Olympics 2024

[Knutsen]

Poor Dirk has to take Franz with him, too. Good luck with that contract Orlando. He seems like a frontrunner. Getting beaten by Yabusele. What a world.

Yabusele was really good against Canada as well. Don’t know why he couldn’t stay in the league, his style of play and physicality should work well in the NBA as a backup 4, shouldn’t it? 

Jumping to the second game, I‘d like to get Bogdanovic here if he were available for a good prize in the future. Not for the regular season, but when it‘s go-time in the playoffs he turns it up a couple of levels. I loved his intensity today getting in Lebron‘s face and also the almost hatred and disgust he had on his face after the game. He has no fear and would be the perfect sixth man for us and a friend for Luka.

[SleepingHero]

Earlier he was, but Embiid helped bring them back. He hit some big shots down the stretch, then Bron, KD, and Curry brought it home.

Embiid scored 7 straight but also gave up 4-5 offensive rebounds so at best a net neutral there. He also just does the most lazy/lack of awareness defensive rotations I've ever seen.

The last minute Serbia did everything in their power to get the ball to Jokic in the paint. They got the switch where Curry was forced to guard Jokic, and Embiid had to guard Micic. Instead of denying the entry pass and forcing Micic to take a long 3pt shot with a minute remaining, Embiid basically gives Serbia exactly what they want. 
Micic could've basically tattooed on his forehead "I'm passing the ball to Jokic" and Embiid still wouldn't have gotten the memo. 

There was another one where he GOES UNDER a ball screen and leaves Bogdanovic wide open from 3 and gives the most half hearted closeout. 

In both cases, USA was spared. Bogdan missed the 3. Jokic got fouled and they had to reset.

But make no mistake, team USA won in SPITE of Embiid, not because of him.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Embiid scored 7 straight but also gave up 4-5 offensive rebounds so at best a net neutral there. He also just does the most lazy/lack of awareness defensive rotations I've ever seen.

The last minute Serbia did everything in their power to get the ball to Jokic in the paint. They got the switch where Curry was forced to guard Jokic, and Embiid had to guard Micic. Instead of denying the entry pass and forcing Micic to take a long 3pt shot with a minute remaining, Embiid basically gives Serbia exactly what they want. 
Micic could've basically tattooed on his forehead "I'm passing the ball to Jokic" and Embiid still wouldn't have gotten the memo. 

There was another one where he GOES UNDER a ball screen and leaves Bogdanovic wide open from 3 and gives the most half hearted closeout. 

In both cases, USA was spared. Bogdan missed the 3. Jokic got fouled and they had to reset.

But make no mistake, team USA won in SPITE of Embiid, not because of him.

Fair enough. Good points. Embiid isn't in good playing shape either.

[ThisIStheYear]

Watching Steph, Lebron, KD, and Joel lock in to high intensity, team basketball for the last 7 minutes of that game was incredible. I wish the all star game looked even 10% like that.

[Knutsen]

Watching Steph, Lebron, KD, and Joel lock in to high intensity, team basketball for the last 7 minutes of that game was incredible. I wish the all star game looked even 10% like that.

You would need big incentives for the winning team. I‘m not sure money could do that, you need a real prize. 

How about the winning conference gets homecourt advantage in the Finals? 

It‘s not like it’s fair as it is, with the good teams in the weaker conference like Boston getting handed easy wins against the bottom feeders.

[RGP1981]

You would need big incentives for the winning team. I‘m not sure money could do that, you need a real prize. 

How about the winning conference gets homecourt advantage in the Finals? 

It‘s not like it’s fair as it is, with the good teams in the weaker conference like Boston getting handed easy wins against the bottom feeders.

That's a really good idea. I can't think of a better or more appropriate prize to offer up than getting home-court advantage in the Finals, and as you said, the way it is right now isn't really fair anyway.

[Dahlsim]

Embiid scored 7 straight but also gave up 4-5 offensive rebounds so at best a net neutral there. He also just does the most lazy/lack of awareness defensive rotations I've ever seen.

The last minute Serbia did everything in their power to get the ball to Jokic in the paint. They got the switch where Curry was forced to guard Jokic, and Embiid had to guard Micic. Instead of denying the entry pass and forcing Micic to take a long 3pt shot with a minute remaining, Embiid basically gives Serbia exactly what they want. 
Micic could've basically tattooed on his forehead "I'm passing the ball to Jokic" and Embiid still wouldn't have gotten the memo. 

There was another one where he GOES UNDER a ball screen and leaves Bogdanovic wide open from 3 and gives the most half hearted closeout. 

In both cases, USA was spared. Bogdan missed the 3. Jokic got fouled and they had to reset.

Impossible to read a players defensive decisions like that unless you also know what his assignments are and what he might be covering for or compensating for in the team's defensive scheme on a given play.   The center has been protecting the rim and paint while at time also coming out to guard the 3.  
Steve Kerr has shown that he will play the players he thinks give them the best chance to win a given matchup.  He said he replaced Embiid with AD/Bam because the speed matchup against South Sudan.  Against Jokic however they absolutely needed Embiid. 

But make no mistake, team USA won in SPITE of Embiid, not because of him. 

Joel Embiid was +17 against Serbia.  
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/joe...r-AA1ouaC3 

But Embiid was essential to the Americans, especially as they did all they could to withstand Serbia's 3-point barrage (15-39) and claw back from a 17-point deficit.


