Olympic Basketball (other events too, if you want)

A late start for this thread, but...I don't think there's a need for a separate thread for the rest of the Olympic sports, so just add them here if you'd like to comment.


France just beat USA, 83-76. USA's demise began in the 2nd quarter when we only scored 11 points.

Game high scorer, Evan Fournier of France with 28 on 11-23, 4-13 from 3. Brad owns his Bird Rights.

USA high scorer, Jrue Holiday with 18.

Durant 10 on 4-12, 1-6 from 3. Tatum 9 on 3-9, 1-5 from 3.

https://www.espn.com/mens-olympics-basketball/boxscore/_/gameId/401344325



Bob


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Anyone concerned how bad Tatum’s efficiency has been in every game so far?

cowens/oldschool wrote:Anyone concerned how bad Tatum’s efficiency has been in every game so far?

Yes. Honestly, Tatum is presently over-rated. He's a damn good player, but he is maddeningly inconsistent. Overall his Stats aren't terrible because he can get so hot, but their are too many quarters, halves, and even whole games where he shoots terribly. I hope he isn't believing his own hype.

He has had alot thrown at him in one year. Being picked for the USA basketball team, New contract, all-star election, Covid (and that is a huge thing, he really struggled when he came back), A team in a bit of a funk, being chosen for the Olympic team. And then there was that stretch of scoring 40 plus in how many games? Everyone telling him he is the "man", new coach, new gm, just alot on one year. So here he is on the Olympic team with some big names, and he is trying to to find his nitch.

He still needs some maturing, it will come, give him time

RosalieTCeltics wrote:He has had alot thrown at him in one year. Being picked for the USA basketball team,   New contract, all-star election, Covid (and that is a huge thing, he really struggled when he came back), A team in a bit of a funk, being chosen for the Olympic team.  And then there was that stretch of scoring 40 plus in how many games? Everyone telling him he is the "man", new coach, new gm, just alot on one year.  So here he is on the Olympic team with some big names, and he is trying to to find his nitch.  

He still needs some maturing, it will come, give him time

Great perspective, thanks...

[quote="bobheckler"]A late start for this thread, but...I don't think there's a need for a separate thread for the rest of the Olympic sports, so just add them here if you'd like to comment.  


France just beat USA, 83-76.  USA's demise began in the 2nd quarter when we only scored 11 points.

Game high scorer, Evan Fournier of France with 28 on 11-23, 4-13 from 3.  Brad owns his Bird Rights.

USA high scorer, Jrue Holiday with 18.

Durant 10 on 4-12, 1-6 from 3.  Tatum 9 on 3-9, 1-5 from 3.  

https://www.espn.com/mens-olympics-basketball/boxscore/_/gameId/401344325



Bob


.[/quote Jrue Holiday has got to be totally exhausted! Gotta admire that.

Middleton did not even make it into the game did he?

A very unimpressive game by Durant, he looks disinterested. Maybe I am just being to critical, but I expected more from him during this time.

Let’s face it, most of these guys have to be exhausted, they jumped right into it when their season ended. Then again, so didn’t Gobert and Batum, and Fournier. This scheduling was awful

Didn’t see the game, too early, from what I understand the USA team shared the ball, they just couldn’t make shots. Comes down to a make or miss league.

Fournier's pricetag just zoomed way up

Hey, Yabusele was in the starting lineup, played pretty good until he practically got knocked out at the end by an elbow to the face/head. Poirier on the team, along with Fournier. Fournier looked like he had lost weight, maybe I just forgot what he looked like!!!

The more shooters that opt out and go to free agency, the better it is for the Celtics to sign Fournier, I think.

Wow Luca so strong after a little rest, 48 points.

Why can’t Tatum of Durant or Lillard do that? This team needs more role players, the big shooters/scorers can’t get in rhythm.

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/boston-evan-fournier-comments-france-013434454.html


Boston’s Evan Fournier comments on how France was able to upset the US


Asher Low
Sun, July 25, 2021, 6:34 PM



It was the Evan Fournier show early Sunday morning in Tokyo as the Boston Celtics wing lit up Team USA to hand them their first Olympic loss since 2004.

