2024 Olympics/Embiid Watch Thread

[ivysixer2000]

Sorry I got more to say.

Imagine Jojo and Wemby on Team France. Jojo will put a 50 piece on Bam or AD, doesn't really matter. As a Sixer fan, I don't want that wear and tear.

Go to the GB, that easy gold medal was won when Jojo decided to play for Team USA. Happy as the other side of my pillow, but that was a monumental decision. He is that good, and now we have Mad Max to deal with who didn't even make the team.

[ProcessDoctor]

The Warriors need to do everything they possibly can to give Curry a shot at another championship. That guy is amazing. KD has to be saying to himself what the hell was I thinking leaving this Curry and the warriors.

Great overall game and Embiid has something to build on for the upcoming season.

I would love to see KD back to the Warriors for the next 2-3 years. Definitely a missed dynasty.

[76ciology]

Embiid was the decisive factor in the Olympic basketball games. Had he not chosen to play for the USA, he would have been representing France instead.

Without Embiid, the USA could have fallen to Serbia, as they lacked anyone capable of containing Jokic. Embiid's crucial plays down the stretch made a big difference.

Even if the USA had managed to overcome Serbia, France, with Embiid and Wembanyama, would have posed a great challenge. Embiid would have more than make up for the close margin in that game. The Embiid-Wemby duo would have been nearly unstoppable for the US to contend with.

[Zumramania]

Embiid was the decisive factor in the Olympic basketball games. Had he not chosen to play for the USA, he would have been representing France instead.

Without Embiid, the USA could have fallen to Serbia, as they lacked anyone capable of containing Jokic. Embiid's crucial plays down the stretch made a big difference.

Even if the USA had managed to overcome Serbia, France, with Embiid and Wembanyama, would have posed a great challenge. Embiid would have more than make up for the close margin in that game. The Embiid-Wemby duo would have been nearly unstoppable for the US to contend with.

Yes, that's very true, but also Serbia came dangerously close to beating USA. You could also give Tatum or Haliburton to Serbia, and they would have probably won. Team USA had a very lackadaisical approach until the fourth quarters and was poorly coached. Also some players like Ant were very unproductive. And USA players did not box out much, at least in the game against Serbia that I watched, which lead to some Serbian offensive rebounds.

All in all, Embiid and Curry were instrumental in beating Serbia, but at the same time perhaps with one more above-average NBA player on their squad Serbia could have beaten them nevertheless IMO.

[mjkvol]

Embiid was the decisive factor in the Olympic basketball games. Had he not chosen to play for the USA, he would have been representing France instead.

Without Embiid, the USA could have fallen to Serbia, as they lacked anyone capable of containing Jokic. Embiid's crucial plays down the stretch made a big difference.

Even if the USA had managed to overcome Serbia, France, with Embiid and Wembanyama, would have posed a great challenge. Embiid would have more than make up for the close margin in that game. The Embiid-Wemby duo would have been nearly unstoppable for the US to contend with.

Yes, that's very true, but also Serbia came dangerously close to beating USA. You could also give Tatum or Haliburton to Serbia, and they would have probably won. Team USA had a very lackadaisical approach until the fourth quarters and was poorly coached. Also some players like Ant were very unproductive. And USA players did not box out much, at least in the game against Serbia that I watched, which lead to some Serbian offensive rebounds.

All in all, Embiid and Curry were instrumental in beating Serbia, but at the same time perhaps with one more above-average NBA player on their squad Serbia could have beaten them nevertheless IMO.

Or if Serbia hadn't gone ice-cold suddenly as they did in the 4th quarter. Even a decent shooting quarter and they win the game.

[Sixerscan]

I mean if the non-NBA guys on Serbia don't go 10-13 from 3 the first 3 quarters they aren't winning either.

It was a weird game, Bogdon and Jokic actually had the worst +/-s for them, pretty sure that was true before the 4th started even.

[HotelVitale]

I mean if the non-NBA guys on Serbia don't go 10-13 from 3 the first 3 quarters they aren't winning either.

It was a weird game, Bogdon and Jokic actually had the worst +/-s for them, pretty sure that was true before the 4th started even.

Yeah not sure why people want to see that game as evidence the US is slipping. Serbia played a ridiculously good game through 3, the shot making was awesome but so was the decision making. That wasn’t just a normal night for them, it was as good as they could realistically be expected to play.

And they still lost the game on an off night for the US because the US flexed their muscles for like the last 7 minutes of the game. That’s the exact description of a team that’s just far more talented.

[mjkvol]

I mean if the non-NBA guys on Serbia don't go 10-13 from 3 the first 3 quarters they aren't winning either.

It was a weird game, Bogdon and Jokic actually had the worst +/-s for them, pretty sure that was true before the 4th started even.

Yeah not sure why people want to see that game as evidence the US is slipping. Serbia played a ridiculously good game through 3, the shot making was awesome but so was the decision making. That wasn’t just a normal night for them, it was as good as they could realistically be expected to play.

