The US Men's Basketball team pulls out the Bronze. I was actually rooting for Lithuania here. Does that make me a traitor?
Of all the things that drive me crazy about this Sorta-Dream Team, what bothers me most is how easy it would have been for them to win. Two players, that's all it takes. Two guys who wouldn't sell many jerseys, but would have meant more wins.
Player 1-Tayshaun Prince and his Amazing Length would have given this team the one-on-one D to stop opposing wing players who got all crazy against us. Mr. Prince, say hello to Mr. Genobli.
Player 2-Brent Barry would have hit every single one of those open threes these chuckleheads missed. He's also good off the dribble, unlike most outside specialists, and could serve as a point guard in a pinch.
Lastly, to whomever is running the Supersonics right now, please please please find a way to get this guy in Seattle?
Posted by Frinklin at August 28, 2004 01:58 PMI've said it before, and I'll say it againg: Michael Redd is the best pure shooter in the NBA and should have been the first man USA Basketball invited to Athens.
Posted by: Richard at August 28, 2004 05:00 PMRedd, Barry, Ray Allen (who turned them down, if I remember correctly), even what's left of Reggie Miller... anyone who could hit a 25 footer.
A point guard would help too, but America only produces selfish, shoot-first points now. Iverson, Marbury, Francis, Baron Davis... Jebus, is there a true American point guard left?
Posted by: frinklin at August 28, 2004 05:12 PMI used to watch Jasikevicius when he played at Maryland. My dad is a Terps fan, and we used to watch the games together. My dad always thought he'd make a ballplayer; tenacious ballplayer, good shooter, capable passer. But of course, guys like that never make it in the NBA...
Posted by: Mediocre Fred at August 29, 2004 10:19 AMHuh.. he passes, he's tough, he shoots from outside...Yeah, I can see why the NBA would hate that. I hate these damn Euro-players. Don't they know you should hold the ball until someone runs a pick for you, then penetrate and throw up an ugly shot. Now THAT'S Basketball
Posted by: frinklin at August 29, 2004 06:39 PMI don't think patriotism really figures in who you root for in the Olympics, but I thought the bronze medal game showed that the US team had some character. Would have been easy to lie down and let Lithuania walk away with bronze. It's not the players' fault that better players were not chosen or opted to stay away.
If the US team had won all the group games, but lost to Argentina in semis, that would have been fine. Anyone who watches NCAA knows that best team doesn't always win on the day. But, this US team was not really better than the other teams in the tournament.
Over on my site today (www.irisheagle.com), I asked if it was possible that some of the star players stayed away due to stricter drug testing at the Olympics. Have you seen anything along these lines?
Posted by: John at August 30, 2004 06:41 AMNo..in fact this is the first time I've heard the question raised. I think it's pretty easy for people here to assume that the NBA stars are self-absorbed enough not to want to do it.
Posted by: frinklin at August 30, 2004 05:40 PM