Well, today finalized what should have been obvious to anyone with working grey matter: Paul Pierce was not to blame for Team USA failing. Despite being project in the forefront by George Karl and many media twits, <font size="1"><font color="DarkRed">(who, in general, do little more than regurgitate information passed to them, rather than actually think about the news they write), </font></font> Paul Pierce was made out to be the main protagonist for the problems that plagued Team USA during thier first significant failiure in international play. Years later...... Team USA today lost to Argentina in the mens Olympic Semi's, relagating them to a best possible finish of a Bronze medal. Let's make sure that no one gets the wrong idea, this wasn't much of a shock to anyone, with Team USA struggling through the pool rounds as well, finishing 3-2. Everyone is now scrambling to find a new scapegoat to blame this latest failure of the "Dream Team", but in this posters opinion, it's time to take a shotgun to the monkey Paul Pierce's back and get this whole idiotic notion that he was to blame for Team USA's previous shortcomings. It should be obvious to everyone that it's time to stop blaming Pierce and realize that the "Dream Team" isn't too much to dream about anymore.
I agree, PP was not at blame at all, and should not be...PP actually IMO, would have helped Team USA in these Olympics with his outside shooting ...What irony.
Finally, I'm actually kind of happy Pierce was blamed, and in turn wasn't asked to be on this team, we need him this year. But, I think Pierce really could have made a difference for the "Dream Team", although he was deemed a ball hog and blamed for the loss at the WC's, Pierce proved he could hit a jumper and three.
I think Pierce should have played. The only people that should be blamed is the guys on the selection committee. Trying to sell make money by selling jerseys rather than make a winning team. I'd buy a Fred Hoiberg,Michael Redd Olympic Jersey. Seriously though who wants a jersey of the first team to lose in the Olympics with NBA players.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting hagrid:</div><div class="quote_post"> Paul Pierce was made out to be the main protagonist for the problems that plagued Team USA during thier first significant failiure in international play.</div> Pierce isn't the blame and neither are the other players. I think it's just that the world is caught up with us in the sport and they realize that they can finally compete w/ us. Also the people blaming the US players that declined should put this on Pierce because technically, Paul wouldn't have brought us anything better than what the come out was in this year's Olympics. I would also think that if anyone is going to blame someone that it would be on players like Kidd, Shaq, TMac, etc. not Pierce.
Pierce and Andre Miller were the best players on that 2002 WC team. Pierce is a competitor and b/c the other players were playing scared, he tried to carry the team on his shoulders. Pierce did not see eye to eye w/ George Karl and he didn't see eye to eye w/ Andre Miller. That is why he was blamed for the losses, but it definitely was not b/c of his performance. The U.S. is too concerned w/ bringing in character guys. Had they selected Paul Pierce, Ron Artest, and Zach Randolph we would have faired better in this tournament. Maybe in 2006 during the World Championship the committee will be bright enough to select those players along w/ Ronald "Flip" Murray.
Ronald "Flip" Murray? Seriously? Na, I think he needs to accomplished at least one thing in the NBA before doing this.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Need4Sheed:</div><div class="quote_post">Ronald "Flip" Murray? Seriously? Na, I think he needs to accomplished at least one thing in the NBA before doing this.</div>Are you a member of the selection Committee? Because they made the same mistake you are making. They were too concerned with bringing in the biggest names possible, regardless of roles. I would have rather seen Flip on the team over many of those guys.
No, I'm not but I think should be. There is plenty of players I'd like to see there that aren't superstars. To name a few, Bruce Bowen, Sam Cassell, Brad Miller, and Michael Redd. These guys are all players that accomplished things in their NBA career, it may not be much either but it is still more than Murray. Flip showed one 1/2 decent year and he is extremely inconsistent. Bowen is a proven top NBA defender, Miller and Redd are one time all-stars with respected outside games, and Cassell is a true point guard with many playoffs appearances w/ different teams and has a killer 3 point jumper. Nuff said, Smarty.
