2008 Olympics
Hi Guys,
So SportzWiz is going to be out this week and he thought what better time to get me in the mix!
Okay, so the Olympics are almost underway and questions are in the air on what the USA team will be able to pull off this year. Is the USA team really ready for international play? I guess we will find out.
The World of Basketball has merged borders once again as the 2008 Olympics begins to take part next month. With four players returning from the 2004 USA team, including Carlos Boozer and Lebran James, the USA has much to live up to. The USA team faces heavy hitters like China, Spain and Germany whom all have returning players that are playing in the NBA. The presence of their big men and the leadership of the team have all been questioned. What does this mean for the USA team? A lot! The destruction of the Canadian team (120-65), although in the preliminary round, may serve as the road this team is going to take, or a fixed attempt to boost the dreamlike expectations of our dear USA team. Is the USA team heading down the road to redemption? Can they regain the strength that once was? One thing is for sure some good basketball will be played and there won’t be any excuses.
Posted: July 28th, 2008 under Wizards.
Comments
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 28, 2008 at 5:50 PM
This is the best usa team in a long time; it’s not a matter of “philosophy” or even coaching — just much better players. I expect them to blow through the Olympics and easily win the gold medal.
Comment from neal
Time July 28, 2008 at 8:05 PM
And, presumably, they will take it very seriously and not presume they are going to win easily.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 28, 2008 at 8:30 PM
I know everyone here will be *happy* to learn that Detroit has signed Kwame — for $4m/year. Go figure.
Comment from nickman
Time July 28, 2008 at 8:58 PM
The Pistons are stupid lol
Comment from wiz-skins07
Time July 28, 2008 at 11:41 PM
Hey – Look at the bright-side former Wizards players that go to Detroit seem to blossom. But I think that in this case its going to be different.
Comment from millie mill
Time July 29, 2008 at 8:31 AM
The US will wil the gold!!!
What’s up with the Pistons signing so many former Wizards draft picks?
Rip Hamiliton *all star*
Rasheed Wallace *all star*
Ben Wallace (not drafted) *all star*
Jarvis Hayes
Juan Dixon
Kwame Brown
That just of the top of my head.
Comment from Reuben
Time July 29, 2008 at 8:38 AM
Lets hope kwame doesnt turn into an all star but it might be funny if he did.
Comment from millie mill
Time July 29, 2008 at 9:19 AM
It would be funny if; when the Wizards and the Pistons played. The Pistons started
Juan Dixon
Rip Hamiliton
Tayshawn Prince
Rasheed Wallace
Kwame Brown
If Jarvis Hayes didn’t sign with Nets they could have had all five starting positions with former Wizards draft picks.
Comment from jack_of_all_trades
Time July 29, 2008 at 10:59 AM
I don’t think that Brown will turn into an All Star, but it may just be that he can’t catch a break. Described as one of the biggest draft disappointments, trades with Lakers and Grizzles… kind of takes the glory of being the #1 draft pick. He has entered into a short-term contract that for Detroit brings no risks. The look of the team keeps changing so I wouldn’t expect him there that long. This is a no pressure situation providing Brown the opportunity to grow and product. I guess we will see how that story unfolds.
Comment from neal
Time July 29, 2008 at 1:51 PM
I would imagine by now that even if Brown has changed his attitude he’s lost his confidence.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 29, 2008 at 4:21 PM
I don’t think Kwame’s main problem is “attitude;” I think his main problem is small hands. He wastes most opportunities, because he can’t catch well, can’t catch and shoot, etc.
It’s hard to imagine him getting much better. If Phil Jackson couldn’t make a player out of him, it can’t be done.
Comment from Reuben
Time July 29, 2008 at 8:11 PM
Yeah your right Tom
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 29, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Michael Jordan and the rest of the team berating the poor kid right out of high school didn’t help him much either. He was never going to be a star, but, I think the kid would have developed into a good player if they had instilled just a little confidence in him.
His hands are small. He could have used an Antonio Daniels finger transplant. I think that guy can palm a volkswagen.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 30, 2008 at 7:40 AM
LOL !!
The annoying thing is that had we picked Tyson Chandler over Kwame Brown, we might have rings in DC by now. Chandler is one of the most effective players in the league, and his limitations (can’t create his own offense) fit our situation perfectly, as we have plenty of guys to shoot the ball. His rebounding, shot-blocking and defense are all-world.
Oh well…
Comment from Reuben
Time July 30, 2008 at 8:33 AM
Well kwame got us Tuff Juice
Comment from neal
Time July 30, 2008 at 8:59 AM
I agree, Grifon.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 30, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Yes, Kwame got us Caron, so all’s well that end’s well. All the same, he was an awful bust for a guy chosen first overall!
Who knows, maybe our young puppy Javale will turn into a clone of Chandler?
