This is belated but I wanted to discuss how the World Championships played out and how my picks looked afterward. Not to toot my own horn but I was right on with Greece and the US squad. The thing that killed me was that Argentina and Spain game. To make matters worse, Argentina only lost by a point. I can't wait for more international ball next summer and then the big dance in 2008.
On a side note, get well Pau. I've broken the same bone in my foot and it's more irritating that you can't play than anything else. Have a speedy recover and I expect him back to full strength ASAP.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Friday, September 01, 2006
A lose from an American perspective...
To anyone that tries to follow the international game, you realize that there are many great teams scattered across the globe. It has been a pleasure as a basketball fan to see the game continually grow and reach such a great status in various countries. After this latest US defeat by Greece, it is obvious that many people just don't see the truth yet.
The American basketball player is usually an exceptional athlete that plays high above the rim with a lot of flash and bravado. These players have been held up to such a degree that they feel and act as if they are invincible. The true idea of "team" is something that they know but do not necessarily adhere to. That is why I found it so hard to believe that we would simply waltz into this tournament with almost no time together and just walk all over teams in the truest sense.
Teams like Greece, Argentina and Spain play what I consider to be, real basketball. They obviously have very talented players and I would be foolish to assume that there isn't a little ego in some of them, but, they get it. They understand the basic fundamentals of basketball that seem to be lost in the modern day American player. Greece ran a simply pick and roll and completely left the US clueless. Until the American team plays together for a while and builds cohesion and realizes that there are aspects of their games that they need to improve, they will never beat teams of this caliber. Honestly though, I don't know if that will happen. The International player may not be as athletically gifted but they play the game the right way and will always have a place on many US team rosters.
I congratulate Greece on a great performance and apologize for the US players that did not do the same. It's time for America to put the ego aside, grow from this experience and try to properly utilize all that ability. It's time for some soul searching for many players on this US roster and I truly hope that we have the fire within us to come back strong in 2008. Until then, I will watch these true "teams" and enjoy the beauty and enthusiasm that they play the game with.
To anyone that tries to follow the international game, you realize that there are many great teams scattered across the globe. It has been a pleasure as a basketball fan to see the game continually grow and reach such a great status in various countries. After this latest US defeat by Greece, it is obvious that many people just don't see the truth yet.
The American basketball player is usually an exceptional athlete that plays high above the rim with a lot of flash and bravado. These players have been held up to such a degree that they feel and act as if they are invincible. The true idea of "team" is something that they know but do not necessarily adhere to. That is why I found it so hard to believe that we would simply waltz into this tournament with almost no time together and just walk all over teams in the truest sense.
Teams like Greece, Argentina and Spain play what I consider to be, real basketball. They obviously have very talented players and I would be foolish to assume that there isn't a little ego in some of them, but, they get it. They understand the basic fundamentals of basketball that seem to be lost in the modern day American player. Greece ran a simply pick and roll and completely left the US clueless. Until the American team plays together for a while and builds cohesion and realizes that there are aspects of their games that they need to improve, they will never beat teams of this caliber. Honestly though, I don't know if that will happen. The International player may not be as athletically gifted but they play the game the right way and will always have a place on many US team rosters.
I congratulate Greece on a great performance and apologize for the US players that did not do the same. It's time for America to put the ego aside, grow from this experience and try to properly utilize all that ability. It's time for some soul searching for many players on this US roster and I truly hope that we have the fire within us to come back strong in 2008. Until then, I will watch these true "teams" and enjoy the beauty and enthusiasm that they play the game with.
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