olympic BASKETBALL!!

[Jscc]

Paul George should really be starting on this team.

My thoughts exactly. He's the reason we have a lead instead of being down 20.

 

[Rich]

The guy I have been really impressed with is Paul George. Sure, he's not scoring much, but he's playing smart offense and he has been the best perimeter defender on the team, far better than both Klay and Butler. And the latter two are excellent defenders. I really think he's entered that top-tier of players with LeBron, KD, Westbrook, and Curry. If you have Paul George you'll make the playoffs, and frankly, you have a chance to win every round.

I thought he was there years ago, before his injury. He was the second best player in the East the year Indiana won 56 or so games.

EDIT: Butler and George are just overwhelming them with defense. I wouldn't be surprised to see a starting lineup change next game.

 

[godfather]

Going out on a limb here: Doug Collins really loves Durant. He only tells us every 20 seconds.

 

[Jordan]

Facundo Campazzo is dirty as shit.

 

[Ohio]

Draymond is shit

 

[Kbiz]

Paul George should really be starting on this team.

Been saying this for weeks. He is literally the ONLY player on the team that plays with any sense of urgency. Why we've continued to start Melo and Durant together is baffling to me. Neither of them has shown any willingness to play defense. Irving's defense looked pretty pedestrian last night as well.

This team is just constructed strangely. You basically have a lot of great scorers but that's not leading to pretty basketball. No one is looking to set up their teammates, no one moves off the ball, and the only player that seems to do any "dirty work" is DeAndre Jordan and that's mostly because his offensive game is limited to begin with so he is simply looking to impact the game in any way he can, which is leading to a lot of second chance opportunities. Those are saving our ass in these Olympics.

I firmly believe if this team had real leadership...an LBJ or Wade type, they'd look night and day different. Everyone continues to play way too loose without any sense of purpose, from the so-called Olympic "vets" to the first timers...luckily we turned it around last night but it was mostly with our bench bunch. This team is one of the most ugly Team USA's i've watched.

 

[Pioneer10]

Been saying this for weeks. He is literally the ONLY player on the team that plays with any sense of urgency. Why we've continued to start Melo and Durant together is baffling to me. Neither of them has shown any willingness to play defense. Irving's defense looked pretty pedestrian last night as well.

This team is just constructed strangely. You basically have a lot of great scorers but that's not leading to pretty basketball. No one is looking to set up their teammates, no one moves off the ball, and the only player that seems to do any "dirty work" is DeAndre Jordan and that's mostly because his offensive game is limited to begin with so he is simply looking to impact the game in any way he can, which is leading to a lot of second chance opportunities. Those are saving our ass in these Olympics.

I firmly believe if this team had real leadership...an LBJ or Wade type, they'd look night and day different. Everyone continues to play way too loose without any sense of purpose, from the so-called Olympic "vets" to the first timers...luckily we turned it around last night but it was mostly with our bench bunch. This team is one of the most ugly Team USA's i've watched.

Long story short they don't have any natural passers: doubt Wade would help much but the team is crying for a Lebron or CP3 type who would be content just setting up everybody while still being a dangerous threat themselves.

With those guys sitting if I had a do over I would have asked Wall to give it a try: he's a good passer and likes pushing the pace to set people up

 

[Andrew]

Early game today, USA Vs Spain is at 2:30 pm eastern. I am dvring it and will watch tonight after work.

 

[Ohio]

Early game today, USA Vs Spain is at 1:30 pm eastern. I am dvring it and will watch tonight after work.

2:30

 

[Wulfgar1224]

Been saying this for weeks. He is literally the ONLY player on the team that plays with any sense of urgency. Why we've continued to start Melo and Durant together is baffling to me. Neither of them has shown any willingness to play defense. Irving's defense looked pretty pedestrian last night as well.

This team is just constructed strangely. You basically have a lot of great scorers but that's not leading to pretty basketball. No one is looking to set up their teammates, no one moves off the ball, and the only player that seems to do any "dirty work" is DeAndre Jordan and that's mostly because his offensive game is limited to begin with so he is simply looking to impact the game in any way he can, which is leading to a lot of second chance opportunities. Those are saving our ass in these Olympics.

