USA Bball struggled to get Bronze - USA pro players also struggled at Worlds - Why the big erosion of talent?

Question

In 1989 the Olympic comittee changed the ruling so the USA could use its pros. In the last 50 years only twice had USA lost to USSR -1972 and 1988. In 1992 we began using Pros - USA literally killed other countries by 35 pt ave. Now our pros struggle to get Bronze?

Answer 1

It is simple, the players from the first dream team had a chip on their shoulders and played the games to not just win, but dominate as a unit. Magic, Barkely, Jordan etc.
Now, the best guys don't even want to go due to the money they lose if they get hurt.
Would anyone stand a chance if the USA team was:
PF- K. Garnett & T. Duncan
SF- V. Carter & L. James
C - Shaq & Ben Wallace
PG - J Kidd & G. Arenas
SG - Kobe & D Wayde

For the other 4 guys: C Billups, B Bowen, C Bosh, & 'Melo

Answer 2

Talent isn't an issue. Remember that every other country in the world sends players who more than likely don't play in the NBA. Team USA still had all stars and francise players on its roster. The problem is the NBA game doesn't translate into good fundamental team basketball. And when the NBA'ers got behind the coaching staff couldn't figure out what to do eg when Greece won, the Greek forwards were bringing the ball up the court, the Americans couldn't play against a decent zone, to much one on one offense (that slows the game down), no outside shooters.

Here's a suggestion. Break down the team thus: 8 All Stars (incl. a decent PG, like Kidd, mobile bigs that will guard the perimeter, SF that can play defense like Battier, who should be captain), 2 role players (defense, outside shooters), 2 players who have played overseas (Anthony Parker). (International rules only allow 12 players per team)

Don't think that outright talent will get the job done. Think outside the sqaure. Plus get a coach who knows how to win by playing outside of his comfort zone and has a ton of experience.

Answer 3

I totally agree with what folks say about greedy players and lack of a team ethic on these teams. The 1996 team was a pantheon of the GODS, so they had it made.

But what I think gets lost in a lot of these debates is that fact that basketball around the world is improving. Other countries are producing more players and better teams. Plus, most of these countries are still playing team basketball. Team mentality plus an increase in talent? It's no wonder the USA teams aren't dominating so much anymore!

So yeh...you all are right. There's something wrong with the teams the NBA is putting together. But you can't deny how good the rest of the world is getting at basketball.

Answer 4

The main reasons include a higher level of competition from other countries and a lack of true superstars.

With the NBA season as long as it is, most players want (and deserve) a break over the summer. The last thing many players would want is more nonstop basketball while risking potential injuries.

The other countries' teams also play together as a unit for a much longer period of time than the USA Olympic team. We have a few months to get players to commit and to learn how to work together as a unit whereas teams in other countries work year-round to perfect their teams.

Answer 5

basically back in 1992, the Americans were in a L of their own. international teams were simply no match. sure there were some glimpses of talent in the world, but as a team, they couldn't compete. lookin at the nba back then, u would struggle to find 5 international players in the nba.

nowadays, the nba is a mixing pot of talent from all corners of the world, africa, australia, europe and china all have representatives in the L. with this as the case, it means that international players are good enough to compete with and against the "best".

when these international players play against the americans in world competition, there is no special aura about the dream team. simply put, international teams have their own nba players, and that in itself lifts their confidence. not to mention that there is now less intimidation when competing against the americans.

the dream teams have always had talent. but two things have and will always work against them.....
1. team chemistry. they normally dont have that opportunity to build a relationship with one another, so competing is often hard. its also difficult finding the clutch go to player down the stretch. international teams all have there 1 go to guy. and he tends to be an nba player.
2. the world is catching up. the more international players in the nba gets, the less intimidating the americans are.

in terms of international compeition, has allowing international players made it harder for the Americans to claim gold????

Answer 6

The emphasis in international basketball is basketball skill, not athleticism. It's harder to drive, it's harder to get to the basket to dunk and it's harder to pass inside because the lane is wider and the international players are used to the court used. The US players have quit practicing the fundamentals and rely too much on their athleticism; as a result, we get a lot of players who play close to the basket or can only shoot short shots or dunk. The international game is structured to have a premium on basketball skill - outside shooting, motion offenses based on timing, precise passing, good ball handling, and very little drive to the basket and dunk. None of these are valued by most of the US basketball infrastructure (high school, college, and pro coaches). The US coaches want quick athletic players who can get to the rim and get wins quickly so the coaches can keep their jobs. Most players with top talent end up leaving early for the NBA. College coaches have no time to develop good motion offenses like the European or South American clubs do - these clubs are together for years with the same players. Teamwork is highly evolved (and as the US showing against Greece proved) and good teamwork will beat a team of superior athletes.

Answer 7

I wouldn't call it an "erosion" of talent. True, today's NBA players harvest a totally different attitude than that of yesteryear, but you must give credit to the rest of the world for "catching up" so to speak. Some of the most dominant players in the game are foreigners (Dirk, Yao, Ilgauskus, etc.). We should be pleased that we, as Americans, have to earn a gold medal instead of trouncing teams by 50-60 points every game.

Answer 8

I think that its the lack of teamwork that is hurting them, why not try sending the NBA Champion to the Olympics? they've been playing together for almost a year. Everyone knows each other and the coaching staff has a decent system in place. You're not sending the best players, but the best team to the competition.

Answer 9

Perhaps it's not the erosion of talent, but simply the rest of the world is more competitive than the older days. This would account for both the influx of foreign basketball players, and the scouting of foreign basketball players, and explain why the US has some difficulty in obtaining the Gold.

Answer 10

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