Greeks beat USA

[adbrauner]

@Juggler

While you’re right that there are a few other teams to play as a team, I think it kind of underlines my point that NBAers generally aren’t team-oriented. To say, no, there’s a few . . kind of points out that most don’t do it.

Some big time coach, I can’t remember who right now, said awhile back that players should be invited to try out for a spot on the team rather than be selected for it. I wonder if this will help.

Does the statement “NBA ball is less about defense and more about stars getting their points, etc” say that:
“NBA ball” = the successful teams in the NBA?

Or

does “NBA ball” = the average of the teams.

And what does “is less about” mean? Does this mean the fans like to see points, superstars, fame, an idol? Or does it mean, “in order to win, you don’t need to play as a team, or with defense”? Because I would agree that fans like to create idols and heroes to look up to. This is natural. But if you are saying that this NBA style of basketball forces superstar basketball (in terms of how the game is played in order to win) then I disagree.

You are right in that the really shitty teams do not play good basketball as a team. The Knicks are a joke, the Blazers consistently produce thugs, and the Hawks have blown their chance several times.

But there are teams that play as a team just without as much talent as others. I only mentioned the elite teams off the top of my head but I could go on with overachieving teams like the Bobcats, Hornets, Bulls. And we all know about the offensive execution of the Kings and the Jazz. None of these teams had an all-star this year, yet a few made the playoffs and others were close. And there were all-stars who did not even make the playoffs. So, these all-stars were not rewarded for their good stats with wins and winning is what it is all “about”.

Sure MJ got lots of points but he was also one of the greatest perimeter defenders of all time. Nor did he do this all by himself. Players on his team stepped up, he had great players beside him, and a great coach. Team effort though led by the star.

With all this said, I do find it kind of annoying how noone calls LeBron on his poor defense just because he is The Chosen One, etc. I gave him time because he is young but he still dissapoints me. Wade on the other hand is all about defense and hustle which is why he overachieves again and again. Even Melo plays better defense than LeBron.

And the US did have tryouts for their team this year btw.

[kitkat1]

SAITAMA, Japan, Sept 3, 2006 (AFP) - Lithuania beat 2002 world bronze medallist Germany 77-62 in a consolation playoff game here Sunday to finish seventh at the World Basketball Championship.
Lithuania forward Darius Lavrinovic and German ace Dirk Nowitzki, a power forward with the US National Basketball Association Dallas Mavericks, each scored a game-high 18 points.
Lithuania, fifth at the European championship last year, broke a 13-13 deadlock to seize a 30-17 lead in the first quarter.
Lavrinovic kept pacing the Baltic side’s scoring as Lithuania maintained its lead, ending the first half ahead 47-41.
Nowitzki, who averaged 23.9 points a game in eight previous matches, tied the score at 49-49 on a fast break dunk after captain Ademola Okulaja stole the ball.
He scored another inside jumper and two free throws but NBA Denver Nuggets forward Linas Kleiza sank a layup and a free throw to put Lithuania up 58-54 going into the fourth quarter.
Germany missed a series of shots while Lithuania rolled on a 19-8 run in the final period.

[kitkat1]

