no it's not. Maybe look up plausible.

Kobe's fine on this squad. He could be better, he's not, he's just not that bright and never has been, but he's playing sick D at least.

I don't see your point. You have a better alternate explanation?

he's saying some sort of need to prove themselves is not why they are playing good defense. it probably has more to do w/the gap in talent/athleticism at the wing position

it's either that, or the fact that they are a lot better than most opponents

I don't think that was the argument.

Anyway, I said monster defensive effort. Wade and LeBron are everywhere - be it diving for loose balls, hustle steals, or (in LeBrons's case) endless blocks from behind and on the break. This is stuff we don't see out of them most of the time in the NBA and they get paid for those games.

On one hand we have LeBron and his Global Icon ambitions and on the other we have Dwyane "I was written off the quickest anybody ever has in one year" Wade. http://chicagosports.chicagotribune....,1351146.story

These guys are competitive. They want to show the world that they are the best. And to see Kobe worshipped by the Chinese has to kill them when they're both far better players.

I don't want to hear about the talent gap. Spain has what, seven NBA talents? These same international teams did pretty well against lesser US teams the last two times out.

i missed that you were reffering to effort. even so i don't think it has anything to do w/proving themselves relative to bryant, but has everything to do w/their desire to take down gold and re-establish america as the best basketball team in the world.

why not? it's massive talent gap; all nba talent is not equal. they did do well against america in previous international comps, but that doesn't mean they had more, or even comparable talent. if you think the talent is close, you're kidding yourself.

7 NBA level talents but only 2 are all star level to me right now in Pau and Calderon (close). The rest of the team is NBA level but if you take a look, the NBA has about 9 all-nba level players and 3 good 1 former MVP level player, 1 all-star level and 1 all-defensive level player. So recently we also sent about that level of talent, but the team concept wasn't as good nor was the European style readiness of the team. Honestly I hated AI being the face of the team last time. Also they didn't have good / great 3 point shooters which is a must in this type of competition. Now they are geared towards the European Game + have rediculous D + have 3 point shooters + have 3 very good PGs.

they don't ****ing need Kobe to psych themselves up. They're playing a fraction of the minutes on a talent packed squad where they aren't always the primary (or only) offensive option.

Also, effort is pretty hard to define. It might just look like a lot more effort because they're abusing weak talent. I've always felt LeBron gets far too much criticism for his defense. He works hard on the defensive end night in night out. Wade's doing what he's always done.. gambled like crazy. He gets away with it here.

Kobe-worship might be a factor, but it's far from the most plausible explanation.

In one sense, you're right. The talent gap is meaningless (the US had the most talent in 2004 and in 2006 also).

But there IS a talent gap. And a rather large one at that. Even saying Spain has 7 NBA level talents shows how far the difference is. Obviously, the US has 12 NBA level talents. And that's what kills many teams--depth. Nobody's first team can keep up with US's second team (probably not even the US first team).

if they were actually out to prove how much better they are they would be forcing shots and trying to take over games, which they haven't been doing. This discussion doesn't make any sense.

just as a basic point, while we probably had the most talent in '04 and '06, the gap is much larger now. We just have a much better team than the '04 olympic squad. The only true great we miss from that team is Duncan. Melo is way better now than he was back then (he was way overrated then), Wade as well, even LeBron has improved. AI is somewhat overrated and his game is ill suited for FIBA play. Marbury and Richard Jefferson just aren't that good.

This team is just stacked like no team has been since '96. It's that simple.

The good guys didn't even really play thanks to Coach Brown anyway.

I fully agree with kidcolin's last 3 posts regarding this issue.

I think Larry Brown being a pig headed ****** had more to do with us bombing in Athens than anything

i bet you guys are all scared about playing Aus right?

Game is close early, gg

Hopefully it doesn't come down to free throws (67% for USA). I'm sure it won't. It is nice to have a close game, at least until we get late into the third quarter.

wow, nice finish by Patty Mills, 1 pt game after 1st

This ones looks like it will still be close then. Aussies came to play.

USA 2nd team didn't dominate defensively like in earlier games.

That first quarter has me on tilt.

ha phelps turniong up to meet the team in some funky jacket

Damn, I knew Wade was efficient, but 72%? That's nucking futs!

#14 for Australia looks identical to the lead singer of Rise Against

D Williams is on tilt.