Olympics: USA Basketball

[Czvosec]

Stein:

Just read @PDcavsinsider quoting concerned Kyrie Irving about missing 2016 Olympics in Brazil if Under-23 Rule goes in. But he needn't worry

For starters, as @SI_IanThomsen reported this week, unlikely such a drastic rule change can get passed in time for 2016 Games. Secondly ...

If eligible for Rio, Kyrie going for SURE. While covering Team USA hearing nothing but raves about him. One of first names on 2016 roster

And Yahoo Blogger, Dan Devine:

If nothing else, that last thing I RT'd is the best argument for not going U23 yet. We haven't even unleashed Kyrie Irving on the world yet.

[JiggleIt]

I'd honestly rather go a full summer without seeing Kyrie than have him risk injury during the Olympic games.

[SuperSurge]

I'd honestly rather go a full summer without seeing Kyrie than have him risk injury during the Olympic games.

Pussy.

(Did I do that right?)

[Pyro]

I'd honestly rather go a full summer without seeing Kyrie than have him risk injury during the Olympic games.

I'd rather him go to the Olympics and risk injury just for a Gold Medal. Lord knows we aren't winning an NBA title anytime soon. A Gold Medal, one of the highest achievements in sports, will have to do.

[chrisrich91]

I'd rather him go to the Olympics and risk injury just for a Gold Medal. Lord knows we aren't winning an NBA title anytime soon. A Gold Medal, one of the highest achievements in sports, will have to do.

Just a chance at an NBA Championship is worth more than a 100% guaranteed basketball gold medal in the Olympics. It's just too easy.

If we're not contending for an NBA Championship by the time the Rio games come around, why should we worry about Kyrie getting injured for the Lakers?

[McCav's fan]

http://www.nbcolympics.com/news-blog...last-ride.html

Coach K's last ride
Krzyzewski says gold-medal game his last
By: Tom Withers, Associated PressUPDATED: Aug 11, 3:30p ET

LONDON (AP) — Mike Krzyzewski's last game as U.S. coach will be for an Olympic gold medal.
As the American men's team prepared to play Spain for the Olympic title, Krzyzewski told The Associated Press that the game will be his final one as national coach, a position he has held for seven years.
Krzyzewski had left open the possibility of staying with the team beyond the London Games, but before practice on Saturday said these will be his last Olympics.
When asked if he was sure, Krzyzewski didn't hesitate before again saying, "yes," this will be his last game.
Krzyzewski, who has led Duke to four NCAA championships, took over the U.S. team in 2005. In the past seven years, he has restored the powerful American program, which was in disarray following a third-place finish at the 2004 Athens Games.
However, led by Krzyzewski, the U.S. got redemption and a gold medal four years ago in China, won the world championships in 2010 and can win gold again by beating Spain.
"If we can win it, then it would be three major championships in a row, which I don't know when that's been done because we haven't usually won the world championships," Krzyzewski said. "It would be a huge thing for our program."
Although he won't take credit, Krzyzewski's impact on the U.S. program has been immense.
"It goes beyond what has happened on the floor," said USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo, who hired Krzyzewski to run the U.S. team. "He's been so important to me in everything we've done in building the infrastructure and philosophy and standards — all of it. His legacy goes beyond the record on the court. We're 52-1, I guess since this all began, and hopefully we'll be 53-1 after tomorrow. That's a legacy in itself."
Colangelo was asked if can persuade Krzyzewski to remain as coach.
"Chances are not," he said. "But we'll have to have that conversation on an official basis. He's said this is it, and I'll respect his choice. But knowing me as I know me, I'll have that conversation and we'll see."
With a win Sunday, Krzyzewski would join Henry Iba (1964, 1968) as the only U.S. coach to lead the Americans to gold medals in consecutive Olympics.

Barring injury, I think that it is pretty safe to say that Kyrie will be playing in the 2016 Olympics. It would have been cool if he had been able to play for Coach K there. Stepping down after seven years is understandable though. 53-1 (after tomorrow) is pretty amazing as well.

[Powerslave]

Wow, LeBron can't even win a gold medal without joining up with all-stars.

[Pyro]

DEUCES LONDON!!! GOLD MEDALS FOR US!!!

[blue_kahuna]

Watching the Spanish team reminded me of those flopping idiots in soccer.

[3 Da Hard Way]

Pau was getting anything he wanted. If Rudy Fernendez could have contributed In any kind of way It would of been interesting down the stretch. Marc sitting out the whole 3rd was rough too

[randymoss1881]

Pau was getting anything he wanted. If Rudy Fernendez could have contributed In any kind of way It would of been interesting down the stretch. Marc sitting out the whole 3rd was rough too

pau played amazing showing what he can do when hes is passed too ( im looking at you kobe) and then kobe shot everytime he got the ball bo matter where or how it was

[Rich]

I'll be honest, I really loved watching this team. They had just enough weaknesses to make it interesting and never before have I seen a team that had so many guys that could just get red-hot at any moment. They put on individual shooting displays that were just awesome.

[Shawn817]

Man... watching that interview... after 2 more years there could be no more Kobe

[Sawduzt]

Honestly i really wanted spain to win, it would have been a great story. But lebrons 3 was a dagger and then pau committed the illegal screen. Sergio has been awful in my opinion, imagine if they'd had rubio running the show with calderon. In the end Durrant is just too good with his feet set and too tall to be bothered by a guard closing out

[Rich]

I'd honestly rather go a full summer without seeing Kyrie than have him risk injury during the Olympic games.

I thought Kobe did a pretty good job talking about this, but these guys are playing anyway. Does it matter if it's in the Olympics or in some summer rec league?