OT - Olympic Discussion

Post #1 » by **bwgood77** » Sun Jul 4, 2021 7:40 pm

Post #2 » by **bwgood77** » Sun Jul 4, 2021 7:41 pm

I wonder how Slovenia will do...they just qualified..would be interesting to see them play team USA. Luka looking like a man among boys here.

Post #3 » by **bwgood77** » Sun Jul 4, 2021 7:44 pm

Calvin Klein · Post #4 » by **Calvin Klein** » Sun Jul 4, 2021 10:38 pm

Let's gooooo!!

Post #5 » by **lilfishi22** » Mon Jul 5, 2021 12:47 am

Australia ahead of powerhouses like Slovenia (with Luka), Lithuania and also Argentina is interesting. Maybe with Ben Simmons sitting out, our odds have moved up 8-)

Wait Lithuania didn't even qualify lol

SunsRback4Good · Post #6 » by **SunsRback4Good** » Mon Jul 5, 2021 2:06 am

Joe Ingles is the difference maker for the Aussie team.

Aussie Aussie Aussie
Oi Oi Oi

suns12345 · Post #7 » by **suns12345** » Mon Jul 5, 2021 3:21 am

lilfishi22 wrote:Australia ahead of powerhouses like Slovenia (with Luka), Lithuania and also Argentina is interesting. Maybe with Ben Simmons sitting out, our odds have moved up

Wait Lithuania didn't even qualify lol

I did wonder if having no Ben Simmons would help our chances.

My thought is it will hurt us overall, because his talent level is overwhelming compared to who will play in his place and he wouldn't be as exposed at the FIBA level compared to NBA playoffs.

That said, it seems like he can be a bit of an ego on a team and maybe his staying away improves our chemistry overall.

I'm hoping for a medal after our recent heartbreak in the world cup or whatever it was.

Aussie women should hopefully medal too.

sunsbg · Post #8 » by **sunsbg** » Mon Jul 5, 2021 6:22 am

One more highlight video from Luka I didn't see him score an assisted basket once. I guess nobody on Slovenian team can dribble or make decisions, just like anyone on the Mavs.

suns12345 · Post #9 » by **suns12345** » Mon Jul 5, 2021 12:54 pm

sunsbg wrote:One more highlight video from Luka I didn't see him score an assisted basket once. I guess nobody on Slovenian team can dribble or make decisions, just like anyone on the Mavs.

The Ayton, Luka, Trae draft career arc will be interesting. I think Luka is and will be clearly the best individual player, but I will be intrigued to see who has the most team success.

For the record I think Luka will see plenty of success, but his leadership, defence and ability to play within a system with others may be hurdles to overcome.

Keith_myath · Post #10 » by **Keith_myath** » Mon Jul 5, 2021 1:05 pm

My money is on Iran to not win a game.

Keith_myath · Post #11 » by **Keith_myath** » Fri Jul 16, 2021 10:54 pm

Lol Javale McGee playing at the Olympics.

Good to see the yanks are taking this super serious.

WeekapaugGroove · Post #12 » by **WeekapaugGroove** » Fri Jul 16, 2021 11:13 pm

They should have scrapped putting current NBA players on this year's Olympic team. Should have got some recent retired guys like Joe Johnson and also some former college stars who are playing overseas. Put that team together a couple months ago and had them play exibitions to build continuity.

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Post #13 » by **bwgood77** » Fri Jul 16, 2021 11:53 pm

WeekapaugGroove wrote:They should have scrapped putting current NBA players on this year's Olympic team. Should have got some recent retired guys like Joe Johnson and also some former college stars who are playing overseas. Put that team together a couple months ago and had them play exibitions to build continuity.

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Why deny them the opportunity when they grew up watching and have been playing on the select team?

The 9 man rotation will be something like Lillard, Booker, KD, Tatum and Bam with guys like Jrue, Middleton, LaVine and Draymond.Then maybe a little Jerami Grant.

Then you have your bench warmers in McGee and Johnson. Though not sure why they would go with a guy like McGee.

Anyway, I think that rotation is very solid.

WeekapaugGroove · Post #14 » by **WeekapaugGroove** » Sat Jul 17, 2021 12:17 am

bwgood77 wrote:
WeekapaugGroove wrote:They should have scrapped putting current NBA players on this year's Olympic team. Should have got some recent retired guys like Joe Johnson and also some former college stars who are playing overseas. Put that team together a couple months ago and had them play exibitions to build continuity.

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Why deny them the opportunity when they grew up watching and have been playing on the select team?

The 9 man rotation will be something like Lillard, Booker, KD, Tatum and Bam with guys like Jrue, Middleton, LaVine and Draymond.Then maybe a little Jerami Grant.

Then you have your bench warmers in McGee and Johnson. Though not sure why they would go with a guy like McGee.

Anyway, I think that rotation is very solid.

Just think with the condensed/late season and covid it would have been a year to try something different.

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BobbieL · Post #15 » by **BobbieL** » Mon Jul 19, 2021 4:10 pm

bwgood77 wrote:
WeekapaugGroove wrote:They should have scrapped putting current NBA players on this year's Olympic team. Should have got some recent retired guys like Joe Johnson and also some former college stars who are playing overseas. Put that team together a couple months ago and had them play exibitions to build continuity.

Sent from my SM-G986U using RealGM mobile app

Why deny them the opportunity when they grew up watching and have been playing on the select team?

The 9 man rotation will be something like Lillard, Booker, KD, Tatum and Bam with guys like Jrue, Middleton, LaVine and Draymond.Then maybe a little Jerami Grant.

Then you have your bench warmers in McGee and Johnson. Though not sure why they would go with a guy like McGee.

Anyway, I think that rotation is very solid.

