2024 Olympic BASKETBALL Thread (Pt.4: Quarterfinals are set!)

[Mr Puddles]

Man this going to be a cake walk for the US until the finals.

A bit disappointed by the brackets and group stages to be honest. The US won't play against 2 out of 3 of Canada, France and Germany (assuming Greece doesn't pull a major upset ofcourse).

I know it's random draws but, from a viewer interest point of view, you want to see the best team face the biggest challengers.

France is not a challenger.

They're probably the third biggest challenger against the US after Canada and Germany. We've already established that Serbia's supporting cast struggles too much against team USAs athelticism that they're really a thread, and Australia and Brazil aren't much a thread either.

[SerialChiller]

MVP: Check, Future Olympic gold medalist: Check

meh....he cried until he got MVP and getting carried to an easy gold when he turned his back on France doesn't move the needle at all. Also Done Nothing In The Playoffs: Check, Injury Prone: Check...

Future HOF: Check, Rich: Check, You Mad Bro: Check

Dumb Thread: Check. Not mad at all just think the guy acts like a fool and is nothing close to a national treasure like you hilariously claimed. So Embiid Rider Fanboy: Check

[California Gold]

Short of the US not taking the game seriously enough and giving effort, I just don't see how any other team has a chance at Gold. Everyone else in this bracket is playing for Silver/Bronze.

This isn't a 2004 type of situation, this team has the adequate level of talent and awareness of the situation when it comes to not dicking around. It doesn't really matter who ends up being in their path, nobody really can match this team pound for pound.

The "best" matchup will still result in the US being favored by double digits with ease. I think from a crowd standpoint if it ends up being France in the gold medal that would make for a great atmosphere over the others.

[California Gold]

I don't really understand people critiquing Embiid. I'm not a fan of the guy but you have soft French fans concerned with him not having joined their team so they boo him and he's just returning the favor regardless of how he's played or is playing.

imagine complaining about someone that didn't start this nonsense in the first place and then he has a few tongue in cheek moments with the crowd and we're talking about how he's a bad representative of Americans.

What the **** does that make French people then? I guess they're even bigger **** than Americans for constantly booing a player too by that logic.

[Rainwater]

Short of the US not taking the game seriously enough and giving effort, I just don't see how any other team has a chance at Gold. Everyone else in this bracket is playing for Silver/Bronze.

This isn't a 2004 type of situation, this team has the adequate level of talent and awareness of the situation when it comes to not dicking around. It doesn't really matter who ends up being in their path, nobody really can match this team pound for pound.

The "best" matchup will still result in the US being favored by double digits with ease. I think from a crowd standpoint if it ends up being France in the gold medal that would make for a great atmosphere over the others.

Pretty much

[Rainwater]

It would require a ridiculous choke job for the US to lose this tournament

[SkyBill40]

Low class and actions unbecoming. He's a representative of our country and just another example of why other nations have a negative view or perception of Americans in general.

The wins or losses are irrelevant.

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Irrelevant you say. It's the Olympics, it only comes around once every 4 years. If wins and losses were irrelevant then why do they keep score and give out medals?

You've entirely missed the point. Maybe you're looking for a medal?

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[SerialChiller]

I don't really understand people critiquing Embiid. I'm not a fan of the guy but you have soft French fans concerned with him not having joined their team so they boo him and he's just returning the favor regardless of how he's played or is playing.

imagine complaining about someone that didn't start this nonsense in the first place and then he has a few tongue in cheek moments with the crowd and we're talking about how he's a bad representative of Americans.

What the **** does that make French people then? I guess they're even bigger **** than Americans for constantly booing a player too by that logic.

That's all fair, there's lots to criticize him for besides necessarily this, but to call him a national treasure is what is pretty ridiculous to me.

[TheGOATRises007]

US should breeze to the gold medal.

This team is arguably deeper than 2008 and 2012 despite the top end talent being slightly worse.

[Mamba81p]

A bit disappointed by the brackets and group stages to be honest. The US won't play against 2 out of 3 of Canada, France and Germany (assuming Greece doesn't pull a major upset ofcourse).

I know it's random draws but, from a viewer interest point of view, you want to see the best team face the biggest challengers.

France is not a challenger.

They're probably the third biggest challenger against the US after Canada and Germany. We've already established that Serbia's supporting cast struggles too much against team USAs athelticism that they're really a thread, and Australia and Brazil aren't much a thread either.

France has even worse guard play compared to Serbia. France are not threat to anyone let alone US.

Canada and Germany are the biggest threat indeed, based on matchups but Serbia might very well be the second best team.

[SkyBill40]

I’m not sure what was more embarrassing.

Doing all that and air balling the 3

Or

Writing a letter to the President of France begging for citizenship in exchange for him playing only to turn around and play for a powerhouse in direct competition to them.