Fournier dropped a game-high 28 points in France’s 83-76 upset victory over the Americans and after was asked about how his country was able to pull off the shocker. Even for Fournier and the French after a win, there is no denying that the individual quality of Team USA is far and away better than any squad in the tournament. The game, however, is won as a team:


Ben Golliver
@BenGolliver
@WashingtonPost
NBA Writer | “Bubbleball"
Ben Golliver
@BenGolliver
·
23h
France's Evan Fournier after beating USA Basketball in Tokyo Olympic opener: "They are better individually but they can be beaten as a team."


It was a team effort from Fournier and the French as they open group play 1-0. Up next for France is a battle with the Czech Republic on Wednesday.


Bob
MY NOTE:  Welcome to today's NBA.  A lot of macho one-on-one schoolyard BS to sell jerseys and feed their egos.


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https://www.yahoo.com/sports/russia-continues-to-make-mockery-of-olympic-ban-144953861.html



"Russia" continues to make mockery of Olympic ban


Dan Wetzel·Columnist
Mon, July 26, 2021, 7:49 AM



TOKYO — Four guys from Russia, wearing Russian colors, climbed up a podium to receive gold medals and listen to a Russian song right after a few onlookers chanted, “Rus-SEE-a, Rus-SEE-a,” the forever Russian chant.

Russia, however, didn’t win the men’s gymnastics team event here Monday. Nope. Not at all. Russia? Never heard of it. Russia isn’t here.

Or something like that.

The International Olympic Committee officially banned the country from being here due to blatant doping scandals that date back to the 2014 Sochi Olympics. The IOC generally has the moral compass of a KGB hit man, but even it couldn’t ignore this.

To recap just some of the story: In Sochi, the Russians constructed a building adjacent to the drug-testing lab and then cut a hole in the wall. Each night, after the lab closed, workers passed dirty athlete samples out and clean samples in.

Two predictable things happened: Russia won the most medals. Not a single Russian tested positive. When they got done doping the Olympics, they then did the same at the Paralympics as well, which seems particularly pathetic. Russia won the most medals there, too, of course, more than three times the next-best country.

The World Anti-Doping Agency eventually cracked the case, causing the man who orchestrated the scheme, Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov, to flee to the United States where he entered witness protection (not before being featured in the Netflix doc “Icarus”). This was wise. Two of his cohorts turned up dead back in Russia, but that was probably just a "coincidence."

Anyway, this was so egregious that even the IOC decided it had to punish the Russians.

So it did. Sort of.

“Russia” isn’t here but approximately 330 Russians are. If an athlete hasn’t tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs, then they are allowed to come.


(From R) Gold medalits Russia's David Belyavskiy, Russia's Denis Abliazin, Russia's Artur Dalaloyan and Russia's Nikita Nagornyy celebrate on the podium after winning the artistic gymnastics men's team final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo on July 26, 2021. (Photo by Loic VENANCE / AFP) (Photo by LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images)


They are technically competing for the “Russian Olympic Committee,” which apparently the IOC thinks will confuse everyone.

Couldn’t they have at least gotten creative and dubbed the Russians the “Sochi Hole-in-the-Wall Club” or “Vlad’s Not Here” or “Mike Eurizione Says Hello” or something? Doesn’t cheating the world’s visually impaired skiers and wheelchair curlers out of fair competition, merit some trolling?

Some of the IOC sanctions seem a bit ridiculous. The Russian artistic swim team is allowed to set its routine to a punk tune called “With Russia from Love” … but the IOC is cutting out the word “Russia.” It’s like listening to Kanye on terrestrial radio.

At the medal ceremony here, the Russian national anthem was replaced by “Piano Concerto No. 1” by Tchaikovsky, the Russian composer. The flag raised was not the Russian flag, but one featuring waves of an Olympic torch … but using the Russian colors of blue, red and white.

No Russian flags are allowed at any venue (or the Opening or Closing Ceremony), but they can be hung about the Olympic Village. So there’s that. Not that it matters. The Russians designed their uniforms to mimic the beloved Trikolor.

