USA NT 2021 Olympics

[anon9000]

They pulled it off for an entertaining game, hopefully its the same for the next Olympics.

As a fan Id rather watch a tight game than a squash match.

[usagre]

That A.Davis that is always hurt will play in next olympics when he will be in his 30s thats a pipe dream.
.

He will be 31 years old. And of course that’s barring injury which he is prone to. Kind of like that guy who plays for that other Los Angeles team that you thought was going to take over the league. Lol.

[anon9000]

He will be 31 years old. And of course that’s barring injury which he is prone to. Kind of like that guy who plays for that other Los Angeles team that you thought was going to take over the league. Lol.

lol AD aka Street clothes isn't gonna risk an injury.

Zion or Wiseman may be in the next Olympics

[usagre]

lol AD aka Street clothes isn't gonna risk an injury.

Zion or Wiseman may be in the next Olympics

AD at 31 with an NBA title already in his pocket and most likely another one by then I think if healthy would play. Funny that the most bitter ex player on TV gave him that nickname out of shear jealousy and ironically spent a lot of time in street clothes in his own right. Unlike Karl Malone his contemporary.

[reamily]

They pulled it off for an entertaining game, hopefully its the same for the next Olympics.

As a fan Id rather watch a tight game than a squash match.

Thats why they pulled their punches again

[usagre]

Typical Fran calling Tobey the pride of Middletown NY while the guy is representing a foreign country in the Olympics.
Absolutely hysterical. I guess pride is a one way street.

[usagre]

Not surprisingly Fran pushing another lazy media narrative. No KD no Gold. Kind of like the nonsense we were hearing after Durant pulled out of the ‘14 Worlds after the first intra scrimmage exhibition. The fact is that you can’t just pluck a guy out of the team and imagine the end result had he not been on the team. Too many questions are left unanswered. Who would have been his replacement ? And obviously the offense would have been structured differently. Would they have won Gold without him ? Who knows. Two things I do know are that they still would be the favorites and it is a lot easier when Kevin Durant is on the team.

[usagre]

If not for rescheduling of Olympics Durant would not have been available and had the opportunity to win 3rd Gold medal.
Multiple Gold Medal winners:

Carmelo Anthony. ‘08, ‘12, ‘16
Kevin Durant. ‘12, ‘16, ‘21

Michael Jordan. ‘84, ‘92
Patrick Ewing.
Chris Mullin

Scottie Pippen. ‘92, ‘96
David Robinson
Charles Barkley
Karl Malone
John Stockton

Gary Payton. ‘96, ‘00

Jason Kidd. ‘00, ‘08

Lebron James. ‘08, ‘12
Kobe Bryant
Chris Paul.
Deron Williams

Draymond Green. ‘16, ‘21

[JamalJokic]

USA world Championships teams always followed that blueprint. 2006, 2010 and 2014 key players were mostly in their early 20’s. But I don’t think they’ll want to play in that tournament anymore. So then you’ll be left with the Brook Lopez, Joe Harris, Marcus Smart and Harrison Barnes of the world. I doubt if you’re a young star that you’ll devote two consecutive summers. It will be Olympics or bust I predict.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Grant Hill and USA implement something where if you want to play in the Olympics you need to play on the World Cup team. I think they did something like this with the redeem team where they had those players commit to playing in the Americas tournament in order to be in the running for the Olympics.

[JGX]

I wouldn’t be surprised if Grant Hill and USA implement something where if you want to play in the Olympics you need to play on the World Cup team.

They don't have the leverage to make that demand. It's in USAB's interest to send the strongest team they can to the Olympics. If the 2023 World Cup team loses in the quarterfinals again, and then better players are interested in playing at the Olympics, are they seriously going to say "sorry, we're sticking with the guys who lost in the quarterfinals"? I can't see it and neither can the top players. Plus not everyone who plays the World Cup is going to be available for the Olympics anyway.

With the new system, winning the WC is nice, but I think USAB will be fine with seeing it primarily as an Olympic qualifying tournament. Only weirdos like us are watching these late night/early morning WC games played in East Asia anyway.

Also remember in 2003 they made a big deal of securing a two-year commitment from the top players, and then everyone except Duncan and Iverson backed out of the Olympics. If it's going to be hard to get players for two years in a row, it's better to get them for the second year.

Bigger issue for the US is that the exceptionally talented generation born in the mid/late-80's is aging out of international play, and while there will always be very good players, guys like KD and LeBron are hard to replace even for the US.

[Dtown]

They don't have the leverage to make that demand. It's in USAB's interest to send the strongest team they can to the Olympics. If the 2023 World Cup team loses in the quarterfinals again, and then better players are interested in playing at the Olympics, are they seriously going to say "sorry, we're sticking with the guys who lost in the quarterfinals"? I can't see it and neither can the top players. Plus not everyone who plays the World Cup is going to be available for the Olympics anyway.

With the new system, winning the WC is nice, but I think USAB will be fine with seeing it primarily as an Olympic qualifying tournament. Only weirdos like us are watching these late night/early morning WC games played in East Asia anyway.

Also remember in 2003 they made a big deal of securing a two-year commitment from the top players, and then everyone except Duncan and Iverson backed out of the Olympics. If it's going to be hard to get players for two years in a row, it's better to get them for the second year.

