FIBA World Cup Discussion (Aug. 25-Sep. 10)

[Domejandro]

I wish we could have seen Anthony Edwards slot into a supporting role. I feel like that would have been more beneficial to his development than being a dedicated chucker on the team.

I get what you’re saying, but I disagree. His role here will be the same as on Team USA, alpha. What he needs to learn is what his teammates and Kerr talked about, better at knowing when to move the ball in that role, not be a ball stopper, and when to take over. I don’t think being a role player helps with that maturation.

Not that he’s Jordan but MJ had to go through a similar maturation over several years.

Team USA didn’t lose because of offense with Ant being the Alpha, they lost because of team construction. They had zero rebounding. None. And they relied heavily on players that got absolutely hunted on defense, Brunson and Reaves.

That's kind of the point, though. His role as USA's dedicated chucker is the exact same role he has played for three years in his NBA career. It would have served him better to learn how to operate and be more effective off of the ball.

[TimberKat]

Is Banchero, JJJ, and Ingram really sick today or just sick of Kerr? Just looking at stats, US guards got out played by CA. SGA 11 for 20, 12 ast, 6 reb. Looks like the new king of mid range. Ant took 20 shots too to score 24pt and not much else. It looks like very little ball movements with US with such low assists rate. They also can't contain CA's smaller players Brooks with 39, Barrett 23, and SGA 31? Can anyone guard SGA?

[shrink]

Is Banchero, JJJ, and Ingram really sick today or just sick of Kerr?

Good question. I know after the loss, the US bigs took a lot of criticism, and most of the discussion was how to find better players for the Olympics. Since they gave up their summer to be here, I’m not too surprised they shut it down.

Plus, I don’t think many people cared. Even in the summer basketball drought, I literally forgot this game existed.

[Guest84]

Is Banchero, JJJ, and Ingram really sick today or just sick of Kerr?

Good question. I know after the loss, the US bigs took a lot of criticism, and most of the discussion was how to find better players for the Olympics. Since they gave up their summer to be here, I’m not too surprised they shut it down.

Plus, I don’t think many people cared. Even in the summer basketball drought, I literally forgot this game existed.

I wouldn't doubt it. While Kerr is considered a good coach, he doesn't seem to handle the development of younger players that well. Good experience for the young guys though. Teaching them how hard it is to win. Hopefully, the intensity of international play will translate into the season.

[minimus]

Bravo Germany! Well deserved! Excellent tournament, I enjoyed many games.

P.S. Both Banchero and Reaves could play for Italy and Germany respectively. They did not.

[TimberKat]

Bravo Germany! Well deserved! Excellent tournament, I enjoyed many games.

P.S. Both Banchero and Reaves could play for Italy and Germany respectively. They did not.

Wonder how the Lakers going to stay afloat without Schroder next year

[Calinks]

Big props and congrats to Canada. They really could have won it all I think but they goofed in some key possesions. They really need Wiggins and Murray to show up and they can take it all.

Another big problem I see with the US team, maybe its the AAU thing again because I will go back to what Smitch was saying a decade ago, our young guys they don't have fundamentals. Particualry, NBA players don't box out worth a damn. Timberolves teams have noticeably had this problem, nobody can put a body on their man and secure a ball.

We are getting crushed in a lot of small areas by the international guts. The lack of bigs is one thing but there are so many little areas where we are just lacking in skills that put us at a disadvantage. We talent for days but we aren't maximizing at at all because our guys aren't being taught like these other guys from a young age.

[frankenwolf]

Big props and congrats to Canada. They really could have won it all I think but they goofed in some key possesions. They really need Wiggins and Murray to show up and they can take it all.

Another big problem I see with the US team, maybe its the AAU thing again because I will go back to what Smitch was saying a decade ago, our young guys they don't have fundamentals. Particualry, NBA players don't box out worth a damn. Timberolves teams have noticeably had this problem, nobody can put a body on their man and secure a ball.

We are getting crushed in a lot of small areas by the international guts. The lack of bigs is one thing but there are so many little areas where we are just lacking in skills that put us at a disadvantage. We talent for days but we aren't maximizing at at all because our guys aren't being taught like these other guys from a young age.