I firmly believe if this team had real leadership...an LBJ or Wade type, they'd look night and day different. Everyone continues to play way too loose without any sense of purpose, from the so-called Olympic "vets" to the first timers...luckily we turned it around last night but it was mostly with our bench bunch. This team is one of the most ugly Team USA's i've watched.

It isn't an ideal construction of a team. But, they can only go with what they've got. Several players didn't want to make the trip to Rio. So, I give credit to the ones that did decide to go. I think Spain will present a huge challenge despite their losses in pool play. They have a ton of experience internationally and are playing well right now.

 

[Kbiz]

Long story short they don't have any natural passers: doubt Wade would help much but the team is crying for a Lebron or CP3 type who would be content just setting up everybody while still being a dangerous threat themselves.

With those guys sitting if I had a do over I would have asked Wall to give it a try: he's a good passer and likes pushing the pace to set people up

Wade's presence would help us defensively because he gives effort on that end and his voice would be heard. He's an active leader unlike the current Olympic vets on this team.

One glaring weakness of this team is our defense and its not due to talent, it's due to effort; that's why whenever Paul George is in, we seem to go on extended runs. His defensive energy is contagious and a few stops quickly lead to easy points in transition and then it's as it if clicks to the players, "oh, we can burn everyone with our transition game!" Duh! You're fucking NBA players...you are the cream of the crop. Why our transitional game hasn't carried over throughout is a bit puzzling.

If i was Coach K, i'd be tinkering with out starting lineup. If Melo and Durant continue to start together, one of them should look to play more of a 4 role. Their size is frustrating to guard and they'd be quicker than any player that would be guarding them, leading to easy points at the free throw line. It just seems they are both content with floating on the wing, hoping the ball is swung their way so they can aimlessly jack up a shot while the rest of our starters simply stand there because they know they won't see the ball swung their way again.

Irving-George-Thompson-Durant-Jordan would be a much more effective lineup, IMO. You're eliminating the "got to get mine" attitude by removing Melo initially and he could still be the go-to scorer off the bench with Lowry and DeRozan picking up the defensive slack but Coach K is respecting the players who've been there and this is what we get.

It isn't an ideal construction of a team. But, they can only go with what they've got. Several players didn't want to make the trip to Rio. So, I give credit to the ones that did decide to go. I think Spain will present a huge challenge despite their losses in pool play. They have a ton of experience internationally and are playing well right now.

I think you've hit the nail on the head. Several players didn't want to go to Rio and it shows in this team. The players that are there are acting like Rio should just be thrilled they decided to make the trip.

With that said, i still see us getting the gold. I just wish the games showcased our potential a bit better. This team plays very similarly to how the Cavs played throughout the whole regular season...they've basically been sleepwalking while turning it on occasionally. It just hasn't been a whole lot of fun to watch.

 

[Wulfgar1224]

I think you've hit the nail on the head. Several players didn't want to go to Rio and it shows in this team. The players that are there are acting like Rio should just be thrilled they decided to make the trip.

With that said, i still see us getting the gold. I just wish the games showcased our potential a bit better. This team plays very similarly to how the Cavs played throughout the whole regular season...they've basically been sleepwalking while turning it on occasionally. It just hasn't been a whole lot of fun to watch.

To expand on that a little, I think it is a different mindset in the US. For players like Pau Gasol and Manu Ginobli, representing their country in the olympics is a great honor. I don't think if they are healthy that there is any chance they'd miss out on an international competition.

For Americans, it is a pain in the rearend and cuts into their freetime in summer. I get the NBA is a long season and that is where they make their living. But, it begs the question, should we appreciate the fact that the NBA players sacrifice to play in the olympics or should they feel honored and privileged to do so? Different people will have different answers to that.

 

[Jordan]

Paul George is the best two-way player in the NBA, no questions asked. His offense is elite and his defense, shit, it's fucking outstanding. The combination reminds me a lot of what I've watched from prime Scotty Pippen.

 

[Ohio]

Well he's not better than LeBron, but yeah.

 

[David.]

That's a good debate. George can shoot. Bron has the best defense. Kawhi is up there with them.

No one touches Bron on leadership