It's partly about superstar calls and all that. The international game looks a lot more like the NBA in the 80s than the NBA now. Mostly though I think it's about a total meltdown in basketball fundamentals in the league, especially in the younger players. They learn to drive and dunk (sometimes even without traveling), but they don't know how to shoot, run off screens, or play defense.

As obvious as it might seem, they don't teach you to play basketball at high levels in high school. College used to help with some of that, and used to be, most rookies didn't make the leap to superstardom right away like the kids do now.

Wade's attitude about the coaching is a clear sign of the problem. Get out of my way when things are going well and only help me when they aren't. If the NBA wants to be the premier league in the world, some guys are going to have to learn that freakish athletic skills aren't enough in a team game.

I think the worst thing that could have happened to basketball in the U.S. would have been for this team to waltz right through the worlds. We need an ongoing wake-up call, not just one that rings once and goes away. It's broke worse than that.

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"But first, are you experienced? Or have you you ever been experienced? Well, I have."
Jimi

Very good point.

An added bonus is that it ticks off Stern to lose on the world stage!

They knew there would be no NBA calls and I thought did a good job adjusting. Wade, James, Mello, Bosh played a lot better this time around.

They were doing quit well up until the last game. Then again thats been the story as a of late, Team USA always seems to run out of gas.

To me it seemed like team USA had no answer for the number 5, Sotksosskseiplkalipsalisalk. That guy had a great game, and handed out fouls like he was working the register at the No Free Chili line.

I agree with the team vs. player theory proposed here, but am also concerned that the "best basketball players in the world" couldn't overcome their short time together. Wade, James, Anthony, and Howard are some of the best atheletes the NBA has seen. If they can't get together and learn the game in time, is there any hope for a Dream Team?

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"Eastern Conference regular-season champs, baby," said Chauncey Billups. "This is what we set out for when we started the season in training camp. We did it and we're happy." (2003)

I agree with this and this point should be taken seriously. USA Basketball might be better off sending over an intact NBA team. This idea of a having a team of superstars isn't working. The only sport where All-Star teams work is baseball because you have to play your OWN position. Not the same in hoops, hockey and football, at least not to the same extent.

Even if sending an intact NBA team would increase the USA's chances, I can't see any of the owners agreeing to that. The competitive disadvantage that team would have going into the next season, from having played all those extra games, would be anathema to any serious NBA title contending team.

Spain beats Argentina by 1 after trailing by as many 12 points in the first half. So what was supposed to be the Gold medal game with the USA vs Argentina, will now be the favorites fighting for the "la Bronze".

I too am glad there were no Pistons on the team and am kind of happy that we don't have to hear the words "Dwayne Wade, NBA Champion and gold medalist all in the same sentence." for the next 10 months.

Also I love it when Coack K loses

The game is being replayed right now 10 AM PDT (1PM EDT) on NBA TV for those who hang out home and have this channel.

The crazy thing is, most fans here won't recognize that the team to send is the Phoenix Suns, not the Pistons, Cavs or Heat.

1000% agree!!!
True words- I have to admit that I enjoyed the FIBA games more than usual (or even playoff) NBA games. No superstar calls, good strategies, superb shooters, setting screens and so on- it was much better basketball- not by athleticism, but by the style of play. After this tournament I realized how bad NBA basketball has become in the last years with all this traveling, superstar calls and so on. I love the Pistons, but not the NBA (any longer; that was different some years ago).

Excellent points.