Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
I turned it on with the U.S. down 14-11. The tone of the game changed quickly.
Stupid question, but why isn't LeBron on this team?
LBJ's agent said he would rest after the NBA Finals
KD taking over, USA up by 20
chants of USA! USA! drowning out the local crowd . . .
Thanks, I figured he wanted to rest. Of course, LeBron isn't the only marquee name off the team. Where's Steph?
We had a few tight games but these guys showed up and put on a great display when the medals were on the line. The crazy thing about our depth is that a team of American NBA stars who didn't make it to Rio could probably take this squad who just won gold.
Steph
Westbrook
Damian Lillard
Kevin Love
LBJ
Kawhi Leonard
Anthony Davis
LaMarcus Aldridge
Blake Griffin
Chris Paul
John Wall
Gordon Hayward
Mike Conley
Harden
Beal
Iggy
Kenneth Faried
Take the best 12 mix of this pool, if healthy, and they beat the Rio squad in a series imo.
We had a few tight games but these guys showed up and put on a great display when the medals were on the line. The crazy thing about our depth is that a team of American NBA stars who didn't make it to Rio could probably take this squad who just won gold.
Steph
Westbrook
Damian Lillard
Kevin Love
LBJ
Kawhi Leonard
Anthony Davis
LaMarcus Aldridge
Blake Griffin
Chris Paul
John Wall
Gordon Hayward
Mike Conley
Harden
Beal
Iggy
Kenneth Faried
Take the best 12 mix of this pool, if healthy, and they beat the Rio squad in a series imo.
I root for the guys who chose to represent their country None of the players on your list did. No doubt many, if not all, had good reason. Maybe next time.
It was a blowout yesterday, but there were some good teams in the tournament and obviously some close games for the USA. Believe there were over 30 NBA players on rosters other than the US, so the world-wide talent level is rising.I took a nap. It was like a NASCAR or PGA nap. You watch the beginning and the end and miss very little in between. The USA men and woman's BB squads are so far ahead of everyone else. It's really a snore.
Remember that there was a lull back in 2004 (bronze medal) when the rest of the world was catching up and the NBAers didn't think they had to play team ball or defense. They figured they just had to show up to win (guys like AI and Marbury) and left eating humble pie. It seemed like Carmelo still had that attitude this Olympics, but fortunately the rest of the team figured it out.we'll never see another Dream Team. kind of scary that the USA can still dominate this sport internationally
a lot of these guys played in 2012 (including LeBron)
Remember that there was a lull back in 2004 (bronze medal) when the rest of the world was catching up and the NBAers didn't think they had to play team ball or defense. They figured they just had to show up to win (guys like AI and Marbury) and left eating humble pie. It seemed like Carmelo still had that attitude this Olympics, but fortunately the rest of the team figured it out.
a lot of these guys played in 2012 (including LeBron)
Westbrook, Iguodala, Love, Harden, Davis, and Paul were on the 2012 team. Curry and Faried were on the 2014 FIBA World Cup team.
I'm not being critical of players who passed this go round, let alone those who previously have represented the US. As I said, many, if not all, had good reason (KD withdrew from playing on the 2014 team). Just get more than a little annoyed by people who point out that the gold medal winners were somehow not the most worthy.
I'd like to see us get the US guys from the starting 5s of 2 top teams and then sprinkle in superstars. There would be way more continuity and better team play of course.the other issue people don't get . . . YES, you can grab any 12 NBA players and put together an above average team. Notice how the USA got much much better the last 2 games? it is because playing together builds a stronger team.
geez that Argentina team that beat the US in 2004 had guys who had played together professionally for years. One of the faults of this year's USA team was "lack of practice", which leads to a lot of break downs on defense (crikey, how many back screens, picks, and cuts did they miss???), and a lot of isolation plays on offense. (same thing that killed the 2004 team when AI and Marbury went cold)