And they still lost the game on an off night for the US because the US flexed their muscles for like the last 7 minutes of the game. That’s the exact description of a team that’s just far more talented.

No one is debating that the U.S. wasn't far more talented or whether they are slipping or not, only that with that immense talent advantage they damn near lost to a team with a couple of NBA players.

[HotelVitale]

I mean if the non-NBA guys on Serbia don't go 10-13 from 3 the first 3 quarters they aren't winning either.

It was a weird game, Bogdon and Jokic actually had the worst +/-s for them, pretty sure that was true before the 4th started even.

Yeah not sure why people want to see that game as evidence the US is slipping. Serbia played a ridiculously good game through 3, the shot making was awesome but so was the decision making. That wasn’t just a normal night for them, it was as good as they could realistically be expected to play.

And they still lost the game on an off night for the US because the US flexed their muscles for like the last 7 minutes of the game. That’s the exact description of a team that’s just far more talented.

No one is debating that the U.S. wasn't far more talented or whether they are slipping or not, only that with that immense talent advantage they damn near lost to a team with a couple of NBA players.

Yeah, when in one particular game that team played awesome and the US played badly. Again the first 3 quarters wasn't just Serbia playing a decent/solid game, it was like a 95th percentile best possible game for them vs maybe a 20th percentile game for the US. In a single-elimination tournament that sort of thing is going to happen every now and then--to overcome those games means you're much, much more talented than your opponents. E.g. the top 3-4 NCAA tournament favorites rarely win the whole thing. (Also one of Serbia's 'couple of NBA players' is the best player in the world.)

Another way to put it: if the other team winning requires that they have some nice talent AND play nearly perfectly, AND get a well below performance from you, that means you're much more talented than your peers. It doesn't mean you're unbeatable--you'd have to be like adults playing children to be totally unbeatable--but it means things have to go really badly for you to lose.

[Sixerscan]

I mean if the non-NBA guys on Serbia don't go 10-13 from 3 the first 3 quarters they aren't winning either.

It was a weird game, Bogdon and Jokic actually had the worst +/-s for them, pretty sure that was true before the 4th started even.

Yeah not sure why people want to see that game as evidence the US is slipping. Serbia played a ridiculously good game through 3, the shot making was awesome but so was the decision making. That wasn’t just a normal night for them, it was as good as they could realistically be expected to play.

And they still lost the game on an off night for the US because the US flexed their muscles for like the last 7 minutes of the game. That’s the exact description of a team that’s just far more talented.

No one is debating that the U.S. wasn't far more talented or whether they are slipping or not, only that with that immense talent advantage they damn near lost to a team with a couple of NBA players.

73-9 Warriors damn near lost to the 10-72 Sixers. It happens.

[76ciology]

I mean if the non-NBA guys on Serbia don't go 10-13 from 3 the first 3 quarters they aren't winning either.

It was a weird game, Bogdon and Jokic actually had the worst +/-s for them, pretty sure that was true before the 4th started even.

Yeah not sure why people want to see that game as evidence the US is slipping. Serbia played a ridiculously good game through 3, the shot making was awesome but so was the decision making. That wasn’t just a normal night for them, it was as good as they could realistically be expected to play.

And they still lost the game on an off night for the US because the US flexed their muscles for like the last 7 minutes of the game. That’s the exact description of a team that’s just far more talented.

If the concern is about the U.S. slipping, it's largely because the U.S. has relied on generational talents who wont be available in 2028, while the top players in international tournaments are now from other countries.

The player who is likely to be the U.S.'s top talent in 2028 is currently coming off the bench, and he’s very likely not be anywhere near as good as Wembanyama by that time, not sure he can be better than SGA or Luka.



I checked the general discussion boards, and when asked to name three future generational talents from the U.S., most people couldn’t agree on anyone beyond Anthony Edwards. The closest name after Edwards is Zion Williamson, who isn’t even an All-NBA player and has more health concerns than Joel Embiid. And is Ant that good? KD, LeBron or Steph Curry good?

No one can predict the future, maybe Flagg and the Boozer twins will take the world by storm. But as things stand, the U.S.'s dominance in basketball is clearly slipping. Being realistic about this is crucial, as it ensures U.S. basketball stays prepared rather than getting caught off guard.

Overall, I'm simply enjoying the global growth of talent and how teams are using creative schemes to compensate for any talent gaps. It's all beneficial for the game.

[76ciology]

And by the way, Avranovic is no slouch. His game might not be the most aesthetically pleasing, but he gets the job done. He gives 200% effort, can shoot, play defense, finish around the rim, and has a high basketball IQ.

Im not sure how big is the gap between him and Haliburton in international games.

[Sixerscan]

I mean if the non-NBA guys on Serbia don't go 10-13 from 3 the first 3 quarters they aren't winning either.

It was a weird game, Bogdon and Jokic actually had the worst +/-s for them, pretty sure that was true before the 4th started even.

