haha USA lost today against greece

[bluepeter]

no shit? the Dream Team lost?

The Dream Team didn't lose bro, they blew everybody out in '92.

 

[deco]

They're in a three year plan culminating in the next Olympics.

You need months of working together before you get to the point that defensive switches are consistent, or there is actual motion in the offense.

Maybe in high school. When you are a pro, you either need to know the plays or learn the real quick. Playbooks arent vastly different in the NBA, most players already know what they are doing out on the floor. That's why you see a guy score 30 pts on a day after his trade to a new team. They give you a playbook in the morning before the game, and by night time they expect you to know them, but like I said there's isnt that much difference in the league so it's not hard to pick up.
Now it's true that USA needs some adjusting on both ends, but the fact is europeans are more fundementally sound from early on. They might not jump as high but they will hit that open jumper every time, they will make that perfect pass and in most cases outsmart bunch of young guys anytime of the day. These little things are the key to not gettin ur ass swatted, making easy buckets and not getting burned on D. I mean, honestly there's no team out there that is more athletic than USA, but that alone isn't going to cut it obviously. The problem is, colleges in USA dont always stress those things as much as playing hard and getting after it.
As for team basketball, trust me there's plenty of ego filled players in europe too.

 

[Phenom78]

Maybe in high school. When you are a pro, you either need to know the plays or learn the real quick. Playbooks arent vastly different in the NBA, most players already know what they are doing out on the floor. That's why you see a guy score 30 pts on a day after his trade to a new team. They give you a playbook in the morning before the game, and by night time they expect you to know them, but like I said there's isnt that much difference in the league so it's not hard to pick up.
Now it's true that USA needs some adjusting on both ends, but the fact is europeans are more fundementally sound from early on. They might not jump as high but they will hit that open jumper every time, they will make that perfect pass and in most cases outsmart bunch of young guys anytime of the day. These little things are the key to not gettin ur ass swatted, making easy buckets and not getting burned on D. I mean, honestly there's no team out there that is more athletic than USA, but that alone isn't going to cut it obviously. The problem is, colleges in USA dont always stress those things as much as playing hard and getting after it.
As for team basketball, trust me there's plenty of ego filled players in europe too.

Ordinarily I think there is some truth to what you say, but I think the evidence speaks for itself. Abused by the pick and roll all night? Allowing plus 70% shooting after the first quarter while giving up 100+ points?

Its one thing to slot a guy into the lineup and watch him still be somewhat productive while hes getting acclimated. But an entire team is a different story.

I agree with you on the jump shooting though. Seems to be a probelm with a lot of young peeps playing today.