Comment from jack_of_all_trades
Time July 30, 2008 at 4:00 PM
Despite it all decisions were made; some seemed favorable and others not as much. Kwame showed great potential but feel through the cracks that is something I am sure the Wizards won’t let happen again with McGee. With a 7’6†wingspan and his athleticism I think that McGee already has the mind set that he needs to put in the time and effort to be a successful player in the NBA.
While talking potential in players and more so with big guys; how will the USA Team match up with China and their 7’5†center Yao Ming? The expectations are high for both teams; China being the host team and the USA trying to declaim their gold. Can Howard, Bosh, and Boozer pull this off this Olympics? The truth of the matter is that there is a size issue which could be helped with some movement of players…for example move Lebron to the power forward position.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 30, 2008 at 4:36 PM
I don’t see a problem matching up. We have a bunch of great, and versatile players — not all scorers as was the case last time through.
As far as what happened w/ Kwame — that’s the nature of the draft. If you could know in advance who was going to pan out and who would be a bust, life for an NBA GM would be a lot easier. I thought Kwame was going to be great when he was drafted. He spoke well, he was modest, he was a specimen, and he manhandled Chandler in a one-on-one workout for the Wizards.
All you can do is make the best choices you can. Even if you manage the draft well with trades and so forth, as Daryl Morey just did for Houston, you still have to hope the guys you wind up choosing play well. Some do, and some don’t.
I hope Javale is terrific — but really the same questions apply to him as to Nick and Pech and Dmac, etc.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 31, 2008 at 1:46 AM
McGee… better than Chandler??? Could very well be. Not right away, but, good old Javale certainly has the right tools to build upon.
I know it’s kinda anti american lol but I don’t care much about the Olympics. I hope we win…. Rah Rah. My main concern regarding the Olympics is how much Darius plays for those Lith guys. My best case scenario has him riding the pine “most” of the time lol.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 31, 2008 at 2:00 AM
I was just daydreaming guys. What if Javale, Andray, and Dominic all have breakout seasons? Sorry… head rush… kinda like drinking a McDonalds Shake too fast!!
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 31, 2008 at 2:07 AM
I just wish Pesh’s ankle was not an issue. With those “tree trunk” legs of his…. kinda the last kind of injury we would expect him to get. I hope he heals properly. If he can get back to how he played in summer league last year…. we are going to have a “stout” team.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 31, 2008 at 7:22 AM
GrifonRacing — I notice you leave Nick out of your “what if…” scenario. Is he starting to wear out his welcome already?
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 31, 2008 at 7:29 AM
Right now, we have 5 starters, 3 veterans off the bench, and 6 question mark young guys. That’s an interesting team make-up.
(Yes, I put Blatche in the last category.)
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 31, 2008 at 8:28 AM
You caught me Tom. As far as Nick goes I’m back in “in Ernie we trust” mode. Nick certainly has a great deal of raw talent, but, hasn’t shown that his talent is going to transfer over into the NBA game. I was hoping for a little bit of a light to shine in summer league. Alas it didn’t shine much. To tell the truth I was feeling pretty good about our team right before the summer league started. After it ended I felt the definate need to get a “sound” back up at the 2/3 position. I hope Nick develops into a sound NBA player, but, I feel Andray, Dominic, and even Javale are a little closer to NBA ready than Nick is at this point.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time July 31, 2008 at 10:00 AM
I wouldn’t say Javale is near NBA ready, but I think I know what you mean. Nick looks like the ball hypnotizes him when he dribbles it.
Lets hope that training camp is a big development time for Nick Young.
Comment from jack_of_all_trades
Time July 31, 2008 at 3:55 PM
Hey, make sure you all check out the Wizards as they take on Lithuania, tomorrow (Friday) at 8am (Eastern Time) on ESPN2. One of our own Wizards, Darius Songaila, is marked in the key match up with USA Team’s Carlos Boozer.
Let’s remember that the last time these teams met was in 2006 in the World Championships, big man, Kristof Lavronivic, lead all scorers with 26 points proving to be a problem for the USA team then and looking to dominate again. Lithuania is returning 2 of their 3 veterans (Sarunas Jasiklevicius and Ramonas Siskauskas) that were missing during the 2006 meeting between the teams. Now more developed and experienced on the court will the USA’s overwhelming presence that has been demonstrated so far push them past Lithuania? I think so, but looking ahead the USA needs not to pull the trigger too early during exhibition play. That type of play may need to held back against medal contenders like Argentina and Spain.
Don’t forget:
*** Tonight USA vs. Turkey 8 a.m. ET, ESPN2, ESPN360.com ***
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 31, 2008 at 10:36 PM
If they are it isn’t listed on either ESPN2 or the NBA channel.
I don’t think Javale is NBA ready yet either which kind of lets you know how I feel about where Nick is in his development.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 31, 2008 at 10:37 PM
HELP lol
Comment from nickman
Time July 31, 2008 at 10:53 PM
I think he meant team USA lol.
