At that intensity it is. All of the players who took part in USA basketball talked about how taking part helped their game, because they didn't understand how hard some players in the league work until they took part. Why do you think Wade, Bosh and Lebron are together? They are together because of TEAM USA and their experience there, and the fact they are sick of playing with players who don't do what it takes to win. If Lamarcus is so good at practicing and improving his game on his own in the off season, then why have his stats essentially been flat since he entered the league, and some of the numbers, have even declined during his career. The only thing that has increased for Lamarcus, is his number of minutes on the court. All of that tells me, that he is not serious about improving his game. Decent player? Yep. What you want in order to get to the top? Not even. The best Lamarcus is now, is a #3 scorer on a good team.
So if he took part, he might make friends with other players, and decide to join forces together to put him on a better team? Yeah, I'd hope he wouldn't go then. Bosh has pretty much flat lined. And now he's a #3 scorer on a good team. What did Team USA do for Bosh? It got him to talk to Wade and Lebron, and get him on a good team. The only mention I heard of someone seeing another raise their game was Lebron mentioning it about Kobe. But then Lebron went and bailed on personal improvement for joining up with Wade and Bosh, to make things easier on him. Yeah, I don't give a shit about Team USA. I don't want a bunch of our guys playing year round. I want their focus to be on Portland.
Weak excuse in my opinion. I guess I fall on the patriotic side of things. It's a chance to play and represent your country. Injury be damned as far as I'm concerned.
Fuck patriotism. Injury be damned? Tell that to Paul Allen. Team USA isn't paying their salaries, he is. I don't want a guy getting injured to try to tough it out for Team USA to get a gold medal. I'll get much more joy out of the Blazers winning than I will USA winning, personally.
You keep saying that, but I'm not so sure it's true... http://www.nba.com/playerfile/lamarcus_aldridge/career_stats.html Other than his rookie year, which could be argued as a low-ish usage outlier, his FG% has gone up a decent amount (and is almost back to the rookie %). His 3PT% has gone up each year, and his FT% went up 3 straight years before dipping slightly last year. Rebounding has been fairly steady but improved slightly (total and per minute) last year. Assists and steals have trended up slightly, and turnovers have dropped steadily. Aside from transforming himself into a monster rebounder, I'm not quite sure what you're expecting... 18 pts and 8 rebounds a game from a 2nd or 3rd option, high efficiency player is pretty damn good, in my opinion. Sure, I'd like to see him be even better, but he's anything but in a rut as you suggest.
How much of your own money would you risk for the sake of US basketball patriotism, out of curiosity?
I don't mean it as a screw the US. I love my country. I just don't see playing an olympic sport as some patriotic duty. Especially when you are paid to play elsewhere. I don't get this big sense of pride seeing our overpaid professional athletes win gold medals, and start chanting to myself USA. USA. I don't. Sorry. My basketball pecking order starts with the TrailBlazers, not Team USA. That's where my priority is at. And that's where I want my players' priorities at. Not with Team Spain. Team France. Team England. or Team USA.
Assuming I was invited to actually MAKE A DIFFERENCE by participating? I'd take vacation without pay.
Even if it could damage or end future earnings? Further, from Paul Allen's perspective, he has a lot of money tied up in Aldridge. If Aldridge's career, or even a season or two, were derailed, he'd lose quite a lot of money. This isn't a question of helping the US in WWII. It's just a basketball exhibition.
This makes more sense than your previous post. You don't equate participating in the Olympics with patriotism. I do. I mean I understand the risk, but if Kobe, lebon, etc can take that chance... And they made no bones it was for the U.S. Personally I HATED when the US was not dominating the International scene any longer in hoop. Was very happy to see our pro's felt the same way.
And then they bailed on it this season. NONE of the members are coming back. I don't think it was patriotism. Just the attention on a personal level they can get from bringing Team USA back. And once it got "back" they all quit on it. How patriotic. Like fighting on Normandy, and then heading back home from a job well done?
Am I coming off THAT seriously? I know message boards can sometimes screw up what I actually mean. I'm not some SUPER patriot. I just don't think the "might get injured" excuse is much of an excuse. That's all.
So you don't have to be too patriotic, just a little bit? Shouldn't they just have the heart to do it for love of country? Why is once enough?
Hmm. I don't know whether or not I'm misunderstanding you. I'm saying that risk of injury is a pretty serious thing for someone who's entire livelihood is based on their physical well-being (and also important for anyone financing that athlete)....that seems far, far more important than sports patriotism.
If you think LMA is the problem with this team you are wrong. He is playing in a offense that doesn't play to his strengths (running the floor; starting offense early to take advantage of defense) and he hasn't had a consistent big man to help him with the double team. Before you complain, try to think of how fucked we would be without him(tyrus thomas).