France tripped over themselves to get Embiid a passport. And he's not even French. Has not even lived in France and now they are upset that he decided to play for a country that he is an actual citizen of. That's just crazy on Embiid's part, right. France should be ashamed that they went to such lengths to get a player that has never lived in their country. If I am not mistaken this is the first time he has ever set foot on French soil. My cod these French....so sensitive.

I hope everyone hates him even in the USA when he comes back. Be the Villain of the NBA Embiid use their hate to make you stronger. Perhaps this way he can actually be healthy come the playoffs.

Brilliant showcase of ignorance as to why the French have anything to do with it. I won't spell it out for you, but it's easy enough to understand as to why they'd bother outside of him being a basketball player who might have aided in their efforts.

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[JustBuzzin]

meh....he cried until he got MVP and getting carried to an easy gold when he turned his back on France doesn't move the needle at all. Also Done Nothing In The Playoffs: Check, Injury Prone: Check...

Future HOF: Check, Rich: Check, You Mad Bro: Check

Dumb Thread: Check. Not mad at all just think the guy acts like a fool and is nothing close to a national treasure like you hilariously claimed. So Embiid Rider Fanboy: Check

When he wins gold what will your excuse be?

[SerialChiller]

Future HOF: Check, Rich: Check, You Mad Bro: Check

Dumb Thread: Check. Not mad at all just think the guy acts like a fool and is nothing close to a national treasure like you hilariously claimed. So Embiid Rider Fanboy: Check

When he wins gold what will your excuse be?

Excuse!? Excuse for what? What is that supposed to change? He's on team USA, winning with them is not some insane feat especially when he's not even playing well and has even been benched . Big deal...

[FollowTheSound]

France is not a challenger.

They're probably the third biggest challenger against the US after Canada and Germany. We've already established that Serbia's supporting cast struggles too much against team USAs athelticism that they're really a thread, and Australia and Brazil aren't much a thread either.

France has even worse guard play compared to Serbia. France are not threat to anyone let alone US.

Canada and Germany are the biggest threat indeed, based on matchups but Serbia might very well be the second best team.

France has by far the worst guards in the tournament, they got destroyed by Yuki Kawamura who is 5ft8...

[Sweet Serenity]

I wouldn’t take what JustBuzzin says seriously. He’s either a troll or a teenager.

[antonac]

TBH I thought Embiid had taken an American passport to make a "first american in 6 years to win" play at the MVP.

[Eyeamok]

Low class and actions unbecoming. He's a representative of our country and just another example of why other nations have a negative view or perception of Americans in general.

The wins or losses are irrelevant.

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Irrelevant you say. It's the Olympics, it only comes around once every 4 years. If wins and losses were irrelevant then why do they keep score and give out medals?

You've entirely missed the point. Maybe you're looking for a medal?

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So in your original post you state that other nations have a negative view or perception of Americans in general. So Embiid responding to the crowd like this just reinforces it? If that all it takes then those view were not going to change even if Embiid completely ignored the crowd. America is not well liked because of it's politics not because of what some random basketball player does or does not do during the Olympics. Have you ever traveled to France? The french are not known for being overly friendly to American's or anyone in general.

Getting a medal is important to this country and other countries image on the world stage. That's why they try to send the best of the best to play basketball and other sports. At one time college players had a spot on the Olympic team, not anymore do you know why. Because they want the best available at all times.

So tell me what is the point that I have missed. And what kind of medals are you giving out?

[GSWFan1994]

Just so all you folks can rest assured, one of the votes for Brazil in the poll was mine.

[FollowTheSound]

Just so all you folks can rest assured, one of the votes for Brazil in the poll was mine.

Based (me too)

[Eyeamok]

I’m not sure what was more embarrassing.

Doing all that and air balling the 3

Or

Writing a letter to the President of France begging for citizenship in exchange for him playing only to turn around and play for a powerhouse in direct competition to them.

France tripped over themselves to get Embiid a passport. And he's not even French. Has not even lived in France and now they are upset that he decided to play for a country that he is an actual citizen of. That's just crazy on Embiid's part, right. France should be ashamed that they went to such lengths to get a player that has never lived in their country. If I am not mistaken this is the first time he has ever set foot on French soil. My cod these French....so sensitive.

I hope everyone hates him even in the USA when he comes back. Be the Villain of the NBA Embiid use their hate to make you stronger. Perhaps this way he can actually be healthy come the playoffs.

Brilliant showcase of ignorance as to why the French have anything to do with it. I won't spell it out for you, but it's easy enough to understand as to why they'd bother outside of him being a basketball player who might have aided in their efforts.

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Tell me what I wrote that was not factual? And the French fans are mad because he dropped 70 on Wembanyama? The French fans are acting like this because they feel jilted. Nothing more nothing less.

I know it can be hard for some people to stay on topic without taking things personal but you don't strike me as that kind of person....although I have been known to be wrong before. So just the facts please tell me where I was wrong with what happened with Embiid and the French government?