aznkillabeezZz wrote:I really don't know how Team China will fair, but i can see them coming quarters, or semis if other players other than yao and yi can contribute. But no team in the world can beat Team USA. The teams they put out last time , a basketball person would know that there's no chemistry, and mentally they weren't focused. They took it as a vacation since they were overconfident. They were like the knicks , just good on paper.
I want the USA team to win as much as anyone, but it won't happen unless we have some shooters. If we keep Redd and Miller on the team, then our chances of winning are increased substantially. The addition of the best player in the world, Kobe, also helps.
You need to remember that the level of play in the Euroleague has improved substantially thanks in part to the export of American coaches and players over the past 20 years. Some of the best players in the Euroleague are Americans, so the Europeans are used to playing against them. There's no fear-factor. You could even say that some European coaches are better than their American counterparts.
Our demise seems to have been the result of placing emphasis on the individual over the team. The AAU programs and kids entering the NBA too early are also to blame. It's no coincidence that our losses in these international tourneys started after most of the players from the Dream Team retired. The new generation isn't as fundamentally sound as their predecessors. Over the past decade, the NBA has been over-run with prima-donnas who think they're better than they actually are. We forget how to play TEAM bball.
Over the years, Stern has done a lot to correct the problem. Making it mandatory to attend college for a year helps. The NBA was becoming like another NCAA because the average age of the players was so young. Reducing or eliminating the hip-hop, gangster image from the NBA should be a priority. Nobody wants to see that crap, at least not me. The results of Stern's plan will not be seen for 5-10 years.
As for 2008, I think we have a great shot at winning gold, much better than 2006. However, Spain, Argentina, and Lithuania have a starting five consisting of mostly NBA players. These teams have been playing together for a decade, they're familiar with the FIBA rules, play great team D, and - most importantly - they shoot the lights out.
I hate to say it, but I think Spain will win it all. Gasol, Navarro, and Calderon are a tough 3-some to handle in FIBA tourneys.
