Around the NBA - Offseason Edition

[3toheadmelo]

It doesn't sound like Tatum is interested after reading that SI comment from him.

I don't think it's really coaching, it's that those other counties have a set team that will play together for 2-3 Olympics together with defined roles while we use an all-star team approach. Canada tried the same thing and it didn't work out for them despite all the talent. We got lucky because Bron, Steph and KD are who they are, but the next go round we don't have anyone cut from their cloth for 2028.

What did Tatum say?

I think a lot of it is coaching. Kerr just seemed like he was playing musical chairs with rotations every game and didn’t know what he was doing. I don’t remember us looking this bad in 2020 with Popovich coaching. And we didn’t have Bron or Curry that year either. I guess we’ll see what happens in 2028

Tatum just got to wait until his time arrives. He was never going to play over KD or Lebron. Please.

Who said he should've played over KD/Bron? Ol wingo arguing with himself

Tatum was the 6th man in the 2020 olympics and was their 2nd leading scorer. If Popovich could find a role for him then Kerr should've been able too as well. Oh well.

[DaGawd]

tatum shot 0-16 on jumpers.. he did it to himself

[3toheadmelo]

It doesn't sound like Tatum is interested after reading that SI comment from him.

I don't think it's really coaching, it's that those other counties have a set team that will play together for 2-3 Olympics together with defined roles while we use an all-star team approach. Canada tried the same thing and it didn't work out for them despite all the talent. We got lucky because Bron, Steph and KD are who they are, but the next go round we don't have anyone cut from their cloth for 2028.

What did Tatum say?

I think a lot of it is coaching. Kerr just seemed like he was playing musical chairs with rotations every game and didn’t know what he was doing. I don’t remember us looking this bad in 2020 with Popovich coaching. And we didn’t have Bron or Curry that year either. I guess we’ll see what happens in 2028

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I'm not confident in 2028, there's just no American star that projects out to being on the level of the 3 guys that carried us to the win. Also, if Victor did this at 20, what's he going to look like at 24

Good job Kerr

You still got guys like Banchero, Ant, Brunson, potentially Cooper Flagg. I'm not too worried. Wemby is extremely good but like Jokic they won't be able to take down a team full of all stars by themselves.

[3toheadmelo]

tatum shot 0-16 on jumpers.. he did it to himself

He was never given a chance to break out of his funk like Curry was. Curry was 5-20 from 3 in the first 4 games.

Last time Tatum started he still did well despite missing jumpers. There's more to the game than just hitting 3s. We could've used his rebounding and defense badly against Serbia. Why you think there was an outrage from NBA players and media? Kerrorist has been washed as a coach for a while. I doubt some players will want to play in 2028 if he's still coaching.

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[Gravy]

Seeing all the trash talking Tatum is getting around the internet and then you remember he led his team to a NBA championship over all those stars. Makes me feel better about our chances next season.

[NoDopeOnSundays]

What did Tatum say?

I think a lot of it is coaching. Kerr just seemed like he was playing musical chairs with rotations every game and didn’t know what he was doing. I don’t remember us looking this bad in 2020 with Popovich coaching. And we didn’t have Bron or Curry that year either. I guess we’ll see what happens in 2028

Read on Twitter

?t=F6YuFRit6SgMt4qkdRgdnQ&s=19

I'm not confident in 2028, there's just no American star that projects out to being on the level of the 3 guys that carried us to the win. Also, if Victor did this at 20, what's he going to look like at 24

Good job Kerr

You still got guys like Banchero, Ant, Brunson, potentially Cooper Flagg. I'm not too worried. Wemby is extremely good but like Jokic they won't be able to take down a team full of all stars by themselves.

We tried to do that in the world cup which is why the Avengers had to step in and even then they were pushed. The only guy I think will have the pedigree is Brunson and maybe Ant, it's gonna be a high pressure situation to win in LA. I just don't see the generational players on our side for 2028, we out talented everyone this time and it was still close.


France has a lot more NBA talent than Serbia, just look at all the damage Jokic has done with just 1 other NBA player, a silver and bronze. France will a minimum of 6 NBA players other than Victor, and most of them are wings, if they get the guard I think they win 2028 and we'll bounce back in 2032. They're going to be like Canada except with size across multiple positions and of course the best player in the world.

