Tokyo Olympic Basketball Tournament Discussion

[AussieCeltic]

To play like absolute **** and still be so much better than Australia that we’re only down 3 is kinda badass. Took their punch.

LOL

[Mickey8]

I think Australia is running out of fume.

I dunno if it’s the intensity or depth of the other teams but it seems like errors kick in so much quicker.


Aus is on damn fire. Usa has to keep up the intensity and stop with the damn TOs

USA should win this just on sheer star power that they posses , but they play an ugly basketball , its ugly to watch.

[GeorgeSears]

Team USA is just putting the ball in KD's hands and telling him "win it for us". There's no other game plan offensively.

They played much better in the 2nd quarter mainly because of rebounding. They probably win in the 2nd half.

[Sedale Threatt]

Tatum is one of the most polarizing players in the league. So much variance from him game to game, I’ve seen him dominate like he’s Kobe and play like a rookie.

Tatum played a great 4th quarter against Spain and in totality against Czech Republic, but for the most part he's been a huge disappointment. Not far behind is Lillard. Did you even notice him in that half? Nope, me either. And this is one of the best streak shooters in the history of basketball.

[Mk0]

Been watching Team USA pretty religiously since 2006 and it's still hard to get used to how different it can be.

And I have no idea why. Why do all of these US players look lost. Do t they have a college 3pt line? Maybe that's it. The spacing is limited.

Also, maybe that's a way to make the NBA better. Adopt FIBA rules and kill the whole 'pace+space' thing. This feels like 90s ball

I think it's just lack of chemistry. most of these guys are the stars that their own team revolves around. now they have to figure out how to play together. all of them deferring to one of another (except KD).

This team needs the Duncan Robinson, Mikal Bridges and TJ McConnell's of the world. Just get some energy guys, that sh%# is contagious.

[Catchall]

USA should stop chucking jumpers and drive to the rim strong.

[Mamba81p]

Lol @ all these hot takes, these dudes don't play together. The Aussies have way, way more experience playing together.

Only 4 of them have played extended time together.

Those 4 happen to be the core of their team though, which is crucial. USA would be in a different situation if they had either Harden/Kyrie or Curry. They would at least have 3 core players that played together for an extended time. This is a bunch of players put together with 1 day before the olympics, with some of them being together for 2 weeks.
Very similar to what was happening before 2006, they won 3 olympics in a row and the incentive is not there to commit for 3 years. If they lose, they might be back to a 3 year plan

The Women team doesn't have that issue and you can tell. It's not even close in their competition

[mrmsix6]

Lillard, if he's not out there scoring at a decent clip, is a completely useless player. He can't defend anyone and certainly isn't attempting to run any kind of offense or control the pace of the game.

Why does he continue to start and play so many minutes?

[Slacktard]

Team USA is just putting the ball in KD's hands and telling him "win it for us". There's no other game plan offensively.

They played much better in the 2nd quarter mainly because of rebounding. They probably win in the 2nd half.

There were many plays when they passed up a chance to drive or take an open shot just to pass it back to Durant. Got a buncha scared Ben Simmons on Team USA

[NaturalThunder]

Tatum is one of the most polarizing players in the league. So much variance from him game to game, I’ve seen him dominate like he’s Kobe and play like a rookie.

Tatum played a great 4th quarter against Spain and in totality against Czech Republic, but for the most part he's been a huge disappointment. Not far behind is Lillard. Did you even notice him in that half? Nope, me either. And this is one of the best streak shooters in the history of basketball.

I caught myself several times in the first half thinking, "wait, is Lillard hurt or something and not playing?" because he was that invisible in the first half. Amazing for an NBA guard who's limitless range and overall shooting ability seems tailor made for FIBA ball...at least on the offensive end. He's been arguably the biggest disappointment for Team USA in these Olympics. I expected him to comfortably be our 2nd best player but he's been a non-factor way too often.

[Coach Carter]

Tatum is one of the most polarizing players in the league. So much variance from him game to game, I’ve seen him dominate like he’s Kobe and play like a rookie.

Reminds me of Khris Middleton but offcourse better than what Khris was at age 23. Khris just had one of the most clutch playoff runs ever. At some point Tatum will do the same.

[Mamba Mentality]

USA should stop chucking jumpers and drive to the rim strong.

Australia hasn’t been afraid to body guys up without fouling.

[nextlife]

What bugs me the most is that Pop isn't willing to yell at these players and get the best out of them. He doesn't want to hurt their fragile egos.

[Catchall]

Jrue can beat up on whichever guard is covering him, whether it's Mills or Delavedova.

[Jimmy Recard]

If Exum could just get his offense together and stay healthy, he’s be a really good nba player. His on ball defense is outstanding.

If Simmons joins the 2024 boomers, between him, Exum and Thybulle, they’re defense is gonna be unreal.

[AussieCeltic]

Lol @ all these hot takes, these dudes don't play together. The Aussies have way, way more experience playing together.

Only 4 of them have played extended time together.

Those 4 happen to be the core of their team though, which is crucial. USA would be in a different situation if they had either Harden/Kyrie or Curry. They would at least have 3 core players that played together for an extended time. This is a bunch of players put together with 1 day before the olympics, with some of them being together for 2 weeks.

The Women team doesn't have that issue and you can tell. It's not even close in their competition

We have a new coach with a completely new system put in plus one of the core guys (Baynes) is injured and the other guy (Delly) isn’t really playing much. You guys use that excuse all the time. The issue is you guys run no sets and just run ISO ball or pick and rolls which makes it easier to defend.

[Jimmy Recard]

Some of the takes in this thread...acting like USA are the underdogs because the Aussie’s have experience playing together hilarious

[Jasen777]

Team USA is just putting the ball in KD's hands and telling him "win it for us". There's no other game plan offensively.

They played much better in the 2nd quarter mainly because of rebounding. They probably win in the 2nd half.

There were many plays when they passed up a chance to drive or take an open shot just to pass it back to Durant. Got a buncha scared Ben Simmons on Team USA

TBF, when Middleton did that he had just been blocked by the rim.

[AussieCeltic]

Lillard, if he's not out there scoring at a decent clip, is a completely useless player. He can't defend anyone and certainly isn't attempting to run any kind of offense or control the pace of the game.

Why does he continue to start and play so many minutes?

He got benched for Lavine last game. That should say something

[Chuck Diesel]

Someone needs to tell Fitzgerald that “Yugoslavia” hasn’t been a country for two decades. Pretty sure Jock Landale never played there.