Notice DAMIAN LILLARD TO PLAY FOR U.S. OLYMPIC MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM

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Pretty sure I'm gonna get called an "Apologist" for this but this was the first game for a bunch of players that just got out of the playoffs and have had like less than a week to put it together against a team that has been playing together for years and has 6 NBA players on the team. Also the USA looks to add Booker, Middleton, and Holiday before the Olympics.
One other issue the USA are going to have is the lack of size. Painfully obvious they are going to get punished on the boards. How many 7 footers in the NBA are from Europe?
 
While I am perfectly happy to laugh at Team USA falling on its face (which is why I'm annoyed Dame is playing for them - conflicted feelings!), it's worth remembering that the Dream Team lost its first scrimmage against a team whose star player was Bobby Hurley (still at Duke at the time) and that the general consensus was that Chuck Daley did his best to engineer it. Guarantee being embarrassed is going to make this team pay a lot more attention.
On the flipside, Nigeria were great! This probably means more to them than any victory in their history and good for them!

The only game I REALLY want Team USA to win is against Slovenia. Don't let me down guys.
 
Fairly-Hard said:
Pretty sure I'm gonna get called an "Apologist" for this but this was the first game for a bunch of players that just got out of the playoffs and have had like less than a week to put it together against a team that has been playing together for years and has 6 NBA players on the team. Also the USA looks to add Booker, Middleton, and Holiday before the Olympics.
One other issue the USA are going to have is the lack of size. Painfully obvious they are going to get punished on the boards. How many 7 footers in the NBA are from Europe?
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Not having more size on the team was a choice, while you're right that a ton of the traditional bigs in the league are from outside the US there are a bunch of young US born bigs that haven't played for team USA before that are all bigger than Bam who has to be considered the biggest on the team despite being shorter than KD. We've put non all-stars on the team before and we probably should have this time just to have some size available. Not to mention that some of the guys with size that have played on the team before probably would have participated again.

All of that said, I'm pretty sure it won't matter in the long run and as these guys play together more and get the guys who are in the finals on the team they'll round into form and likely win gold easily.
 
blazerkor said:
Not having more size on the team was a choice, while you're right that a ton of the traditional bigs in the league are from outside the US there are a bunch of young US born bigs that haven't played for team USA before that are all bigger than Bam who has to be considered the biggest on the team despite being shorter than KD. We've put non all-stars on the team before and we probably should have this time just to have some size available. Not to mention that some of the guys with size that have played on the team before probably would have participated again.

All of that said, I'm pretty sure it won't matter in the long run and as these guys play together more and get the guys who are in the finals on the team they'll round into form and likely win gold easily.
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Probably true. Doesn't detract from the statement. They are gonna get killed on the boards. If they make shots it won't matter.
 
I haven't paid much attention....but wasn't this just an exhibition game; a glorified practice?
 
wizenheimer said:
I haven't paid much attention....but wasn't this just an exhibition game; a glorified practice?
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It was but since pros started playing internationally again in 92 we've only lost one other of these glorified practices. So yeah, it doesn't really mean anything but it's a little alarming.

At the same time because of the pushed back schedule this season, this team has had less practice time than any other previous "Dream Team" and is missing three of its players because their NBA season still isn't over.
 
Dame was trying to play within the team concept because there are other really good players on this team. Plus he didn't need to bring up every time due there was also a lot other players that can handle the ball. I still rate his defense average last night. You got to remember fiba courts are smaller then NBA court so there less room to operate that will effect some players that like to go iso. But when he had open shots he put them down majority of the time. His stat line wasn't bad. There other players out there play worst then Dame on defense if you going to call out one player call the rest out too.
 
