johnsteed

**dreamtheatre** · 3rd August 2006, 08:31 AM

34605488 19 Ağu 04:30 1.45 FIBA World Championship 2006 UNI @ 1.45
562.00

John i betted 562 dollars on the championship of the USA national basketball team in the Fiba World championships. Do you think it was a wise decision. Will the king and flash be enough for the title?

**tennis_balls** · 3rd August 2006, 08:59 AM

yes, Steed......do tell!.....(so I can be the opposite!

)

**johnsteed** · 3rd August 2006, 12:36 PM

***

Wow, tough question.

As always is the case with the U.S. squad, on paper, they're awesome! Great individual talent there. Heck, even if they took the best NCAA players from last year (why DON'T they do that... the college level will always buy into the "team" concept above their own accomplishments), they're probably better on paper than the rest of the draw. But... international players - for the most part - or rather teams from other countries generally play together for much longer, prepare much longer, and have a great understanding of each other's strengths and weaknesses.

While I'm sure LeBron is excited to be playing with his best "buds" Melo and Wade, will they be great at playing off each other's strengths, and helping-out at covering each other's weaknesses. Not so sure.

But... I think this will be the year the players on this team will put the "team" first. I think they should put less emphasis on LeBron though. The guy who'll be the leader on this team, will be Wade... IF this team will succeed. You've got to go with the champion, not the player most predict will be "THE CHOSEN ONE" (that being LeBron).

Wade is not Jordan, and I don't care about future potential and all that, he was the greatest, and would still find a way to stand-out ahead of the Draft Class of '03. However, Wade shows that same determination and fire that Jordan had. He's the player who's game most resembles Michael Jordan's. Actually, I'm going to change that. Jordan's game was different, but they have that same fire, although Jordan's was more NOVAesque.

I'll try to steer clear of Larry Brown as best as I can, but I MUST mention this first. He rarely played LeBron, Wade, or Melo the last time they were altogether for the '04 Olympic squad. I think this group - this time out - really want to dispel the idea that the U.S. can't play a "team game". I hope that they have a chip-on-their-shoulders this time, and frankly, I would guess that they do.

The ONLY thing I'm worried about, is that these guys will have too much fun hanging around each other. If I were the coach, I'd want them to be pissed-off, no hugging, trying to push any negative into a positive; great effort and assertiveness. The greatest example of a player trying to hard to be friends with all the other stars around the league, is Vince Carter. I'm sure he's loved, and that makes him happy. But, when he went too far into that direction, the focus was gone. The game should be played as if the opponent is your enemy, not someone you're trying to hook-up for dinner with after the game.

So, in the end, yes, I think that I would back your gamble. This team is really about the U.S. making their mark again, showing the world who's boss. And the under card is that this is about the "next generation", specifically the Draft Class of '03. I think it'll work this time out. Everyone should know their role, and with focus, their talent will prevail.

Steed

***

**cipher** · 3rd August 2006, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by johnsteed

***

Wow, tough question.

As always is the case with the U.S. squad, on paper, they're awesome! Great individual talent there. Heck, even if they took the best NCAA players from last year (why DON'T they do that... the college level will always buy into the "team" concept above their own accomplishments), they're probably better on paper than the rest of the draw. But... international players - for the most part - or rather teams from other countries generally play together for much longer, prepare much longer, and have a great understanding of each other's strengths and weaknesses.

While I'm sure LeBron is excited to be playing with his best "buds" Melo and Wade, will they be great at playing off each other's strengths, and helping-out at covering each other's weaknesses. Not so sure.

But... I think this will be the year the players on this team will put the "team" first. I think they should put less emphasis on LeBron though. The guy who'll be the leader on this team, will be Wade... IF this team will succeed. You've got to go with the champion, not the player most predict will be "THE CHOSEN ONE" (that being LeBron).

Wade is not Jordan, and I don't care about future potential and all that, he was the greatest, and would still find a way to stand-out ahead of the Draft Class of '03. However, Wade shows that same determination and fire that Jordan had. He's the player who's game most resembles Michael Jordan's. Actually, I'm going to change that. Jordan's game was different, but they have that same fire, although Jordan's was more NOVAesque.

I'll try to steer clear of Larry Brown as best as I can, but I MUST mention this first. He rarely played LeBron, Wade, or Melo the last time they were altogether for the '04 Olympic squad. I think this group - this time out - really want to dispel the idea that the U.S. can't play a "team game". I hope that they have a chip-on-their-shoulders this time, and frankly, I would guess that they do.

The ONLY thing I'm worried about, is that these guys will have too much fun hanging around each other. If I were the coach, I'd want them to be pissed-off, no hugging, trying to push any negative into a positive; great effort and assertiveness. The greatest example of a player trying to hard to be friends with all the other stars around the league, is Vince Carter. I'm sure he's loved, and that makes him happy. But, when he went too far into that direction, the focus was gone. The game should be played as if the opponent is your enemy, not someone you're trying to hook-up for dinner with after the game.

So, in the end, yes, I think that I would back your gamble. This team is really about the U.S. making their mark again, showing the world who's boss. And the under card is that this is about the "next generation", specifically the Draft Class of '03. I think it'll work this time out. Everyone should know their role, and with focus, their talent will prevail.

Steed

***

Very well put together post John Steed.

Have a good one.

**maxlevine** · 9th August 2006, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by cipher

Very well put together post John Steed.

Have a good one.

I second that. Good analysis, John.

Max

**tennis_balls** · 12th August 2006, 04:40 AM

Perhaps a bit terse, but adequate, Steed.

**tennis_balls** · 12th August 2006, 07:35 AM

full disclosure.....i did look up the word "terse"

**dreamtheatre** · 25th August 2006, 07:17 PM

i watched all the games played in japan 2006 fiba world chanpionship.

first of all congratulations to my country Turkey. we won four out of five games without our two nba players including beats against lithuania and brasil.

spain and argentina are very dangerous and strong teams. i can say that usa cannot easily beat any of these teams. i am beginning to worry for my 560 dollars

**johnsteed** · 28th August 2006, 08:55 AM

***

I'd have to agree with you "dreamtheatre", because I'm half-expecting some kind of slip to happen along the way.

But... I wouldn't want that $560 on any other team than the U.S. squad. This group will not be taking Argentina or Spain (or pretty much any other team) lightly. That's the difference between now, and that last two squads that went to battle. I get the sense that the coaching staff probably have tons of scouts watching the other team's games, and have likely been doing so for quite some time.

They may very well lose, but I just don't see that happening. On hunger alone, they should have it. On trying to regain U.S. pride, it's serious this time. It hasn't been THIS serious since they put out that first Dream Team squad in '92, and even then, while certainly a greater team at that time, this team has to play with far greater pressure... and they know that they aren't above losing. There have already been few minor bumps along the way, but nothing where you should feel the need to sound-the-alarm.

As far as I'm concerned, it still seems to be a safe bet. As long as the U.S. keeps doing what they're presently doing, while continuing to make "smart" adjustments AND never forgetting to play like a team, they can't be beat. A team may keep it close throughout 4 quarters of any particular game (I see this happening at least once), but this team will prevail. I wish I had put that kind of money on this team.

I still feel that Dwayne Wade should be recognized as the squad's leader (by the media that is)... not LeBron.

Steed

***

**tennis_balls** · 28th August 2006, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by johnsteed

I still feel that Dwayne Wade should be recognized as the squad's leader (by the media that is)... not LeBron.

absolutely!

i think the US team would actually be tougher to beat if LeBron had taken this summer off. definately not a knock on LeBron's skill. But Wade is a proven champion, not a Nike appointed one.