[3toheadmelo]

Read on Twitter

?t=F6YuFRit6SgMt4qkdRgdnQ&s=19

I'm not confident in 2028, there's just no American star that projects out to being on the level of the 3 guys that carried us to the win. Also, if Victor did this at 20, what's he going to look like at 24

Good job Kerr

You still got guys like Banchero, Ant, Brunson, potentially Cooper Flagg. I'm not too worried. Wemby is extremely good but like Jokic they won't be able to take down a team full of all stars by themselves.

We tried to do that in the world cup which is why the Avengers had to step in and even then they were pushed. The only guy I think will have the pedigree is Brunson and maybe Ant, it's gonna be a high pressure situation to win in LA. I just don't see the generational players on our side for 2028, we out talented everyone this time and it was still close.


France has a lot more NBA talent than Serbia, just look at all the damage Jokic has done with just 1 other NBA player, a silver and bronze. France will a minimum of 6 NBA players other than Victor, and most of them are wings, if they get the guard I think they win 2028 and we'll bounce back in 2032. They're going to be like Canada except with size across multiple positions and of course the best player in the world.

I hear your concerns. We'll have to see how good players are by then.

Ultimately, I still believe we gonna have France like this in 2028

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[Knicksfan1992]

I said this earlier in this thread but, the US is going to have to soon realize it's strength is in its relative depth compared to other countries not simply how athletic or how talented we are compared to the rest... We not only have the best top tier talent but also the best role players in the game as well. Alex Caruso should have been on this roster instead of Haliburton for example.

The days of out-talenting teams are numbered. If I was in charge of USA basketball I would outline the vision of making sure our Olympic team does not differ too much from our World Cup teams for the next cycle. Create some sort of cohesion so guys aren't trying to figure out their roles and minutes 5 games into a 6 game tournament setting lol. Identify your core group of stars you want to build around and find the best role players to suit those guys and keep that group mostly together through a 4 year cycle.

The reason why these games are close is because the other teams have way more familiarity with each other. Now that the talent gap is closing, you're going to have to find the best way forward to mimic that while still having a talent edge.

Unfortunately, it's likely going to have to take another year like 2004 before I think real changes are made on that front. We're delaying the inevitable IMO. One of these years we're not going to have the best player in the biggest game to bail us out.

Also Kerr is an atrocity of a coach so at least they'll likely move on from him and go to Spo next cycle which would be a massive upgrade.

[Spree2Houston]

USA is not winning in 2028. The world has closed the gap even further. There will be no Lebron, Curry or Durant to save them in 2028. The best player in the world will be playing for France.

[Wildcat]

USA is not winning in 2028. The world has closed the gap even further. There will be no Lebron, Curry or Durant to save them in 2028. The best player in the world will be playing for France.

I'd kindly refute that. More competitive, certainly. In fact, I'd gamble team USA will be more team oriented because they won't have a KD, LeBron. You can also make the argument players like Tatum and Edwards weren't played to their strengths, while adding the likes of Maxey, JB, who are dominant in their own ways.

[sol537]

USA is not winning in 2028. The world has closed the gap even further. There will be no Lebron, Curry or Durant to save them in 2028. The best player in the world will be playing for France.

I'd kindly refute that. More competitive, certainly. In fact, I'd gamble team USA will be more team oriented because they won't have a KD, LeBron. You can also make the argument players like Tatum and Edwards weren't played to their strengths, while adding the likes of Maxey, JB, who are dominant in their own ways.

USA would still be the favorites in 2028 IMO...

Spo as coach...

Start: Brunson, Booker, Ant, Tatum, Anthony Davis
Bench: Maxey, White, Flagg, Bam

More clearly defined roles, a better game plan, etc. We'd be super deep again and can win close games.

[spree2kawhi]

USA is not winning in 2028. The world has closed the gap even further. There will be no Lebron, Curry or Durant to save them in 2028. The best player in the world will be playing for France.

I'd kindly refute that. More competitive, certainly. In fact, I'd gamble team USA will be more team oriented because they won't have a KD, LeBron. You can also make the argument players like Tatum and Edwards weren't played to their strengths, while adding the likes of Maxey, JB, who are dominant in their own ways.

It’s an interesting thought that Tatum and Edwards might be the only legitimately dominant American players left under 25, and team Tatum is 26…

[Context]

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where did you find this?! I dont remember this movie Mel...

[SelbyCobra]

You guys are crazy. The USA will still be a HUGE favorite in 2028. Not only is the talent gap still significant, the games are going to be in the States.

[KnicksGadfly]

Forward spots were super competitive this year for team USA. I don’t think Tatum has anything to be ashamed about. He’s next up.