I was actually okay with the McGee addition. I wasn't a fan of Love on the team as it was. I was really glad Harden was not put on the team. Terrible fit Booker, Middleton and Jrue will help out - a lot obviously

. Any way to get PJ Tucker on the team. Though I read Jerami Grant is flying over today

cberry78 · Post #16 » by **cberry78** » Tue Jul 20, 2021 3:49 am

I guess my dream of a Booker/LaVine backcourt has been put on hold again.

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Post #17 » by **bwgood77** » Sat Jul 24, 2021 7:47 pm

Olympic basketball is finally back.

After a year-long delay due to COVID-19, the men’s tournament at the 2020 Tokyo Games gets underway on Saturday, July 24. The action tips off at 9 ET with a Group A matchup between Iran and Czech Republic.

This summer’s 12-team field is divided into three four-team groups (A, B and C), instead of the two-group structure featured in past Olympics. In previous years, the gold medal-winning team played a total of eight games, but this summer the gold medal-winning squad will only play a total of six.

The group stage will be played in a round-robin format, with each team playing the other three teams in its group once. The top two teams from each group and the top two third-place teams overall advance to the single-elimination Final Phase.

The Final Phase includes the quarterfinals, semifinals and gold- and bronze-medal games. Teams from the same group cannot face each other in the quarterfinals.

Below is a breakdown of the NBA players in each group.

Group A: Czech Republic, France, Iran, United States

Even after a pair of exhibition losses and a pair of roster changes, Team USA will be the team to beat in Group A. The squad is comprised of Bam Adebayo, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, Jerami Grant, Draymond Green, Jrue Holiday, Zach LaVine, Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton and Jayson Tatum. JaVale McGee replaces Kevin Love, who is still recovering from a right calf injury, and Keldon Johnson replaces Bradley Beal, who left the team due to health and safety protocols.

France’s roster is headlined by 2020-21 Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert of the Jazz, Clippers forward Nicolas Batum, Celtics wing Evan Fournier and Nets forward Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot. Former NBA players Guerschon Yabusele and Vincent Poirier are also on the French team.

Iran’s roster features no NBA players, and Czech Republic’s includes one: Tomas Satoransky. The Bulls forward has already come up clutch for his country this summer, nailing a game-winner against Canada in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Group B: Australia, Germany, Italy, Nigeria

Australia’s experienced roster includes Raptors center Aron Baynes, Cavaliers guard Dante Exum, Jazz guard Joe Ingles, Spurs guard Patty Mills and 76ers guard Matisse Thybulle, as well as former NBA guard Matthew Dellavedova. Center Jock Landale also has NBA Summer League experience and played Division I college basketball at Saint Mary’s.

Australia secured a win over Team USA during exhibition play in Las Vegas and will be a tough team to beat in Group B.

Nigeria also earned a statement-making victory over Team USA to open exhibition action. Nigeria’s roster features Heat forward Precious Achiuwa, Kings forward Chimezie Metu, Bucks forward Jordan Nwora, Pistons center Jahlil Okafor, Timberwolves guard Josh Okogie, Heat forward KZ Okpala, Jazz wing Miye Oni and Heat guard Gabe Vincent.

Wizards guard Isaac Bonga and Magic forward Moritz Wagner will suit up for Germany, while Italy’s roster includes Warriors guard Nico Mannion and Hawks forward Danilo Gallinari. Former NBA forward Nicolo Melli will also play for Italy.

Group C: Argentina, Japan, Slovenia, Spain

Spain’s roster features the most NBA players of the Group C teams, with Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio, Lakers center Marc Gasol, Pelicans center Willy Hernangomez and Timberwolves forward Juancho Hernangomez. Former NBA star Pau Gasol is also on the roster.

Argentina’s NBA talent includes Nuggets guard Facundo Campazzo, Thunder forward Gabriel Deck and Luca Vildoza, a guard who signed with the Knicks in May. Former NBA player Luis Scola is also on the team and will play in his fifth Olympics.

Slovenia will be led by Mavericks star Luka Doncic, whose dominant performance in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament included a triple-double in the final against Lithuania. Nuggets forward Vlatko Cancar is also on the Slovenian roster.

Japan rounds out Group C, with Wizards forward Rui Hachimura and Raptors forward Yuta Watanabe suiting up for the host country.

https://www.nba.com/news/olympic-basketball-preview-field-loaded-with-nba-talent

Post #18 » by **bwgood77** » Sat Jul 24, 2021 7:50 pm

I wonder if Booker comes off the bench due to showing up late.

Would be interesting to see him come off it with Middleton and Jrue...and maybe McGee/Grant.

He would be the primary scorer there along with Middleton.

With the starters he probably wouldn't score as much with Durant, Lillard and Tatum. Maybe LaVine would start with them along with Draymond.

BobbieL · Post #19 » by **BobbieL** » Sat Jul 24, 2021 8:36 pm

bwgood77 wrote:I wonder if Booker comes off the bench due to showing up late.

Would be interesting to see him come off it with Middleton and Jrue...and maybe McGee/Grant.

He would be the primary scorer there along with Middleton.

With the starters he probably wouldn't score as much with Durant, Lillard and Tatum. Maybe LaVine would start with them along with Draymond.

Middleton Jrue and Booker will add a lot to the second unit. They will need time to adapt to the ball, and some rules but I think the US should get through pool play pretty easily.

Keith_myath · Post #20 » by **Keith_myath** » Sun Jul 25, 2021 12:29 pm

Booker shaves his head before he leaves and decides to wear a headband that looks utterly ridiculous. Someone needs to remind him what the purpose of them are... and it's not to mop up sweat, especially when it's not over the forehead.

He also took the attempted first quarter last shot... and **** it up against some no-name 7'2 crab. Like night follows day. Some things just come more naturally to some.