James lamphear said:
Dame was trying to play within the team concept because there are other really good players on this team. Plus he didn't need to bring up every time due there was also a lot other players that can handle the ball. I still rate his defense average last night. You got to remember fiba courts are smaller then NBA court so there less room to operate that will effect some players that like to go iso. But when he had open shots he put them down majority of the time. His stat line wasn't bad. There other players out there play worst then Dame on defense if you going to call out one player call the rest out too.
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His stat line wasn't bad but he looked lost on defense (it wasn't average IMO) and while I realize that the team is trying to install it's system and get used to it... there were times when Dame passed up open shots or brought the ball up and then got it to a teammate in a way that didn't make sense when I thought he should have controlled the possession as the point guard. That being said, it's probably a result of the team having less than a week together so far and missing three of its 12 players because they're playing in the finals.
 
blazerkor said:
His stat line wasn't bad but he looked lost on defense (it wasn't average IMO) and while I realize that the team is trying to install it's system and get used to it... there were times when Dame passed up open shots or brought the ball up and then got it to a teammate in a way that didn't make sense when I thought he should have controlled the possession as the point guard. That being said, it's probably a result of the team having less than a week together so far and missing three of its 12 players because they're playing in the finals.
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Problem is we so use take difficult shots and that what aspect of him all of the time. But he playing with players that also equal or right below his talent. But yes just 4 days of practice they all trying to get some type chemistry on both ends.
 
wizenheimer said:
I haven't paid much attention....but wasn't this just an exhibition game; a glorified practice?
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Historically, when the U.S. team had a college coach, he took every game seriously. When it had an NBA coach (George Karl), he treated international games as just one of 82 games. Popovich's seen-it-all attitude affects team preparation.
 
Finally watching the Nigeria game. Dame played a nice 1st half. But to see all the hammering comments, I'm like, are we watching the same game. I will watch the 2nd half and look for what has been said about his performance. So far though, don't see any reason for hate. Passed the ball nicely, teammates bricked shots. Switched on defense , stayed with man and engaged. He was not getting lit up like some have suggested. As a matter of fact, no 3's were made on him in the 1st half. Must have been all in 2nd half. I will watch closely.
 
Watched the 3rd. Dame got beat on a drive to hoop, and was caught on a screen, which lead to a open 3 made on him. He hit a 3, was 1 of 2 from field, passed well, and switched well on defense. Had a nice tip on a rebound to Durant to start a fast break. I guess, guilty of being a team player.
 
4th qtr. as Nigeria was bringing ball down, backed off to the paint, and Had 3 hit on him. Missed open layup. Had a nice rebound of own FT miss and should have been credited with and 1. Passed ball well. If anything, was too unselfish in 4th. He did not have a poor game , at all. He was feeling out his team, and role. Gave up 2 threes. Talk about making a mountain out of a mole hill. Dame haters, dislikers , and trolls ,are always going to be on this site. But they really revel in the smallest miscues, and all the trade disinformation. Not saying he's doesn't ever deserve criticism, he's human, and makes errors. But c'mon man.
 
Maybe Nigeria is better than we thought, or Argentina has run it’s course……Nigeria THUMPED them last game.
 
illmatic99 said:
They legit targeted Dame on defense. Hope this is an eye opener for him. He approached tonight like an all star game. And was rightfully embarassed
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I watched too, closely, and if you think that's the case, then Every other USA Team member was targeted MORE . Dame was, by far the most consistant , quality player vs. Nigeria. You totally overstated how poor Dame played. You either have a bone to pick with him, or some other agenda. Because i watched and listed his plus and his minus. And Porn Stasche AKA BlazerReynolds said Dame wouldn't even be on the team if previous Olympian's were. I call BS, because Dame looks like the BEST player on this team as constructed. So either he's trolling, or needs glasses. Because he's looking like a hater, with only criticism of Dame's game on his agenda.
 
tykendo said:
I watched too, closely, and if you think that's the case, then Every other USA Team member was targeted MORE . Dame was, by far the most consistant , quality player vs. Nigeria. You totally overstated how poor Dame played. You either have a bone to pick with him, or some other agenda. Because i watched and listed his plus and his minus. And Porn Stasche AKA BlazerReynolds said Dame wouldn't even be on the team if previous Olympian's were. I call BS, because Dame looks like the BEST player on this team as constructed. So either he's trolling, or needs glasses. Because he's looking like a hater, with only criticism of Dame's game on his agenda.
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lol who pissed in your cereal this morning? this is quite an entertaining meltdown
 
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