World basketball tournaments...

[sandler]

you think team USA can win? they almost lost against brazil in a warmup game. but, hey, its just a warm up game. i think they can. especially with lebron, d wade and melo maturing. that would be great to watch!

[westside08]

Although what is the status on melo's injury. I don't know, there is no question the team has talent but i still think they have that cockiness in them as though every game is going to be easy and they will win by 40 pts.

Didn't get to see much of the game but did see some espn analyists talking about it and they mentioned how the team failed to make free throws down the stretch. That is just some bball fundamentals that you can't ignore.

Part of the reason why I pay more attention to college ball

[squonk]

I think we are not going to see the real power of USA until the world champ. And I also think ARG and LTU and serious candidates.

[sandler]

also,the center position for team USA is not that strong.

[zbeast78]

is it wrong to hope the US fails just because coach K is their coach??? i feel guilty about it, but it is coach K.

[sandler]

im wondering, i dont see canada on the list. we all know what steve nash can do so i know they can hold their own against some of the teams there. esp japan and china :)

[dwaynewade]

As long as the US team stays healthy, they will win it. They now lost a number of key players like Kobe and recently Gilbert Arenas. They are an athletic bunch of players which is different from the US dream team that was built on power and inside presence. They will have to play their game and defend against the good outside shooters from Asia and Europe.

[Humpie]

Basketball is a sport I don't like to play and see, sorry. There is a lot of money involved that's the only thing I know for sure. :077:

[sandler]

team usa should improve their shooting game also.

[lets_procreate]

At least this team plays a lot like a team and less like an All-Star game. Personally, I'm patriotic so I'mgoing for Australia, who just lost to Yao Ming's China team, 63-61. It's a good sign for Houston fans.

[Debonya31]

They better win - best athletes in the world... Go USA!

[sandler]

USA is looking pretty impressive. they destroyed china so bad! but things will get tougher for sure when they face the south american and european teams. i still think theyre gonna win it.

[squonk]

I want to see USA against a strong team like Italy. Im a bit surprised because USA let their opponent to make high scores (average of 90 or 95 per game), I don't think thats because their defence is not strong...

[dwaynewade]

I think their defense is not what it used to be. There is no inside presence to stop people from driving down the lane. No single man will block shots or dominate the boards. This team's defense is really coming from a team effort. I think coach K is doing a great job. However, this team's defense is really going to be great offense. If they consistently shoot the ball well, it scares the wits out of their opponents.

[Debonya31]

I am hoping Coach K will keep the momentum going. It's always tough when you have to coach guys making millions who have attitudes out of this world...

[sandler]

team usa beat germany a while ago. USA just has too many options. if wade is having a bad game, theres melo or lebron. not to mention they have brand! if their shooting gets better, end of the story! its a done deal!

[lets_procreate]

This team doesn't have the attitudes it used to. I think if you inject Kobe into this team, you kill what's made them such a successful and well coached team. Bottom line: STAY AWAY FROM KOBE!

[sandler]

wow, team usa lost to greece! its greece and spain in the finals. how many wake up calls does team usa need to send in their best players?? i was really rooting for them but the international play of basketball has changed dramatically and i think its about time team usa change the way they play also. but i do think they've made huge improvements since the last worlds and olympics.

[jalen]

bye bye USA :)

[chrismasters]

wow, what an upset. everyone was so sure that USA was going to win gold. the greece team is impressive, they don't even have any nba players but i'm sure that's going to change in the near future

[Creamy Goodness]

If you were watchin the game you realised the US was gonna lose, especially in the last 4 mins when they still had a chance but made some dumb decisions.
It was funny watching the game coz i was rooting for US to win like they were the underdog or something

[sandler]

its a toss up in the finals but id have to give the edge to greece :)

[allegro8]

Congrats to Greece, they were the BETTER team! I was hoping USA would win, but, oh well. **it happens. No need to feel it was an upset win when team USA (regardless of who''s coaching) continually fields a mercenary sqaud every two years, rolls out the basketballs, and expects the rest of the world to cower based on past performance. Sucessfull International teams train together continuously, and that philosophy will win international competitions. Better luck in the 2008 Olympics.

[dwaynewade]

Gone are the days when USA dominated this sport. I was hoping team USA would win the title but what allegro8 said is true. Other countries train the same team continuously for several years. Team USA has to come up with a team that will seriously train together. I also think that they should make some roster changes. They need better shooters to help spread the zone defense.

[dougie04]

i really wanted the USA to win this time, i think those guys have matured alot (their image has cleaned up). Many sports analyst are talking bad about them, but other countries prepare for 2 years. They practice for 2 years together, and not to mention their team is their (that countries) cream of the crop. They just put America's team together a couple months ago. Then it's not our cream of the crop. Our creme of the crop (Kobe Bryant, Shaq, etc...) doesn't want to play. That's there off season and they want to rest after playing a long season, they want to spend time with families, etc...

[sandler]

USA won third place beating argentina. that is a huge step for team usa since argentina is the olypmic champion. dwayne wade killed the argentinians in the fourth quarter. this guy is phenomenal and the way he carries himself. never cocky.

carmelo, on the other hand, is selfish. they should kick this guy off the team. sure he had success in the earlier games, which were easier, but when they faced tougher teams, he struggled, yet he kept on shooting the ball and not really get everyone involved. argentina was leading most of the first half but when coach k sat melo down, team usa went on to lead before the half ended.

no offense to melo fans. if you dont believe me, watch the games :)