2012 London Olympics

[STDiva]

Obviously the U.S would be the favourite, at any age level. But I don't think they would dominate. 2004 had LeBron, Melo and Wade under 23 and still lost. I also think young players playing international rules favours international teams. A lot of the big name NCAA guys are so raw and get by on athleticism, whereas international guys are more fundamentally sound. It'd be interesting to watch.

I hope all ages are allowed to continue to play though.

 

[xfire]

The only reason international teams are more fundamentally sound is because they've been playing together for years. Adopt the 23 and under rule and all those years of experience go out the window. The U.S. outclasses the rest of the world in basketball, always have, and probably always will. It's ok, other countries kick our ass at soccer. No one can touch Canada in Hockey. Apparently France is pretty bad ass in handball. It is what it is.

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

The only reason international teams are more fundamentally sound is because they've been playing together for years. Adopt the 23 and under rule and all those years of experience go out the window. The U.S. outclasses the rest of the world in basketball, always have, and probably always will. It's ok, other countries kick our ass at soccer. No one can touch Canada in Hockey. Apparently France is pretty bad ass in handball. It is what it is.

Canada had to take it to extra time at Vancouver to win the gold. Of all the "major" sports I'd say hockey has the most countries that can compete for gold (Sweden, Russia, USA, Czech, Finland) and others are gaining as well (Denmark, Norway, Latvia, Slovakia). Just my opinion of course.

Although, there are a lot of South American teams that can now compete in baseball, which is also true for Asian teams too. Now soccer isn't really a "major" sport in North America, but it for sure probably has the most teams worldwide that can compete for olympic gold and of course the World Cup. Again, just my observation.

 

[xfire]

Canada had to take it to extra time at Vancouver to win the gold. Of all the "major" sports I'd say hockey has the most countries that can compete for gold (Sweden, Russia, USA, Czech, Finland) and others are gaining as well (Denmark, Norway, Latvia, Slovakia). Just my opinion of course.

Although, there are a lot of South American teams that can now compete in baseball, which is also true for Asian teams too. Now soccer isn't really a "major" sport in North America, but it for sure probably has the most teams worldwide that can compete for olympic gold and of course the World Cup. Again, just my observation.

Canada has won 11 gold medals in Olympic hockey and are still at the top of their game. My point is that I have no problem conceding that some countries dominate some other sports. Why are there always people that want to argue that the U.S. isn't dominate in basketball?

The international game of basketball is decades behind the U.S. It wasn't until 1992 that the United States, finally, started sending our professionals to compete in Olympic basketball. The rest of the world had been sending teams full of seasoned veterans for years, while the U.S., until '92 continued to send only college players. David Stern wants all countries to send 23 and younger players to the Olympics because it will take the pressure off of NBA players to compete in the Olympics every four years. If the rest of the world had been doing what the United States was doing up until '92, NBA players never would have gotten the call to play in the Olympics. Why should U.S. collegians have to play international teams fielding pro players that were older and more experienced? Because it was the only way the international teams had a chance to beat the U.S. Now, instead of beating the U.S. with older and more experienced players, other teams have gone to flopping, hard fouling, and every other dirty tactic there is to slow down the tempo of the game and keep the U.S. out of any kind of rhythm or flow. As "good" as teams like Spain are, they are still poor seconds to the talent of USA basketball.

 

[BAYAMONXXX]

Haters Gonna Hate!

Melo. Kobe, Nas and Swizz celebrating!

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

Canada has won 11 gold medals in Olympic hockey and are still at the top of their game. My point is that I have no problem conceding that some countries dominate some other sports. Why are there always people that want to argue that the U.S. isn't dominate in basketball?

The international game of basketball is decades behind the U.S. It wasn't until 1992 that the United States, finally, started sending our professionals to compete in Olympic basketball. The rest of the world had been sending teams full of seasoned veterans for years, while the U.S., until '92 continued to send only college players. David Stern wants all countries to send 23 and younger players to the Olympics because it will take the pressure off of NBA players to compete in the Olympics every four years. If the rest of the world had been doing what the United States was doing up until '92, NBA players never would have gotten the call to play in the Olympics. Why should U.S. collegians have to play international teams fielding pro players that were older and more experienced? Because it was the only way the international teams had a chance to beat the U.S. Now, instead of beating the U.S. with older and more experienced players, other teams have gone to flopping, hard fouling, and every other dirty tactic there is to slow down the tempo of the game and keep the U.S. out of any kind of rhythm or flow. As "good" as teams like Spain are, they are still poor seconds to the talent of USA basketball.

I don't care one way or another if we send our pros and "Dream Team" it up, but it's interesting to see the collection of talent.

No how we can solve this problem though? Owners who invest millions into these players just simply put an injury clause in their massive contract; something along the lines of you can't play in the Olympics, period, or you can play in the Olympics but if you're injured you forfit money lost from time off from said injury if you do play. Why owners who dump 8-9 figure contracts on these athletes don't have these clauses is beyond me.

At the end of the day we could still just send our NCAA best (or under 23 or whatever) and still be contenders every time we play international, and because basketball is like three or four on my list of sports I tend to follow, I honestly don't care.