Yeah not sure why people want to see that game as evidence the US is slipping. Serbia played a ridiculously good game through 3, the shot making was awesome but so was the decision making. That wasn’t just a normal night for them, it was as good as they could realistically be expected to play.

And they still lost the game on an off night for the US because the US flexed their muscles for like the last 7 minutes of the game. That’s the exact description of a team that’s just far more talented.

If the concern is about the U.S. slipping, it's largely because the U.S. has relied on generational talents who wont be available in 2028, while the top players in international tournaments are now from other countries.

The player who is likely to be the U.S.'s top talent in 2028 is currently coming off the bench, and he’s very likely not be anywhere near as good as Wembanyama by that time, not sure he can be better than SGA or Luka.

I checked the general discussion boards, and when asked to name three future generational talents from the U.S., most people couldn’t agree on anyone beyond Anthony Edwards. The closest name after Edwards is Zion Williamson, who isn’t even an All-NBA player and has more health concerns than Joel Embiid. And is Ant that good? KD, LeBron or Steph Curry good?

No one can predict the future, maybe Flagg and the Boozer twins will take the world by storm. But as things stand, the U.S.'s dominance in basketball is clearly slipping. Being realistic about this is crucial, as it ensures U.S. basketball stays prepared rather than getting caught off guard.

Overall, I'm simply enjoying the global growth of talent and how teams are using creative schemes to compensate for any talent gaps. It's all beneficial for the game.

Which is funny given before the tournament everyone was concern trolling the US for letting the old guys play too much over the younger better players on the roster.

The US doesn't have a lack of talent beyond those guys, it just has guys like Booker who can be as dominant a scorer as almost anyone in the world but played a 3&D role because he knew that was how he was going to get on the court.

[Sixerscan]

And by the way, Avranovic is no slouch. His game might not be the most aesthetically pleasing, but he gets the job done. He gives 200% effort, can shoot, play defense, finish around the rim, and has a high basketball IQ.

Im not sure how big is the gap between him and Haliburton in international games.

4/6 from 3 in the semi final, 3/13 (23%) in all other olympics games, 29.5% in 24 euroleague games this year. 33% over his entire career. I'm sure he's a fine player but it was a fluky performance.

[M2J]

France should be really good the next 2-3 Olympics.

Wemby/Sar/Risacher/Killian Hayes..... If they commit to that team and continue to improve as players, could be scary as anyone.

But USA always will be able to find 12 all stars.... If not all stars then specialists that are All defensive team like guys. For instance it's very true that if not for Joel the US would've struggled with Jokic and Joel with France. But they could've also have recruited a big defensive body like Mitchell Robinson to focus on the defense and rebounding. Paired with a Bam or AD or JJJ or Chet or Towns...etc. plus guys like Bridges


But... As they did after the 04 debacle, they are going to have to get back to getting guys to commit to playing long term and in more than just the Olympics to build continuity... Other teams with talent will be doing that. Like Canada and France

[NearingZero]

Lebron, even at his age, is still a force of nature. Especially in a short tournament where he doesn't have to play big minutes.

Steph is still the best shooter on the planet.

You can't directly replace them - you have to play a different way without them. Hopefully, as M2J said, they can get guys to buy in. Have the top guys play in the world championships for a year or two before the Olympics.

I'm also not sure Kerr is the coach to get it done without transcendent talent.

[blargh]

I checked the general discussion boards, and when asked to name three future generational talents from the U.S., most people couldn’t agree on anyone beyond Anthony Edwards. The closest name after Edwards is Zion Williamson, who isn’t even an All-NBA player and has more health concerns than Joel Embiid. And is Ant that good? KD, LeBron or Steph Curry good?

Hard to say the US is “slipping” when we just got smoked in the FIBA World Cup last year. We already slipped. There is a lot of parity and no international win like Paris should be taken for granted.


However, Ant doesn’t have to be 2017 KD, Lebron, or Steph; we just need 3 or 4 guys to be 2024 KD, Lebron, or Steph, and we should have enough talent to win (though not easily). I think this is achievable across Ant, Tatum, Haliburton, Jaylen, Maxey, Brunson, etc.

[76ciology]

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?s=46&t=bJcUtOCSwzTqqyZgysWpbQ[/x]

This one is for Olympics, not for FIBA world cup.
Even I had to check it again.

[M2J]

I think the combo of Grant Hill and Steve Kerr has left a bad taste in people's mouths and replacements should be named

[ivysixer2000]

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?s=46&t=bJcUtOCSwzTqqyZgysWpbQ[/x]

This one is for Olympics, not for FIBA world cup.
Even I had to check it again.

So no Sixers at all? Or Brunson? Just a bunch of Celtics...people are so short-sighted on what they just saw instead of what could happen by then.

Embiid on France would beat the hell out of that team by then. And Maxey, get your French citizenship to make sure they get their asses handed to them in LA.

That list just pisses me off.