NBA discussion thread

no, no, no, no, NO!

im not saying that your dream team wouldnt be successful, im just saying that the team wont necessarily be the best, because all of the players you mentioned, with the exception of kidd, thrive INDIVIDUALLY, but if they're all on the same team, then they will fight with eachother who gets to score. See, thats why a team like detroit is so great, because nobody is a superstar, but they are all decent players that have like the best chemistry in the NBA. They are all also very unselfish, and they all play solid defense and not only that, they play solid TEAM defense, which is something totally different from individual defensive skills.

All those guys you mentioned have experience in the NBA, but they dont have much experience playing with each other, and thats a problem. im not saying that those guys wont be better than LeBron, Carmelo, and Wade, but im saying that just because you have great players on the SAME team, it doesnt mean that the team is unbeatable, and they could very well miss the gold as a team. Different players play differently on different teams. For example, Ben Wallace, he was practically unknown when he played in Washington and Orlando, but he became an all-star in Detroit, and he derserved it. Another example, Boris Diaw, he didnt fit in to the system in Atlanta, but with Steve Nash in Pheonix, he became the most improved player. So, just becaiuse AI or kobe averages 30+ points in their RESPECTIVE teams, doesnt mean they will score that many while on the SAME team.

i think its a little naive to say that a team made up of the best individuals will be the best team.

Its USA basketball, i know from watchin the '04 olympics A.I. understands, Kobe is learning to become a team player, from watching the suns series, tmac has become one ever since joining HOU, duncan and kidd are already the ultimate team players, and i think that team with a good coach could win the gold. Its funny because the most important thing is to have a good coach. Coach K did a good job. Everybody on the team had a role..or thats at least what he said he would do. I dont believe they would fight for scoring, especially with a point guard like jason kidd, the wealth is spread, and to great players that can get the job done. It'll pretty much be like an allstar game but with defense and a lot less turnovers. in those games superstars for some reason just love to pass the ball.

Finally someone comes up with the answer, well done Rza.
It was so obvious why the US lost and its the same problem they always have, they cant consistently make outside shots. I cant believe they havent solved this problem yet, its plagued them for years now. They are also really bad at playing half court defense, i thought it would be the Argentinians or the Spanish that would expose that but the Greeks did it before they had a chance. If the US cant get a turnover with their pressure defense then they struggle to get the proper rotations in a half court set. That comes with experience playing together and constant communication, it also helps if you are used to defending Euro plays that rely on ball movement instead of one on one.
One last thing and it might be the most important, the US will not beat good teams unless they come up with some creative zone sets. They simply dont know how to beat a good zone, i grew up playing hoops in the UK and they play alot of zone over there and the best way to beat a zone is to move the ball - inside, out, right to left. As the zone shifts gaps will appear and then you can get your high percentage shot. Having LeBron or Wade up top just drive into the zone and hope to create easy shots is not gonna work against a good zone, you need to move the ball and have great spot up shooters if the easy shots are not available. Someone like Elton Brand or Brad Miller who have a great midrange game would have had a field day if they ran a good zone offense, a couple of swing passes around the perimeter to move the zone and then have Brand of Miller flash to the high post and they have a wide open jumper. Thats a much better shot than having Bron, Wade and Melo just fire a way from three when only two people have touched the ball.
They have to address these problems or they will fail in the Olympics to, maybe have a coach from Europe join the team and teach them some zone sets. I thought Coach K would have more experience with zone plays not being a college coach but apparently not.

The US simply has power and athleticsm as advantages over their opponents. This year, i think they were a little too inexperienced and young, and they do have the cohesion like Greece or Spain. Basically, the only reason why the US is shooting so poorly is because they are taking bad shots. If they were more disciplined and professional, then they would have their own rule like, "dont take a shot unless you're open or unless the shot clock is running down." that will make them move, pass, and execute their best offense. that is key to success. But we are so accustomed to LeBron, Wade, and Carmelo making "superstar" plays like fadeways, shooting in traffic, leaners, and "And 1's" that even Coach K allows them to do those. The US was just too arrogant to play as a team, and thats why they lost. i bet if they didnt win their other games by such large margins, they probably would have been more focused and determined to win against Greece. The fact that almost every one of their wins was a blowout, they relaxed, and they didnt try their best. they thought they could blow by and win the gold without putting forth the effort and concentration. This was a good lesson learned, but i dont know if the players really learned anything. If they really think about it, they should be ashamed of themselves. they really had the chance to win. in reality, they didnt even need to bring their "A" game, they only needed to bring their "B" game. But instead they brought their "C" game, and lost by only 6 points to Greece. They could have eliminated all the criticsm and skepticism that was brought upon USA basketball, and whether the US is really the best in basketball worldwide. they had a chance to prove doubters worng. but, they blew it, simply because of too much confidence.

Originally posted by RecSpecs110
If they really think about it, they should be ashamed of themselves.

💃 💃 💃 exactly

Spain just beat Greece in a blowout WITHOUT Pau Gasol. Wow, wonder how that happened.

