On the surface, it’s hard for local fans to get into the U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team since there are no Celtics wearing Red, White and Blue uniforms and more importantly, the squad features an unholy trinity of detestable current NBA stars: LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant.
However, since it is the middle of the summer (so there aren’t many other sports viewing options, particularly if you like hoops) and everyone gets caught up in USA homerism during the Olympics, here are some reasons why I will be watching when the U.S. tips off against France a week from Sunday. Keep in mind that the U.S. is a juggernaut; they’ve won 13 of 16 gold medals in their 16 Olympic appearances, amassing a silly record of 123-5. Most recently, they took home the gold in Beijing during the 2008 Olympics.
Time For Kevin Love & Deron Williams To Get Their Rightful Publicity
Through no fault of their own, Timberwolves forward Kevin Love and Nets point guard Deron Williams have been toiling in obscurity for years since they both play for terrible NBA teams in crappy markets. It appears that will change soon for Williams with the Nets move to Brooklyn, bankrolled by Jay-Z.
No doubt, if you like basketball you already know plenty about both of these superb players but this tournament should give them an added boost in terms of notoriety around the U.S., and the world, assuming they get some meaningful minutes and the U.S. wins games.
Enough With The Dream Team Comparisons Before I Get A Migraine
The endless bar-room discussions comparing bygone teams and players in different sports always bores me to tears but I have to say that the 1992 Dream Team talk compared with this team is nothing short of nauseating. Thanks Kobe, for starting this whole pointless dialogue. Who cares how they would matchup theoretically? It’s a waste of oxygen and brain cells (assuming Chris Broussard had any to begin with) to talk about guys that have never actually played each other.
The NBA always loves to focus on who is next while also endlessly looking back to the past with rose-colored glasses. Can we just live in the moment for a second?
The Most Famous Unibrow Could Soon Take The World By Storm This Summer
By far, the most interesting selection to the 12-man roster is former Kentucky star Anthony Davis, the New Orleans Hornets’ No. 1 pick from last month and the only NBA rookie appearing in London. He only made the team since most of their other big men could not stay healthy and it’s doubtful that he’ll play all that much.
Still, this should be the first real test to see how Davis will do against the NBA talent that litters the rosters of other countries (Brazil, France, Spain, Argentina). In his brief time as a Wildcat, he was one of the most intriguing prospects in the last decade.
