OT: London 2012 Olympic Basketball Thread

[ManualRam]

Bulls could use Sergio.

which sergio? i'd take either. llull is a baller. tough defensively and he can really slash.
i wonder if he has plans on ever coming over. the rockets could use him.

[suckfish]

I was talking about Rodriguez, but would probably prefer Llull actually.

[dice]

Yeah, don't make the Olympics U23..

i can't blame the nba at all for seeking some sort of restriction on team usa eligibility. when you're a heavy favorite despite olympic gold not being the primary professional goal of the players...

much like US presidents used to voluntarily adhere to the 2 term precedent set by george washington, i think it'd be cool if players limited themselves to a single olympic appearance. a once in a lifetime experience. it'd be cool to see more 2nd and 3rd tier pros get the opportunity, and it'd make the games more meaningful

[Rerisen]

so who's gonna coach team USA beyond this yr?
did they groom a successor?

Doc or Pop are thought of as the leading contenders.

Colangelo and the players will also probably try and talk Coach K into doing one more World's in 14.

[ManualRam]

so who's gonna coach team USA beyond this yr?
did they groom a successor?

Doc or Pop are thought of as the leading contenders.

Colangelo and the players will also probably try and talk Coach K into doing one more World's in 14.

team usa under colangelo has put an emphasis on continuity. pop has had some fiba experience in the past, but hasnt been involved since 2004.
i wouldnt have a problem with either choice though.

[AAU Teammate]

Say goodbye to Spain BTW. This generation of players is pretty much done. The talent coming through is nice, but not nice like this.

Spain will still have Marc Gasol, Rubio and Ibaka in their primes and who knows what's in the pipeline over the next few years. They'll still be medal contenders in 2016 along with France who has it's Parker/Batum/Noah core along with some nice young prospects. Argentina is the team that will likely fall out of the elite group in international basketball, with the majority of their core players currently in their 30's.

Mirotic is a naturalized Spaniard, no? That's another thing to consider.

But Spain has a pretty steady flow of talent. I think it's kind of silly to imagine one has a handle on what future rosters from other countries will look like.

[aaqubed]

Say goodbye to Spain BTW. This generation of players is pretty much done. The talent coming through is nice, but not nice like this.

Spain will still have Marc Gasol, Rubio and Ibaka in their primes and who knows what's in the pipeline over the next few years. They'll still be medal contenders in 2016 along with France who has it's Parker/Batum/Noah core along with some nice young prospects. Argentina is the team that will likely fall out of the elite group in international basketball, with the majority of their core players currently in their 30's.

Mirotic is a naturalized Spaniard, no? That's another thing to consider.

But Spain has a pretty steady flow of talent. I think it's kind of silly to imagine one has a handle on what future rosters from other countries will look like.

He is, but I think the rules only allow one naturalized player per roster -- so he'd have to beat out Ibaka.

[Wingy]

That was a bad game to watch, so many whistles that it was just painful. Quick thoughts:

- I've been a true hater for awhile now...but for a few shining weeks...Lebron, Kobe and I were good again. Lebron is the best player in the world. Kobe...I was able to root for you with the USA across your chest. Back to the Haterade now for me.

- Next coach...my head = Doc...my heart = Doug Collins. No it wasn't my idea, but I'd love to see Doug crying in Brazil and get a small piece of redemption for himself and his squad of '72.

- Random next team prediction. I think it will be a veteran heavy crew:

CP3/Rose/Kyrie
Lebron/Westbrook
Durant/Melo
Love/Griffin/Bosh
Howard/A. Davis

Edit: Alternates: Greg Monroe, Aldridge, Eric Gordon, Deron Williams

[Bomba Navarro]

Say goodbye to Spain BTW. This generation of players is pretty much done. The talent coming through is nice, but not nice like this.

Let me doubt that they are done.

At the risk of looking naive, I'd say that Navarro and Gasol, the keys of this national team, will spin out their careers to have a last shot in Spain '14. They're sure to miss Slovenia '13, but I think Pau can still be a nearly dominant player in FIBA in 2014, and Navarro, even hounded by injuries as he's, will never forget how to shoot the ball. The swan has to sing one last song.

As for the replacement when they're done actually done, I believe in Ricky, Rudy, Ibaka/Mirotic and Marc, and there're a couple of good generations coming from behind —Álex Abrines (1993), Dani Díez (1993), Willy Hernángomez (1994), Illimane Diop (1995) or, to a lesser extent due to physical handicaps, Josep Pérez (1994) or Jaime Fernández (1993). Other than Croatia —these ones more often than not end up spoiling their talented prospects— and perhaps Lituania, I don't reckon that any country not named USA is producing better talent.

