[valentine]

Because I’m seeing a collection of the most entitled, priveldged athletes who are demonstrating a complete lack of humility and embarassing their country in the process.

They are lucky not to have lost…and there’s no way I’d be betting my money for them to win gold at this point. 

Behaviour

They’re strutting around like superstars, but they’re certainly not playing like them.

They look out of shape. Coach K and Thibs haven’t got them playing anything symbolic of ‘team basketball’ and the players look lost on both ends. Seriously…have these guys had a single training session together?

I’ve seen players dancing on the sidelines and acting like clowns non stop while every other athlete at these olympics has their "game face" on. This is the Olympics, not a Kanye West video clip. It looks bad…kinda like when John Wall did the "Dougie". 

I’d suggest Team USA watch how Michael Phelps and Simone Biles have carried themselves. With Dignity, Humility and Class. 

 

Paul George

Paul George called the Australian team/Delly "Dirty" in a press conference after the team had already won. Thats despicable! and completely unsportsmanlike since that game was played hard, and fair. Id consider what Paul George said in that press conference as the most unsportsmanlike thing I’ve seen at these Olympics and completely stank of an entitled, spoiled rich-boy who isn’t prepared to do what it takes to win gold for his country. 

Playing Soft

I cannot believe how little intensity and physicality the American team is playing with. They whine, complain and snitch to the media about how rough the game is being played with.. Go watch some Euroleague or Aussie League. Go watch Varajao or Ginobli highlights. The Refs aren’t going to bail these guys out cos their superstars like the NBA. So get your balls out of your handbags and play with some heart….or sit next to Harrison.

 

Most Disappointing Players

• Kevin Durant – Doesn’t look like he wants to be there. Completely ineffective
• Draymond Green – From what I can tell, the ringleader for clownish behaviour
• Harrison Barnes – Why are you on the team? Looks scared of the physicality
• Boogie Cousins – Soundly beaten by Bogut & Jokic in their matchups. 

 

Outlook

Still favourite for Gold, but given how much confidence other teams will have gained by watching these pitiful Team USA performances, I think it’s a completely open tournament right now. In fact, I’d tip Croatia or Lithuania to beat USA in a semi-final….and thats when we’ll really see physical play. 

 

Call me harsh, but this is the worst Team USA I’ve seen since 2004 and I saw the same signs then as I do now. Really could use a Kobe or KG on this team right now…

[Lebron’s HairlineParticipant]

 It’s hard to watch when an team like Serbia is overmatched physically and talent wise, run plays and have good basketball and completely outplay the US in the fourth quarter; while the US team just plays one on five and play matador defense. 

[Robb_CParticipant]

 Between Coach Ks last olympics and a bunch of single young NBA All Stars being in Rio.. I dont blame any of these guys coasting.. These guys are clearly having fun.. As long as they bring home the gold and nobody comes back with AIDs.. Consider it Mission Accomplished

[McDunkin]

I love coach K I really do but…

Paul George pointed out the rubbish that is K’s coaching…or who knows maybe it’s just an inexperienced team not listening, but let’s be honest 14 years coaching this team and they still don’t have even a basic motion offense they run or some go to sets. You would think some of those "close until the 3rd quarter" type games they have been guaranteed to get out of certain teams would prompt some sort of change coming into these games especially with one of his weakest rosters.

Also on the other hand I figured you would mention anything Ausralia related that you could Hype Machine

[doubledribblerParticipant]

 It’s simple. This roster does not fit together. I’m not sure if the people constructing the team got scared when guys were pulling out and went for the biggest names, but this roster doesn’t make sense on offense and it doesn’t look like a roster that a coach like Thibs would want defensively. It doesn’t mean they have to panic or won’t win gold.