I agree with you on that, up until you say "Nuff said, Smarty." However, you may not know it, but you just agreed with what I said. You just have some other possible options that they could have chosen. I agree that the players you mentioned would have been good choices. But I believe that they should pick role players and put them in the exact role that they are used to. Flip would have been a pretty good 2nd or 3rd PG off the bench. He is also somebody who wouldn't have had problems with not playing alot.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Need4Sheed:</div><div class="quote_post">No, I'm not but I think should be. There is plenty of players I'd like to see there that aren't superstars. To name a few, Bruce Bowen, Sam Cassell, Brad Miller, and Michael Redd. These guys are all players that accomplished things in their NBA career, it may not be much either but it is still more than Murray. Flip showed one 1/2 decent year and he is extremely inconsistent. Bowen is a proven top NBA defender, Miller and Redd are one time all-stars with respected outside games, and Cassell is a true point guard with many playoffs appearances w/ different teams and has a killer 3 point jumper. Nuff said, Smarty.</div> Being that you are from Philly and have claimed to play against Philly's best, I'm shocked that you are not a fan of Flip's. I didn't bring up Flip's name to be a role player either. I brought his name up b/c I honestly believe that he would have been the best guard on this year's Olympic team, too. Flip was inconsistent last year b/c he got inconsistent minutes. When he played big minutes he was always productive. It's just a shame that he plays the same position as Ray Allen (although I'm hoping he gets the chance to start at the point this year). I'm not some naive basketball fan that likes Flip because of his nickname. B/c of the league pass I got a chance to see almost every Sonic game last season. Since this is a Boston forum I'll give you something that you can relate to. The real "Truth" in the NBA is Ronald Murray and the rest of the league is about to find out. Remember this argument three years from now when people will be arguing who is the best guard in the league, Flip, LeBron, McGrady, or Kobe.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">Being that you are from Philly and have claimed to play against Philly's best, I'm shocked that you are not a fan of Flip's. I didn't bring up Flip's name to be a role player either. I brought his name up b/c I honestly believe that he would have been the best guard on this year's Olympic team, too. Flip was inconsistent last year b/c he got inconsistent minutes. When he played big minutes he was always productive. It's just a shame that he plays the same position as Ray Allen (although I'm hoping he gets the chance to start at the point this year). I'm not some naive basketball fan that likes Flip because of his nickname. B/c of the league pass I got a chance to see almost every Sonic game last season. Since this is a Boston forum I'll give you something that you can relate to. The real "Truth" in the NBA is Ronald Murray and the rest of the league is about to find out. Remember this argument three years from now when people will be arguing who is the best guard in the league, Flip, LeBron, McGrady, or Kobe.</div> I didn't see as many Sonic games as you did, but I think you're a little overconfident in Flip's abilities. I saw about 10 games, some in the beginning when Flip was on fire and others later in the season when he wasn't playing. From what I saw Flip will be like Quentin Richardson, not a an all star but a good scorer and not much else. He also could be like Vinnie Johnson who can light up the scoreboard one night and not put up anything the next night. I saw some flashes of brilliance, but nothing close to Kobe and Tma'c ability to score almost at will.
I did notice that last season. All of a sudden all I hear is "did you hear about that dude from Seattle that is leading the league in scoring". Then when I started following the box scores after like say, 10-15 games his name was bearly heard. I know he is a very good player and I'm not taking anything away from him but I just don't think he is Olympic quality just yet. Hey, who know's Flip could be an unstoppable player w/ just a lil more developing. Ok, back to Pierce because I don't want to take this thread away from him.
To each his own. Just remember that you heard it here first. Ronald Murray will be one of, if not the best guards in the league. There is no point in arguing. I'll let his production do the talking. By the way, Paul Pierce is also one of the top ten players in the league. I'm hoping that when his career is finished he will be remembered as the third best player in Celtic history (behing Bird and Russell).
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> To each his own. Just remember that you heard it here first. Ronald Murray will be one of, if not the best guards in the league. There is no point in arguing. I'll let his production do the talking. By the way, Paul Pierce is also one of the top ten players in the league. I'm hoping that when his career is finished he will be remembered as the third best player in Celtic history (behing Bird and Russell). </div> That's tough to judge, whether or not he's a top 10 or not. Well lets see....Duncan, KG, Shaq, Kobe, T-Mac, Kidd, Dirk, Brand and JO are all ahead of him IMO. I see him and Stephon rounding out the top 10. I got Carter at 11 <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Remember this argument three years from now when people will be arguing who is the best guard in the league, Flip, LeBron, McGrady, or Kobe.</div> Haha, I don't think he'll be at that levell. He'll have to be better than Carter, Pierce and Wade first before he gets up there. Heck, LeBron isn't even up there yet, he should be there this year though.
One thing though is that Flip is not a good defender, he needs to work on that first, and he's also 6'4 at the SG position, which is fine, since he's pretty athletic, but it's not the greatest thing for him.
paul pierce should have played in the olympics. i mean, c'mon, no one on that team can shoot. everyone was just doing the zone defense on USA, and they couldn't get their outside shots to fall. paul pierce or could have opened up the defense a bit. i'm sure he'll be on the team next time. he has to play.