Haters Gonna Hate!

Melo. Kobe, Nas and Swizz celebrating!

Why would Kobe be cool with Nas after he blasted the shit out of him on "these are our heroes"? LMAO Kobe wants to be cool with Nas even though Nas tore him a new asshole on that joint.



Kobe on Nas' dick, LMAO.

 

[xfire]

I don't care one way or another if we send our pros and "Dream Team" it up, but it's interesting to see the collection of talent.

No how we can solve this problem though? Owners who invest millions into these players just simply put an injury clause in their massive contract; something along the lines of you can't play in the Olympics, period, or you can play in the Olympics but if you're injured you forfit money lost from time off from said injury if you do play. Why owners who dump 8-9 figure contracts on these athletes don't have these clauses is beyond me.

At the end of the day we could still just send our NCAA best (or under 23 or whatever) and still be contenders every time we play international, and because basketball is like three or four on my list of sports I tend to follow, I honestly don't care.

I don't know how to solve the issue but I can tell you this, when your country calls you to represent them at the Olympics, you go. No hesitation, no questions, you go and represent your country to the best of your ability. It's not happenstance that we lead all nations in Olympic gold. Makes me proud as hell and I would love to see our nation come together and hash out all the tough problems of our times with the sort of resolve we take into the Olympics.

 

[TheSpokenWheel]

Not sure if this was from the games or not, but anyways:

 

[squallumz]

sad to see it all end.

the coverage was more than disappointing. i hope, i really hope, they fix that next go around.

all the nbc coverage was about promoting their shitty little sitcoms.

the fact that all they showed were US medal ceremonies spit on the face of the fact that its a world event.

 

[lurkingdirk]

 

[squallumz]

hehe /\

 

[Sam Fisher]

I didn't watch one second of the Olympics.

 

[lurkingdirk]

I didn't watch one second of the Olympics.

Good thing you came into the Olympics thread, then.

 

[beauregard]

Actually, Spain only had 3 NBA players. The Other 9 are playing in the russian league.
Russia had 3 NBA players, Argentina had 4, Brazil 3, France 6, Australia 2, Lithuania 0

Wrong information Johan. Spain fielded a NBA team.

Pau Gasol - Lakers
Jose Calderon - Raptors
Marc Gasol - Grizzlies
Serge Ibaki - Thunder

Rudy Fernandez - played 4 years in the NBA before moving to Real Madrid
Sergio Rodriguez - 4 years in the NBA
Juan Carlos Navarro - 1 year in the NBA

Only the following never played in the NBA, but many were drafted, but they chose to stay. All play for a Spanish League team.
Victor Claver - Trail Blazers - Drafted in 2009, just signed an offer last month to play finally. (so no NBA experience, but about to play for a 3 yr contract)
Felipe Reyes -
Fernando San Emerito
Sergio Llull
Victor Sada

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

Wrong information Johan. Spain fielded a NBA team.

Pau Gasol - Lakers
Jose Calderon - Raptors
Marc Gasol - Grizzlies
Serge Ibaki - Thunder

Rudy Fernandez - played 4 years in the NBA before moving to Real Madrid
Sergio Rodriguez - 4 years in the NBA
Juan Carlos Navarro - 1 year in the NBA

Only the following never played in the NBA, but many were drafted, but they chose to stay. All play for a Spanish League team.
Victor Claver - Trail Blazers - Drafted in 2009, just signed an offer last month to play finally. (so no NBA experience, but about to play for a 3 yr contract)
Felipe Reyes -
Fernando San Emerito
Sergio Llull
Victor Sada

I think we are talking about current NBAers.

 

[larss]

Not sure if this was from the games or not, but anyways:

Nice butt.
But this was Istanbul (as it says on her number) earlier this year.

 

[xfire]

I didn't watch one second of the Olympics.

The fuck's wrong with you? Just can't waste an opportunity to dumb down a thread, can you?

 

[24 Grams]

I heard that about NBC, on the BBC on the other hand I could pretty much watch every single sport at any time...I do live in London though...and like 30 mins from the Olympic park.

The Swimming and the basketball were the best events for me...(even though football...soccer...but seriously, football is my favourite sport, football in the Olympics is second rate IMO).

Of course the USA are going to be the best at Basketball, even though Spain do take their Basketball seriously. That's like the USA playing Spain in football (or soccer) Spain would definitely win then...

I'm surprised us Brits did so well overall...okay, maybe the Cycling and the Rowing but track and field too? It was almost shocking.

And WTF happened to the US in terms of Boxing? You guys used to be the best...again us Brits pretty much cleaned up there too.

Did anyone also see the Rhythmic Gymnast events? Great stuff.

....And who is that?

 

[24 Grams]

....And who is that?

No need. I Google image searched her.

Ivet Lalova

 

[beauregard]

I think we are talking about current NBAers.

Of which, there are 4, about to be 5. And none play in the Russian league like Johan said.

Johans post:

Actually, Spain only had 3 NBA players. The Other 9 are playing in the russian league.
Russia had 3 NBA players, Argentina had 4, Brazil 3, France 6, Australia 2, Lithuania 0