It was no coincidence that the Americans outscored Serbia by 17 points in the 27 minutes Embiid was on the court. He was everywhere and did everything. He buried his patented foul-line jumpers. He manned the middle on defense. But he extended himself, too, bodying up Jokic on multiple possessions and throwing down a baseline slam after creating a runway with one of his slow-motion pump fakes
Embiid finished with 19 points — on a ridiculous 9-for-11 shooting — 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, along with one critical, back-breaking screen to free up Curry for a go-ahead triple with just over two minutes remaining, giving Team USA its first lead since the first quarter.

https://twitter.com/usabasketball/status...0707421416

[RGP1981]

I think Team Germany should look at the last 5 drafts, and hit up every white American drafted to see if they might have any German ancestors. Then offer them dual US-German citizenship, and the opportunity to represent Team Germany if they don't get picked by Team USA. That should set them up nicely for LA 2028, lol.

From the 2024 draft, Knecht and Scheierman are both names of German origin. Christian Braun is another from 2022. They could also try tapping up guys like Chet Holmgren, Reed Sheppard, Tyler Kolek and Kyle Filipowski... just in case any of them had a German great-great-grandmother. Or if there's any gaps in their ancestry, it could be filled with a German one.

[Knutsen]

I think Team Germany should look at the last 5 drafts, and hit up every white American drafted to see if they might have any German ancestors. Then offer them dual US-German citizenship, and the opportunity to represent Team Germany if they don't get picked by Team USA. That should set them up nicely for LA 2028, lol.

From the 2024 draft, Knecht and Scheierman are both names of German origin. Christian Braun is another from 2022. They could also try tapping up guys like Chet Holmgren, Reed Sheppard, Tyler Kolek and Kyle Filipowski... just in case any of them had a German great-great-grandmother. Or if there's any gaps in their ancestry, it could be filled with a German one.

Since between 45 and 60 million of the American people are of German origin the chances should be quite good.

[Knutsen]

That's a really good idea. I can't think of a better or more appropriate prize to offer up than getting home-court advantage in the Finals, and as you said, the way it is right now isn't really fair anyway.

Thank you - maybe I should give Adam Silver a hint…

[dirkfansince1998]

I think Team Germany should look at the last 5 drafts, and hit up every white American drafted to see if they might have any German ancestors. Then offer them dual US-German citizenship, and the opportunity to represent Team Germany if they don't get picked by Team USA. That should set them up nicely for LA 2028, lol.

From the 2024 draft, Knecht and Scheierman are both names of German origin. Christian Braun is another from 2022. They could also try tapping up guys like Chet Holmgren, Reed Sheppard, Tyler Kolek and Kyle Filipowski... just in case any of them had a German great-great-grandmother. Or if there's any gaps in their ancestry, it could be filled with a German one.

Main reason for their success in the last few years was chemistry. Among international teams they played more reps together than anyone else. Basically the same core for the last three tournaments. They have better individual talent (Kleber, Hartenstein) but they will never be able to match the US or France when it comes to star power. Going with a different approach seems like a smart choice.
If they find US players that are willing to buy into an all in team first approach that's obviously an option but just adding player x/y/z for one tournament probably makes them worse.

[Mavs2021]

Main reason for their success in the last few years was chemistry. Among international teams they played more reps together than anyone else. Basically the same core for the last three tournaments. They have better individual talent (Kleber, Hartenstein) but they will never be able to match the US or France when it comes to star power. Going with a different approach seems like a smart choice.
If they find US players that are willing to buy into an all in team first approach that's obviously an option but just adding player x/y/z for one tournament probably makes them worse.

France is not that good. They would not even have qualified without the home Olympics and their over-physical style that killed Canada and Germany offensively would never be allowed anywhere else. It´s the same story on the women´s side.

[dirkfansince1998]

France is not that good. They would not even have qualified without the home Olympics and their over-physical style that killed Canada and Germany offensively would never be allowed anywhere else. It´s the same story on the women´s side.

But they have the individual talent. What is hurting them is the US-like approach and style of play that doesn't translate to FIBA rules. You don't need the best available NBA talent. You need the best possible FIBA team.
Gobert for example has never been good in FIBA tournaments. But he is their superstar NBA big and will always get a roster/starting spot. Joffrey Lauvergne on the other looked way better when he played for France but hasn't made the roster since 2018.

[Knutsen]

Yabusele was really good against Canada as well. Don’t know why he couldn’t stay in the league, his style of play and physicality should work well in the NBA as a backup 4, shouldn’t it? 

To quote myself after the first half: get him back to the league, the dunk over LeBron would habe been enough for me to give him Powell‘s spot, but he played amazing on a lot of other plays as well.

[dirkfansince1998]

France helping off Curry. Where is the raging youtube coach when you need him...

[SleepingHero]

STEPH CURRY IS INSANE

[Knutsen]

STEPH CURRY IS INSANE

They would arguably have lost against Serbia and today without the chef cooking.

[DallasMaverick]

“Number one option” Anthony Edwards with nine minutes of playing time.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

STEPH CURRY IS INSANE

We've all seen this movie before..

[Mavs2021]

How in the world did I miss the Georgia/Philippines Olympic qualifier? Georgia needed to win by 19 points to advance. Georgia was up 3 with 2.8 seconds, fouled to send the Phillippines to the line. They make the first, miss the second and Goga (I think) tries to tip the miss into his own basket to send the game to OT at 96-96, so Georgia can try to win by 19 in OT, but he missed the own basket putback attempt. That is seriously one of the funniest things I have seen in a long time.