Bigger issue for the US is that the exceptionally talented generation born in the mid/late-80's is aging out of international play, and while there will always be very good players, guys like KD and LeBron are hard to replace even for the US.

I'd agree they don't have the leverage now, but all it would take would be the US failing to qualify to the Olympics directly to push that initiative.

But, of course, the other side of this coin is the Americas on the whole are in decline outside the US. The remnants of Argentina's golden generation are retiring, Canada can never seem to escape being only a good team on paper, and Brazil can never seem to put it together. Right now it's hard to see one of those teams being better than a C or D US team, let alone the two needed to put pressure on qualification.

[Shawshank]

Those C or D usa teams with Barnes and B.Lopez level players should be enough to make top 8 and qualife to Olympics directly because american continent right now is weak,but those C or D level Usa NT is not winning gold medal in world cups those days are past.

2019 wasnt fluke only D.Mitchell heroics made that game close versus France but when only real nba star on that team got tired scoring alone in 2 half those average usa players was looking very shaky under pressure in fiba and simply lost .

In this Olympics Durant needed to play like nba superstar to win it all againts best fiba teams.

Enough to look what happend with Canada Nt 2021 with their Wiggins,Barret,Dorts,Joseph nba type players and Czechs isnt even elite fiba NT.

If for USA NT is ok just to get direct place to olympics and finish top 6 in world cup sure D level Usa team should do for that mission to accomplish.

But in that case dont need to blame usa coach that he isnt winning gold with Barnes and J.Harris types againts similiar level nba foreigners that has way better team chemistry that they built over multiple years in NT.

Such D level USA team like in 2019 or Canadas average nba players group without no chemistry is not winning 3 playoofs tough fought games against elite fiba NT in 2020s era.

[JamalJokic]

Those C or D usa teams with Barnes and B.Lopez level players should be enough to make top 8 and qualife to Olympics directly because american continent right now is weak,but those C or D level Usa NT is not winning gold medal in world cups those days are past.

2019 wasnt fluke only D.Mitchell heroics made that game close versus France but when only real nba star on that team got tired scoring alone in 2 half those average usa players was looking very shaky under pressure in fiba and simply lost .

In this Olympics Durant needed to play like nba superstar to win it all againts best fiba teams.

Enough to look what happend with Canada Nt 2021 with their Wiggins,Barret,Dorts,Joseph nba type players and Czechs isnt even elite fiba NT.

If for USA NT is ok just to get direct place to olympics and finish top 6 in world cup sure D level Usa team should do for that mission to accomplish.

But in that case dont need to blame usa coach that he isnt winning gold with Barnes and J.Harris types againts similiar level nba foreigners that has way better team chemistry that they built over multiple years in NT.

Such D level USA team like in 2019 or Canadas average nba players group without no chemistry is not winning 3 playoofs tough fought games against elite fiba NT in 2020s era.

Good point about how weak the Americas zone is right now. Seems like Brazil, Puerto Rico have been clinging to older players and not working younger players into the program. Argentina still has good players but they’re all guards and they don’t have any good bigs. I think it’s really important for the Americas and Fiba in general that Canada gets their program together and starts competing at the WC and Olympics. Canada has a ton of talent and for these tournaments to be as competitive as possible you need the most talented teams to show up.

[ChuckDiesel2]

Anyone have any idea where AmeriCup 2022 will be held? Gonna try to go if it’s in North America.

[ChuckDiesel2]

Putting the 2024 Olympics aside, we now have a two year window for USAB to answer the age old “continuity” question, starting with the 2022 Americup and 2023 World Cup teams. Realize there are all kinds of influencing factors outside my understanding (Nike, agent relationships, player willingness) but in a fantasy world where I assume full control of the senior men’s team, the first thing I’d do is implement some non negotiable roster standards.

In late spring of 2022, a two year roster of twenty players would be selected for the Americup and World Cup teams. For an entire month lead up to Brazil’s September AmeriCup, all 20 players would participate in a training camp/exhibition schedule until the final roster is whittled down to 12. Barring a catastrophic result, that exact same team would run it back for the 2023 World Cup in Asia. The remaining eight players who participated in camp but didn’t make the final cut would be given the first crack as injury replacements.

I’d target a mix of top U-23 talent and hard nosed, defensive minded veterans who just signed long term deals or already have enough in the bank that contract uncertainty won’t be a hindrance. The net would cast towards players likely to be on lottery/early playoff exit situations and those most desperate to feel alive/win something again.

Such demands would certainly thin the herd on who’s willing to participate, and that’s fine. The best team out of those who are committed. Previous Team USA equity would also be taken into account.

Sample of an ideal 20 player pool. Emphasis on defensive versatility, toughness, intelligence and athleticism.

Fred VanVleet/Tyrese Haliburton/LaMelo Ball/TJ McConnell
Jalen Suggs/DeAnthony Melton/Alex Caruso/Davion Mitchell
Cade Cunningham/Anthony Edwards/Norman Powell/Gary Trent Jr
Keldon Johnson/Miles Bridges/Saddiq Bey/Scottie Barnes
Richaun Holmes, Larry Nance Jr, Thad Young, Isiah Stewart.