LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Jason Kidd, and the rest of the USA men’s basketball team will surely be standing at the podium receiving their medals at the end of the Olympic Games, but there will be no Star Spangled Banner to be heard in the background.
Although this year’s team is the most prepared all-pro USA national squad ever assembled, some factors will still stand in their way of redeeming the great American pride in basketball...
NBA Superstars Can’t Pull the Trigger When the Game is on the Line
Most of the current NBA players on the roster may have scored winning baskets in the world’s premiere league, but international basketball is an entirely different matter.
In the crucial games they had lost in Athens, Allen Iverson couldn’t even connect on a shot he had been easily making in the NBA. And Tim Duncan couldn’t be at his usual smartest self in their most important games four years ago.
With the two of their best players then not returning now, it’s a wonder who would take the ball in his hands and deliver crucial baskets when a shot at the gold medal is at stake.
They Wouldn’t Risk Their Multi-Million-Dollar Contracts
If LeBron James literally breaks a leg, heaven forbid, what about his being on track to becoming the first billionaire athlete? What would happen to Los Angeles Lakers’ bid on a return trip in the finals if Kobe seriously injures himself? Would the Orlando Magic be the same again if Dwight Howard suffers a career-threatening injury?
They may successfully block these thoughts off their heads but these concerns in their sub-conscious minds will surely prevent them from diving for loose balls.
Basketball is Still a Team Game
This group of basketball superstars may have an overwhelming advantage in every position over any of the countries competing, but it is still the best ‘team’ out there who will win in the end. Teamwork is not a thing that can be developed overnight. Besides, lack of it can never be compensated even with superior individual match-up edge.
6 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Tyler Jones 11 months ago
Fair assessment, but I goota disagree. I think these guys CAN play as a team. Role players like Boozer, Williams and Paul are going to help a lot, especially the last two. This team finally has point guards that can dish and not just score, like Iverson (who needed to play SG anyways).
Good article though. But I hope for all of us routing for the USA that you're wrong. Guess we'll see.
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Dustin Haley 11 months ago
"In the crucial games they had lost in Athens, Allen Iverson couldn’t even connect on a shot he had been easily making in the NBA"
--So AI shoots 100% from that spot in the NBA? -- "I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." - Michael Jordan
"They may successfully block these thoughts off their heads but these concerns in their sub-conscious minds will surely prevent them from diving for loose balls."
--The same risks apply in the NBA. That said, how many career ending injuries come from diving for loose balls? They have a better chance of that happening going up for a rebound.
"And with the Team USA not making major adjustments this time, the formula is still going to work in Beijing"
--What formula could the "world" possibly have found out that USA basketball can't figure out?
I think the downfall of USA Basketball the last few years has been desire. I don't think we have a problem with that anymore. At least not with this team.
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Michael Lemaire 11 months ago
I am with Dustin, you are telling me that a team with such competent shooters as Kobe, Michael Redd, Carmelo and Deron wouldn't be able to win because they can't make a big shot when the game is on the line??
Well that's good for them because the game isn't ever on the line because they play like a team, passing, shooting, congratulating one another...everyone is having fun and enjoying their time together, no one cares who gets all the stats in the olympics, these guys want gold
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Shaun Ahmad 11 months ago
Have you followed this team at all? They didn't just pick up and start playing together yesterday. They have been practicing together for a while now.
"With the two of their best players then not returning now, it’s a wonder who would take the ball in his hands and deliver crucial baskets when a shot at the gold medal is at stake."
Last I checked, Kobe and Dwyane Wade don't have too much trouble hitting shots in clutch time. Oh, and that guy Lebron something... I think he's hit a couple of big shots here and there. Ask Washington and Detroit.
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Shaun Ahmad 11 months ago
Also, if you don't think US will win Gold, who will?
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Mike Turnell 11 months ago
"I wonder what LeBron James would say when he and his multi-millionaire teammates fail to bring home his ‘guaranteed’ gold medal this time."? So you already know they'll lose? Have some faith, man.
This team is different from years past, and you've even pointed one reason why in your article. Kirk Hinrich (along with Starbury) ran our team as the point guard in 2004, now we have Chris Paul, Jason Kidd, and Deron Williams. An improvement? I think so. With 3 of the best passing guards in the world on our team, we won't have a problem playing together.
As for "NBA Superstars Can’t Pull the Trigger When the Game is on the Line", I don't know how to argue with that, because it's just untrue. Kobe, LeBron, and Wade are 3 of the most clutch players in the NBA right now.
This years team is different; you just want to be the guy who says "I told ya so" if they do fail.
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