Tokyo Olympics 2021

[Baboontyme 2810]

Need to get this to 3 or so at half.

[aggie08 21496]

I think the shorter 3 point line is a massive detriment to U.S. players. It's too damn tempting for a 34% low volume shooter to be standing there open, and think, "Gee, this should be an easy shot."

Plus, it's a distance that they never, ever practice or shoot in today's NBA for any reason.

None of that serves as an excuse for settling.

 

Edited August 3, 2021 by aggie08

[Kermit 3156]

8 minutes ago, UDontKnow said:

Whoever thought Popovich would be a good coach for Team USA after his previous history with this team needs to be stripped naked publicly.

Previous history?

[shadow_operative 15932]

we're so fundamentally fucked that even when the ball handler does attack the lane his four teammates just stand still on the perimeter.

[shadow_operative 15932]

this has been so frustrating to watch, because it's been evident this entire time that all Team USA needs to do is just play smarter, and we'll win. Spain is out here playing their dream game and yet we've always been within a couple of buckets of them, despite how terrible we've been. it's literally just "play smart and win, ain't and potentially lose."

[Baboontyme 2810]

Just now, shadow_operative said:

we're so fundamentally fucked that even when the ball handler does attack the lane his four teammates just stand still on the perimeter.

That's the game that we're used to now isn't it? It's the Stephification of the Association. I'm not complaining about it but it doesn't serve USA Basketball particularly well when other skilled opponents seem like they can read each others' minds like they're the Harlem Globetrotters. 

Hit some shots in the second half and we should survive. 

[shadow_operative 15932]

every time they say "Llull" this is all i can think of:

 

[Kermit 3156]

Couldn’t have played any worse, and they’re tied. 

[ztejas 43418]

Had to throw the jersey on. 

 

Edited August 4, 2021 by ztejas

[aggie08 21496]

3 minutes ago, Baboontyme said:

That's the game that we're used to now isn't it? It's the Stephification of the Association. I'm not complaining about it but it doesn't serve USA Basketball particularly well when other skilled opponents seem like they can read each others' minds like they're the Harlem Globetrotters. 

Hit some shots in the second half and we should survive. 

Sadly, Steph's 3's get all the highlights and copycat treatment, not the fact that he moves without the ball more than anyone in the league.

Edited August 3, 2021 by aggie08

[ztejas 43418]

We would be so fucked without him. What a commitment to country. 

I'm not saying he's LeBron or MJ. But he arguably has more to lose by participating in this competition than literally any other athlete. And without him we might be cooked right now. 

Edited August 3, 2021 by ztejas

[UDontKnow 10444]

6 minutes ago, Kermit said:

Previous history?

Popovich was an assistant coach of that ill fated 2004 Olympic team. To me that entire coaching staff is radioactive for the purposes of Team USA. I would have expected a lot better coaching from Popovich after being absolutely humiliated during that Olympics (3 losses). But he continues to prove me wrong. Hell he didn't even coach the squad that got Team USA qualified for the FIBA World Cup that he ended up coaching to a whopping 7th place finish. He's been nothing short of a disappointment. 

[SilasCoade 2622]

I don't think it's true, but do the last couple years plus the Olympics mean that Pop is a massive fraud and no one understood just how massively great Duncan had to be?

[UDontKnow 10444]

10 minutes ago, ztejas said:

Had to throw the jersey on. 

That cap doe. Throwback to '92 Barcelona Olympics. Greatest basketball squad ever assembled (sans Christian Laettner - Isiah Thomas really should have been on that team).

Edited August 3, 2021 by UDontKnow

[conVINCEd 21469]

7 minutes ago, aggie08 said:

Sadly, Steph's 3's get all the highlights and copycat treatment, not the fact that he moves without the ball more than anyone in the league.

If you would like an example of what Steph would look like without the hyperactive off the ball movement, I would like to introduce you to his brother.

[ztejas 43418]

1 minute ago, Llogg said:

I don't think it's true, but do the last couple years plus the Olympics mean that Pop is a massive fraud and no one understood just how massively great Duncan had to be?

Off topic. Take it to another thread. 

2 minutes ago, longhornmatt said:

The NBA / USA and international basketball have switched roles.   We’re at the point where Team USA needs to remember it’s ok to play big people on your team and to rebound and dunk instead of just 5 wing players shooting threes.  There should be inherent advantages to being Team USA.  Anyone can field 5 guys 6’3 to 6’8” who stand around end try to get hot shooting outside.

What weird times.

Douche your vag. We're winning gold. Despite Pop and Tatum's best efforts at fucking it up.

2 minutes ago, UDontKnow said:

That cap doe. Throwback to '92 Barcelona Olympics. Greatest basketball squad every assembled (sans Christian Laettner - Isiah Thomas really should have been on that team).

Yeah but IT was kind of a cunt when it came to his relationship with MJ and it's not like it would have mattered. 

[Baboontyme 2810]

2 minutes ago, longhornmatt said:

The NBA / USA and international basketball have switched roles.   We’re at the point where Team USA needs to remember it’s ok to play big people on your team and to rebound and dunk instead of just 5 wing players shooting threes.  There should be inherent advantages to being Team USA.  Anyone can field 5 guys 6’3 to 6’8” who stand around and try to get hot shooting outside.

What weird times.

I think this is fair 

To be honest I don't have a lot of the same prejudices that you ask, do, for better or for worse. I have other ones. As an outsider I don't think this is on Pop at all if they fall short of gold. 