“If the flag is not allowed, we ourselves will be the flag,” Rugby captain Alena Tiron told the Russian state news agency RIA Novostu.

In Russia, the Olympics gold medal you.

“We know which country we stand for,” Tiron said.

Everyone does. A country that is adept at embedding spies in the highest level of governments around the globe doesn’t even have to try to be sneaky over here.

This is the worst disguise since Clark Kent became Superman. It’s the meme of the two Spidermans pointing at each other. It’s a wonder Vladimir Putin hasn’t shown up here riding a horse, shirtless through downtown Tokyo … but sporting a fake mustache and calling himself Pladamir Vutin.

The IOC’s entire plan completely backfired. It certainly didn’t keep the Russians out. And it certainly didn’t shame Russia, where Putin has used the ban to pump up nationalistic pride.

State-run media there decry the punishment using the classic three-pronged tactic of all caught/aggrieved parties: a) we’re innocent; b) even if we are guilty, what about the other guys; c) the world/media is just out to get poor-little-victim-us anyway.

It works every time everywhere, from Montana to Moscow. In this case it’s made the Russian athletes arguably even bigger heroes.

“Russia is expert at using propaganda,” Sarah Owens, a professor and expert in Russian propaganda at the University of Maryland told Yahoo Sports. “This fits the Russians' constant "Us against the West" narrative, claiming that the athletes were unfairly treated as further evidence of how Russia is treated badly in the world in general.

“Russia is their team and you tend to support your team even in the face of scandals. This could work to the Kremlin's advantage to inspire anger at the international community and bolster Russian nationalism. That being said, Russians are a pretty sophisticated audience and are likely to be somewhat cynical about their government.”

The truth is there wasn’t much the IOC could do. Ignoring it would equate to condoning it. Yet punishing innocent athletes seems unfair — gymnast Elena Gerasimova, for example, was 9 years old during the Sochi Olympics. It wasn’t her fault.

The original sin was granting Putin the Winter Olympics in the first place. He spent $50 billion to host it. You think he was just going to take his chances on winning the most medals?

Bribes, however, pay bills.

So the IOC is still dealing with the cleanup seven years later, having to go through this charade: a bunch of Russians, dressed like Russian flags, climbing a podium to listen to a famed Russian composer and accept medals they will bring back to Russia.

They are definitely not competing for Russia. Nope. Not at all.


Bob


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https://www.yahoo.com/sports/report-team-usa-players-grumbling-151415911.html



Report: Team USA players grumbling about ‘San Antonio offense’



Dan Feldman
Mon, July 26, 2021, 8:14 AM


The United States men’s basketball team losing to France caused plenty of angst.

Apparently including among Team USA players, who don’t sound thrilled with U.S./San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.

Joe Vardon of The Athletic:

The players are frustrated, too, grumbling on their way back to the locker room about “running the San Antonio offense” when apparently they feel like there are better ideas.

Several years ago, the Spurs became known for their “beautiful game” offense. San Antonio players passed, cut and passed and cut again.


More recently, the Spurs’ offense has been defined by isolation and mid-range shooting.

Which of those contrasting styles are the Team USA players complaining about? It’s unclear. Against France, the Americans both tried to run somewhat-more-complex actions that didn’t work as well as the French plays and isolated (though jacking more 3-pointers than San Antonio does in those situations).

With a roster assembled on the fly, Team USA has limited chemistry. More-involved plays are difficult to execute.

The isolations didn’t go so well, either. There’s a lower ceiling on isos, and players stuck watching their teammates dominate the ball can become disengaged.

Really, the biggest takeaway: Everyone is frustrated.


