Thoughts

I have not seen them play. I've never had an opportunity this far to see a game to my knowledge. Though, I am not sure if I did have the chance to watch that I would. I may in my own little way be boycotting this team. I actually told Doug yesterday that I hope we win every gold medal for which we compete as Americans with the exception of men's basketball. I think I would rather see them go home empty handed. Not just no gold. No medals period. In my world: Melo > Bron Bron, but he dropped significantly in my books when he guaranteed the gold. If there had been any other willing players in the league, they should have kicked him off the team on the spot for such a comment. He does, however, speak for his team. That is unfortunate. That is the attitude of this olympic squad. They are a bunch of pansies who are so set in the ways of the NBA they cannot step outside the mold into international play and compete. They rely too strongly on their physical ability and completely ignore any inclination to think. They are very capable, very capable. They are also babies.

What horrible names can I call these athletes who are too good to stay in Olympic Village? Tell me that Duane Wade makes more money than Andy Roddick. Tell me Richard Jefferson's sponsorships are more than Michael Phelps'. Why does this team need to walk into Olympic Stadium apart from the rest of it's country's representatives? Who are they? What gives them the right? You know what, stop talking. Play. Win games. Win a medal. Then and only then will you earn any of my respect, though never will I accept justification for their staying on naval ships or whatever off the coast of Greece.

[More:]

I know I avoided the point there, and I'll get to that now. Their time on the court is not too unlinke my comments above. I've stated I've not seen them play, so my opinions are based loosely on what you've posted and other articles I've read. They are shellshocked. They are the best players in the world as long as you play in a way with which they are familiar. An attitude that everyone plays the same as the NBA is foolish. Are they too proud to play a different style that will not get them a shoe deal, though it will get them a gold medal? I would hate to think so, but they haven't shown me anything to the contrary.

Here is what I have been waiting for someone to do....it's Larry Brown's fault. No, not completely, but yes he deserves some of the blame. He is one of the best coaches this game has seen, and at any level. Here is a man at the top of his profession and he got there by being able to make things work. Though he was asked to coach this team and is now babysitting this team, I would still expect a higher level of success. Often times, especially in the NBA coaching and babysitting are not so different. Behind closed doors, away from the press, Brown should be able to simply sit down his team, ask for their attention and tear their egos apart. When the games began this may have not been as easy for him as it would be now.

Tell these players that they are the biggest thing in the US, but nothing on an international stage. They have the absolute biggest shoes to fill and they are failing. Tell them the press is focusing on the fact that this is a team of B players. Why are you all here? Only because Shaq had plans this week and KG doesn't like Greek food. Whatever the reasons were, the players they "really" wanted didn't make it. So what, you're here now. Let's go out there and show not just nay-sayers in America, but around this little marble that they should have asked us to play first. You know why? Because we are not the hype in the league. We are the guys who will go out there and out play the competition. We will adapt. When Brown gets his players to subscribe to this ideology I feel he will be able to reach out to them and perhaps have a breakthrough. When his players get back to the fundamentals, his players will win a medal. Make the extra pass, keep your hand in the passing lane, take a charge. It is the little things in the Olympics. You are playing against teams that are not intimidated. In their minds the Americans are the underdog. In the minds of the Americans, it needs to be the opposite.

I am waiting to be impressed.