Comment from GrifonRacing
Time July 31, 2008 at 11:07 PM
I didn’t see any basketball game listed Nickman. Espn2 had tennis and boxing, Espn didn’t have it, and the NBA channel was running something obscure as they are prone to do lol. That’s the Wizards or team USA (I’m pretty sure the Wizards aren’t playing until training camp)
Comment from jack_of_all_trades
Time August 1, 2008 at 11:40 AM
The purpose of the preliminary round to help teams break into the international game of basketball to work out the kinks that may still linger and to help define player’s roles. It also provides those teams that would not have otherwise had an opportunity to play in games such as the Olympics to play. As Coach K continues his style of structure (different starting five each night) their flashy style of play makes for a great game to watch. They defeated Canada, Turkey, and now Lithuania (but that is also why they didn’t qualify to play) fashionable and have demonstrated team chemistry. With an assist rate of 75% the USA Team has demonstrated on some level that their ‘team’ philosophy will work, as they displayed such mindset during the preliminary round.
I have nothing negative to say…a win is a win even if they don’t count toward medal rankings. Overall, the USA team appears to be on the right track not just a medal contender but a gold medalist contender.
Turkish Coach Bogdan Tanjevic on the USA Team:
“They had great technique, great effort, and defensively they were much better than the World Championship team of two years ago, and they are definitely in better shape than they were two years ago, and they use a team system — not a star system,” said Turkish coach Bogdan Tanjevic, who held Hedo Turkoglu out of the game because of an injury but said he plans to use him in Turkey’s next game against Lithuania.” - Quote from: ESPN.com Chris Sheridan
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=3512762&type=story
*** USA vs. Russia Sunday, August 3 @ 3am, ET, ESPN2, ESPN360.com***
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time August 1, 2008 at 11:49 AM
jack_of… — will you provide *a link* please?
Did Chris Sheridan really write “gold mentalist”? I love that! But all of the above reads like it was translated from Turkish!
Comment from jack_of_all_trades
Time August 1, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Sorry about that I should have been more clear…
Comment from jack_of_all_trades
Time August 1, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Hey, what happen to Songalia? They never put him in the game. Last time he played against the American team he scored 9 respectable points in the World Championships. Bad move for Lithuania… why not play your NBA players to emphasize the point that American basketball has no borders? But, then again he only had 9 points…. I am going to try to take a coach’s standpoint under the current circumstances… the USA team dominated Lithuania on the boards and back court. What would have been the point?
Comment from jack_of_all_trades
Time August 4, 2008 at 1:02 PM
Game Recap: http://video.aol.com/partner/espn/team-usa-routs-russia-89-68/3517110
The USA team continues their perfect exhibition record with a 21pt win over Russia. Although there were a lineup change (which has Kidd sitting the bench) the team seemed unaffected by Kidd’s missing presence. Taking an approach that Coach Krzyzewski was not considering (a younger group of players on the floor) actually helped push the Americans past a developing international team. As far as for the US team’s performance… it wasn’t as consistent with the other wins, but again; a win is a win. Their overall scoring was low (89 pts), forced turnovers were low (17), and more importantly the Russians managed to outrebound them on the offensive boards. With these numbers it may look like games that will be played in the next couple of weeks may feature a zone defense. The US team is equipped with a young quick team, and I wouldn’t put it past China or Spain (although strong competitors) to bust out into a zone defense to through the Americans off.
The Russians played without Viktor Khtyapa; who had a sprained ankle but that doesn’t dismiss that fact that the Russians were able to keep them under 100 pts and out rebounded them offensively. Their team was lead by Utah Jazz player, Andrei Kirilenko with 18 points.
The USA team will compete against Australia on Aug. 5 (8 a.m. ET) making it both teams last exhibition game. Going in as the overwhelming favorites to take this game, the USA team wants to continue to build on the fundamentals that have made an overwhelming presence during this international performance. Although seemingly short handed, the Australian team managed to hold its own down to the end verse the Olympics medalist, Argentina but their focus is to continue to do what they have been doing. The Australians have a collection of big men, led by Bogut, Chris Anstey and David Andersen; which again brings that small question up how the US will play against bigger opponents.
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Comment from rgz
Time July 28, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Playing against the Canadian team I think was just to get used to the FIBA rules, the Canadians were not there to provide a test. The team did not have any well known star players that I could recognize. Steve Nash preferred to play soccer during the summer than on his national basketball team and Sam Dalembert was kicked off the team for supposed attitude reasons.
Team USA seems to be buying into the “play as a team” philosophy, at least judging by their public statements. A few of the players’ skills will easily translate to the international game like Kobe Bryant, Chris Bosh, Tayshaun Prince. Others like Lebron James whose game consists of “powering” to the basket could be somewhat stymied by the international rules. Hopefully they don’t commit too many offersive fouls, and James doesn’t travel too much. Oh yeah, I hope they tell him to tone down on his nasty scowl for the sake of the Olympic spirit.