You can’t change the roster at this point, so it’s going to be up to Coach K to do a better job with his lineups. The starting frontline is Charmin soft. They should really look at benching Durant and Cousins for Jordan and either Butler or Thompson. I know Jordan is limited, but you need to put a rim protector next to Melo if he’s going to play the 4. George hasn’t been great, but I think he will be better with Durant out of the way and he’s more likely to do the things you need from the 3rd guy. Thompson and Butler just need to bring some defense. They will hit enough shots to keep the defense honest. Give Green the ball with the 2nd unit and let him spread it around.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 I can’t stand to watch Kyrie play.  The game finished 3 hours ago and he’s probably still holding on to the ball.  Coack K giving him the Dukie love over Lowry, who on a team with a million scorers only would be the better option at PG for the majority of all games.

[dcaseParticipant]

 Great comment. There were several possessions in the 4th quarter where Irving dribbled away the entire shot clock and had to take a poor shot. Then on the defensive end opposing PGs are having their way against him.

[xJumpManxParticipant]

Kyrie is by far the better player of the two. I like how Lowry give you 100% of what he has talent wise compared to the rest of team USA. 

[Pro-21Participant]

 At the end of close games, it was very obvious that coach K. was calling for an ISO for Kyrie Irving, which is because he’s probably the best one-on-one player in the NBA (idk if you saw this year’s playoffs …) and if there’s one player who’s quick enough to destroy a zone defense and score, it’s Kyrie Irving. He did exactly that against Australia and won Team USA the game, along with melo. Against Serbia, Carmelo shot poorly and KD only took four shots. It’s obvious that for whatever reason, KD has been a bit passive and that Kyrie is Team USA’s go-to scorer. 

You’re too caught up in positions. Kyrie is running the point guard position pretty well — averaging 6 assists and just 1 turnover — but the fact is, team USA has a severe shortage of talented scoring/elite-shooting guards. Team USA at the 2014 FIBA World Cup had Irving, Curry and Harden in the starting lineup. That’s three three point shooters with the ability to get their shots off at any time, handle the ball and pass at least adequately. This year, Irving is the only guard on Team USA that is actually an elite shotmaker. I think Lowry has been ok running the point, and probably a bit better on defense, but he simply isn’t nearly the offensive threat that Irving is and his defense still isn’t great, so having him start and play the majority of minutes over Irving doesn’t make sense, and if you’d stop philosophizing about archaic basketball narratives you’d see that. Irving is the second best scorer on Team USA. 

 

[Reptilian MonkParticipant]

 This team really could of used Kawhi Leonard. He always plays hard no soft D and no hero ball from him. 

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

 Maybe the USA team forgot what country they are playing for and there for don’t care enough to win big.  Maybe they  need you to tell them what their purpose  is there in Brazil.

  

[dmo21Participant]

Isn’t being privileged, entitled and acting better than everyone else how most Americans feel and act when compared to the rest of the world? I’d say they are doing a good job representing their country then. 

[r377Participant]

+1 plus – playing hero ball with no defense represents the Americans well. Don’t forget to throw in their obsession with twitter and social media too…..

[Mr. HookShotParticipant]

Difference in culture, and although it might work in terms of getting the best out of yourself, I don’t like the "I am the best, look at me"-type of culture we’re seeing several USA athletes. For me the Olympics as much about winning as it is about showing respect for your opponents. 

 

[raybeasParticipant]

It’s because he plays dirty. Bogut too.

Paul George pointing these facts out at the presser after the game wasn’t even among the ten most unsportsmanlike things that have occurred so far at the games. Maybe you didn’t see the Egyptian judoka who refused to shake hands with the Israeli opponent who had just beaten him?

[r377Participant]

The Boomers took their game seriously (why wouldn’t you its the Olympics on the biggest stage) with some hard tough fouls just like they do in the NBA playoffs.

Boy George and a lot of the USA team are smiling and mucking around, treating this like an all-star game…..

[r377Participant]

Team chemistry is important – Melonoma, Cousins and Kyrie are hardly pass first (if at all) great teammates to have all the same team…..