[suckfish]

At the risk of looking naive, I'd say that Navarro and Gasol, the keys of this national team, will spin out their careers to have a last shot in Spain '14. They're sure to miss Slovenia '13, but I think Pau can still be a nearly dominant player in FIBA in 2014, and Navarro, even hounded by injuries as he's, will never forget how to shoot the ball. The swan has to sing one last song.

I was referring to the next Olympics, Rio 2016, and their chances of competing with the US like they currently have been. Navarro, Pau, Calderon, and Reyes will all be done by then.

As for the replacement when they're done actually done, I believe in Ricky, Rudy, Ibaka/Mirotic and Marc, and there're a couple of good generations coming from behind —Álex Abrines (1993), Dani Díez (1993), Willy Hernángomez (1994), Illimane Diop (1995) or, to a lesser extent due to physical handicaps, Josep Pérez (1994) or Jaime Fernández (1993).

No doubt Spain will always be nice. I was talking about keeping up with the USA though. Rubio, Rudy, Marc, Ibaka or Mirotic, Claver, Llull, Rodriguez will headline the team. But Pau and Navarro have made this team go during their long run. They provide the buckets. Still good enough to win a medal, sure, but to actually challenge the US like the last two Olympics? No.

They have younger prospects coming through, but it doesn't seem like any of these guys will be difference makers to what will be the remaining team. Xavi Rabaseda is a guy who I like coming through.

Other than Croatia —these ones more often than not end up spoiling their talented prospects— and perhaps Lituania, I don't reckon that any country not named USA is producing better talent.

Don't sleep on Serbia who will probably be the biggest threat to the US by 2016.

Here are the ages of their current team.

Teodosic(25)/Nedovic (21)/Markovic (24)
Tepic(25)/Rasic (28)
Bjelica(24)/Keselj (24)/Lucic (23)
Savanovic(28)/Macvan(22)
Kristic (28)/Musli (21)/

That is one heck of a team now. Just wait until they grow a little bit older. Their nice trio of Teodosic, Tepic, Bjelica will all be in their primes.

Serbia produces great prospects every day of the week.

[Bomba Navarro]

Well, challenging the USA is not something I'd say it's in the normal course of events for a forty-five million country whose national sport is football (our football) and not basketball. Keeping up with the US is impossible for Spain, I'm afraid. Everybody here has already gotten used to the idea.

I don't think that Serbia team is that special, suckfish. I mean, they are a good team with good players, and Ivkovic has done a great job on maximazing their skills and hiding their defects, but when all is said and done they lack a real first-level star, since Teodosic doesn't quite fit that description, let alone Tepic, who a propos has struggled big time in Seville this last season, or Bjelica. They can compete with almost every team in the world, but my take is that the USA are and will be a whole another story for them.

Honestly, I don't think anybody in Europe, nor in America nor anywhere in the world is producing talent as to challenge the USA in the next Olympics Games. Most top national teams are still living on their old golden generations, and nothing points to a change any time soon since no golden generation seems to be in the making.

P.S. I like Rabaseda too. I wish the Barcelona would assign him to some ACB or Euroleague team where he could have minutes to play and get better. He has great physical skills to play the 2, and he's also a good defender and a legit shooter.

[Bomba Navarro]

By the way, suckfish, I think you like Navarro, don't you?

Take a look at that Josep Pérez I mentioned. He's even smaller and worse physical skills wise than Navarro, and I think he'll have a hard time transitioning to elite professional basketball, even though he plays the PG and not the SG like Juan Carlos does. But seriously. He's Navarro head to toe. The shooting mechanics, the floater, the change of pace, even the way he celebrates when he knocks down a big three.

[suckfish]

Well, challenging the USA is not something I'd say it's in the normal course of events for a forty-five million country whose national sport is football (our football) and not basketball. Keeping up with the US is impossible for Spain, I'm afraid. Everybody here has already gotten used to the idea.

I don't disagree..

I don't think that Serbia team is that special, suckfish. I mean, they are a good team with good players, and Ivkovic has done a great job on maximazing their skills and hiding their defects, but when all is said and done they lack a real first-level star, since Teodosic doesn't quite fit that description, let alone Tepic, who a propos has struggled big time in Seville this last season, or Bjelica. They can compete with almost every team in the world, but my take is that the USA are and will be a whole another story for them.

I think they could be just as good or better than Spain, Lithuania, or Croatia come 2016. Not saying they challenge the US, but they may well have one of the best shots at doing so. It's a shame they weren't in London 2012.

Then again, maybe not. 4 years is a long time away. While I said Spain will be done with regards to hanging with the US, they will be a top team for years to come.

P.S. I like Rabaseda too. I wish the Barcelona would assign him to some ACB or Euroleague team where he could have minutes to play and get better. He has great physical skills to play the 2, and he's also a good defender and a legit shooter.

Yeah, well he was loaned in the past wasn't he before coming to back Barca for the season. He's not going to play much with Navarro, Mickael, Eidson, or Ingles taking spots any time soon though.

