FIBA Worlds thread

[Rastapopoulos]

This is such a valuable experience for Dame, even if he doesn't make the team. It will really show him the things he needs to work on. In a way too, practicing and scrimmaging with the best point guards in the league is like jamming with other good musicians. He is bound to pick up a few things and get better.

Can you imagine him stewing all the rest of the summer after he got cut? [Cue shots of Lillard beating up cuts of meat hanging in a meat locker and running up and down hillsides with an angry expression on his face.]

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Can you imagine him stewing all the rest of the summer after he got cut? [Cue shots of Lillard beating up cuts of meat hanging in a meat locker and running up and down hillsides with an angry expression on his face.]

Someone needs to reprise the "many faces of Bayless" meme with Lillard's mean mug.

 

[NewsSource]

And Brad Beal. I think he has a legit shot

I'd rather have Lillard play back-up SG than Beal, if that's the case. They're the same size, and Lillard can handle the ball, a la Harden, to take pressure off of the PG.

 

[illmatic99]

What do you think he's telling Dame?

 

[Natebishop3]

[TWEET]494083011429036032[/TWEET]

That's hilarious.

Rose - hasn't played in two seasons

Irving - not better than Dame (imo)

Curry - the only player on that list that is actually better than Lillard (but not by much in my opinion.)

 

[Rastapopoulos]

What do you think he's telling Dame?

"Better luck next time"?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

[TWEET]494245253507846145[/TWEET]

This warms my cold, dead heart.

 

[noknobs]

[TWEET]494083011429036032[/TWEET]

Not that I want that, but if that were to happen it would definitely put a chip on Lillard's shoulder going into next season.

 

[jlprk]

Dame said he didn't make a shot yesterday. Was having trouble getting used to the new ball or something.

That's surprising. Shooting is usually his calling card at tryouts.

 

[NewsSource]

[TWEET]494245253507846145[/TWEET]

This warms my cold, dead heart.

It also makes me respect Parsons. He's a cocky SOB, but the type of guy you want on your team. I think Batum is a better all-around player, but imagine how good Nico could be if he had Parsons' attitude.

Related to Game 6, it was on in a condensed 1 hour version yesterday on NBATV, and I recorded it. I forgot how good Batum was in the last minute of the game. Had a big rebound, and then hit a ridiculous baseline jumper off of his own dribble to tie the game prior to RoLo tapping the ball right to Parsons accidentally while going out of bounds. RoLo did have a huge tap-in off a Matthews miss late too, though.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

It also makes me respect Parsons. He's a cocky SOB, but the type of guy you want on your team. I think Batum is a better all-around player, but imagine how good Nico could be if he had Parsons' attitude.

I think it's just an acknowledgement that that's what he'll be known for. Y'know, like Craig Ehlo, Bryon Russell and Uncle Cliffy were most known for getting shot over by Michael Jordan.

 

[NewsSource]

Is it preposterous to think that Derrick Rose is going to decline playing at the FIBA Worlds, and was only practicing to build confidence after not playing (or playing poorly) the last 2 years?

The comments today by the coaching staff, and Rose, seemed orchestrated. They all said how great he looks, and he's even better than before.

 

[NewsSource]

Updated opinion. There is no way Kyrie Irving wasn't making the team, even with Coach K. More importantly, the NBA needs to sell Irving as a legitimate second to James. The interview I just saw on SportsCenter just served up multiple Cavs' questions. Gotta drive those ratings, because Cleveland will be a national team again.

 

[barfo]

What do you think he's telling Dame?

"Who do you like in the 7th? The sheet says Dizzy Emerald is at 6:1 odds but I saw him at Hialeah last week and he looked really strong.
Hey Damian, if you put your feet crosswise like this nobody can tip you over. Try it!"

barfo

 

[Strenuus]

"Who do you like in the 7th? The sheet says Dizzy Emerald is at 6:1 odds but I saw him at Hialeah last week and he looked really strong.
Hey Damian, if you put your feet crosswise like this nobody can tip you over. Try it!"

barfo

I think he's showing him how not to start the box step.