[xJumpManxParticipant]

I agree his is a scorer first and then passer. The problem with the team is their is no CP3 or Westbrook on the team who are better at getting others involved. But I take offense to put Kyrie in teh same group as the perinial non content Cousins. 

[capecodderParticipant]

 At least they are not going Hope Solo on us

Would have been nice to see them enjoying themselves during opening ceremonies like other athletes 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

 Delly is the most dirty player in international basketball history

[airguytonParticipant]

 usa men’s basketball team are beating there opponents on average 28.5 points I mean where is all the hate coming from these guys are going to win gold again jus like every other year accept 2004.  So what’s the problem are y’all mad because there to good and didn’t blow out a well coached Serbia squad who took lessons from the great Greg poppovich lmao there not gonna lose Plan and simple when they when the gold it’s back to watching actual talent which is the nba this is easy work GO USA

[cjwParticipant]

 Dude they were a missed open 3 from being taken to OT by Serbia…….Serbia man

[brodiejayParticipant]

I don’t get the anger in the original post dude. If you’re an Australian fan, shouldn’t you be happy the US don’t seem to be taking the Olympics or their opponents seriously?

I personally find it funny when people call Delly dirty. Sure, he plays with no regard for his own safety and attacks the ball with reckless abandon. Sure, he doesn’t care about looking cool or playing with swag… and will dive on the floor for the ball like a madman.

 

However… none of those things make him dirty. He solely and exclusively wants to get the ball. Draymond Green kicking nuts is dirty. JR Smith untying shoelaces at the free throw line is dirty. Going hard after the ball isn’t dirty. It’s just unexpected by a lot of American players because guys like Delly don’t care about their image more than they care about going hard for the ball.

 

The US lineups are a little unbalanced, but their main issue is they aren’t playing defense and they aren’t playing to their strengths. It’s up to the coaching staff to come up with a game plan that takes advantage of their length.

 

When you’ve got 6’9 Paul George playing the two and 6’11 Durant at the three, you’ve gotta take advantage of their length. I haven’t seen Coach K use one play to take advantage of those mismatches.

 

I agree it’s not a good look to be joking around on the bench that much when they’re down on the scoreboard, but as an Aussie, I’m not really understanding why you’re so worked up about it Hype!

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 Hopefully Kevin Durant shows me something soon… oh well, I am a Grizzlies fan so I hope Bambi On Ice keeps doing what he’s doing…

Shows you how AWESOME LeBron James is.  BY FAR the best all around player in the league.  Shows you how GREAT Steph and Russell Westbrook are.  

I think those are the Big Three of Basketball now…

So, without them, the rest of our "stars" are closer to Euro ringers than we would (and the media) would like to admit.

This isn’t exactly our B team — more like A-, but there is still a lot of difference between these guys and our HYOPTHETICAL DREAM TEAM that we could have thrown out there…

What would I do now?

I like the idea of starting DeAndre Jordan.  Kyrie Irving starts, yeah he can get shot happy but so can Kyle Lowry… at the 2, Klay Thompson: best shooter, scoring 2 guard from deep, good size, really good defender, and halfway decent ball handler.  Why WOULDN’T we start him?

It looks like other teams are trying to bully us inside.  

So, for our last two starting spots… what about going with Draymond Green as a Point 4?  Let’s see what he does… he is MOST effective with the ball in his hands, as a passer and a creator, then on defense as a major interior defender, then as a rebounder on either side of the ball.  

Then at small forward, you gotta go with Carmelo Anthony… or do you?  Ok, let’s go with Carmelo as a proven scorer and mid-range shooter.  Give him the second toughest defensive assignment on the wing.  Let Draymond and DeAndre battle the bigs inside.  Just let Carmelo get some iso’s, some touches on the blocks, and some high percentage (for him) mid-range jumpers.  Then let him get some cheapo rebounds to pad his stats…

6th man?  Duh.  Kevin Durant.  Let him get out there, and come out FIRING!  No passive Durant here.  Get this dude going!  Plus, he gets in there with his new teammates (Dray and Klay).  Let KD do his thing… let him break the other teams’ backs.

