Chris Sheridan: Kindly STFU

[Sedale Threatt]

How can it be a fluke? Coach K didn't even know the names of the players and referred to them as numbers. To say otherwise it beyond stupid in my opinion. The preparation and effort wasn't there when the other team shoots over 60%.

It can be a fluke in that Greece probably won't play that well again for another 10 years, maybe longer. What happened in that game was the same formula Ginobili identified as the only manner in which Argentina had any chance against the U.S. -- Greece had to play almost perfectly, and the U.S. had to play poorly. That's exactly what happened, and still they barely won. They couldn't duplicate that performance against the U.S. if you gave them 50 more tries. That's a fluke, just like the U.S. beating Russia in hockey was a fluke.

And regarding preparation, I was referring more to Team USA actually having a training camp, and putting thought into the composition of the team, rather than throwing a bunch of bodies together a few weeks before the tournament and expecting them to roll. While I hadn't heard anything about Coach K not knowing names -- I'd love to see a link on that -- I have read a few of the players were unprepared; there's no excuse for that. Still, there's absolutely zero comparison to how Team USA approached the 06 Worlds and their previous two tournaments.

[Neal04]

Here's a link to Coach K not knowing the names of the players and it's also an interesting article.

“I thought No. 4 was spectacular in the first half, No. 7 was spectacular in the second half and No. 15 hit huge shots for them at the end of the clock in the second half,” Krzyzewski told stunned European reporters.

Even now, it boggles the mind: Krzyzewski never bothered to learn the names of Greece’s players. At least, he didn’t have command enough to use them. How much did the U.S. prepare? How seriously was Krzyzewski even taking this job?

Different regime, different coach and nothing had changed.

“He didn’t know the name of a single Greek player. …The international press crucified Krzyzewski, just ripped him to pieces. They wondered, ‘This is a great coach?’ ”

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijin ... &type=lgns

I'm not too sure why all these American writers are so pessimistic towards Team USA. Is that they think Team USA is going to lose, so when they lose they can just be right.

[Dynamos]

He just trying to keep people grounded so they dont fall back into that "were impossible to beat" "we can win with our hands behind our back attitude". Creates bad luck

[Sedale Threatt]

Thanks for the link; that was a good read. I thought the most interesting part of that was this Peterson guy the writer sourced advocating an organized system for the national team as far back as 1976. Thirty years later, he has his wish.

I stand corrected about K. I still think our approach to the 06 Worlds was light years ahead of the previous two tournaments, but that's pretty damning stuff. You can semi-understand that the players might gloss over a scouting report, but the coach? Poor. Judging by the way we just dusted the Greeks, I can guarantee he knew who they were this time.

And again, when I mentioned preparation I was referring to the overall structure that was installed by Colangelo, which was in place two years ago and we're finally starting to reap the benefits from. I sincerely hope we never get fat and happy again, and that we keep the same system in place. Sounds like most of the players have had such a positive experience that they'd like to come back, which is a great sign.

[Optimus_Steel]

Charley Rosen is worst. He is always pointing out flaws and saying we might lose

Actually no. Rosen will always point flaws, he always does but he points out strengths as well. Lately he has been saying that Team USA is unbeatable.

[triplet1984]

He's trying (sorta badly) to create a little suspense and drama to get people to tune in and also read his articles.

[BigOrangeBalls]

Here's a link to Coach K not knowing the names of the players and it's also an interesting article.

“I thought No. 4 was spectacular in the first half, No. 7 was spectacular in the second half and No. 15 hit huge shots for them at the end of the clock in the second half,” Krzyzewski told stunned European reporters.

Even now, it boggles the mind: Krzyzewski never bothered to learn the names of Greece’s players. At least, he didn’t have command enough to use them. How much did the U.S. prepare? How seriously was Krzyzewski even taking this job?

Different regime, different coach and nothing had changed.

“He didn’t know the name of a single Greek player. …The international press crucified Krzyzewski, just ripped him to pieces. They wondered, ‘This is a great coach?’ ”

If his name wasn't Krzyzewski I would say he just couldn't pronounce the names.
http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijin ... &type=lgns

I'm not too sure why all these American writers are so pessimistic towards Team USA. Is that they think Team USA is going to lose, so when they lose they can just be right.

[SOUL]

Sheridan predicted the magic to finish 12th cause of the loss of Darko... yeah I hate him

[CircleCitysportsfan]

You guys act like this media nerds actually like NBA players. I do wonder what Doug "I shot 50% FT's in college" Gotlieb has to say about this team. He was openly rooting against this team in 2004. I want to steal his credit cards and go shopping, oh wait.....