 

[riverman]

I think Dame will get a roster spot but if he doesn't, he's benefiting from Coach Thibs defensive smarts. No player loses from this camp whether they make the team or not. Was really glad to see that Durant and George both want to play with Dame. That's going to help his cause.

 

[Strenuus]

I think Dame will get a roster spot but if he doesn't, he's benefiting from Coach Thibs defensive smarts. No player loses from this camp whether they make the team or not. Was really glad to see that Durant and George both want to play with Dame. That's going to help his cause.

So, the takeaway from this is that he's going to bolt for Indiana or OKC.

#thefearfulfanofblazerlore

 

[riverman]

So, the takeaway from this is that he's going to bolt for Indiana or OKC.

#thefearfulfanofblazerlore

Or they will both bolt to Portland.

 

[Strenuus]

Or they will both bolt to Portland.

I was just trying to get into that character.

Maybe we can do a 3 team trade of Leonard for Durant and CJ for George, and also send Crabbe and Claver to get Conley?

There's some people that think if Olshey doesn't do that, then we have the worst GM ever. I won't name names.

 

[Boise Blazer]

Did somebody say something about Dame being clutch????

[TWEET]494588351324766211[/TWEET]

 

[riverman]

Question for anybody here. Do the teams in FIBA get paid to compete? How much? Is each country different? Do college players get to play without losing their amateur status? You guys are good at these things.

 

[PDXFonz]

So, the takeaway from this is that he's going to bolt for Indiana or OKC.

#thefearfulfanofblazerlore

Or they will both bolt to Portland.

Or...

(I did not make this image)

 

[Strenuus]

Fonz, you little.... That's just uncalled for!!!

 

[Rhal]

Can I take away rep points from fonz for making an imagine that caused me to vomit at work?

 

[barfo]

You know it is going to happen.

barfo

 

[BBert]

You know it is going to happen.

barfo

No shit. Durant already gets all the calls. In LA, they'll just give him his own whistle.

 

[illmatic99]

So word from everyone on twitter yesterday, Mason Plumlee is more likely to make the team over Cousins.

Coach K is a pompous ass to begin with-- this just take the cake. Also, the Duke bias looms large, and I predicted that's one of the reasons why Kyrie would make the team.

If Dame gets shafted, I fully expect him to go HAM on whoever is picked over him in NBA games. Especially if it's Kyrie.

 

[illmatic99]

Rosters for tonight:

Blue: Curry, Davis, DeRozan, Faried, PG, Hayward, Korver, Plumlee, Rose, Wall
White: Beal, Cousins, Drummond, Durant, Harden, Irving, Lillard, Millsap, Parsons, Thompson

John Schumann from NBA.com says Dame gets cut after the scrimmage tonight.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

So word from everyone on twitter yesterday, Mason Plumlee is more likely to make the team over Cousins.
Coach K is a pompous ass to begin with-- this just take the cake. Also, the Duke bias looms large, and I predicted that's one of the reasons why Kyrie would make the team.

I kind of get this. This isn't an all-star team. You're trying to construct a team that works as a unit. Cousins is either the star, or he shouldn't be on the team. This isn't uncommon in National Teams - Eric Cantona wasn't on the French National Team, despite being possibly the best player Manchester United ever had. And France did the same thing again this year (I can't remember the player this time) and did much better than expected. Now, the fact that he's Mr Whitebread from Duke doesn't help, admittedly. But they took Tyson Chandler last time, didn't they? And there's talk of taking Kenneth Faried, and I doubt we'll see huge outcry if he's taken over the more talented Chandler Parsons.

If Dame gets shafted, I fully expect him to go HAM on whoever is picked over him in NBA games. Especially if it's Kyrie.

Here's hoping.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

John Schumann from NBA.com says Dame gets cut after the scrimmage tonight.

That would be a bit sudden - they don't have to cut it below 15 for a while. There are people who will play in friendlies before the actual tournament who aren't going to make the final roster (I believe).