[shadow_operative 15932]

Ricky Rubio just smothered Bam Adebayo's dunk/layup attempt. 👀 

[aggie08 21496]

6 minutes ago, Llogg said:

I don't think it's true, but do the last couple years plus the Olympics mean that Pop is a massive fraud and no one understood just how massively great Duncan had to be?

Massive fraud is obviously harsh, but I've said for years that "team first, check your ego at the door" coaches like Pop and Belichick need best players like Duncan and Brady that completely buy in and set the tone. 

A collection of random All-Star talent who won't be together long and are already [mostly] fully formed is a weird setting for Pop.

And, yeah, the player probably deserves more of the credit in the all-time great coach/player combos.

Edited August 3, 2021 by aggie08

[ztejas 43418]

.

Edited August 4, 2021 by ztejas

[shadow_operative 15932]

bad call. 

[Baboontyme 2810]

Can you knock a free throw off the rim on the second attempt?

[ztejas 43418]

3 minutes ago, longhornmatt said:

I don’t think he’s a massive fraud, but firing the coach and then keeping himself as the permanent replacement when it became clear they had Robinson coming back and Duncan coming in was a pretty dickish way to start off.  His reputation definitely benefitted greatly from having a top roster for 20 years, much of that being a result of hitting draft jackpots. 

 

1 minute ago, aggie08 said:

Massive fraud is obviously harsh, but I've said for years that "team first, check your ego at the door" coaches like Pop and Belichick need best players like Duncan and Brady that completely buy in and set the tone. 

A collection of random All-Star talent who won't be together long and are already [mostly] fully formed is a weird setting for Pop.

Take this stupid bullshit elsewhere. Pop has 5 titles.

[shadow_operative 15932]

quick six points for KD. 

[Baboontyme 2810]

Good run right here for shift 1

[Baboontyme 2810]

Oh Book! What a save! Shame on you Bam. 

[shadow_operative 15932]

great ball movement. USA heating up. 

[ztejas 43418]

Durant is as good at basketball right now as all but maybe 4-5 players ever have been. 

[Baboontyme 2810]

Troubling that Jeue has 3. No likey.

[shadow_operative 15932]

Just now, Baboontyme said:

Oh Book! What a save! Shame on you Bam. 

wow you're like a full minute ahead of my feed. that play deserved a proper finish.

 

[Baboontyme 2810]

1 minute ago, ztejas said:

Durant is as good at basketball right now as all but maybe 4-5 players ever have been. 

This guy is a series ahead of me and I love him for it. I'm like fuck yeah, here comes a reaper bucket. 

[Baboontyme 2810]

1 minute ago, shadow_operative said:

wow you're like a full minute ahead of my feed. that play deserved a proper finish.

 

See my next post. I recommend you put z on ignore. 

[shadow_operative 15932]

we've got our foot on the pedal. 

[Kermit 3156]

Man, look at all these made baskets. What incredible halftime adjustments from Pop!

[SilasCoade 2622]

6 minutes ago, ztejas said:

 

Take this stupid bullshit elsewhere. Pop has 5 titles.

Go fuck your stupid fucking face. He's the coach of THIS FUCKING GAME. It's relevant.

[shadow_operative 15932]

1 minute ago, Baboontyme said:

See my next post. I recommend you put z on ignore. 

haha yeah i just realized that he's even further ahead than you are. i'm gonna try backing out during the next commercial and hopefully it goes to live when i log back in. 

[Baboontyme 2810]

Nice extra pass Holiday. I like LaVine you guys. I know some of you don't. He's a great shooter and knows his role on this squad. 

[shadow_operative 15932]

this got out of hand very quickly. 

[Baboontyme 2810]

Rubio can't shoot in the NBA. Why change homie.

[shadow_operative 15932]

wow, no FG for Spain in this quarter.

 

check that, just got their first near the 4:00 mark. 

[Baboontyme 2810]

I celebrate that defensive possession for Jrue Holiday in its entirety. 

[SA-KC_Horn 1295]

The NBA players remembered that they are NBA players. 

[Kermit 3156]

Just now, SA-KC_Horn said:

The NBA players remembered that they are NBA players. 

No no, it’s the coaching.

[ztejas 43418]

6 minutes ago, Baboontyme said:

This guy is a series ahead of me and I love him for it. I'm like fuck yeah, here comes a reaper bucket. 

 

5 minutes ago, Baboontyme said:

See my next post. I recommend you put z on ignore. 

 

7 minutes ago, shadow_operative said:

wow you're like a full minute ahead of my feed. that play deserved a proper finish.

 

Sorry guys. I love my guy.

[shadow_operative 15932]

why isn't Serge Ibaka on this team?

[SilasCoade 2622]

This is the worst stretch of multiple games I've ever seen Dame have.

[UDontKnow 10444]

1 minute ago, shadow_operative said:

why isn't Serge Ibaka on this team?

He's recovering from back surgery which is why he missed the entirety of the NBA playoffs for the Clippers.

[ztejas 43418]

2 minutes ago, shadow_operative said:

why isn't Serge Ibaka on this team?

Is it insensitive if I say it might be some veiled racism?

Jk. That was a joke btw. What @UDontKnow said.

Edited August 3, 2021 by ztejas

[SA-KC_Horn 1295]

This 90's type of FIBA style is refreshing. Gotta earn that bucket.

[Baboontyme 2810]

Two huge misses for KM to end the 3rd. My goodness this could be 15 instead of 6.