I cannot agree with this enough. Everyone wants to be Steph, LeBron, Ant, KAT. Jack them up from half court or slam it through. No one wants to do the dirty work: Box out, rebound, hustle, get in that defensive position.

[Klomp]

Big props and congrats to Canada. They really could have won it all I think but they goofed in some key possesions. They really need Wiggins and Murray to show up and they can take it all.

Another big problem I see with the US team, maybe its the AAU thing again because I will go back to what Smitch was saying a decade ago, our young guys they don't have fundamentals. Particualry, NBA players don't box out worth a damn. Timberolves teams have noticeably had this problem, nobody can put a body on their man and secure a ball.

We are getting crushed in a lot of small areas by the international guts. The lack of bigs is one thing but there are so many little areas where we are just lacking in skills that put us at a disadvantage. We talent for days but we aren't maximizing at at all because our guys aren't being taught like these other guys from a young age.

I cannot agree with this enough. Everyone wants to be Steph, LeBron, Ant, KAT. Jack them up from half court or slam it through. No one wants to do the dirty work: Box out, rebound, hustle, get in that defensive position.

Honestly, getting Draymond back to Team USA next year would be perfect for this. I honestly wouldn't even mind starting him over more higher-profile American bigs.

[minimus]

Big props and congrats to Canada. They really could have won it all I think but they goofed in some key possesions. They really need Wiggins and Murray to show up and they can take it all.

Another big problem I see with the US team, maybe its the AAU thing again because I will go back to what Smitch was saying a decade ago, our young guys they don't have fundamentals. Particualry, NBA players don't box out worth a damn. Timberolves teams have noticeably had this problem, nobody can put a body on their man and secure a ball.

We are getting crushed in a lot of small areas by the international guts. The lack of bigs is one thing but there are so many little areas where we are just lacking in skills that put us at a disadvantage. We talent for days but we aren't maximizing at at all because our guys aren't being taught like these other guys from a young age.

I cannot agree with this enough. Everyone wants to be Steph, LeBron, Ant, KAT. Jack them up from half court or slam it through. No one wants to do the dirty work: Box out, rebound, hustle, get in that defensive position.

Honestly, getting Draymond back to Team USA next year would be perfect for this. I honestly wouldn't even mind starting him over more higher-profile American bigs.

Bam is a better option

[shrink]

Big props and congrats to Canada. They really could have won it all I think but they goofed in some key possesions. They really need Wiggins and Murray to show up and they can take it all.

Another big problem I see with the US team, maybe its the AAU thing again because I will go back to what Smitch was saying a decade ago, our young guys they don't have fundamentals. Particualry, NBA players don't box out worth a damn. Timberolves teams have noticeably had this problem, nobody can put a body on their man and secure a ball.

We are getting crushed in a lot of small areas by the international guts. The lack of bigs is one thing but there are so many little areas where we are just lacking in skills that put us at a disadvantage. We talent for days but we aren't maximizing at at all because our guys aren't being taught like these other guys from a young age.

I cannot agree with this enough. Everyone wants to be Steph, LeBron, Ant, KAT. Jack them up from half court or slam it through. No one wants to do the dirty work: Box out, rebound, hustle, get in that defensive position.

Good points guys. I was thinking Josh Hart was Team USA’s only dirty work selection, but the rest of team is made up of the #1 or #2 guy from different NBA squads. Canada just doesn’t have as many NBA players to choose from than Americans, but many of the ones that are in the NBA HAVE to do all the dirty work to keep an NBA contract. These are the type of guys that could provide support for Shai and team canada, and that wouldn’t even get an invite from Team USA. Off the top of my head, NAW, Dillon Brooks, Dwight Powell and Lu Dort are all hard-working defenders, maybe they add the new Wiggins next year too. Yeah, overall they may be less talented than their American counterparts, but I wouldn’t bet against a dirty-work team like this next year.

[Calinks]

Big props and congrats to Canada. They really could have won it all I think but they goofed in some key possesions. They really need Wiggins and Murray to show up and they can take it all.

Another big problem I see with the US team, maybe its the AAU thing again because I will go back to what Smitch was saying a decade ago, our young guys they don't have fundamentals. Particualry, NBA players don't box out worth a damn. Timberolves teams have noticeably had this problem, nobody can put a body on their man and secure a ball.

