Team USA and FIBA 2014 World Cup

[Mott the Hoople]

I'm glad Kyrie is still in it. He can use the experience.
He played little college, and 3 seasons of NBA, and has yet to play an important game.

(Maybe 1 game in college, that he lost).

 

[Soar]

I'm actually kind of surprised Kyrie and even Harden didn't drop out yet either. Between Paul George's injury and these games not being too important, I'm thinking some other guys might drop out soon.

If the George injury didn't happen, these types of things wouldn't be said.

This competition and training camp is still a great way for younger players to improve their game.

But I think you probably see more of a push for younger rosters in these events. That will probably be the impact of the George injury.

So while Harden and Rose don't really need it, it still presents a great opportunity for guys like Lillard and Irving.

 

[batdan]

If the George injury didn't happen, these types of things wouldn't be said.

This competition and training camp is still a great way for younger players to improve their game.

But I think you probably see more of a push for younger rosters in these events. That will probably be the impact of the George injury.

So while Harden and Rose don't really need it, it still presents a great opportunity for guys like Lillard and Irving.

Rose may have needed to get back in the groove of things after taking a lot of time off from playing. A fluke injury like this can really rattle these guy's psyches and their thoughts about International play in general. That their livelihoods can be postponed or even ended in a blink of an eye by participating in a tournament that isn't an NBA game or Olympic game.

I agree. Guys like Irving and Lillard can reap the benefits of playing with other top level NBA players on a regular basis and the best of the International scene. It's why I wouldn't want that to end for other players because of an injury that wouldn't happen in an actual NBA game.

 

[Jack Brickman]

KD is mentally soft. Nothing else to it.

Blake and Love pulled out. George got hurt. KD was easily "the man", and he couldn't handle it.

Blake had an injury that caused him to withdraw. Fracture of some sort, I think.

 

[gourimoko]

I'd honestly like to see LeBron and Love just announce their intentions to play on the team and demand that Irving start behind closed doors... That'd be fucking awesome. Yes, injury concerns are real, but I tend to follow Simmons' train of thought here in that players get injured in practice more often than in games and it's good experience nonetheless.

 

[gourimoko]

By the way, I think it's bullshit that Rose is most likely starting over Irving.. Guy has barely played any games in two years and he walks in starting? That's garbage..

 

[Kbiz]

He's an MVP. He's earned it regardless of if he has played the last two years. Everything we have heard about him suggests he is 100%. I see no issue with him starting over KI.

 

[gourimoko]

He's an MVP. He's earned it regardless of if he has played the last two years. Everything we have heard about him suggests he is 100%. I see no issue with him starting over KI.

Something tells me this is hype though.

 

[Kbiz]

Something tells me this is hype though.

That very well might be the case, and if true, we will be seeing a lot of Kyrie. I am just excited to see some basketball already. The summer league just doesn't do it for me.

 

[Randolphkeys]

Rose needs to play in meaningful competition. His motivation to knock off rust makes more sense than a lot of the other guys playing. As with anything related to playing for your country, sure there is the global marketing angle... but I know some players do carry some legitimate Patriotism. If a player has relatives in the Armed Services, it's a way to give back since the team does a lot of tie in with the enlisted.

 

[Toph]

Rudy Gay added to the team :chuckles:

 

[shoes22]

Rudy Gay added to the team :chuckles:

That's how you know not to take this thing seriously anymore.

 

[kevin02]

That's how you know not to take this thing seriously anymore.

Why... because they added an extremely talented basketball player that any other team in the world cup would love to have (if he was from there of course)?

The whole bashing the FIBA World Cup thing annoys me because to some countries it's actually a pretty big deal. I feel like we come across as stereotypical arrogant Americans when we act like our players are too good for the World Cup.

I don't have anything against players who decide not to play because I'm sure their team's management encourages them not to; however, I think it's great when you see players participating in an event like this and showing their talent to the rest of the world.

Back to Rudy Gay though... I actually think he is a really good fit for team USA and a solid replacement for George and Durant. I highly doubt he is going to be ball hog as he knows he has to fit a specific role when playing for team USA.

 

[Cashius X]

"I’ve been (around) for four years in a row. I think that’s enough time," Wall said. "Everybody had the same fair amount of time as far as being (in Las Vegas) and playing. I think [Team USA] already had kind of in their mind what they wanted to do and what decisions they were going (to make)."

http://www.csnwashington.com/basket.../wall-team-usa-cut-guess-i’m-overlooked-again

Yeah John....you didn't get a fair share Everybody who watched the scrimmage knew he was the obvious choice to be cut. Played like complete shit.

 

[kevin02]

http://www.csnwashington.com/basket.../wall-team-usa-cut-guess-i’m-overlooked-again

Yeah John....you didn't get a fair share Everybody who watched the scrimmage knew he was the obvious choice to be cut. Played like complete shit.

Meh I don't completely blame him. I think most of us have gotten the impression that the coaches there don't view him as a good fit for "team USA basketball." Basically, he is probably right in saying that Coach K knew ahead of time he was unlikely to make the team.

He probably didn't deserve to make the team but I wouldn't be surprised if there is some favoritism visible by the coaching staff at times (cough cough... Coach K and Kyrie) and I can understand how that would be frustrating.