Olympics and FIBA summer

[ItsGoTime]

I watched the last 5-6 minutes of the game...first Olympic basketball I have watched this year.   

I was hoping for some Luka Magic late.  Although, I thought me made smart plays by giving the ball up.  Batum just made a great play at the end of the game.

Luka seemed much less ball/shot dependent than he did with the Mavs and that is a great sign.    Maybe it was because his shot was off, but my favorite Luka games are when he throws out a 15 plus assist game with 10 plus rebounds.    My favorite Luka is high assist Luka with solid/good scoring.

Yes! In all honesty, I thought everyone was crazy when we got KP and said Luka would be the higher scorer between the two without question. Sure Luka can score well enough (if he’s gonna continue to score like he has been, I’d like to see better efficiency), but to me, what makes him so special is his court vision and ability to get the ball where he wants. If he and KP can build a 2 man game, his assists are gonna be crazy high with all the good 3 shooters we have on the squad now (and KP being a roll target too…one can dream right???).

[Kammrath]

[Hypermav]

I think Luka did hurt his right wrist when he ran into the thick plexiglass.  To me it looked like the pinky and ring fingers were bent back.

---

https://twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status...80453?s=20

---

https://twitter.com/townbrad/status/1423...48160?s=20

[SleepingHero]

Shame Luka didn't take the final shot. Can't blame him though. He still put up a monster game and came this -- close to winning it. 

1 more game for at least a medal which is unheard of for such a small country in their first olympics. He has nothing to be ashamed of.

[fifteenth]

Just watched the play for the first time. Not sure someone could argue that that wasn't a double team. I agree with Brad up above. Luka made the right play and then Batum made a great play. Maybe Luka could have gotten a three off in that situation, but he would have had to do it with the sideline to his left, a defender in front of him, and a defender to his right.

[dirkfansince1998]

Just watched the play for the first time. Not sure someone could argue that that wasn't a double team. I agree with Brad up above. Luka made the right play and then Batum made a great play. Maybe Luka could have gotten a three off in that situation, but he would have had to do it with the sideline to his left, a defender in front of him, and a defender to his right.

What I saw.

Doncic brings the ball up.
They blitz him and he forces the switch. Has Gobert on him.
Dribbles back into the middle (I think that was the crucial mistake if he really wanted to take the shot himself, usually he goes to his spots on the extended left ellbow).
2nd defender comes over and helps one pass away.
Luka makes the pass (right play).
Open driving lane for Prepelic.
Batum blocks the layup.

[BigDirk41]

His teammate brought the double team to him. That's on the coach or that player or both. That being said there was still time for Luka to get a shot off. I would rather Luka throw up a prayer than giving the ball up to anyone on that team. I'm not going to rip him for it, but he could have gotten a shot off. It probably would have been contested, but a lot of his Luka magic shots are.

[SwisherPrice]

France just the better overall team. They will give the US more problems than Slovenia would have. Bronze medal between Australia and Slovenia will be good

[dirkfansince1998]

Cannot understand how Nando De Colo never found his role or rhythm in the NBA.

[SwisherPrice]

France needs Roddy B

[Kammrath]

France needs Roddy B

We all need Roddy B.

[KillerLeft]

Gobert is so good, defensively.

KP wouldn't be that good no matter how hard he worked, but if worked as hard as Gobert the Mavericks would be a totally different team, imo.

[KillerLeft]

@"Kammrath" is this game renewing your interest in Frankie Smokes?

[KillerLeft]

https://twitter.com/rodger/status/142385...09440?s=20

[SwisherPrice]

France had their chances but their perimeter scorers just weren't good enough today...the same guards that torched Slovenia.

USA better hope KD comes back one more time in 2024 because the outlook for this team isn't that good as the superstars from the last 5 years start to age out. Kobe rescued them in 2008, LeBron in 2012, KD in 2016 and 2021. 

France and Slovenia will be even better in 2024, they will have their best shot to win gold on European turf

[KillerLeft]

USA better hope KD comes back one more time in 2024 because the outlook for this team isn't that good as the superstars from the last 5 years start to age out. Kobe rescued them in 2008, LeBron in 2012, KD in 2016 and 2021. 

Man, I think you're right on the money here. Luka is going to be the best player in the world (definitively) at some point very soon.

USA can't steal him from Slovenia like the Lakers will steal him from the Mavs! (I kid)

[Chicagojk]

Just seems really unfair that the Nets got Patty Mills at 2 year for 12 million.  One of my favorites and he plays well when it matters too.

[omahen]

Just seems really unfair that the Nets got Patty Mills at 2 year for 12 million.  One of my favorites and he plays well when it matters too.

He would be perfect for Mavs...

Unfortunately our guys defetead themselves, I guess semi finals took too much. I also think this tournament also showed Luka needs a vet leader.

[Kammrath]

@Kammrath is this game renewing your interest in Frankie Smokes?

Never lost it. Frankie to the death!

[Bayliss]

France had their chances but their perimeter scorers just weren't good enough today...the same guards that torched Slovenia.

USA better hope KD comes back one more time in 2024 because the outlook for this team isn't that good as the superstars from the last 5 years start to age out. Kobe rescued them in 2008, LeBron in 2012, KD in 2016 and 2021. 

France and Slovenia will be even better in 2024, they will have their best shot to win gold on European turf

Not really.  The USA will have plenty of talent to combat those teams.  Guys like Trae Young (who in 4 years could easily be a superstar especially in international competition).  Zion could easily be a major force because in 3 years he could develop a jumpshot.

And I'm sure guys like Tatum nd Booker will be better than what they are now.  And then you have guys that have just been drafted that could be the next superstar anyway.  

The only way the US will ever be in trouble is if they send college kids again.  And no one on the world stage right now is as good as what Spain and Argentina were in the early/late 2000s......