

Teo — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:10:14 +0000

the reason greece isn’t mentioned is because , de facto, they are not qualified for the olympics yet. When and if they qualify, I am sure they will enter the discussion.
And I wouldn’t even say that greece is weaker right now, they had a lot of…problems last year with the federation and everything which kept them from concentrating on playing. I think the fresh blood and failure of the last Eurobaket might be good for them, because players like these don’t suddenly stop playing good bball.

And how the americans talk about them is as irrelevant as anything and not even surprising, because they have hurt egos and are only left with their swagger right now and wouldn’t want to talk about non-nba players beating them. I am sure, if (or rather after) they capture gold, they will suddenly start naming everyone and be all nice and respectful because the world is back to where it should be.

Actually it is funny I was talking to some (agreed: not the brightest) american about the national team the other day and he complained that Nowitzky and Gasol are not on it and that he thinks “they are good ‘nough to play”. I guess the concept of anything non-american in the nba hasn’t really caught on with everyone.

By: belalik

belalik — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 07:17:45 +0000

I am honestly far away from being ‘nationalistic’ in any way, and in terms of euro basketball it is true that certainly spain, lithuania (if they have a full roster) and probably russia are better than greece right now.

However, I ‘m puzzled that the greek national team is not mentioned at all in any analysis about the US team facing international (euro) teams, exactly because it’s only the Greek NT that won the US in 2006.

I understand that was an exceptional game, in every way, but I remember watching the post-game press conference and US coach could not even name greek players and was talking about ‘number 4 had a great game’ etc.

In my mind, the only way the US could lost a (crucial) game is if they underestimate their opponent, and if that opponent happens to have a great night. It seems that they won’t do this with Spain or Russia as they already mention and consider these teams carefully – however, they don’t seem to care at all about teams like Greece, or even Slovenia, Serbia etc, teams who could surprise them on a good night..

We ‘ll see, loking forward to a great olympic tournament with the US probably getting away with gold .. but who knows!

By: Kris

Kris — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:33:00 +0000

I am curious to see how well prepared the US Boys will be.Not many tests before the Olympics (Canada might be not the best opponent to test).
If the chosen ones can leave their arrogance and stardom at home (Which will be pretty difficult) and just focus solely on the game, they may win it all.
But if Coach K cant get them hungry to suceed in the Olympics, they will fail miserably.Depends on how much money US Basketball is throwing in the pot…