Bob
MY NOTE:  Ego-driven basketball players thinking they know better than a coach with 5 rings that he earned by leading multiple dynasties.  NONE of those players have 5 rings.  ZERO.  Draymond Green has 3, Javale McGee has 3 and Durant has 2.  ALL of them were with, and through, the GSW dynasty.  McGee was a bit player on all 3 of those Championship teams and most people cannot understand how the Hell he got onto the US Olympic team roster.  Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton just won their first, their names haven't even been engraved on their rings yet that's how fresh.  I find this all very disturbing and disgusting.  If Steph Curry or Klay Thompson or LeBron were on the team and they beefed I might have more respect.  Green and Durant get some because they were significant, impact players on their Championship runs.  The rest?  Either a bunch of no-ring big-talkers who are ready to run to a team where they didn't have to be the alpha just so they could win one of Pop's 5 rings, or 90-day wonders (Hell, not even 90 days for the players from the Bucks...).


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cowens/oldschool wrote:Wow Luca so strong after a little rest, 48 points.

Why can’t Tatum of Durant or Lillard do that? This team needs more role players, the big shooters/scorers can’t get in rhythm.

They’re sharing the ball a little too much. They need to play just like they do in the NBA. You’re best 2 players touch the ball every offensive trip. They’re still the 2 take charge guys. This team is playing too much sharsee ball. It’s like everybody who made the trip means everybody is getting a turn. Nope!

bobheckler wrote:https://www.yahoo.com/sports/report-team-usa-players-grumbling-151415911.html



Report: Team USA players grumbling about ‘San Antonio offense’



Dan Feldman
Mon, July 26, 2021, 8:14 AM


The United States men’s basketball team losing to France caused plenty of angst.

Apparently including among Team USA players, who don’t sound thrilled with U.S./San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.

Joe Vardon of The Athletic:

The players are frustrated, too, grumbling on their way back to the locker room about “running the San Antonio offense” when apparently they feel like there are better ideas.

Several years ago, the Spurs became known for their “beautiful game” offense. San Antonio players passed, cut and passed and cut again.


More recently, the Spurs’ offense has been defined by isolation and mid-range shooting.

Which of those contrasting styles are the Team USA players complaining about? It’s unclear. Against France, the Americans both tried to run somewhat-more-complex actions that didn’t work as well as the French plays and isolated (though jacking more 3-pointers than San Antonio does in those situations).

With a roster assembled on the fly, Team USA has limited chemistry. More-involved plays are difficult to execute.

The isolations didn’t go so well, either. There’s a lower ceiling on isos, and players stuck watching their teammates dominate the ball can become disengaged.

Really, the biggest takeaway: Everyone is frustrated.


Bob
MY NOTE:  Ego-driven basketball players thinking they know better than a coach with 5 rings that he earned by leading multiple dynasties.  NONE of those players have 5 rings.  ZERO.  Draymond Green has 3, Javale McGee has 3 and Durant has 2.  ALL of them were with, and through, the GSW dynasty.  McGee was a bit player on all 3 of those Championship teams and most people cannot understand how the Hell he got onto the US Olympic team roster.  Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton just won their first, their names haven't even been engraved on their rings yet that's how fresh.  I find this all very disturbing and disgusting.  If Steph Curry or Klay Thompson or LeBron were on the team and they beefed I might have more respect.  Green and Durant get some because they were significant, impact players on their Championship runs.  The rest?  Either a bunch of no-ring big-talkers who are ready to run to a team where they didn't have to be the alpha just so they could win one of Pop's 5 rings, or 90-day wonders (Hell, not even 90 days for the players from the Bucks...).


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I saw nan glimpse of them running “The San Antonio offense” None!. That’s just the players making excuses for their sorry ass performance. Yeah, blame the HOF coach. GTHOH!

Pop isn't out there missing wide open shots.That would be Kevin Durant.

cowens/oldschool wrote:Anyone concerned how bad Tatum’s efficiency has been in every game so far?

Cowen,

Tatum is hot and cold player and in my opinion has not put the whole game (Offense/Defense/Leadership) together to crown him super star yet.

His game has reached a plateau - nice player, potential superstar, has not yet put it all together, does not make his teammates overall better.

I think this is the year that either makes Tatum the superstar everyone dreams and talks about, or just another great shooter and nothing more.

We will see.   I have also been on the record here that if you were to trade someone in a block buster deal, I would trade Tatum not Brown.  The hype is still there with Tatum and the Celtics could get more for Tatum in a trade then Brown.