[suckfish]

By the way, suckfish, I think you like Navarro, don't you?

Take a look at that Josep Pérez I mentioned. He's even smaller and worse physical skills wise than Navarro, and I think he'll have a hard time transitioning to elite professional basketball, even though he plays the PG and not the SG like Juan Carlos does. But seriously. He's Navarro head to toe. The shooting mechanics, the floater, the change of pace, even the way he celebrates when he knocks down a big three.

Haven't seen him play. Is he playing with FCB's 2nd team in LEB Oro or just with the juniors?

[MrSparkle]

I think what made Spain special was Pau Gasol... and the good arsenal of talent. W/O a young Pau, they won't have a "shot" against USA. Still will be good, but not on that level.. Unless Rubio simply takes over the NBA.

[suckfish]

I think what made Spain special was Pau Gasol... and the good arsenal of talent. W/O a young Pau, they won't have a "shot" against USA. Still will be good, but not on that level.. Unless Rubio simply takes over the NBA.

Your right. Rubio can make plays, but he isn't going to provide Pau levels of offensive firepower, ever. Nobody is.

Marc will step up into that role, to a lesser extent.

[Bomba Navarro]

He plays with both the juniors and the LEB Plata team. He's already made his début with the first team in Euroleague but, well, he's still far from being able to play in ACB or Euroleague on a regular basis. As I said, he's too handicapped by his physical skills as to be an elite prospect —he's undersized even as a point guard, skinny and not really explosive. But he reminds me of Navarro. A lot. And I can't help but wanting him to success just so as not to miss Juan Carlos too much when he retires.

Now he's playing with the u18 national team the European Championship. Tomorrow they are going to face Russia in the quarterfinals, though I think there's no stream whatsoever to watch the game. If you want to see the way he plays, here is a video of Mannheim, a tournament Spain won just some months ago. He sports the number 10. Note that the last Spanish team that win in Mannheim was the one who had Navarro and Raúl López as leaders and a supporting cast made up by Felipe Reyes, Pau Gasol, Germán Gabriel, José Calderón, Carlos Cabezas and Berni Rodríguez amongst others.

I think they could be just as good or better than Spain, Lithuania, or Croatia come 2016. Not saying they challenge the US, but they may well have one of the best shots at doing so. It's a shame they weren't in London 2012.

Then again, maybe not. 4 years is a long time away. While I said Spain will be done with regards to hanging with the US, they will be a top team for years to come.

I can't say I quite disagree with you. It's just that I don't see them as the next big thing. They will challenge just about everyone barring the USA because they are good and particularly well-coached, but I can't see them being the indisputable second power for they lack a real star, or even a real star prospect for the time being. I mean, Spain has Rubio/Marc, Lithuania Valanciunas, Croatia Saric and Hezonja. I miss that in Serbia. A player who can really make a difference all throughout a tournament. Or one who looks like he could become that player for the matter.

Yeah, well he was loaned in the past wasn't he before coming to back Barca for the season. He's not going to play much with Navarro, Mickael, Eidson, or Ingles taking spots any time soon though.

I think it's a shame that the FCB is hoarding two of the best young Spanish SG just to comply with the quota of Spanish players on a team. Nowadays they have six players —Navarro, Mickael, Eidson, Ingles, Rabaseda and Abrines— to compete for two spots. It's not hard to imagine who won't see too much playing time, is it?

[suckfish]

He plays with both the juniors and the LEB Plata team.

Oh, cool. The B team has moved up to Oro for the upcoming season though, right? I'm actually considering coming to Barcelona for an extended weekend sometime this season. Would obviously try and catch Barca game like I did last time, but it'd be cool to check the B team if they are playing at home too. Gotta see a game at the Nou Camp too. Did the tour last time but no game. Anyway.. I'm waffling..

Now he's playing with the u18 national team the European Championship. Tomorrow they are going to face Russia in the quarterfinals, though I think there's no stream whatsoever to watch the game. If you want to see the way he plays, here is a video of Mannheim, a tournament Spain won just some months ago. He sports the number 10. Note that the last Spanish team that win in Mannheim was the one who had Navarro and Raúl López as leaders and a supporting cast made up by Felipe Reyes, Pau Gasol, Germán Gabriel, José Calderón, Carlos Cabezas and Berni Rodríguez amongst others.

I thought FIBATV were streaming that, no? If they are, I'll make time to check it out.

[suckfish]

If you want to see the way he plays, here is a video of Mannheim

Will watch this tomorrow. Gotta sleep.

[MAQ]

How old is Pau? I think he LOVES playing for this national team so much that I could see him lacing them up in 2016 giving both his NBA career and Olympic career a proper goodbye. It will, apparently, be the last go round for a lot of guys.