|
|
Barack Obama  Joined: 9/24/2005 Posts: 15,003 Location: Australia  
|
Figured it'd be good to have a thread for this in the leadup to the Olympics.
Team USA had Bosh and Wade pull out, CP3 has an injured thumb. Still a pretty deep team in terms of talent.
Kobe/Lebron/Melo/Durant/Love/Griffin = no lack of scorers for this squad, I think the main concern would be the size.
While they do have Tyson Chandler who is a solid defender and rebounder I think the team is lacking something by missing Dwight Howard he could be a beast inside that would make this team close to unbeatable. I'm a little surprised with James Harden's selection, Rudy Gay or Rondo are probably better picks, though Harden is nifty at getting to the line and can be a streaky scorer off the bench in spurts.
I think there is a chance for Spain to push this team. Pau and Marc Gasol are actually a more talented bigman rotation than what team USA is running at the C, and with Ibaka they have a strong defensive presence inside. Rudy Fernandez is suited to the international style of play, and Juan Carlos Navarro is a beast. Jose Calderon is a quality playmaker too. I think the Spanish team chemistry and the fiba style of play could give them a chance to push USA.
It should be a very interesting tournament to see these two teams match up. If Rubio wasn't hurt it would probably be even better, but looking forward to watching the games.
Any thoughts on who will win the gold?
|
|
|
Arnold Palmer  Joined: 9/24/2005 Posts: 14,347 Location: Vegas Baby!
|
The only way anybody is going to be the US is to make them have to play a halfcourt game and even that is tough with having Kobe & Durant there to make jumpers if needed
The US team might be the fastest team ever to hit a court together and if they get out on the run,no one will beat them
Spain is probably the only competition and hopefully it plays out to that being the gold medal game
|
|
|
Barack Obama Joined: 9/24/2005 Posts: 15,003 Location: Australia
|
yeah that would make for a nice repeat of the last Olympics final.
I think you're right, Team USA will have a huge speed advantage, every turnover will turn into a quick 2 pts down the other end from guys like Westbrook.
There will be some other good teams too, Argentina and France could field some really good teams as well, but USA and Spain have to be the clear favourites.
|
|
|
Jesse Owens  Joined: 7/25/2006 Posts: 6,191 Location: Malaysia
|
I don't think size is ever going to be a problem for the USA versus any team. Spain may have the 2 Gasol brothers...but we all saw what Blake did to big brother Pau last season... Tyson Chandler may be the only true centre on the team, but overall they outsize and outmuscle every other team in the Olympics.
|
|
|
Barack Obama Joined: 9/24/2005 Posts: 15,003 Location: Australia
|
True, but Lebron is probably the best offensive player on the team with his back to the basket on the low block.
Griffin is good too, but I think the Gasol bros have an edge in that department, because you've got 2 7-footers that are nifty inside and both capable passers as well.
Makes it hard to stop them both. USA is def favourite with so many weapons, but I think if Spain slows the game down, hits some big shots from Navarro and Fernandez, and pound it in to their bigs, they have a shot.
|
|
|
Jesse Owens Joined: 7/25/2006 Posts: 6,191 Location: Malaysia
|
Spain would probably put up the biggest fight you're right. But overall, don't think they can run with Bron/Durant/CP3 & gang for 40 minutes. And this time round, even if the game is slowed down to a half-court pace, don't think that means Spain has an advantage because USA still has a huge advantage with shooters like Durant / Kobe / Love.
|
|
|
Gary Kasparov  Joined: 9/20/2005 Posts: 2,214 Location: Chelsea, London SW6
|
Deng to take the Brits home for an unexpected medal. (Obviously not the gold! - maybe Bronze).  KTBFFH!
|
|
|
Jesse Owens Joined: 7/25/2006 Posts: 6,191 Location: Malaysia
|
ChelseaChelsea wrote:Deng to take the Brits home for an unexpected medal. (Obviously not the gold! - maybe Bronze). It's gonna be tough. They'll need some good fortune and avoid running into teams like USA, Spain, Argentina, Russia etc. until the later stages.
|
|
|
Barack Obama Joined: 9/24/2005 Posts: 15,003 Location: Australia
|
they'll have homecourt advantage for every game at least heheh
Agree it'd be tough to medal though, lots of quality teams!
|
|
|
Barack Obama Joined: 9/24/2005 Posts: 15,003 Location: Australia
|
Another injury pulls a player from team USA.
Blake Griffin tore his meniscus and needs surgery, so he's been replaced by Anthony Davis.
