View Full Version : USA Basketball
RayFink1e
08-31-2007, 12:42 PM
Has anyone else been watching these games? Team USA is amazing. Kobe is showing he is the best in the world. Carmelo is showing he can just flat out score from anywhere. Jason Kidd is showing just how great he is at running a team. The offense is so much better when Kidd is at point. LeBron is finally looking like he might be developing a consistent shot. Dwight is showing that he can really dunk.
They all look more determined then ever. Which is prolly Kobe and Kidds leadership. The USA defense has been amazing every game other then one.
How about the dunk Melo had last night? Or did anyone see Kobe get the look of death after the guy from Puerto Rico started talking trash? Kobe looked like he wanted to rip his heart out
Yeah, I've been watching, the US has been very impressive. I know the competition isn't that great, but we've lost to some of these teams over the last few years, and now we're dominating. Kobe and Kidd are certainly making a huge impact. Melo and James have been quite impressive as well. How about LeBron's 11-11(fg's) game a couple days ago?
Sports Guy
08-31-2007, 01:44 PM
They got the right coach, organizer(colangelo), committment and team concept this time around....They will dominate the Olympics.
Camden_yardbird
08-31-2007, 11:10 PM
Kobe may be the best 3-pt shooter in the world (Stoudamire is trying to challenge him)...and I don't think he gets credit for that. He should get a lot of rep to taking an offensive backseat right now and playing some stellar D. Though he does press sometimes.
This team is good. But the international powerhouses are not there. And Argentina is playing without its two leading scorers.
They got the right coach, organizer(colangelo), committment and team concept this time around....They will dominate the Olympics.
At least you get to see Coach K and Kobe together 10+ years later.:D Thank God he didn't go to Duke!:)
ixcuincle
09-01-2007, 07:23 AM
Just shows you how much of a brilliant mind Coach K is (kind of)...although they haven't played anyone and the one "good" team they did play didn't even have Manu Ginobili playing. I must concur though , that they do look good , and every game they play they win by double digits , but be wary : Will this team be good enough to take down the juggernauts of international basketball (i.e. Germany who I think beat us the last time?)
Sports Guy
09-01-2007, 12:20 PM
Wasn't K's fault last year when they were beat silly, and it isn't K's coaching this year that has them playing well...
Its a better roster for international play, and the biggest difference is the additions of Kidd, and Kobe.
K has the players respect and he may be the only coach that will get Kobe to play within the team concept in this type of event.
Kobe is the key to this team and they probably don't lose last year if he was there.
He is the best player in the game and because he plays well DEFENSIVELY, he makes a tremendous difference.
K has the players respect and he may be the only coach that will get Kobe to play within the team concept in this type of event.
Kobe is the key to this team and they probably don't lose last year if he was there.
He is the best player in the game and because he plays well DEFENSIVELY, he makes a tremendous difference.
Kobe wouldn't be overly selfish with this team regardless of who the coach is.
Sports Guy
09-01-2007, 02:38 PM
Kobe wouldn't be overly selfish with this team regardless of who the coach is.
In this type of setting, i could see Kobe wanting to do more and showcase his talents.
In this type of setting, i could see Kobe wanting to do more and showcase his talents.
He is doing more, playing great D like you said. He knows he doesn't need to score a ton of points to win. In fact, if he was trying to go for 30 every night, that would hurt his image even more. He's be playing within the team regardless of who the coach is.
RayFink1e
09-01-2007, 03:57 PM
The only reason they lost last year is because the Greek guy went 11-11 and was draining threes.
The thing Kobe gives them is a momentum stopper. If the other team gets a run going, we give it to Kobe and let him do his thing. He is the best closer is the game and if we need a score, Kobe can get it. Plus he looks like he wants to rip the other teams heart out every time.
And on Kobe being selfish. Did anyone watch the NBA for the entire season last year? Kobe wasnt shooting alot and was doing what Jordan had to in the early 90's. Then everyone got hurt and the Lakers struggled. So Phil told him to go and try to win the games. They had like a 8 game losing streak till Kobe went on his 50 point scoring binge. I dont remember the exact quote but it went something like " If you are triple teamed make a play, if you are double teamed score and if you are single covered crush him"