We are getting crushed in a lot of small areas by the international guts. The lack of bigs is one thing but there are so many little areas where we are just lacking in skills that put us at a disadvantage. We talent for days but we aren't maximizing at at all because our guys aren't being taught like these other guys from a young age.

I cannot agree with this enough. Everyone wants to be Steph, LeBron, Ant, KAT. Jack them up from half court or slam it through. No one wants to do the dirty work: Box out, rebound, hustle, get in that defensive position.

I agree everyone wants to do that but I don't think the players are ultimately to blame, I think its the coaching and upbringing. Again, like Sam Mitchel said a decade ago. AAU, high school coaches, NBA rules, whatever the reason. Coaches, no longer teach kids to learn these skills at a young age.

In the 90's and before players grew up learning this stuff. Now it seems it is no longer emopahsied. The NBA doesn't value it as much. Its more about the offensive skills. Players are way more skilled in many areas than they were 20 years ago for sure. At the same time they have lost a ton of fundamental skills and those are things I t think a lot of European players still learn and use to beat us.

I think its also why hustle guys stand out so much in today games.A guy like Okogie might not be able to make it 25 years ago but because he hustles so much and maybe does some fundamental things so well, like rebound, he stands out, and has a role in today's game when before, most guys would do that at default at some level.

[thinktank]

NAW looked bad in that NBA-style bronze game. Kind of a bummer.

[KGdaBom]

Big props and congrats to Canada. They really could have won it all I think but they goofed in some key possesions. They really need Wiggins and Murray to show up and they can take it all.

Another big problem I see with the US team, maybe its the AAU thing again because I will go back to what Smitch was saying a decade ago, our young guys they don't have fundamentals. Particualry, NBA players don't box out worth a damn. Timberolves teams have noticeably had this problem, nobody can put a body on their man and secure a ball.

We are getting crushed in a lot of small areas by the international guts. The lack of bigs is one thing but there are so many little areas where we are just lacking in skills that put us at a disadvantage. We talent for days but we aren't maximizing at at all because our guys aren't being taught like these other guys from a young age.

I cannot agree with this enough. Everyone wants to be Steph, LeBron, Ant, KAT. Jack them up from half court or slam it through. No one wants to do the dirty work: Box out, rebound, hustle, get in that defensive position.

I agree everyone wants to do that but I don't think the players are ultimately to blame, I think its the coaching and upbringing. Again, like Sam Mitchel said a decade ago. AAU, high school coaches, NBA rules, whatever the reason. Coaches, no longer teach kids to learn these skills at a young age.

In the 90's and before players grew up learning this stuff. Now it seems it is no longer emopahsied. The NBA doesn't value it as much. Its more about the offensive skills. Players are way more skilled in many areas than they were 20 years ago for sure. At the same time they have lost a ton of fundamental skills and those are things I t think a lot of European players still learn and use to beat us.

I think its also why hustle guys stand out so much in today games.A guy like Okogie might not be able to make it 25 years ago but because he hustles so much and maybe does some fundamental things so well, like rebound, he stands out, and has a role in today's game when before, most guys would do that at default at some level.

What drugs were you taking when you created this word.

[KGdaBom]

I cannot agree with this enough. Everyone wants to be Steph, LeBron, Ant, KAT. Jack them up from half court or slam it through. No one wants to do the dirty work: Box out, rebound, hustle, get in that defensive position.

I agree everyone wants to do that but I don't think the players are ultimately to blame, I think its the coaching and upbringing. Again, like Sam Mitchel said a decade ago. AAU, high school coaches, NBA rules, whatever the reason. Coaches, no longer teach kids to learn these skills at a young age.

In the 90's and before players grew up learning this stuff. Now it seems it is no longer emopahsied. The NBA doesn't value it as much. Its more about the offensive skills. Players are way more skilled in many areas than they were 20 years ago for sure. At the same time they have lost a ton of fundamental skills and those are things I t think a lot of European players still learn and use to beat us.

I think its also why hustle guys stand out so much in today games.A guy like Okogie might not be able to make it 25 years ago but because he hustles so much and maybe does some fundamental things so well, like rebound, he stands out, and has a role in today's game when before, most guys would do that at default at some level.

What drugs were you taking when you created this word.

Thanks for the +1 Calinks, but I still want to know the drugs.