Allanfan20 wrote:

BigDaddyG wrote:

NBK wrote:Yes Serbia is tough. Rated #1 after the prep games and coming into the World Cup.

NYKBocker wrote:I have been watching FIBA and the team that will be tough to beat is Serbia. Jokic and his crew are tall, can shoot the lights out and play unselfish team basketball.

I guess that washed up group from Argentina wasn't feeling what you had to say hahaha Luis Scola putting in work with a cane and a tube of Ben Gay.

How did Scola look?

You guys think this will put a fire on the so called superstars and actually play in the Olympics? I doubt KD and Kawhi play.

Allanfan20 wrote:

NYKBocker wrote:Team USA defeated again! Serbia 94 USA 89. Dang. The best they can finish now is 7th place. How the mighty have fallen.

You guys think this will put a fire on the so called superstars and actually play in the Olympics? I doubt KD and Kawhi play.

Nope. I think this is hardly a priority. Too much money is on the line.

Feel like there are some simple, real world priorities that anyone could relate to regarding not playing.

If you commit to FIVB and Olympics, it's 2 summers of extra basketball on your body back to back with a season in between and you get away from specific training.

For guys with family, it's time away from home. Can you bring kids? It's the beginning of school and the team is over in China right now. That's tough, right?

NYKBocker wrote:

martin wrote:

Allanfan20 wrote:

NYKBocker wrote:Team USA defeated again! Serbia 94 USA 89. Dang. The best they can finish now is 7th place. How the mighty have fallen.

You guys think this will put a fire on the so called superstars and actually play in the Olympics? I doubt KD and Kawhi play.

Nope. I think this is hardly a priority. Too much money is on the line.

Feel like there are some simple, real world priorities that anyone could relate to regarding not playing.

If you commit to FIVB and Olympics, it's 2 summers of extra basketball on your body back to back with a season in between and you get away from specific training.

For guys with family, it's time away from home. Can you bring kids? It's the beginning of school and the team is over in China right now. That's tough, right?

but this happens to everybody participating in FIBA and the Olympics. The top players from their respective countries have no problem playing and giving their time. What's the difference?

Like I said.... it’s probably just not important to the players. Should it be??? Is this just important to the fans?? That’s up for you to decide. I can say one thing though. The world has certainly caught up and with Kobe, Wade and Michael gone and LeBron not far from the end, it’s probably not impossible to beat us at our best. I can also say, there is A LOT of money at stake here for the players. I get what Martin is saying about family and other relatable things but if you are risking potential hundreds of millions, would you play for the US? I’m not so sure I would.

Allanfan20 wrote:

Allanfan20 wrote:

NYKBocker wrote:

martin wrote:

Allanfan20 wrote:

NYKBocker wrote:Team USA defeated again! Serbia 94 USA 89. Dang. The best they can finish now is 7th place. How the mighty have fallen.

You guys think this will put a fire on the so called superstars and actually play in the Olympics? I doubt KD and Kawhi play.

Nope. I think this is hardly a priority. Too much money is on the line.

Feel like there are some simple, real world priorities that anyone could relate to regarding not playing.

If you commit to FIVB and Olympics, it's 2 summers of extra basketball on your body back to back with a season in between and you get away from specific training.

For guys with family, it's time away from home. Can you bring kids? It's the beginning of school and the team is over in China right now. That's tough, right?

but this happens to everybody participating in FIBA and the Olympics. The top players from their respective countries have no problem playing and giving their time. What's the difference?

Like I said.... it’s probably just not important to the players. Should it be??? Is this just important to the fans?? That’s up for you to decide. I can say one thing though. The world has certainly caught up and with Kobe, Wade and Michael gone and LeBron not far from the end, it’s probably not impossible to beat us at our best. I can also say, there is A LOT of money at stake here for the players. I get what Martin is saying about family and other relatable things but if you are risking potential hundreds of millions, would you play for the US? I’m not so sure I would.

Also, lets put it another way.... were you upset that RJ Barrett decided to not play for Canada this Summer? I know I really wasn’t.

Oddly enough, I think this run has been exactly what Frankie boy needs. I am happy for him, whether it translates to the NBA or not. I am routing for France because of him.

I was actually a little disappointed that rj didn't play for Canada. Same with Karl Anthony towns and Al horford not playing for Dominican republic. I guess I am a little naive. I want the best to play the best in a world cup type event.

I am definitely rooting for Frank and France.

arkrud wrote:

Nalod wrote:Certainly not cool how many players backed off. In some countries and cultures its a pride thing.
The Australians, Spanish, French, Argentine’s and others are a tight group. These guy are friends and have build bonds over the years. Marc Gasol played in the finals basically had only a month off. To play with his brother is a big deal over the years. Tony Parker played for years with them. I’m ok with players not going year in and year out.

Patriotism is not American thing our days. We are more into green...
Patriotism, flags, anthems, and all this things considered more divisive our days that uniting.
It is not an issue for nations you mentioned. Their patriotism is solid as rock for good or for worth.

True, "patriotism" is being weaponized of late. In the old cold war the "Soviet" vs "American" via hockey or basketball was more important and a source of national pride. Ideologies. The Olympics was the stage and it was every 4 years. Now we have so many competitions and pro leagues with international players participating. Back in the day Sabonis (dad) only played for the Soviet team. Not Euroleague. Going against our college players or "amateurs" was greater intrigue. Few underclass players came out early if any and it was very prestigious to represent in the Olympics. For many being a pro athlete was a stepping stone to other successful careers. Now its a source of Multigenerational wealth.

Given our diversity as a people we are not all just "American" we are culturally diverse. Canada and Israel are as well. For the most part teams from other countries are not as much. Argentines play for their country, Spanish for spain, French for France, etc etc.

USA losing does not make me feel a sense of national shame or loss. IN fact it might make winning more gradifying in the future. The rest of the world plays ball and its just a matter of numbers over time.

Our team is not consistent. This group was a sort of third level allstar group thrown together. Chemistry was not there. They did sacrifice their summer and time off and will likely get little but grief for not winning. not that anyone would have cared either had they won. Again, blame will be thrown about as to who backed out and who did not.

Oh...Tom Thibodeau is the worst color commentator. Dude has great info but his delivery bores me to death.

martin wrote:

Allanfan20 wrote:

NYKBocker wrote:Team USA defeated again! Serbia 94 USA 89. Dang. The best they can finish now is 7th place. How the mighty have fallen.

You guys think this will put a fire on the so called superstars and actually play in the Olympics? I doubt KD and Kawhi play.

Nope. I think this is hardly a priority. Too much money is on the line.

Feel like there are some simple, real world priorities that anyone could relate to regarding not playing.

If you commit to FIVB and Olympics, it's 2 summers of extra basketball on your body back to back with a season in between and you get away from specific training.

For guys with family, it's time away from home. Can you bring kids? It's the beginning of school and the team is over in China right now. That's tough, right?

this is all true. But personally i'm kind of pissed and think there should be some public shaming going on

first, when a decent contingent shows up it's not like the NBA players have a hard time. True there will be some risk of injury but as a general matter there is so much quality depth that this is minor

these guys need to show some pride; it should be an honor to be chosen