I hear ya Koolz,

It's not like this is something new with the US team. These same problems have been plaguing them now for yrs. I was pretty sure that they were going to make a solid effort at addressing these issues with this new selection but as we can see they still have a ways to go. I can prob accept the fact that they might not have had enuff prep time to learn and run all the set plays, may not have had enuff time to scout these teams appropriately being that they really don't get a chance to see or play against them hardly ever, but there's just no excuse for not including a consistent outside shooting option on this team. And they also need players that will commit to playing better perimeter defense. When these teams start getting hot from 3 pt land, you got to run out at them and chase 'em off that shot, force them to have to drive it to the basket.

Originally posted by RecSpecs110
Spain just beat Greece in a blowout WITHOUT Pau Gasol. Wow, wonder how that happened.

It's really not that surprising at all. Spain is a pretty solid team even without Gasol. They're ranked 3rd in the Fiba rankings behind Argentina and the US.

Look the fact of the matter is, it's not that Greece is a great team or that they're that much better than the US. That's not the reason why they won. It's obvious to anyone that the US team as a whole is much more physically talented and gifted than any other team in this tournament. The problem is that they're just not playing smart team basketball right now. In a way this international competition is exposing the true beauty of this sport, you don't have to be physically gifted like Jordan to win, although it definitely helps, all you have to do is play smart team basketball, run your sets, be well disciplined, make timely open shots when they're available, limit your turnovers and make your free throws. This was Greece's formula for victory in that game against the US. That was it, it was just that simple. Also, keep in mind that it was just 1 game and not a 7 game series. Any team can be beat another team on any given day, now to take 4 out of 7, well that's another story.

Btw, what about my comment about having a Fiba video game? Cool not cool? Would you but it? I would ✅

Breaking News, the Sixers, in a 3 way deal, end up with Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade.

Sixers send Allen Iverson to New Orleans, and Chris Webber to the Heat. New Orleans also gave the Heat a couple of players, and the Heat gave New Orleans cash.

I like this trade a lot. 😛

Originally posted by RZA

It's really not that surprising at all. Spain is a pretty solid team even without Gasol. They're ranked 3rd in the Fiba rankings behind Argentina and the US.

Look the fact of the matter is, it's not that Greece is a great team or that they're that much better than the US. That's not the reason why they won. It's obvious to anyone that the US team as a whole is much more physically talented and gifted than any other team in this tournament. The problem is that they're just not playing smart team basketball right now. In a way this international competition is exposing the true beauty of this sport, you don't have to be physically gifted like Jordan to win, although it definitely helps, all you have to do is play smart team basketball, run your sets, be well disciplined, make timely open shots when they're available, limit your turnovers and make your free throws. This was Greece's formula for victory in that game against the US. That was it, it was just that simple. Also, keep in mind that it was just 1 game and not a 7 game series. Any team can be beat another team on any given day, now to take 4 out of 7, well that's another story.

Btw, what about my comment about having a Fiba video game? Cool not cool? Would you but it? I would ✅

I completely understand everything you told me, but all im saying is that it is a little shocking that Spain won in a BLOWOUT without Pau Gasol in the championship game. No matter what the matchup was, id think the championship game would be more competative and close, wouldnt you? And yes, the 1 game single elimination/7 game series theory is what i try to explain to other people (cough...LordEvolution...cough) So, i know a 1 game win is totally different from a 7 game series win. if the NBA playoffs consisted pf 1 game series, then my nets would actually have a chance of winning the whole thing, but the fact is, its not. 7 game series make sure that the BEST team wins.

I hear you about the game, however, im not sure if i would buy it. simply because the USA team is practically the only team that i know well. other teams, with the exception of germany, argentina, and spain, i know nobody. so, i wont know who are my stars, and who are my clutch shooters, etc. besides, the game is not as fun when you dont know who your playing as. right? Extra features like NBA allstar weekend, the dynasty mode, and player individuality make a game like NBA live a very fun game to play.

Originally posted by DanZeke25
Breaking News, the Sixers, in a 3 way deal, end up with Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade.

Sixers send Allen Iverson to New Orleans, and Chris Webber to the Heat. New Orleans also gave the Heat a couple of players, and the Heat gave New Orleans cash.

I like this trade a lot. 😛

Nice try, buddy boy. im not that gullible. 😉

Originally posted by DanZeke25
Breaking News, the Sixers, in a 3 way deal, end up with Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade.

Sixers send Allen Iverson to New Orleans, and Chris Webber to the Heat. New Orleans also gave the Heat a couple of players, and the Heat gave New Orleans cash.

I like this trade a lot. 😛

Wishful thinking Dan 😛

Hey man, what kind of Sixers fan are you anyway? Even if you got Paul and Wade, you'd still lose AI. C 'mon man, that's suppose to be yo boy, your franchise player, you can't just trade him like that, not if you're real fan.