I am just not feeling the love for Tatum anymore since is rookie and sophomore season.  I love Brown because he can play the outside game (shooting)  as well as the inside game by slashing to the rim. In fact he has superior moves to the rim then Tatum, who often gets stripped of the ball or loses control of his dribble.

His play in pre Olympic games is a joke especially the last game against France.  Where is the motivation, the drive, the passion!

LET THE TRADING SEASON BEGIN!

112288

Just not sure the configuration of this team is suited for the Olympics.

It must be very difficult to play along side so many other 25 ppg players all of whom are primary scorers.

Team USA could not make shots and Team USA did not defend well enough to make a difference. Team USA is new and not used to playing together. So chemistry trumps talent.

I'm glad EF played great. Did nothing to diminish his market value.

What is the difference between this USA Olympic Team filled with superstars and one-of-a-kind players such as Durant and 1992 THE DREAM TEAM filled with so so players like Jordan, Bird, Pipin, Barkley, M. Johnson?

Any guesses?

Answer. Unselfish players who knew how to play together instead of the ME TOO CLASS of modern day superstars who cannot play as a unit, but can only function as a self absorbed individualist!

Sounds like and looks like the 2020-2021 Boston Celtic Team!

112288

112288

112288 wrote:What is the difference between this USA Olympic Team filled with superstars and one-of-a-kind players such as Durant and 1992 THE DREAM TEAM filled with so so players like Jordan, Bird, Pipin, Barkley, M. Johnson?

Any guesses?

Answer.    Unselfish players who knew how to play together instead of the ME TOO CLASS of modern day superstars who cannot play as a unit, but can only function as a self absorbed individualist!

Sounds like and looks like the 2020-2021 Boston Celtic Team!

112288

112288

That Dream Team was oozing with the best players ever. Jordan, Bird and Magic. No team can stand up to that team in terms of ability, knowing how to play as a team and who is the top dog.

It certainly looks like the best players of today are not great team players. Team USA has too many, I'm the top dog players.

112288 wrote:

cowens/oldschool wrote:Anyone concerned how bad Tatum’s efficiency has been in every game so far?

Cowen,

Tatum is hot and cold player and in my opinion has not put the whole game (Offense/Defense/Leadership) together to crown him super star yet.

His game has reached a plateau - nice player, potential superstar, has not yet put it all together, does not make his teammates overall better.

I think this is the year that either makes Tatum the superstar everyone dreams and talks about, or just another great shooter and nothing more.

We will see.   I have also been on the record here that if you were to trade someone in a block buster deal, I would trade Tatum not Brown.  The hype is still there with Tatum and the Celtics could get more for Tatum in a trade then Brown.

I am just not feeling the love for Tatum anymore since is rookie and sophomore season.  I love Brown because he can play the outside game (shooting)  as well as the inside game by slashing to the rim. In fact he has superior moves to the rim then Tatum, who often gets stripped of the ball or loses control of his dribble.

His play in pre Olympic games is a joke especially the last game against France.  Where is the motivation, the drive, the passion!

LET THE TRADING SEASON BEGIN!

112288

Never thought I would see this posted on this board, but I'm totally in agreement with you on Tatem. Keep Brown for sure. I don't know what we could get for Tatem, but I'm sure it would be a lot.

Berlin-T

Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
7 hours ago
Team USA beats Iran 120-66. Lillard 21, Booker 15, Tatum 14, LavIne 13. Czech Repubic next on Saturday. #Tokyo2020


Bob


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112288 wrote:What is the difference between this USA Olympic Team filled with superstars and one-of-a-kind players such as Durant and 1992 THE DREAM TEAM filled with so so players like Jordan, Bird, Pipin, Barkley, M. Johnson?

Any guesses?

Answer.    Unselfish players who knew how to play together instead of the ME TOO CLASS of modern day superstars who cannot play as a unit, but can only function as a self absorbed individualist!

Sounds like and looks like the 2020-2021 Boston Celtic Team!

112288

112288

It looked to me like they were trying too hard to play unselfishly against France - many times an extra pass was made even though the guy with the ball had a great shot already.