A lot of players have been getting injured, hopefully they're all back by the start of the next season.
|
|
|
Jesse Owens Joined: 7/25/2006 Posts: 6,191 Location: Malaysia
|
Blake is a good player and all, but dont think Team USA will really miss him. In fact, Anthony Davis's defensive presence might be more of what they need, with all the offensive firepower they have throughout the rest of the team.
|
|
|
Billie Jean King  Joined: 12/6/2007 Posts: 5,649 Location: Hong Kong
|
Playing a rookie that hasn't even played a NBA game for team USA? I guess they need the hight
|
|
|
Barack Obama Joined: 9/24/2005 Posts: 15,003 Location: Australia
|
Do you guys reckon USA is a sure thing with odds of 1.12 = 12% interest in 1 mth? Or, is Spain at 9.80 worth a hail mary, interested to hear what your thoughts are on this one   Mens Tournament - Gold Medal Winner
|
|
|
Barack Obama Joined: 9/24/2005 Posts: 15,003 Location: Australia
|
USA beat Argentina 86-80 in another friendly match, that's pretty close, and considering Spain is probably a better team than Argentina that's gotta give other countries a lot of confidence that this team is beatable. I am starting to think USA will not go undefeated in this tournament.
|
|
|
Billie Jean King Joined: 12/6/2007 Posts: 5,649 Location: Hong Kong
|
That USA team is mighty quick! I really hope the final will be USA and Spain. At least make it a bit competitive. Australia for bronze?
|
|
|
Arnold Palmer Joined: 9/24/2005 Posts: 14,347 Location: Vegas Baby!
|
Spain at those odds is worth a play.
All it takes is for the US to get jump shot happy and they're in trouble against a quality opponent
|
|
|
Arnold Palmer Joined: 9/24/2005 Posts: 14,563 Location: Indianapolis
|
These friendly matches are giving people false hope that another, like Spain, actually has a chance. They are nothing more than warm ups. Honestly, I don't think any game will end up even being within 10 points once they actually get going for real. Then again, wtf do I know   All bets are one unit ($50) unless otherwise noted.
|
|
|
Barack Obama Joined: 9/24/2005 Posts: 15,003 Location: Australia
|
The 2004 team went 5-3 and finished with a bronze medal, and that team featured Lebron, Wade, Melo, Duncan, Iverson, Amare etc.
This year's team is better than that one, but then again, Spain's team is miles ahead of what they fielded in that year too.
I wouldn't be shocked to see Spain win it. If they can minimise their turnovers and take away the fast breaks which is going to be the biggest strength for team USA, turn it into a physical match, its definitely possible.
|
|
|
Arnold Palmer Joined: 9/24/2005 Posts: 14,347 Location: Vegas Baby!
|
Can somebody bet Spain for me offshore? Have yet to find a book by me taking Olympics action
|
|
|
Phil Taylor  Joined: 5/26/2006 Posts: 2,598 Location: Perth WA
|
USA will go through undefeated, have you seen how Durant treats the 3pt line? Like his bitch. 
|
|
|
Barack Obama Joined: 9/24/2005 Posts: 15,003 Location: Australia
|
Odds for most countries has jumped after USA crushed Spain in that warmup match. I had money on Spain for that game too lol.. sux Here's the latest odds:  Mens Tournament - Gold Medal Winner
|
|
|
Barack Obama  Joined: 9/20/2005 Posts: 16,516
|
Combined 6/37 from the short three-point line --- lol http://sports.yahoo.com/...d-group-b-bkm400b01.html
|
|
|
Barack Obama Joined: 9/20/2005 Posts: 16,516
|
|
|
|
Barack Obama Joined: 9/24/2005 Posts: 15,003 Location: Australia
|
bro I had $700 on the opals on that game, and when that shot hit I probably woke the neighbours but they still lost in overtime, that's the worst game in history for me, so depressed still today.. Aussies hadn't lost in the Prelim rounds at the Olympics in the last 16 years, of course that had to wait till I had money on them to do it. So gutted... When Jackson and Cambage both fouled out it looked bad. They came back from 13 pts down to take a 2 pt lead with a few mins left in regulation too so I thought they would take it. What a brutal game.. still can't believe they lost 
|
|
|
Barack Obama Joined: 9/24/2005 Posts: 15,003 Location: Australia
|
Anyone watch the Aussies vs USA today? I set my alarm for 7am but snoozed and missed the fricken thing  I heard they kept it tight thru the first 3 quarters and then got smashed in the 4th. At least they didn't lose by 50+ 
|
|
|
|
Guest
|