I have seen this coming for over a decade now. Fundamentals of the game of basketball are a thing of the past. Gone, are the days of pure shooters and straightline passers!!:af: Since the mid 80's, all players have focused on was dunking and making a highlight show. It took many years from the mid 80's for it to start showing up, but once the old guys started retiring, it was evident that the new players had lost thier game. There are a few exceptions, but most are about at the level of play as the average division 1 college player was 25 years back. If you can't hit 3 pointers and make money to play the game, it is bad! But not being able to hit a free throw is mind boggling!!o No: Not willing to put effort into it, practice time is too much for them, money is not enough, kids don't like to be coached and just want to coach. I hope the team gets crushed more to shake the sports community up. I think they athletes are like most of the population. We are getting mentally weaker with each generation and lazier too. More education, yes. But, education doesn't work without application. Guess it's my vent session, but I feel better now.:blast: :blast: :blast: :blast:
Yeah what a joke.Whooped by 19 points by the Puerto Rico team.Not to take anything away from them but,Our team played lousy.What kills me is hat even the 3 point line is 3 foot closer than the NBA's.The were losing by 22 at the 1/2.I guess I'll keep watching Mr Phelps kick some butt in the swimming.19 years old and doesn't have a cocky bone in him as opposed to the basketball team.I agree,with all that talent, the game should have been the totally opposite. Pat
Yeah what a joke.Whooped by 19 points by the Puerto Rico team.Not to take anything away from them but,Our team played lousy.What kills me is that even the 3 point line is 3 foot closer than the NBA's.The were losing by 22 at the 1/2.I guess I'll keep watching Mr Phelps kick some butt in the swimming.19 years old and doesn't have a cocky bone in him as opposed to the basketball team.I agree,with all that talent, the game should have been the totally opposite. Pat
John I agree 100%...the NBA players think other countries will just roll over for them and be of awe of them....and they just don't understand that you still have to PLAY the game to win:af: not just show up:laugh: I also think they should go back to a ALL amauter team for all the olympics teams....that is what the olympics is all about..not just wining at all cost's:beer ......Now I feel better:grin:
I'm curious...what talent? You've said up and down that they have lost the fundamentals of the game, so I ask, what talent? The talent they have developed here, is against similar opponents. So if dunking gets you into the game, then you dunk. And dunk, and dunk, and dunk. Why stop when it makes you tens of millions of dollars every year? I haven't watched basketball in a long time. Never really got that interested in it. But even I know that the talent is measured against their competition in the NBA. The new NBA is commercialization, and entertainment. That's what their talent is.
I never said the talent was great. It is a good group of athletes, but if you can't play the game (mentally) then you should not be considered very talented in the field of basketball. Potential, yes, they have it. Larry Bird was not very athletic. Not the fastest, quickest and not a good jumper, but he knew the game. He also applied himself. Now he is considered by most as one of the top 10 players of all time. Tim Duncan is a similar person and also knows the game. I have watched it most of my life. It is definetely at a low right now. By the way, I have heard it all day. "The rest of the world is catching up." Not in my opinion. I think we are getting worse. The first NBA team scored an average of near 120 pts per game because they were a good group of players. This team can't score 120 against my old high school team.ou:
This evening on NBC they were discussing the game.There were several (excuses???) things they put the blame on why they didn't win.Some of these were: lack of practice time,injuries to other players who were selected instead of these team members,security reasons...etc,etc.etc.Bottom line is that these big money making guys slacked off thinking they could dominate everyone and played absolutely terrible.They wouldn't even try to go after the rebounds!The last 5 minutes they looked as though the were running around like little kids in a shopping mall.I am with John,put college kids in there.At least they give it their all to go for the gold medals.They showed the average win deficit over the last 4 Olympic games and it went from 20 pts a game to 7 points last Olympics.Other countries have definitely stepped it up....Now its time for USA to step it up more.The talent is there. Pat
What we need to do is head down the local playground (the cage in new york, etc) and grab those guys that are just plain crazy and would woop everyone. Just tell em what they can't do and set them loose.
I think it is refreshing. None of these guys have the same desire and team attitude as the original dream team. A bunch of individuals does not make a team.
Good points by all above. Looking back on it the Original dream team had something to prove and actually had drive and determination, lately well society changing is a part of it, but all the members of this years time are all finacially set and really by today's standard have nothing to prove. I am starting to have a problem with pros competing in the olympics in all sports, I also have a problem with all these jobs going overseas but that's just me. dexter :grin:
I think money is a small issue too, but the first dream team was loaded with cash. Every olympic team has something to prove. Especially, after seeing the other countries whip up on them in trials. Many hall-of-famers on the first team and I stress the word TEAM. Those guys and the ones before them knew how to play as a team. College kids, PLEASE come back because I know you will do better than those cream puffs with huge egos.
