Somebody call Coach K
- Thread starter smashmouth5
- Start date
I bet that "Popp" post-game presser was a doozy. Guy has such an easygoing, pleasant demeanor anyway......😂😂😂😂OFC
In which facet? Pop is in over his head with this roster. Booker, Holiday and Middleton are all still playing in the finals. Someone tell me how Draymond green made the roster. Him and KD barely see eye to eye.
true that, but sometimes them bombs just be dropping...lol
Jayson Tatum had 15 points and 7 rebounds. Nigeria was 20 of 42 on threes. Nine years ago, the USA beat Nigeria 156-73
I watched the last quarter. USA went for every head fake, failed to cover the back door (Tatum!) or give and go. Really basic 1960's type offense and USA looked like this was the first time they ever saw it.
And of course, USA reverts to taking 3s every time down the court with absolutely no offensive rebounding. Like. 4 Aussies all alone gathering an uncontested rebound. Pretty poor execution and effort.
I hope it gets better.
And of course, USA reverts to taking 3s every time down the court with absolutely no offensive rebounding. Like. 4 Aussies all alone gathering an uncontested rebound. Pretty poor execution and effort.
I hope it gets better.
Maybe playing for Team USA doesn't mean what it used too mean. I don't know how the team is selected but is it possible that some, not all on this team accepted out of obligation and would rather be on summer vacation. I really don't know if that may be a possibility or not. If so why not have the selection committe send out a note asking all the players who want to play for team USA to indicate so and if not do the same. Itvwill not be a big deal and there should be plenty of talent to still bring home the gold. OFC
I'm not upset about the team that was put together. I'm disappointed at their execution though.
Tatum was as guilty of lack of discipline on both offense and defense as anyone else, and I'm a big fan of his.
Tatum was as guilty of lack of discipline on both offense and defense as anyone else, and I'm a big fan of his.
I think that surprised me the most. Didn't expect that from him. There's still time to shore things up, but it's not looking good.
Last night was definitely not Tatum's finest moment, getting beat backdoor multiple times, and then missing a three really, really badly with about a minute left. Hopefully it is a growing pain/wake-up call and he will get it going, and I feel confident he will.
USA's primary disadvantage relative to international play has really been on full display, and that is the general lack of cohesion. It is clear they really have no clue how to play together, and that is a lot to figure out in a short amount of time. I think the group is reasonably well constructed under the circumstances with who was healthy enough to come, or willing to come. In a perfect world you would have Lebron, Curry, Leonard, Harden, Irving, AD, etc., but there is still enough firepower - they just won't completely overwhelm people like they would if they had those guys. They just have a comfort level with each other to reach in a hurry that will be a really tall order.
USA's primary disadvantage relative to international play has really been on full display, and that is the general lack of cohesion. It is clear they really have no clue how to play together, and that is a lot to figure out in a short amount of time. I think the group is reasonably well constructed under the circumstances with who was healthy enough to come, or willing to come. In a perfect world you would have Lebron, Curry, Leonard, Harden, Irving, AD, etc., but there is still enough firepower - they just won't completely overwhelm people like they would if they had those guys. They just have a comfort level with each other to reach in a hurry that will be a really tall order.
If these players play like they are in an all star game we will continue to lose.
That’s the issue they aren’t realizing. These countries came to play for their country. After they won’t make the big bucks like the team USA players. But they won’t back down from them either just because they play in the league. Better put on your big boy pants and remember how to play real basketball. No one is going to let them score just because their in the NBA.
It’s going to be interesting this year. Beal and Love are out now for the Olympics. Beal is out due to COVID and Love quit to focus on next year NBA season. There replacements are Keldon Johnson and Javelle McGhee. Still have Booker, Middleton and Holiday that should be joining the team after NBA Finals, but I wouldn’t bank on all 3 guys showing up.
Team USA could really use Booker and Middleton’s scoring and Holiday’s perimeter defense.
When a friend of mine showed me the roster make up I wasn’t extremely happy about the make up of the team. No Zion, No tre Young . Green is still a head scratcher and I don’t think Pop has any clue how to navigate this team or select them. Sure he picked talent but all almost are known for offense .
I can’t believe it’s come down to alternates for Team USA being Keldon Johnson and Javelle McGee. Can’t help but think that Keldon was selected over Garland and Sadiq Bey because he plays for the Spurs, and McGee has averaged around 10 minutes per game the last 4-5 seasons.
Let’s say the Bucks win the title Monday (earliest date possible). Have to think it will be Thursday or Friday of next week at the earliest before they arrive in Japan. Our 1st game is 7/25. Not sure how much help Holiday, Booker and Middleton can be arriving the day before game day after not practicing or playing at all with Team USA. And if the NBA Finals goes to Game 7, the group round would almost be finished before they arrive.
Just poor planning and execution by Team USA and the NBA all around.
The NBA actually warned against players being selected that we’re playing in the playoffs.I don’t think this was the best team that was selected.
I don't know how the team is selected. I guess it's possible that some players don't want to play for some reason or another. Maybe some of the best didn't accept invitations. Was Zion invited? I know he was trying to get over the finger injury. Maybe some players just want to get healthy. I really don't think playing for team USA means what it used to but that's just my opinion. Still we shold have enough USA talent to win the gold even though some of teams have talent. They don't have as much talent but you better believe they want to beat us and extra effort can go a long way. OFC
It was by invite only and Zion, Tre young , Mitchell and a bunch of others didn’t get the call from popavich. Julius Randle released an article today saying he was told the team needed more role players on it . It’s team USA everyone is a role player.
Agree. Motivation is an issue without a doubt. I don’t think our society as a whole is as patriotic as it once was. On top of that if the US wins we’re supposed to if we lose its an unmitigated disaster is the perception anyway
Now Zach Levine is out due to COVID. We’ve gone from Harden, Beal, Love and Levine to Keldon Johnson, Darius Garland, Saddiq Bey, and Javelle McGee.
No one think about calling guys like Ja Morant, Zion, Tobias Harris, Tre Young or Paul George.
Not sure why not reach out to Brook Lopez or Karl Anthony Towns. Guessing the issue with Towns may have been that he played for the Dominican Republic National Team as a teenager in a FIBA tournament. Towns and Team USA have to be thinking what an idiotic decision by Towns to play in some meaningless tournament when he was 16 that now makes him ineligible to ever play for Team USA.
Don’t know KAT but it’s entirely possible he doesn’t give a flip one way or the other unless you know something we don’t
Think he’s coming off back to back injuries this season anyway but we will see what they will do in actual play.
KD is probably the only player on this current team that could take a spot away from one of the original Dream Team players (Laettner doesn’t really count in this equation) at this time in their careers. KD is better than Pippen and Mullin already. I’d probably replace Mullin because Pippen was a better defender and rebounder than Mullin.
Tatum may get to that point one day but he’s not there yet. Same with Dame vs Clyde.
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And Jordan Bird and Magic ain’t walking through that door
Does the warm up game count? I can't even keep track anymore. I'm only interested in track and ...yeah just track.
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