Originally posted by PalynkaPay 'em a few million a game and they'll think about it.
When will the best players from the US start going to be picked for the World Championships?
(They were knocked out by Greece in the semi-finals, for those who care)
Besides the team had LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony and a lot of other talented, top flight players from the NBA.
Originally posted by PalynkaSome (many) of the best players in the NBA WERE playing.
When will the best players from the US start going to be picked for the World Championships?
(They were knocked out by Greece in the semi-finals, for those who care)
The USA has a great collection of individual talent. The problem is international basketball (basketball period, for that matter) is a TEAM sport. When great individual athletes come together to play for a team, more likely than not they will lose against another TEAM who play better as a TEAM, regardless of individual talent. This was the case here.
I agree with you both, losing in the semi-finals is quite respectable. But would any of you say it was the best the NBA could offer?
I think it's great that the world can now compete against an US in full force. Even if you'll still be the favourites, it wouldn't be so overwhelmingly that it wouldn't be worth to watch.
Originally posted by PalynkaIt's the best the NBA could offer in an off-season exhibition. Of course, a lot of the best players in the NBA were playing on other countries' teams.
I agree with you both, losing in the semi-finals is quite respectable. But would any of you say it was the best the NBA could offer?
I think it's great that the world can now compete against an US in full force. Even if you'll still be the favourites, it wouldn't be so overwhelmingly that it wouldn't be worth to watch.
Originally posted by no1marauderOff-season exhibition. LOL!!
It's the best the NBA could offer in an off-season exhibition. Of course, a lot of the best players in the NBA were playing on other countries' teams.
The US undermining this competition has only led into undermining its own reputation as a basketball superpower.
the best players in the nba were not playing....some were but not all, all were playing for the other countries i believe. but where were: shaq, kobe, allen iverson, tim duncan (i dont think he was playing), t-mac, ray allen, vince carter....im sure there is some others but i dont think much of the people that didnt play but i respect the guys that played even tho they lost....
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Originally posted by PalynkaThat's what it is to professional players so laugh all you want. I was merely stating a fact, if that "undermines the competition" in your and/or others views, that's up to you and/or others.
Off-season exhibition. LOL!!
The US undermining this competition has only led into undermining its own reputation as a basketball superpower.
Originally posted by no1marauderI somewhat disagree here. Maybe some of these pros look at it as only an "off-season exhibition" as you labeled it, but that doesn't mean that there aren't others who take it seriously and play their best game. I'm sure Coach K didn't look at it as an off-season exhibition, and from what I saw in these games the athletes did try to win, although since none of us here (I presume) are NBA athletes or coaches, I guess it would be hard for any of us to tell if they were truly giving it their all and playing 110%.
That's what it is to professional players so laugh all you want. I was merely stating a fact, if that "undermines the competition" in your and/or others views, that's up to you and/or others.
And P.S. --- Yes, I watched the game against Greece. And the one against Germany. In the early hours of the morning. (USA, East Coast time) And I watched a couple of the other games in their preliminaries. To me, at least, they seemed to play well, although I think they could've played better against Greece.
Originally posted by no1marauderMaybe the US professional players should start to think if the influx of foreign players isn't connected with the good exhibitions of other players playing for their countries.
That's what it is to professional players so laugh all you want. I was merely stating a fact, if that "undermines the competition" in your and/or others views, that's up to you and/or others.
And such a mercenary view of sports is perhaps why some don't understand the beauty of the (football/soccer) World Cup.
Originally posted by lioyankWho said the ones who played didn't give 100%? I certainly didn't. But as to your original point the fact that it is an off-season exhibition makes it undesirable for pros to play in for a lot of reasons; possibility of injury, time away from their families and on and on. You might find such rationale by professionals "mercenary" if you prefer to.
I somewhat disagree here. Maybe some of these pros look at it as only an "off-season exhibition" as you labeled it, but that doesn't mean that there aren't others who take it seriously and play their best game. I'm sure Coach K didn't look at it as an off-season exhibition, and from what I saw in these games the athletes did try to win, although since none o ...[text shortened]... t, they seemed to play well, although I think they could've played better against Greece.