They sent Kawhi home and replaced him with Derrick White. Jaylen Brown, a SG/SF, was crying about not getting a call. KD and Lebron had most of the trust, along with Steph. They played Bam and Davis together at times, which is more forward minutes going somewhere else.

It’s a tough spot to be in for Tatum, especially when the best players on Serbia and France are big ass freaks. I also don’t see an argument for Tatum replacing Booker. Just different positions.

[Wildcat]

USA is not winning in 2028. The world has closed the gap even further. There will be no Lebron, Curry or Durant to save them in 2028. The best player in the world will be playing for France.

I'd kindly refute that. More competitive, certainly. In fact, I'd gamble team USA will be more team oriented because they won't have a KD, LeBron. You can also make the argument players like Tatum and Edwards weren't played to their strengths, while adding the likes of Maxey, JB, who are dominant in their own ways.

It’s an interesting thought that Tatum and Edwards might be the only legitimately dominant American players left under 25, and team Tatum is 26…

Yeah, it's some what unprecedented.

[Wildcat]

USA is not winning in 2028. The world has closed the gap even further. There will be no Lebron, Curry or Durant to save them in 2028. The best player in the world will be playing for France.

I'd kindly refute that. More competitive, certainly. In fact, I'd gamble team USA will be more team oriented because they won't have a KD, LeBron. You can also make the argument players like Tatum and Edwards weren't played to their strengths, while adding the likes of Maxey, JB, who are dominant in their own ways.

USA would still be the favorites in 2028 IMO...

Spo as coach...

Start: Brunson, Booker, Ant, Tatum, Anthony Davis
Bench: Maxey, White, Flagg, Bam

More clearly defined roles, a better game plan, etc. We'd be super deep again and can win close games.

Yeah, I think Spo should 100% be the HC with Thibs and company. 2028 is going to be more grit unless a superstar emerges over the next couple of years. I wouldn't be all that shocked if your roster is 99% accurate.

[nykballa2k4]

USA is not winning in 2028. The world has closed the gap even further. There will be no Lebron, Curry or Durant to save them in 2028. The best player in the world will be playing for France.

I'd kindly refute that. More competitive, certainly. In fact, I'd gamble team USA will be more team oriented because they won't have a KD, LeBron. You can also make the argument players like Tatum and Edwards weren't played to their strengths, while adding the likes of Maxey, JB, who are dominant in their own ways.

Holmgrin/Bam
Tatum/Banchero
Brown/Flagg
Edwards/Spida
Booker/Hali

Without thinking too much, that team is going to be hard to beat for any country.

Right now jokic is the best player in the world, and he got Serbia to bronze.

Wemby might be generational, might be the Wilt of this generation, but there are other things that need to happen for France to get gold.

Kerr probably felt compelled to ride out the old timers, next time, i wonder who the old heads will be?

[Richard4444]

USA is not winning in 2028. The world has closed the gap even further. There will be no Lebron, Curry or Durant to save them in 2028. The best player in the world will be playing for France.

I'd kindly refute that. More competitive, certainly. In fact, I'd gamble team USA will be more team oriented because they won't have a KD, LeBron. You can also make the argument players like Tatum and Edwards weren't played to their strengths, while adding the likes of Maxey, JB, who are dominant in their own ways.

Holmgrin/Bam
Tatum/Banchero
Brown/Flagg
Edwards/Spida
Booker/Hali

Without thinking too much, that team is going to be hard to beat for any country.

Right now jokic is the best player in the world, and he got Serbia to bronze.

Wemby might be generational, might be the Wilt of this generation, but there are other things that need to happen for France to get gold.

Kerr probably felt compelled to ride out the old timers, next time, i wonder who the old heads will be?

What about Brunson and Mikal?

[nykballa2k4]

I'd kindly refute that. More competitive, certainly. In fact, I'd gamble team USA will be more team oriented because they won't have a KD, LeBron. You can also make the argument players like Tatum and Edwards weren't played to their strengths, while adding the likes of Maxey, JB, who are dominant in their own ways.

Holmgrin/Bam
Tatum/Banchero
Brown/Flagg
Edwards/Spida
Booker/Hali

Without thinking too much, that team is going to be hard to beat for any country.

Right now jokic is the best player in the world, and he got Serbia to bronze.

Wemby might be generational, might be the Wilt of this generation, but there are other things that need to happen for France to get gold.

Kerr probably felt compelled to ride out the old timers, next time, i wonder who the old heads will be?

What about Brunson and Mikal?

Since when do we get to have nice things?