2021 USA Basketball @ Tokyo Olympics

[Primetime]

They didn’t really throw the 08 & 12 teams together though.

I’d say it still amounted to the very best players in the league, however glorified the process.

Once you have prime Kobe and maturated prime LeBron, Wade, Deron, CP3, Dwight, etc... you’re going to be good to go regardless.

im sure if they had ‘04 Shaq, Kobe, TMac, Kidd, etc to join Duncan... they’d find a way to win the gold regardless of Larry brown or lack of reps together.

 

[SchoolboyC]

I’d say it still amounted to the very best players in the league, however glorified the process.

Once you have prime Kobe and maturated prime LeBron, Wade, Deron, CP3, Dwight, etc... you’re going to be good to go regardless.

im sure if they had ‘04 Shaq, Kobe, TMac, Kidd, etc to join Duncan... they’d find a way to win the gold regardless of Larry brown or any short comings.

Both can be true

If the USA’s best players play then they’re likely gonna win off GP but it’s also important to have continuity. 08 squad might have won regardless but I think the chemistry they had from prior years of playing together benefitted them

 

[Dilltastic VolWon(derful)]

Trae would be pretty useless though, so it's kind of understandable why they wouldn't want him right now

Jrue and Dame are both significantly better than him. He would be the worst 3 point shooter of any of the guards. He'd be the worst defender in the tournament. He's not gonna get any of his bait fouls, and zone and no 3 in the key are taking away his floater


Also zero chance that pop would play a guy as limited as him any minutes


Trae is kind of the embodiment of why the NBA players struggle in FIBA. He would make this team much worse

Pos rep. Perfectly summed up. A lot of people on here really can’t see how different FIBA play is from the NBA now

 

[Ironman]

Kobe was just a different breed

 

[mbewane]

Japan played better than I thought they would, but Spain is gonna Spain.

Is this the general thread for the Bbal tournament or only to discuss Team USA?

 

[tremonthustler1]

Rubio and the international stage. Name a more iconic duo.

For Mamba

 

[Box Factory]

Trae creates shots for others at the very least. From what i've seen so far, playmaking is sorely needed even if everything you said is true

Maybe, but he generally just gets assists off of pure volume and usage. Also one of the worst turnover guys in the league. He throws a nice ally and can zip some nice passes to the corner, but I generally think his playmaking is a bit overrated

 

[No1]

Japan played better than I thought they would, but Spain is gonna Spain.

Is this the general thread for the Bbal tournament or only to discuss Team USA?

Seems general at this point

 

[Malcolmxxx_23]

I swear watching those games 8 am 2008
The USA was on a mission
They destroyed greece and Argentina

Felt like personal

Fred

 

[ROFL_GUY]

Kobe was just a different breed

Don't cry anymore seeing him. Over a year+ would ball . Gotta be strong

Miss him Soo much. We love you Kobe forever

 

[Primetime]

Both can be true

If the USA’s best players play then they’re likely gonna win off GP but it’s also important to have continuity. 08 squad might have won regardless but I think the chemistry they had from prior years of playing together benefitted them

I agree, I’m moreso saying they never solved the continuity issue and instead benefitted from the ‘04 embarrassment to rally the best players to respond.

Once that’s accomplished (best player commitment) the added continuity can help but IMO can also be a dog and pony show at that point.

The true measure is what happens when shyt is avenged, pride is restored, and the S-class superstars are back in hibernation. Was what was done sustainable/executable (and with just A-class stars) or will things come back to 04

 

[10bandz]

Kobe was just a different breed

wow, this nikka Kobe was on some OTHER shyt

 

[Regular_P]

fukkin dodo

Do you always wake up miserable?

 

[smitty22]

Do you always wake up miserable?

Pot kettle

 

[Regular_P]

Pot kettle

I'm a nice guy.