Btw, you still don't have a solid post option, no inside game at all even with this trade 😉

Originally posted by RecSpecs110
I hear you about the game, however, im not sure if i would buy it. simply because the USA team is practically the only team that i know well. other teams, with the exception of germany, argentina, and spain, i know nobody. so, i wont know who are my stars, and who are my clutch shooters, etc. besides, the game is not as fun when you dont know who your playing as. right? Extra features like NBA allstar weekend, the dynasty mode, and player individuality make a game like NBA live a very fun game to play. [/B]

Yeah but it's just like Fifa. I haven't heard of every single futbol player but then again I don't live in every single country of the world..lol. I'm sure other countries would appreciate having the opportunity to play with their teams and it's still fun for me even if I don't recognize all the names. Again it's just like Fifa, I like playing with other countries. It would be fun to take some obscure country like Angola or something all the way to the Fiba championship game. I dunno, I think it would be pretty cool but then again I understand that it's not for everyone.

Originally posted by RZA
Wishful thinking Dan 😛

Hey man, what kind of Sixers fan are you anyway? Even if you got Paul and Wade, you'd still lose AI. C 'mon man, that's suppose to be yo boy, your franchise player, you can't just trade him like that, not if you're real fan.

Btw, you still don't have a solid post option, no inside game at all even with this trade 😉

Iverson is the man, but if we can get Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul for him and Webber, I'll fly him out to New Orleans myself.

Plus Dwyane Wade is my favorite player, Chris Paul is one of my favorite players too.

I'm good Sixers fan, who wants the team to win. We are not going to win with the team we have right now. We would do better with Wade and Paul, there is no question to that.

i just dont see iverson being traded. i dont think a team out there wants him. hes expensive and a small guard who in my opinion can only thrive in "one man teams" like philly. hes an awesome player, but there no way New Orleans is trading Paul for Iverson.

Originally posted by RecSpecs110
I completely understand everything you told me, but all im saying is that it is a little shocking that Spain won in a BLOWOUT without Pau Gasol in the championship game. No matter what the matchup was, id think the championship game would be more competative and close, wouldnt you? And yes, the 1 game single elimination/7 game series theory is what i try to explain to other people (cough...LordEvolution...cough) So, i know a 1 game win is totally different from a 7 game series win. if the NBA playoffs consisted pf 1 game series, then my nets would actually have a chance of winning the whole thing, but the fact is, its not. 7 game series make sure that the BEST team wins.

I hear you about the game, however, im not sure if i would buy it. simply because the USA team is practically the only team that i know well. other teams, with the exception of germany, argentina, and spain, i know nobody. so, i wont know who are my stars, and who are my clutch shooters, etc. besides, the game is not as fun when you dont know who your playing as. right? Extra features like NBA allstar weekend, the dynasty mode, and player individuality make a game like NBA live a very fun game to play.

you guys are acting like this hasnt been the way . its always been like this. i dont care if its a single game elimination. the Us knew that..win or go home. they lost, they're not the better team. the better team beat em. its funny that you have never questioned this method of findin the best team until the US start losing. Hypocrits, truly are hypocrits. Even they admitted to it, why cant you??? the Us wasnt the better team, highly talented, but not the better team. they are the third best they won the bronze and thats that. do you not understand win or go home?? *cough* recspecs *cough*.

The US wasnt the better team THAT NIGHT. But they are better than Greece overall. If the 2 teams rematched, the US would probably beat them.

Since you havent answered my initial question, ill use it again. If the NBA playoffs consisted of 1 game series, and the toronto raptors beat the san antonio spurs by 6 points, would you consider the raptors a better team than the spurs? you are just ignoring my question because you cant deny it. you cant get around it. so maybe YOUR the hypocrit here, and you just cant admit that the US is better, but they just lost by 6 points to Greece in 1 game.

Originally posted by DanZeke25
I'm good Sixers fan, who wants the team to win. We are not going to win with the team we have right now. We would do better with Wade and Paul, there is no question to that.

Paul, Wade and Iggy would be a pretty sick line up. I'd put down the pipe if i were you though Dan. 😉

oh yeah, i almost forgot.

NBA season starts in 59 days.

Originally posted by RecSpecs110
i just dont see iverson being traded. i dont think a team out there wants him. hes expensive and a small guard who in my opinion can only thrive in "one man teams" like philly. hes an awesome player, but there no way New Orleans is trading Paul for Iverson.

😆 It was joke. I should buy you a sarcasm detector.

Plus, they already said Iverson isn't going to be traded.

Originally posted by RecSpecs110
The US wasnt the better team THAT NIGHT. But they are better than Greece overall. If the 2 teams rematched, the US would probably beat them.

Since you havent answered my initial question, ill use it again. If the NBA playoffs consisted of 1 game series, and the toronto raptors beat the san antonio spurs by 6 points, would you consider the raptors a better team than the spurs? you are just ignoring my question because you cant deny it. you cant get around it. so maybe YOUR the hypocrit here, and you just cant admit that the US is better, but they just lost by 6 points to Greece in 1 game.

If the spurs knew it was win or go home then yeah....

Originally posted by DanZeke25
😆 It was joke. I should buy you a sarcasm detector.

Plus, they already said Iverson isn't going to be traded.

i know it was a joke. i didnt mean i dont see him being traded NOW, i meant i dont see him being traded at all in the future. believe me, i know when people are being sarcastic.