I would think he gets subbed in for anyone on that front line… but what about Carmelo?  Save Carmelo for the end of the game.  

Second team: Kyle Lowry, Jimmy "somebody better guard somebody so it better be you!" Butler, DeMar DeRozan, Paul George (the alpha scorer of this group), and Benoit Benjamin, err, I mean DeMarcus Cousins at center.  

So, that is your rotation.  11 guys.  Two full teams and a 6th man, can’t even remember who the other guy on this team is.  That might say something about this team…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[AwardedBallerParticipant]

 Lol the original post is corny to me and any post that agreed with their behavior is corny too. 

 

Unless they’re out there trying to just physically harm other teams I don’t think they’re misrepresenting anyone. If a player gets out played, he gets out played. The best he can do is suit up and try to get the next one. To go as far as to say they aren’t respecting their country and all that other mess is just doing to much.

 

Your post is about the American team, so why are you holding them in comparison to the Australian team…. The one that lost to them. I acknowledge that this team USA team has been playing hero ball and are hurting themselves by making these games close but this enrire post is just too much.

[airguytonParticipant]

 Carmelo shouldn’t start over Kevin Durant who is a 5 time 1st all nba player and will win more rings then Carmelo but everything else you said is accurate

[mcbaileyParticipant]

It’s hilarious that you have the gall to call them entitled when they haven’t lost a game and you’re still pissed. There’s a pot/kettle thing going on.

[King CaluchaParticipant]

I don’t really care about their behavior. If they are being unprofessional, they’ll eventually lose.

My only complain is that they are setting a bad example for the young guys. I’m sure there are kids watching these games and now they believe playing iso ball is the way to go.

[RigelzParticipant]

Cousins and Jordan totally outplayed by 21 years old Jokic and the future C of  Olimpia Milano(!!)… what a shame….

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

The OP must be hangry… Eat a snickers dude. 

"We knew we were going to get their best. The game got a little out of hand physically early on. We had to adjust. We knew this team had a knack for playing a little dirty." 

That’s what Paul George said… You’re overreacting. Saying he isn’t prepared to win gold is ridiculous. Dude could’ve stayed home and rested his leg and nobody would’ve batted an eye. Instead, he’s playing and sacrificing his body. The play he made vs AUS up 6 with about 25 secs left when he dove out of bounds and knocked the ball off of Delly said a lot. 

Most of your post is just sensitive and full of emotions… No real issues discussed besides your feelings. 

The real issues here are too much iso ball by Irving and Melo. Defensively, they’ve lacked discipline/communication the last couple of games. Players have gotten slammed by screens pressuring the ball. Two guys running to the ball. Too much gambling for hero ball steals. Ball watching. Coach K needs to switch up his lineups/rotations. Cousins can’t defend the rim and he’s getting killed dropping back on high screens… He can’t defend out there depending on certain matchups. Start Jordan, who’s a better fit for Team USA. Play Green more at the five. 

I also think they need to bring either KD or Melo off of the bench and start PG. KD can’t find his offense playing alongside two iso ball players in Irving and Melo. Play Lowry and Butler, who’ve been dogs on defense, more. I’d start Butler at the two and bring Thompson off of the bench. Think Thompson would get better looks off of the bench too. 

I don’t have a problem with Team USA’s behavior either. This group really seems to like each other and they show it on the bench. Embarrasing their country lol? Dude… 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[D7H7NParticipant]

You’re not putting up money on the team that goes undefeated during pool play?

[DolanCareParticipant]

Team USA is coasting in this Olympics, and thank god they are. They win by an average of 30 points if they prepared and played at 100%.  

[Author]

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