[Olympics BBall] Aus vs USA

[oldmate15]

So far, Australia is winning 51-47 at half time. I am surprised that Australia can match up to the USA team. Anyone else watching this?

[ctebah]

kinda watching it over the net. my money's on australia.

[Ayepecks]

USA's lost all respect if they lose this one... no one will care anymore. Just because they didn't play.

[Japlabot]

I noticed a few minutes ago when the score was 47-51. It's now 51-58! This is fantastic what the hell happened to the Americans?? nobody knew they were really all hype!

[Aaron Veteran]

Final 89-79, US over the Aussies

[mattmatik]

Is Shane Heal playing for Australia again this year? That dude can shoot the rock like nobody's business. If so, how did he do?

[Zaic]

USA is looking better and better ;]

saturday they will face lithuanian power :p

[KzR]

I'll rather the Americans lose.

[golazo]

shane heal hit 19 points off 7 for 17, andrew bogut who plays college ball for utah hit 11 points and 8 rebounds... and australia hit 14 for 26 from 3-point range

[Ayepecks]

Very good -- I watched it up until I had to go to school. They were looking better, but still not what they're capable of.

[comped]

I remember when chuck daly was the coach of the original dream team. He never got off his chair or called a timeout. This Larry Brown cannot put his ass down and stop yelling.

[golazo]

theres a difference in the teams, the original dream team could probably beat the current us outfit by 30 points on any night

[Hawkeye]

theres a difference in the teams, the original dream team could probably beat the current us outfit by 30 points on any night

No doubt about that. The Dream Team has been getting weaker and weaker with each Olympics. The first Dream Team in 1992 is probably one of the best, if not THE best basketball team ever assembled. They destroyed every single one of their opponents.

[L3thal Veteran]

By an average of 32.1 points :p

[mattmatik]

I remember when chuck daly was the coach of the original dream team. He never got off his chair or called a timeout. This Larry Brown cannot put his ass down and stop yelling.

How do you coach players like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, etc.? Those guys knew how to play against various factors (zone defense, traps, double-teams, big teams, small teams). Even Christian Laettner had the knowledge to play from his 4 years at Duke under Coach K. This year's team has MAYBE 3 players that played more than 3 years of college ball.

Believe me, college basketball (college sports for that matter) are alot more important than people think. The rules are more diverse and vary, teams are very different which gives you a chance to play against multiple defenses/offenses/situations, and the coaching is alot more direct. I think the NBA experiment should be over, it's not even fun to watch.

[Wolvereen]

I agree with you there! I prefer college over pro anyday. Can't wait for USC's first football game. :-)

I think the main differnce w/ the "Dream Team" has nothing to do with coaches, hype, or talent though even. I think it has to do with thte quality of person that is palying now. Those big names you mentioned like Jordan, Johnson, etc, they were heros. They were awesome players that even non-sports fans enjoyed watching. They respected people though. They didn't talk down to people. THey didn't go around screaming we're the best. I think if these new players concentrated less on their gold rings and mercedes and more on learning to play OUTSIDE the key, they'd improve. Their way too concerned with layups and having their face on a poster or soda bottle....

[mattmatik]

I agree with you there! I prefer college over pro anyday. Can't wait for USC's first football game. :-)

I think the main differnce w/ the "Dream Team" has nothing to do with coaches, hype, or talent though even. I think it has to do with thte quality of person that is palying now. Those big names you mentioned like Jordan, Johnson, etc, they were heros. They were awesome players that even non-sports fans enjoyed watching. They respected people though. They didn't talk down to people. THey didn't go around screaming we're the best. I think if these new players concentrated less on their gold rings and mercedes and more on learning to play OUTSIDE the key, they'd improve. Their way too concerned with layups and having their face on a poster or soda bottle....

Ahhh, USC. I go to the Notre Dame game every other year they play in LA. Hate the Trojans! :)

I agree with your comment on the respect issues. I remember in 1992 before every game, the players were willing to take pictures with the opposing team, sign autographs, joke around with them, etc. Of course, they laid the hammer down during the game. On one of the Michael Jordan videos ("Air Time"), there's a little chapter on the Olympics (preliminaries and the Games) and they have video of the practices. Guys were going hard during practice, never letting up, and even trash talking each other (this was the summer after the Bulls beat the Blazers and Drexler and Jordan would chat it up; Magic would tell Michael he had 3 more to go until he got 5, etc. etc.) What really impresses me as well is that was Jordan's SECOND Olympics, and he respected it just as much as he did in 1984.

I would love to see the Dream Team (there's only one) play now against these improved internation teams. I'm sure they would still win, but it would give us a chance to REALLY witness how great those players were. I would love to see Larry Bird, Scottie Pippen, and Chris Mullin break down zone defenses with their shooting.

[unique]

I think its funny that the amount one NBA player on the US team gets paid is more than most countries have for their oympic basketball program...and some countries, more then they get for their olympic programs straight up.. crazy over-paid atheletes...go get a real job.

[Wolvereen]

I love the Notre Dame - USC fame. Its always fun trash talking my friend who's a ND fan. WHoever you root for though, its always a great game!