USA B-ball Takes the Bronze..

[Titusfied]

Well, it's better than nothing. They played and defeated Lithuania 104-96, I believe, for the bronze medal in the Olympics. Far from what was expected, and always is expected out of our basketball team, but nonetheless, it's better than nothing...

This is the first time Lithuania didn't medal since they became an independent nation, BTW.

[Demosthenes]

Well, it's better than nothing. They played and defeated Lithuania 104-96, I believe, for the bronze medal in the Olympics. Far from what was expected, and always is expected out of our basketball team, but nonetheless, it's better than nothing...

This is the first time Lithuania didn't medal since they became an independent nation, BTW.

I shouldn't have even clicked this. This has thrown me into a furious rage all over again.

[Sovereign]

Sucks. At least they got SOMETHING.

[tokill.ace]

We have like 95ish medals already. Yea, it is better than nothing.

[EvilLeprechaun]

It sucks, but it is about time. American style basketball sucks. It is too slow and tedious. International rules are much more competitive, fierce, fast, and harder to play. The other nations have figured this out, and now can finally beat us. Our playrs don't suck, it is just that everyone else has become much better at playing a sport that was invented in our own country. Next Olympics, we'll have outside shooting and a better understanding of the game. We'll be the champs again.

[Demosthenes]

It sucks, but it is about time. American style basketball sucks. It is too slow and tedious. International rules are much more competitive, fierce, fast, and harder to play. The other nations have figured this out, and now can finally beat us. Our playrs don't suck, it is just that everyone else has become much better at playing a sport that was invented in our own country. Next Olympics, we'll have outside shooting and a better understanding of the game. We'll be the champs again.

I think our style is actually much faster than international basketball. What do you mean by "slow and tedious?"

[D3V]

Yeah, the USA players are MUCH quicker and explosive than the International bitches.

In the NBA when somebody stands in your way during a layup, its a defensive foul, in international play if they stand there, it's charging. The USA players are more of an inside-game , and not as much perimiter shooting, and less slashing.

And everyone hates the USA these past years (thanks go G.W.B.) so the Officiating isn't on our sides.

[HandOfHeaven]

And besides, the internationl lane is fucked up and slanted...What's up with that?

[EvilLeprechaun]

I am just saying that the NBA has become more of defense, defense, and defense. There isn't as much as flash anymore. Not like the Showtime Lakers of the 80's. And, NBA teams will hold the ball forever and walk upcourt. International play, they rn back and forth al the time. High scoring games are what people want to see. Not games that are won by 20 points and the score is like 86-66. (See last years National Champs)

[Thanatos]

Wtf you talking about? The NBA is anything but defense. Did you see the Mavs vs. Kings game last season(atleast I think it was last season)? The Mavs scored 80 or so points by halftime while the Kings scored like 68. That's pure offense. The NBA is about 80% offense and 20% defense.

Watch the All-Star games, nobody cares about defense - it's all about the points.

[EvilLeprechaun]

The international games are just played so much more fats paced. NBA games, a person is likely to see the ball in the hand of a player for most of the night. I know they want to control the ball, but come on. That is how other countries were able to beat us. We try to slow down the tempo of the game too much. Other countries can run circles around us.

[Demosthenes]

Seriously, our players are a lot faster than any other teams. We killed them in fast break points and such. The international pace is quite a bit slower than NBA. I don't know what happend this year, but just look back at the last few olympics. We were kickin ass because we just purely outscored them. 120 ppg in 40 minute games. This year was just fucked.

And I agree that the NBA has slowed down some. It wasn't too long ago where you'd find at least a couple of 140 point games in a season. They don't do that anymore, but the pace of the NBA game is still a lot faster than international ball.

[Thanatos]

I agree. NBA is much more fast paced than international ball and if you want a lot of ppg, watch the Western conference. Don't expect it from the East. =\

[Jamesadin]

I kind of chuckled when I saw this on TV. Don't know why.

Who got Glorious Gold and Sociable Silver, since USA got Shameful Bronze.

[Demosthenes]

Italy got silver and Argentina got gold.

Puh-fucking-thetic.

[EvilLeprechaun]

How is it pathetic? They played excellent ball. The U.S. still obliterated everyone in the medal count, but just because we didn't win everything doesn't mean we're pathetic.

[kockblocker1]

I would rather of had the US men’s basketball not win any metal. I don't really know if a bronze is a big enough wakeup call. I hope it is, but I just don't really know.

Anything other than ZERO losses in Olympic basketball for team USA is UNACCEPTABLE. Gold should have been a given. The star NBA players and the selection committee fucked up and they need to start doing things correctly, start using their fucking heads. I don’t blame the bronze on any of the players or coaches on the current team USA roster. They played their best and got what they deserved for the team they were dealt.

