quote: Originally posted by kissmybass Sports, what the hell is that. I used to play and teach tennis, but that went by the wayside when I got married and had kids. I do need to get back into it though. I play softball in a league so that keeps me out of trouble, but I pretty much look forward to after the game when the beer guzzling starts. [B)] KMB

LOL [:D] Lately I've been guzzling the beer while out on the golf course. Guess I can't wait until afterwards...

quote: Originally posted by Wrikolakas <blockquote id="quote"><table width=90% cellpadding=10><tr><td bgcolor=FFFFCC><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote: Originally posted by aabrewer318 and Wriko, that's great for your team... your country has a great basketball history.......do you play?......America is forgetting HOW to PLAY basketball......>>>work on those jumpshots<<< </font id="quote"></td></tr></table></blockquote id="quote"> Well yes, Lithuania has really long and quite amazing basketball history (amazing for such small country I mean). Really in Lithuania are two religions: first - basketball, second - catholicity. Lithuania were 3 times European champions, 3 times Olympics bronze and once my beloved Zalgiris won Euroleague. Personally I'm not very good in basketball, so I play it very very rare just for fun during holidays. I don't think that USA is getting worse in basketball, I think that others are getting better and there are less possibilities for Dream Team to be the only kings [:)]

Nice of you to say that we ae not getting worse. Truth is the game is becoming more athletic and up and down...more inner city while the rest of the world is playing more fundamental basketball and yes, improving leaps and bounds each year. The fella who mentioned about the lost art of the jump shot should watch a Pistons or Sonics some game sometime. It's fading, but not gone yet. Rip Hamilton and Ray allen can shoot with anyone in the world. Problem with our players is that they won't jeopardize their contracts to play on the olympic team while other countries continually send out the absolute best their countries have to offer. Imagine all of our stars out there....this is my olympic roster..mostly cuz I don't want to do any more work today. pg-Mike Bibby sg-Tracy McGrady sf-Ray Allen pf-Amare Stoudamire c-Shaq bench pg Jason Kidd sg Rip Hamilton sf Rashard Lewis pf Kevin garnett c tim duncan Others roster spots Cuttino Mobley Paul Pierce Kobe Bryant If we'd field a team like this we would actually win games on the international level like we used to quite easily.

Flash is right on.......these teams outside the US have been practicing together for years. You cant say that we didnt have some of our best players on last years team. we had it coming. Still the Knicks will never get it together and go UConn!

That's real problem that so called "professionals" don't want or even can't because of contract to play for national team. We also have one such of a kind playing in Cleveland. Bad guy... Dream Team is one of the best and that's the axiom. Just, don't want it to win EVERYTIME. In sport is impossible to be the only leaders for a long time. Just imagine how lucky we were when our team won against the US during these Athens olympics, nevertheless we lost second match for bronze, but that first victory was almost the same as having gold already, it was real boom in Lithuania [:)] Now, in autumn, is comming Europe basketball championship, so it will be a great event for us. Lithuania is Europe champion at the moment and I wish to prove our power once more. We have really amazing team now. And we'll meet the Dream Team in World championship...

Yep, unfortunately many Americans couldn't care less if they aren't getting paid. Crown: I'd add Wade and Lebron to that roster and cut Kobe for sure. Not sure who the other cut would be...

quote: Originally posted by Chopz I mostly watch sports. The thought of losing my beergut doing excercise is horrendous. I do like to play tennis... but since I grew up with John McEnroe, and I have a short fuze, so I tend to throw my raquet around and swear like a rapper's lyric.

Yeah, McEnroe is unbelievable [:D]

quote: Originally posted by Cottrell <blockquote id="quote"><table width=90% cellpadding=10><tr><td bgcolor=FFFFCC><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote: Originally posted by Crown Royals Nice of you to say that we ae not getting worse. Truth is the game is becoming more athletic and up and down...more inner city while the rest of the world is playing more fundamental basketball and yes, improving leaps and bounds each year. The fella who mentioned about the lost art of the jump shot should watch a Pistons or Sonics some game sometime. It's fading, but not gone yet. Rip Hamilton and Ray allen can shoot with anyone in the world. Problem with our players is that they won't jeopardize their contracts to play on the olympic team while other countries continually send out the absolute best their countries have to offer. Imagine all of our stars out there....this is my olympic roster..mostly cuz I don't want to do any more work today. pg-Mike Bibby sg-Tracy McGrady sf-Ray Allen pf-Amare Stoudamire c-Shaq bench pg Jason Kidd sg Rip Hamilton sf Rashard Lewis pf Kevin garnett c tim duncan </font id="quote"></td></tr></table></blockquote id="quote"> Where's Dwayne Wade? And you're spot on with Ray Allen and Rip, both Uconn alum, CT represent! Ray is the purest shooter in the NBA right now as far as I'm concerned. His battles with Iverson while in the Big East were epic.

Dwayne Wade is home honing his jumper and putting in his time. It will come.

I just noticed that I only have ten psots so far...need 12. Last two go to Michel Redd and Vince Carter, but Carter has to sign a piece of paper saying that he will dunk over another 7 foot white guy. Notice the lack of rookie sensations on this roster. We need ambassadors of the game, savvy veterans and good solid fundamental players to represent USA Basketball, not guys who went to their highschool proms last year and make bootleg videos.

I'd rather have rookie sensations than guys like Carter or Bryant. Gotta put Lebron on there... he's not normal, had the Dream Team played him more last time maybe they would have done better. Also, I think Wade's gotta be there... the rest of the rooks can wait though.

The rooks time will come, I just wouldn't add them to an Olympic roster right now. 4 years from now maybe...Also, I agree with the Kobe/Carter being left off...excpet that Carter dunk may have been the best dunk ever, by anyone. Dude jumped over a 7 foot French white guy. Awesome. Too bad his career has gone downhill ever since. I watched himfor years in TO...guy has NO HEART