by Jim Slater

SAITAMA, Japan, Sept 3, 2006 (AFP) - US players are going to have to work harder than they wanted next year after finishing third at the World Basketball Championship, but the experience could pay golden dividends in 2008 at Beijing.
America’s National Basketball Association stars beat Argentina 96-81 in a consolation game after a 101-95 semi-final loss to Greece that ended US dreams of reclaiming the global throne and taking a spot at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Instead of having next year off, US players who made a three-year pledge to play on the US squad must compete for two available Olympic berths at the Tournament of the Americas in Venezuela.
It's not the end of the world. We learned a lot from this experience and we will continue to get better,'' US scoring leader Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets said. We have to prepare for next season. Coming in, we wanted to win the world games, then take next summer off and get ready for Beijing in 08. Now, weve got to get ready for next summer in Venezuela and again in 08 in Beijing.’’
Nobody would have needed a break more than Dwyane Wade, who led Miami to the NBA title in June, trained with the US team in July, played the worlds into September and will start NBA training camp in another month.
We lost the gold. But we are going back with our respect. Were going back with our heads up high,'' US star Dwyane Wade said. Were a very talented team, a confident team, and they beat us. We’ll have to come back and try to win in 2007. This is a first step. Were not crying over losing. We wanted to win and it didnt happen. We got some experience.’’
Reigning Olympic champion Argentina will be trying to qualify in Venezuela. So will Brazil, which only lost 90-86 to the US in a pre-worlds game, plus the world-qualified hosts and Puerto Rico, a 2004 Olympic winner over the US men.
It wasnt what we had planned,'' US forward Antawn Jamison said. Its going to be interesting. Hopefully we can stay positive and do the things we need to be successful.
``Instead of being together for a week next summer, we have to go through another tournament. Thats the price you have to pay when you dont come out and win.’’
Playing more games under international rules next summer might create a better US team in Beijing, the true target being Olympic gold after placing sixth at the 2002 worlds and third at the 2004 Olympics.

We have two more summers of growth. This is the beginning,'' US co-captain LeBron James said. Weve improved since 2004. Weve improved since training camp began. We just have to keep getting better.’’

With a pool of 24 players, including Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, next year’s team could feature some new faces, although building upon the chemistry and work with teammates from the past six weeks will be vital.

Dont question our chemistry,'' Anthony said. We did a great job putting this team together. We got along off the court. That was the difference between this year and 04. Hopefully we can keep this group together.’’

:rolleyes: Newcomers must forget NBA one-on-one heroics and join a team concept.

After playing a whole season, everybody will get back to their NBA ways,'' US forward Chris Bosh said. As long as those guys come in and were looking forward to working with each other, well continue to build.

``Everybody has to have a team mind going into next summer.’’

[kitkat1]

OUCH, SPAIN ARE IN MASSIVE TROUBLE WITHOUT PAO GASOL

[kitkat1]

But here comes the cavalry: kid bro. Marc Gasol goes up for Spain against Greece in the final

[kitkat1]

Greece was leading at the quarter

[Charlie_Francis]

@kitkat1

Greece was leading at the quarter

Spain wins 70-47. Greece must have been wiped after the USA match

[epote]

prety much yeah…

[Stefanie]

Greece rockssssss
Yes yes we lost the final, but GREECE ROCKS!!!

[kitkat1]

By Alastair Himmer
SAITAMA, Japan, Sept 3 Reuters - Sharp-shooting Spain blasted past Greece 70-47 to win their first world basketball championship gold medal tonight.
NBA-bound Jorge Garbajosa and guard Juan Carlos Navarro scored 20 points apiece as Spain overcame the absence of talismanic Memphis Grizzlies forward Pau Gasol to win their first major international title.
We played really well with an incredible intensity in defence,'' Navarro told Spanish television station La Sexta. We wanted to win for Pau and we achieved that in the end.’’
Garbajosa, who has just signed for the Toronto Raptors, sank six three-pointers and pulled down 10 rebounds to lead Spain past European champions Greece.
Back-to-back threes from Garbajosa blew the game open for Spain, giving them a 14-point advantage with 8:15 to go in the second quarter and they went in at halftime leading 43-23.
The gap was still 20 points after three quarters and the Greeks, who had shocked tournament favourites the United States in the semi-finals, never threatened a late fightback.
Spain’s win was their 18th straight following a string of victories in pre-tournament games.
It has been fantastic,'' gushed Spain coach Pepu Hernandez. It was a great performance and experience and now we are world champions.’’
Gasol, who led Spain in points and rebounding, broke a metatarsal in Friday’s epic 75-74 semi-final win over Argentina.
The NBA all-star hobbled on to the court on crutches and watched the game from the bench in jeans, pumping his fists and shouting encouragement to his team mates.
Gasol, named player of the tournament after averaging 21.3 points and 8.1 rebounds, burst into tears at the final buzzer as the Spanish celebrations began in earnest.

[kitkat1]

Spain celebrate