[Demosthenes]

http://zelaron.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31983

That's why.

We're the US of fucking A. Anything less than gold is unacceptable, especially at basketball. Honestly, the only person I've retained respect for on that team is Dwayne Wade. Iverson used to be my favorite player that currently plays in the NBA. Not anymore.

[Thanatos]

Dwayne Wade? No way man. Tim Duncan still gets 100% of my respect. He was basically the only all-star that stepped up and played for his country. He played well.

Screw all the rookies, screw Carlos Boozer, screw Shawn Marion. We don't need these people on our Olypmic basketball team. We need Shaq, Kobe, T-Mac, Vinsanity, Jermaine O'Neal, KG, Paul Pierce and an effective 3-point shooter... say Reggie Miller or Brent Barry. Bah! I'm still mad.

[Demosthenes]

Dwayne Wade? No way man. Tim Duncan still gets 100% of my respect. He was basically the only all-star that stepped up and played for his country. He played well.

Screw all the rookies, screw Carlos Boozer, screw Shawn Marion. We don't need these people on our Olypmic basketball team. We need Shaq, Kobe, T-Mac, Vinsanity, Jermaine O'Neal, KG, Paul Pierce and an effective 3-point shooter... say Reggie Miller or Brent Barry. Bah! I'm still mad.

Well, I suppose Tim Duncan still reatins 90-95% of my respect. He worked. I've lost some respect for his game though. I had overestimated him.

[D3V]

Tim Dunan isn't even really that good. He's just a big mother fucker, and he's got a little bit of a shot.

I still go with my idea, ... send the winners. Send The Detroit Pistons over there to upset some international bitches. Or even send the Lakers, or UCONN or somebody that is an actual team. Just not a bunch of Egomaniacs that can't adapt to one another.

But what can you do? I say we BLAME IT ON teh Coach!

[kockblocker1]

Or even send the Lakers. Just not a bunch of Egomaniacs that can't adapt to one another.


I think you could count the Lakers of the 2003-2004 season out. Because this is exactly what they were that year.


On another note, that seems like a feasible idea. Not sure on the college thing but as far as sending the NBA champs, it seems like our best bet in the Olympics. The players on the team that are going to play on another team in the Olympics (like Yao Ming if the Rockets happen to win a championship) can be replaced by the player of the head coach’s choice (say they pick up Shaq to take Yao's place). I don't think Stern would be against it, in fact he should be all for it, but the problem is with the players and the organization. I don't know if they would be up for that kind of off-season commitment.

[EvilLeprechaun]

Yeah, but some of the players don't want to go. A player could get and hurt and not help anyone. That is why we only had this group of guys go. Everyone else was scared of going. You can't blame anyone though. They have the right to do what they feel.

Ben Wallace didn't even want go, and KG, Shaq, Jermaine O'Neal, Kobe, and others. They were afraid. If they would have had some outside shooters like Micheal Redd and Sam Cassell.

[Demosthenes]

These guys are making millions for playing basketball. If they're not the best in the world, then why the fuck are they making millions?

[EvilLeprechaun]

Because Americans get bored. They pay lots of money to see sports, and then complain about not making enough money themselves. That, and they tear up their bodie so fast, they can never do anything ever again. It isn't an excuse, but if I was as good as anyone of them, I would be glad to be payed that much.

[kockblocker1]

Because Americans get bored. They pay lots of money to see sports, and then complain about not making enough money themselves. That, and they tear up their bodie so fast, they can never do anything ever again. It isn't an excuse, but if I was as good as anyone of them, I would be glad to be payed that much.

That sounded like:

[EvilLeprechaun]

I love Jack Handy.......Hey wait.....That was an insult. Oh well. Thanks for the comment.

[Thanatos]

SNL, w00t!

Anyway, that's some BS about not wanting to get hurt. They have a chance to play in the freaking Olympics and represent their country. What more could they want!?

[Demosthenes]

What more could they want!?

sharks with frikkin laser beams...

[Thanatos]

Well, you do have a point there.

[EvilLeprechaun]

For some of the players, getting hurt wasn't that big of a deal. They were scared for their lives. The security risks of going to the Olympics were huge. They didn't want to die in a bombing. That would suck.

And sharks with frickin laser beams would be cool.

[Demosthenes]

For some of the players, getting hurt wasn't that big of a deal. They were scared for their lives. The security risks of going to the Olympics were huge. They didn't want to die in a bombing. That would suck.

And sharks with frickin laser beams would be cool.

In which case, they are pussies, and they can kiss my ass. I mean, in the end we did have people go, didn't we?

I honestly doubt that it was because they were scared of getting killed, I just think they were being lazy.